Health & Fitness in West Raleigh

Laced with elements of yoga, Pilates, and gymnastics, the women-only classes at Aradia Fitness sculpt lean, toned physiques. And though physical fitness is a cornerstone of the studio, it's not the only one. Classes such as Striptease and Lap Dance foster a certain amount of unrestrained confidence that, as Aradia puts it, “teach[es] women to unapologetically love their body and themselves.” At 17 locations across the country, Aradia's staff of certified instructors, including world-record holder Amanda, lead women of all shapes, sizes, and experiences through sessions ranging from pole-dancing classes that teach aerial lifts and holds to Sexy Fit classes that forgo the pole for yoga fusion, boot camp, and lap dancing. No matter the class, the environment at Aradia is always light hearted, nurturing, and more supportive than a stainless-steel hammock.

Before stepping onto the ice or the baseball diamond, members of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Durham Bulls pay a visit to Eye Care Associates, who have provided top-notch eyeglasses, contact lenses, and eye exams for nearly 35 years. Founded by Dr. Stephen Bolick, the team of vision specialists at the center help rid blurriness from pucks, balls, and signs held by adoring fans. When they’re not gazing into the eyes of athletes, they and their fellow doctors at a network of clinics stay busy correcting the vision of seniors, children, and adults. The company topped Indy Week's 2012 Readers’ Choice poll for best optometrists in the area and received a Standing Ovation award as the best eyecare center in the Triangle in 2012 from readers of Metro Magazine.

A single horizontal barre is the only equipment at Barre Up, but it provides ample motivation and creativity for body-toning workouts. Students step up to the barre to perform a variety of small, isometric movements, designed to sculpt lean, dancer-like physiques. To ensure top-notch instruction at Barre Up, the class sizes are kept small and each teacher holds a BarreAmped certification in addition to Pilates or yoga certifications—each of which is taught at the studio. For instance, they also lead Buti yoga, a high-intensity combination of plyometrics, yoga, and tribal dance.

During a variety of group fitness classes, the trainers at CORE Fitness Studio work their students into shape. The studio's signature boot camp changes up each session, doing anything from circuit training one day to tabatas the next in order to stave off boredom. One-on-one and small-group training is also available, and for those who want to overhaul their lifestyle, grocery-store tours and kitchen makeovers are also available in order to get clients on the right track with a healthy diet.

At Fit Bodies by Chrissy, personal trainer Chrissy lays out exercise routines that help her clients meet their specific fitness goals, whether they're getting married or have just had a baby. She combines resistance training with cardiovascular exercises to shrink waistlines and tone limbs—all while keeping clients encouraged with positive reinforcement and an upbeat attitude. Attacking weight-loss from both ends, she also doles out nutrition advice, such as how to whittle away calorie counts or increase protein intake.

Lamar Shaw—the talent behind Powered By Shaw—whips bodies into shape using his stash of certifications, including kettlebells, TRX, spinning, strength and conditioning, and boxing. He offers clients his full attention during personal training sessions and gathers groups into a supportive environment during boot-camp classes. Lamar also helps kids build their gross motor skills and prevent obesity through fun, high-energy workouts.