Workout and wellness roundup

Ananda Yoga of Scotts Valley
Stretch and meditate with yoga practice. Paramhansa Yogananda was the first Indian yoga master to move to the United States, and it’s his teachings that are followed here. A universal faith is emphasized, and all are welcome to partake in classes that help with stress reduction and overall wellness. In a new facility since last year, Ananda Yoga of Scotts Valley focuses on self-realization as the ancients taught it. www.anandascottsvalley.org
Active Sports Club
Known for its aquatic facility, this gym is the training place of local swim teams and residents. With a pool, hot tub and wet/dry saunas on-site, Active Sports Club can be used as a spa after working out. Make sure to go upstairs and try the weights, or schedule a personal training session to optimize workouts. Check out their classes and special promotions online at www.activesportsclubs.com.
Toadal Fitness
Known for its variety of classes, Toadal Fitness offers Zumba as much as twice a day. Some of the other classes include Boot Camp, Spin, and Flirty Girl. The classes pack them in, with frequent guest instructors and special events that take place. There is childcare on-site, a full gym, and personal training are available for individual toning and conditioning. www.toadalfitness.com
Scotts Valley Gym
A full service gym, this place even has a smoothie and cafe bar. Personal training services and classes are offered, along with sports equipment of all kinds. Also, there is a newly renovated on-site childcare room. Visit them online for what the gym claims as the least expensive membership offer in all of Scotts Valley. www.scottsvalleygym.com
Perfect Union
Personal training, yoga, and nutrition are the focus of this business. The advantage with going here is that the programs focus on overall health, which can even include meal prep. Daily classes are offered from morning until night. Combine that with sound advice about eating, and ingest the full, healthy blend. www.perfectunion.co
Elite Martial Arts
Drive by this martial arts school during the afternoons, and hear enthusiastic sounds from a mile away. That’s because Elite Martial Arts teaches more than 400 students about discipline, defense, and confidence. Elite’s main focus is Ho Kuk Mu Sul, Korean style martial art training for kids and adults. Also on-site are specialty classes, adult fitness, Krav Maga self-defense and more. The staff trains continuously to provide students with the best experience. Ask about a trial class, and stay all the way until black belt. www.438kick.com
LightSpeed Martial Arts
Family focused LightSpeed Martial Arts Academy has been offering self defense training and fitness for more than 20 years. With emphasis on personalized training, the focus here is Taekwondo. Master Instructor Matt Salisbury holds a California State Champion title, has trained in Judo, Hapkido, Aikido, and in various weapon styles. www.lightspeedmartialarts.com
Choi’s Taekwondo
The oldest Tae Kwon Do school in Scotts Valley, this place is run by Grand Master Yong Choi, a woman with a seventh degree black belt. Only a few women in the world hold such a prestigious title. With more than 40 years of teaching experience, Choi and her team work to preserve the traditional teachings of Taekwondo. Learn self defense techniques while getting fit using this art form with deep historical roots. www.choistkdscottsvalley.com
Core Fitness Pilates Studio
Stretch, strengthen, and balance the body with this exercise system used since the early 1900s. Instructors offer private as well as group sessions. One-hour sessions include a work out on traditional Pilates equipment. Also, ask about TRX Suspension Training, which uses body weight and gravity for exercising. www.corefitnesspilatesstudio.com
Core Strength RX
Create harmony between muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems with a somatic based workout called SymetriCORE. Developed by owner Deric Stockton, the system emphasizes optimizing the body’s core. Open to people of all ages, this gym also provides training for the Special Olympics. Along with Stockton, trainers here have more than 50 years of collective experience with fitness. www.yelp.com/biz/core-strength-rx-scotts-valley
Ease Mountain Yoga
San Lorenzo Valley’s own yoga studio offers daily classes from various practitioners and experts. Their mission is to create a space where everyone can be at ease. Check out their new student offer online, or sign up for a class pass to save a few bucks. Different types of yoga practices are offered, as well as mat pilates. Check the schedule and class description for a class that’s the best fit. www.easemountainyoga.com
Tailor Made Fitness
Though there is little information available online about personal training at Tailor Made Fitness in Scotts Valley, customer reviews of their Willow Glen location give it five stars. Owner/Head Trainer Alex Joudy uses his own training methods on himself and has achieved dramatic results. Using gym equipment, personalized training, and nutritional suggestions, Joudy and staff work with clients to achieve desired results. www.yelp.com/biz/tailormade-fitness-scotts-valley
Vargas Academy Gymnastics Arts and Dance
Physical education meets fun at this popular place for gymnastics and parkour. Learn to flip, tumble, jump, fall safely, stunt, and balance in a 5,000-square foot facility designed for just that. Try a free first class at Vargas Academy and see why the fans are hooked. From simple classes to competition, the instructor to student ratio is kept small to maximize value for students. www.vargasacademy.com
NorCal Health & Fitness
The specialty here is working with small groups in a personalized setting, doing interval, strength, and circuit training. Small groups are one to four people per session. Combine workouts with nutrition advice to cover the full spectrum of needs for the body. Improve metabolism, muscular strength, and overall well-being with support from experts in the field. www.norcalhealthandfitness.com
Santa Cruz Boxing
Boxing, kickboxing, and fitness classes are to be found here. Learn to move like the pros in a non-intimidating environment for people of all ages. Choose from personal training or group sessions. Students receive personalized attention to help achieve their goals. Santa Cruz Boxing also trains fighters for boxing and kickboxing competitions. Aside from boxing, classes include yoga and sparring. santacruzboxing.com
Cross Fit Scotts Valley
A system designed for strength and conditioning, Cross Fit is a competitive fitness sport and a physical exercise philosophy, founded in Santa Cruz in 2000 by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai. Cross Fit is used by the military, police, martial artists, and elite training athletes to achieve optimal performance. A variety of programs are offered at Cross Fit Scotts Valley, including massage on-site. All fitness levels are welcome, but a fundamentals training is required first. www.crossfitscottsvalley.com