Gyms in Highlands Ranch

Dancer, teacher, lawyer, salesperson. These were the titles held by Functional Strength Pilates’s staff before they ditched their day jobs to pursue their passion for the more-than-80-year-old practice. Out of two Denver–area locations they teach traditional Pilates, which shows students how to breathe mindfully while aligning their spines to strengthen their cores. Continued practice can help students to decompress their joints so they can move more fluidly than the Vitruvian man doing the backstroke. The exercise also integrates well with rehabilitation regimens, which explains why the staff works closely with area physical therapists, orthopedic doctors, and chiropractors and their patients. Each of the two studios bolsters the Pilates curriculum with different supplemental practices—personal training at the Lone Tree location and yoga classes in Castle Rock.

Having a baby presents a new set of challenges to any family, as Stacey Bergin-Melito, very well knows. As the founder of Natal to Nest and a mother of two, Stacey works to ease the stresses of childbirth via fertility workshops, pre- and postnatal yoga classes, and support groups. Her staff features health specialists including a board-certified lactation consultant, a nutritional-therapy practitioner, and a registered nurse, among others. Together, the team brings moms closer to new babies as well as to fellow parents in a relaxed setting.

Speed. Strength. Endurance. Powerhouse Strength & Conditioning helps exercisers achieve fitness goals like these during personal-training sessions and group fitness classes, which simulate exercising in a hall of mirrors. Owner and fitness coach Tom Leonard draws from more than 15 years of experience when working with athletes or everyday clients.

Consultation, muscle confusion, and nutrition. These are the main principles of Kosama Highlands Ranch, and the foundation upon which their guaranteed training programs are based. Certified trainers welcome every new client with a one-on-one consultation, complete with measurements, goal setting, and strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health assessments. From there, clients embark on a personal training or group-fitness journey. The enthusiastic staff challenge participants’ muscles with high-intensity exercises using tools such as kettlebells, TRX training, and kickboxing moves. Six themed workouts throughout the week change constantly to ensure muscles never adapt and continually progress. An online meal planner complements in-studio training by giving members 24-7 access to weekly menus, recipes, and a list of holidays on which calories do not count.