Ellipse Fitness, Appleton

At Ellipse Fitness, the only pieces of machinery that you operate are the levers, pulleys, and ball-and-socket mechanisms of your own skeleton. The gyms abstain from treadmills and bikes in favor of a full class schedule and a cooperative group atmosphere. With 35 or more lessons scheduled per week, certified fitness professionals guide guests of all experience levels through an ever-changing line-up of strength and cardio drills. These sessions incorporate tools such as resistance bands, TRX suspension bands, kettle bells, battling ropes, and kickboxing equipment, though the primary instrument is always the human physique.

In addition to their standard classes, the staff also hosts boot-camp sessions and seminars on mastering your metabolism. Their weight-loss programs encompass weekly check-ins, during which clients receive nutritional resources and gauge their progress by taking measurements instead of stockpiling all the food they didn't eat in a jar. Regardless of its ultimate goal, each Ellipse Fitness regimen involves personal attention and a holistic, full-body approach to wellness.