Health & Fitness in Alexandria

Taekwondo isn't just about using feet and fists for self defense. It's a journey of the mind, the body, and especially the spirit at Kingdom Warriors Christian Taekwondo. The school is a ministry of Washington Community Church, and as part of the esteemed United States Chung Do Kwan Association, Kingdom Warriors also has the certified blessing of World Taekwondo Federation. As both a licensed minister and a high ranking black belt, Senior Grandmaster Ed Sell has ministered to thousands of soldiers, carrying on Kingdom Warriors motto: "To give strength to the weak, confidence to the timid, and spiritual guidance to those who seek after God." In addition to their lessons in self-defense, self-discipline, physical fitness, coordination, and spirituality, Kingdom Warriors Christian Taekwondo also counts itself a part of the SPARK after school program series in which youngsters can learn taekwondo, or enjoy tutoring, socializing, and study activities.

Anytime Fitness, which boasts more than 1,800 clubs in North America, makes it easier for average folks to etch out time for exercise by doing one simple thing: staying open 24 hours a day for 365 days a year. As fitness seekers challenge themselves on cardio and Hammer Strength machines and hoist Iron Grip free weights in clean, well-stocked facilities, security monitoring ensures they?re safe and producing enough sweat to meet official government standards. Members can also ramp up their exercise regimens with the help of Anytime Fitness?s staff of personal trainers, who demonstrate moves and sling motivating tips. After workouts, guests can shower in the private restrooms or hop into one of the tanning booths available 24 hours a day.

Inside Mount Vernon CrossFit, a 36' Infinity Rig loaded with barbells, pull-up bars, and gymnastics rings welcomes visitors to the 3,000-square-foot facility. Scattered around this domineering structure are other indicators of a steadfast commitment to physical fitness, such as plyo boxes, rowing machines, and dozens of kettlebells. These are the tools of the trade at the CrossFit gym, where exercisers of every description come together to perform the Workout of the Day, an ever-changing collection of exercises designed to build broad, functional fitness. Outside, another acre of land is available for exercises that can't be performed indoors, such as long-distance running or leaping to snatch birds out of mid-air.

Since its 1965 founding in Venice Beach, California, Gold's Gym has dotted the globe with more than 600 locations where professional athletes and exercise newbies gather under the umbrella of personal strength. Nearly 3.5 million Gold's members chart and aim for their fitness peaks, perspiring beneath the gaze of certified personal trainers or pedaling beside peers at cycling sessions. In a diverse lineup of group classes, patrons strengthen cores with Pilates, finger-paint pictures of ninjas in martial arts, and amp up heart rates along to the pulsating soundtracks of Les Mills routines. Many Gold's Gym locations offer cardio machines with individual iPod docks and televisions that help keep patrons motivated.

As someone who used to struggle with weight gain herself, Denise Lee understands the immense effort that goes into staying healthy. At Pinpoint Personal Training Services, she uses her personal experience to guide clients down the same path toward peak fitness that she undertook herself. Her exercise curriculum spans from kickboxing and yoga to cardio exercises and kettle-bell work. Because she personalizes her services with each client, she's adept at dealing with a range of needs, from rehabilitation after an injury to fitness newbies looking for guidance.

A century ofshared experience unites trainers at Get Shaped Fitness, where they coach groupsessions and work individually with trainees. "We stress education over quick fixes," theysay, "striv[ing] to prepare you for continuing your success over the longterm." To these ends, they customize personal training sessions and makethemselves available to talk about lifestyle changes, such as replacing cupcakeswith a sheet cake inscribed with "eat carrots." The gym's own GetShaped app helps clients keep track of their classes and contact staffers.