Fort Wayne Health and Fitness

Though the six instructors come from diverse backgrounds—one is a teacher, one is a choreographer for Bollywood dances, and another is a mother of three—they’re all united by a common passion: fitness. Pulling from certifications in variety of disciplines, including Zumba, PiYo, and yoga, the energetic coaches lead a variety of group fitness classes and personal-training sessions. Vibrant music reverberates against the bamboo floors and mirrored walls of their 1,900-square-foot studio as the instructors conduct Zumba, boot-camp, and Turbo Kick workouts. Other days, they take students to indoor and outdoor pools for aqua Zumba and aqua Fit sessions, only canceling classes on those rare occasions when lightning warnings are issued or the universe collapses in on itself.

American Health Fitness Centers has welcomed Fort Wayne residents in pursuit of fitness for more than 50 years, stocking two locations with free weights, cardio television areas, and a congenial staff. The North Clinton Street location's indoor pool hosts aerobics sessions for low-impact, aqueous workouts and a whirlpool for high-impact relaxation sessions, and the center on Illinois Road magnifies muscles with a full Hammer Strength strength-training room. Body-sculpting group classes at each locale guide limbs through step maneuvers, Pilates poses, and dumbbell heaves. For additional fees, certified personal trainers steer physiques through custom programs and the gyms' childcare services entertain youngsters with barbell juggling ($2/day per child).

Opening doors for 24 hours a day, seven days a week is an exhausting proposition for any doorman, unless he's a robot. That's why Anytime Fitness—having redirected its robot budget into tanning beds, cardio equipment with built-in TVs, and Precor weight machines—installed a keycard-activated security system instead. The electronic guardian keeps gym members secure while admitting them at any time of day or night for their workouts.

During daylight hours, certified instructors incinerate calories with Les Mills–designed group fitness classes or Latin-inspired Zumba dancercise. Personal trainers coach clients in one-on-one sessions, tailoring regimens to each individual's level of fitness, past injuries, or number of tentacles. To relax after workouts, staffed tanning beds stand by to bronze bodies, while water-jet-powered HydroMassage beds blast away tension.