Smart Barre: Tone and Strengthen Your Muscles

Local fitness fanssay Smart Barre’s ballet-inspired classes are a great way to firm and tone the muscles of the upper body, hips, thighs, and abdomen. The classes here are geared toward the specific needs of women, so Smart Barre is open to women only, though couples' classes are occasionally offered for those who would like to bring their male partners. The exercises focus on working key muscle groups with a combination of strength and resistance training. Though Smart Barre classes incorporate small hand weights, no heavy lifting is required.

Regulars at Smart Barre say this is a strenuous class that will really make you break a sweat, but it’s worth the effort. Most attendees say they begin to see noticeable results after about 10 classes. Class sizes are limited, so reserve your place in advance.

Smart Barre is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Smart Barre
6426 N. New Braunfels
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 822-0584
smartbarrebody.com
www.yelp.com/biz/smart-barre-san-antonio

Yoga Shala: Find Your Center in San Antonio

If you’re interested in learning more about the philosophy behind yoga, deepening your breath work, or enhancing your mental focus, San Antonio’s Yoga Shala may be the place for you. Yoga Shala has a reputation for being a great studio for serious students due to its dedicated instructors and the difficulty of its classes. Regulars confirm that the instructors at Yoga Shala are disciplined in their approach to yoga.

Yoga Shala offers classes for practitioners on all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes move quickly at Yoga Shala, so it may be difficult to keep up, especially if you’re new to the practice of yoga. Yelp reviewers say that if you’re new to yoga, you should definitely start with a beginner’s class here, and expect to feel some muscle soreness the next day!

Yoga Shala holds classes seven days a week, from as early as 6 a.m. to as late as 7 p.m. Check their online class schedule to find one that fits your needs and schedule.

Yoga Shala
18585 Sigma Road
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 496-9900
www.yogashalasa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-shala-san-antonio

San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail: Explore the Hidden Parts of San Antonio

The eight-mile-long San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail is a great way to spend an afternoon, locals say. Even longtime San Antonio residents say the trail has given them access to some parts of the city they didn’t even know existed. The trail connects San Antonio’s four historic missions: Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. You can learn more about Texas history and take in the scenery along the San Antonio River.

The trail isn’t a loop, so a round trip along the length of the trail will consist of 16 miles. Many locals rent bikes for a trip along the San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail. Grab water at any of the missions or get something to eat near Missions Concepcion or San Jose.

The San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail is open from dawn to dusk every day.

San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail
Between 807 Mission Road & 10040 Espada Road
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 932-1001
www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/hikebike.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/san-antonio-missions-hike-and-bike-trail-san-antonio

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates: Treat Yourself

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates is a real hit among San Antonio chocolate lovers thanks to its creative flavor combinations and high-quality European-style chocolates. Many regulars say they’d rather eat a few small pieces of Choicolate’s candies than an entire box of chocolates from more widely-distributed manufacturers. Popular chocolate flavors here include bananas foster, mango & habanero, pumpkin caramel, margarita, almond bee, raspberry bites and apple caramel. Regulars also recommend Choicolate’s other treats, especially the house-made toffee, available in almond or cacao nibs & coffee.

Choicolates chocolates and sweets are hand-made by the two chocolatiers behind the counter – in addition to their skills as chocolate makers, locals say the owners of Choicolate are some of the nicest people they’ve ever met. Choicolate also makes vegan versions of many of its treats. Don’t forget to have a smoothie!

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates
700 E. Sonterra Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 495-2464
www.choicolate.com
www.yelp.com/biz/choicolate-artisan-chocolates-san-antonio-2

Farm to Juice: Drink to Your Health in San Antonio

Regular visitors appreciate Farm to Juice’s menu of fresh vegetable and fruit juices designed to support good health. Lisa Baughn, co-founder of Farm to Juice, draws on her training as a nurse and nutritionist to create healthy recipes for juices, yogurts, milks, energy shots, and snacks. Buy juices one at a time or sign up for a three- or five-day juice fast. You can choose from the menu or have your own custom juice recipes made to order. If you’re ordering from the menu, regulars like the Skinny Minny, the Butterfly Kiss, the Krazy Kale, the Beet the Blues, and the Refresh.

Farm to Juice uses a cold-press juicer to retain as many of the nutrients as possible in their juices. Juices are made with fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. There are no additives, added sugar, or pulp in Farm to Juice’s products.

Farm to Juice is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Farm to Juice
18730 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 332-5853
farmtojuice.net
www.yelp.com/biz/farm-to-juice-san-antonio

iRun Texas: Start Off on the Right Foot

You don’t need to be a runner to benefit from the expertise of iRun Texas’s knowledgeable staff. Formerly known as Run On, iRun Texas in San Antonio deals in running shoes and other running gear.

Regular customers appreciate iRun’s commitment to helping customers find the right shoes for them, whether they’re for running or walking. Staff members will watch you walk in order to identify any foot or gait issues that could influence your footwear needs, and they'll then identify your correct size. Some customers have even been surprised to learn that they’ve been wearing the wrong size shoe for years! Even if iRun Texas doesn’t carry the running gear you need, they’ll help point you in the right direction, fans say. iRun also hosts weekly social runs, training classes, and other community events.

iRun Texas is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

iRun Texas
20079 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 494-7869
www.iruntexas.net
www.yelp.com/biz/irun-texas-san-antonio

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