Wondering where to get the best bang for your buck for HIIT classes in Houston? Wondering what even is a “HIIT” class? We got you and your fitness resolutions! Not many people are crazy to sign up for a zillion HIIT classes during the holidays, but I did to write this article. You’re welcome. Now I need a massage.

First off, a HIIT is a “High Intensity Interval Training.” The HIIT classes in Houston tend to include a series of sprint-style workouts on a treadmill, rowing machine, or other form of cardio matched with weight training exercises. The goal is to push your effort to the max through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by shorter recovery periods. This type of training gets and keeps your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time.

As the name suggests, they are intense and you’re guaranteed to leave sweaty and tired. Most studios advertise that you can burn up to 1000 calories in an hour.

This article is a review of some of the most popular HIIT classes in Houston to help you choose the one that matches your budget, style, and fitness goals. I’ve also noted which ones provide towels (so you know if you need to bring one from home) and which are into the heart rate tracking on screens. Behold… in alphabetical order to not play favorites, the best HIIT classes in Houston!

Barry’s Bootcamp

• Colors: Red and Black
• Location: River Oaks
• Class Length: 50-60 minutes
• Towels Provided: Yes
• Heart Rate Monitor: No
• Price: $20 New Joiner Special / $32 Drop-In / $385 Monthly Unlimited
• What makes it different: The classes take place in the “Red Room” and you have your choice of starting on the treadmill or floor exercises. The intervals are 10-12 minutes before you switch to the other side. If you don’t like running, you have the option to do double strength training. Each day has a theme so you can (in theory) go to the classes every day of the week. For example, Thursday is “Abs & Ass”, Friday is “Total Body”, Saturday is “Upper Focus”, etc.
• COVID Considerations: Temperature check when you walk in. Every other station is blocked so you’re 1-2 treamills or weights stations away from the next person.
• Read more here!

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Bulletproof Fitness

• Colors: Navy & Black
• Location: West U
• Class Length: 50 minutes
• Towels Provided: Yes
• Heart Rate Monitor: No
• Price: $30 Drop-In / $195 Unlimited Monthly
• What makes it different: Formerly known as, Row Studios, Bulletproof Fitness has two rooms–one with bars and weights for strength classes and one filled with ergs (rowing machines) for endurance and all body classes. The classes are a mix of CrossFit-esque strength training and rowing that focus on “endurance, strength, and mobility.” In every class, there has been an AMRAP (“As Many Rounds As Possible”) activity where you do a series of exercises over and over until the time is called. Luckily, Row Studios doesn’t carry the crazy competitive vibe that plagues CrossFit gyms and there is a big emphasis on proper technique. As a beginner, I didn’t feel ashamed at lifting 10lb (instead of like 150) and felt grateful when they corrected my form. The overall vibe is pretty chill (aka you don’t have club lighting/music) and every class ends with foam rolling.
• COVID Considerations: TBD
• Read more about my month trial (when it was Row Studios)

Camp Gladiator

• Colors: Red and Black
• Location: 220+ in Houston area
• Class Length: 60 minutes
• Towels Provided: No
• Heart Rate Monitor: No
• Price: 1st Week Free / $75 Monthly Unlimited
• What makes it different: Camp Gladiator classes take place outside in public parks, schools, parking lots, etc. I’ve done classes at Carnegie Vanguard High School and Stude Park before. The classes are considerably cheaper because there’s no infrastructure and you bring your own mat and weights. The system is structured on a 4 week system where each week has a theme such as speed, strength, and endurance. Camp Gladiator is regularly running promotions where you can get discounts and free classes.
• COVID Considerations: Classes take place outside so this is a good way to maintain distance and avoid closed spaces.
• Read more here!

Elevate Strength

• Colors: Teal
• Location: Midtown
• Class Length: 50 minutes
• Towels Provided: Yes
• Heart Rate Monitor: No
• Price: 1st Class Free / $15 Drop-in / $139 Monthly Unlimited
• What makes it different: You might not expect to be doing much fitness beyond 12 oz curls in the building that houses Pub Fiction and 3rd Floor in Midtown, but Elevate Strength proves you wrong. Their sleek studio on the second floor offers spectacular views of downtown as you sweat it out on the cardio machines. No treadmill to be found in this studio, but you will sweat it out plenty on the rower, assault bike and ski machine.
• COVID Considerations:  6 people per class with 10 ft spaces for each member. No sharing of equipment, or switching stations. Temperature checks at the door each time you come into the gym.
• Website

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F45

• Colors: Navy, Red, White
• Location: 25+ Houston area
• Class Length: 45-60 minutes
• Towels Provided: Yes
• Heart Rate Monitor: Provided with membership
• Price: 2 Free Week Trial / $25 Drop-In / $120 Unlimited Monthly
• What makes it different: F45 or “Functional 45” is an Australian-based studio that combines HIIT, circuit training and functional training into one streamlined workout. The studio offers 36 class types–most of which are 45 minutes–that all have spunky names like “Moon Hopper” or “Triple Double.” In the classes that I attended, we rotated around the room between 6 to 27 stations and did various exercises using barbells, ropes, bosu balls, or weight balls according to mini-workout gifs on the TV.
• COVID Considerations: Limited class size to keep stations 6ft apart. Spray stations during class with sanitizer during the workout before you switch to the next station. Some studios have temp check at the door and boxes marked on the floor to designate working stations.
• Website

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Illuminate Sweat

• Colors: Grey, Black
• Location: Spring Branch
• Class Length: 60 minutes
• Towels Provided: Yes
• Heart Rate Monitor: Available for rent or purchase
• Price: First Class Free / $25 Drop-in / $189 Month Unlimited
• What makes it different: Get a full body workout from body builders in the most spacious city gym that’s complete with 4 types of cardio, a turf run, and a weight rack. The goal of the Illuminate Sweat classes is to bring personal training into a group setting. Each class has 2 instructors that actively monitor everyone’s form and ensure that you are working out safely. Illuminate Sweat is the only class I’ve seen that has a squat rack and incorporates heavy weights into the rotations. If you’re looking to gain muscle and perfect your form, this gym would be a good place to start. With membership, they’re offering a meal plan and personal training as well.
• COVID Considerations: TBD
• Website

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OrangeTheory Fitness

• Colors: Orange
• Location: 25+ Houston area
• Class Length: 60 minutes
• Towels Provided: No
• Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
• Price: 1st Class Free / $150 Monthly Unlimited
• What makes it different: OrangeTheory Fitness was one of the first interval classes to sweep through the Houston fitness scene. The classes are the same everywhere in the world as you follow routines across rowing machines, treadmills, and the weight floor. The OrangeTheory class layouts change every day to ensure that you don’t get a chance to build muscle memory.  On the weight floor, you follow TV instructions that demonstrate the different workouts and lists the number of sets. You wear a heart rate monitor during the class and accumulate “splat points” for every minute that your heart rate is in the orange or red zones. On brand, the workout room is tinted orange and at the end of class you get your results emailed to you.
• COVID Considerations: Temperature checks at check-in. Limited capacity at 50%. Wear masks when you switch stations. Instructors wear masks and face shields at all times. Equipment is shared, but time is built into class to clean between switching stations.
• Read about my first class!

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SPENGA

• Colors: Lime Green and White
• Location: Montrose, Sugarland, Woodlands
• Class Length: 60 minutes
• Towels Provided: No
• Heart Rate Monitor: No
• Price: $30 Drop-In Class / $199 Monthly Unlimited
• What makes it different: The classic SPENGA class is 20 minutes of spin, 20 minutes of weights, and 20 minutes of yoga. I’m particularly impressed with this combination because its 40 minutes of work and then 20 minutes of legit stretching (none of that half-ass 30 seconds touch your toes nonsense at the end of class). The spin portion is gauged based on how much watts your pushing out with your speed and force. You have a target zone to hit that’s measured based on your height/weight and then increased after several classes based on your progression. The weights section follows a series of intervals laid out with videos on a TV. You don’t need to bring anything to class as all gear, including yoga mats and towels are provided for you! Mention blogger Jayme Lamm and get your first class free.
• COVID Considerations: TBD
• Website

Sphere

• Colors: Hot Pink and Black
• Location: Downtown, Spring Branch
• Class Length: 45 – 60 minutes
• Towels Provided: No
• Heart Rate Monitor: No
• Price: 7 Day Free Trial / $19 Drop-In / $150 Unlimited Monthly
• What makes it different: Sphere’s concept is designed by Major League Soccer player Michael Chabala and incorporates high intensity exercises that create well-rounded athletes–both on and off the field. Sphere offers a various class types all with punny soccer inspired names–Bala, Sole, Sphere, 45– all with varying degrees of soccer skills required. Bala is a continuous pick-up game while 45 has no ball at all. At the beginning of class, you’re given a jersey at the beginning of class and do exercises according to your jersey color to the beat of the music. In keeping with the soccer theme, Sphere makes it their mission to foster a solid teammate atmosphere. Sphere also offers “Powa” classes at the Four Seasons Downtown.
• COVID Considerations: Classes take place on an indoor soccer field, so there may be more room (and airspace) than a typical gym. Max 16 people per class. Expect outdoor classes to return in March.
• Read about my first class

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Sweat1000

• Colors: Red and Black
• Location: Heights
• Class Length: 60 minutes
• Towels Provided: Yes
• Heart Rate Monitor: No
• Price: $30 Drop-In / $300 Monthly Unlimited
• What makes it different: Sweat1000 alleges that after 60 minutes with them you’ll burn 1000 calories. Straight out of South Africa, this HIIT class is split between 5-6 minute intervals on a treadmill (measured in kilometers per hour) and floor exercises. Weights are heavy and classes move fast. The room is dark, music is loud and having a baseline understanding of different movements is helpful to get the most out of class. On Saturdays the classes turn up with a live DJ. Also, George Springer’s wife works there (look for Charlise).
• COVID Considerations: Have the option to choose between a “some sharing” and a “no sharing class”, the later meaning you don’t share a treadmill or floor space with someone else. Only book odd numbers on treadmills. Even on floor. Class time shorted by 10 minutes to allow extra cleaning after class.
• Website

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As with any fitness studio, the one that makes the most sense for you all depends on the instructors, the studio culture, and your personal preferences! It’s helpful to take advantage of the newbie specials and try out a bunch of HIIT classes in Houston before you commit.

Also, a word of caution: These classes are often in dark room with loud music and fast intervals. In theory anyone can modify a workout to make it their own, but if you’re new to HIIT classes in Houston, definitely do your research, show up early, and learn the form so you don’t hurt yourself!

Know a HIIT class in Houston we’ve missed? Comment below. I’d love to check it out!

Want more fitness inspo? Check our guides to Pilates in Houston and Cycle Studios in Houston.

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