Types of Workout Classes: Every Format Compared (2026 Guide)
Pilates, Lagree, barre, yoga, spin, HIIT, strength, boxing, and more, compared in one table by intensity, impact, typical cost, and who each class suits best.
The main types of workout classes are pilates (mat and reformer), Lagree, barre, yoga, hot yoga, indoor cycling, HIIT and bootcamp, group strength, boxing and kickboxing, dance cardio, and CrossFit-style training. They differ mostly in intensity, impact on your joints, and whether the focus is strength, cardio, or flexibility.
The quickest way to pick is to decide what you want more of, then try two formats that match. The table below compares every common class type in one place, with typical prices and links to Portland, Maine studios. Further down, each format gets a short, plain description of what actually happens in class.
Every class type compared
Intensity and impact are for a typical all-levels class. Costs are typical US drop-in prices as of October 2026 and vary a lot by city and studio. Intro offers, packs, and memberships bring the per-class price down.
| Class | Intensity | Impact | Main benefit | Typical drop-in | Best for | In Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mat pilates | Low to moderate | Low | Core strength, posture | $20 to $35 | Beginners, back care, cross-training | Pilates studios |
| Reformer pilates | Moderate | Low | Core and full-body strength with springs | $30 to $50 | Anyone wanting adjustable resistance | Pilates studios |
| Lagree / Megaformer | High | Low | Strength and muscular endurance | $35 to $50 | Fit people who like being pushed | Pilates studios (btone) |
| Barre | Moderate | Low | Leg, glute, and arm endurance | $20 to $35 | People who like music and group energy | Class directory |
| Yoga (vinyasa, hatha) | Low to moderate | Low | Flexibility, balance, stress relief | $15 to $30 | Stiff bodies, stress, beginners | Yoga studios |
| Hot or power yoga | Moderate to high | Low | Flexibility plus sweat and stamina | $20 to $30 | Yoga fans who want more intensity | Yoga studios |
| Indoor cycling (spin) | High | Low | Cardio fitness | $25 to $40 | Cardio without pounding your knees | Class directory |
| HIIT and bootcamp | High | Moderate to high | Cardio and conditioning in less time | $20 to $35 | Busy people who like intensity | Gyms and strength |
| Group strength | Moderate to high | Low to moderate | Muscle and bone strength | $20 to $35 | Anyone who wants to lift with coaching | Gyms and strength |
| Boxing and kickboxing | High | Moderate | Cardio, coordination, stress release | $25 to $40 | People who get bored easily | Class directory |
| Dance cardio | Moderate | Moderate | Cardio and coordination | $15 to $30 | People who hate "working out" | Class directory |
| CrossFit-style | High | Moderate to high | Strength and conditioning combined | $20 to $35 (drop-in) | Competitive types, community seekers | Gyms and strength |
| Rec center and YMCA classes | Varies | Varies | Variety at a low cost | Often included in membership | Budget, families | Class directory |
For context, booking platform Mariana Tek's boutique fitness report puts the average boutique class price at $21.32, up 6% in a year. Reformer and machine-based classes usually sit above that average, while yoga and gym classes sit near or below it. For more detail, see how much workout classes cost and how much pilates classes cost.
Low-impact strength classes
Mat pilates
Slow, controlled exercises on a mat that train your deep core, hips, and back. Expect the hundred, roll-ups, leg circles, and side-lying leg work. It looks gentle and feels harder than it looks. A cheap, low-risk way to start, and a strong complement to running or lifting.
Reformer pilates
Pilates on a machine with a sliding carriage and springs. The springs add resistance and support, so the same class can challenge a regular and help a beginner. Classes are small and usually cost more. Read what is reformer pilates before your first one, and reformer vs mat pilates if you are choosing between the two.
Lagree and Megaformer
A machine-based class built around very slow movement and constant tension, with almost no rest. Low impact, high effort, lots of shaking. Think of it as reformer pilates turned into a strength-endurance workout. Our what is Lagree and Lagree vs pilates guides explain the difference, including solidcore.
Barre
Ballet-inspired positions at a wall bar, small pulses and holds, light weights, and a mat section for core. Classes run to upbeat music and are easy to follow with no dance background. The leg burn is the signature. Read what is barre, or see barre vs pilates for how it compares.
Mind-body and flexibility classes
Yoga
Most studio yoga is vinyasa (poses linked with breath in a flow) or hatha (slower, poses held longer). Yin and restorative classes are slower still. Yoga builds flexibility, balance, and some strength, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports it may help with low back pain, neck pain, and anxiety symptoms. New to it? Start with yoga classes for beginners or what is vinyasa yoga. If you are deciding between this and pilates, read pilates vs yoga.
Hot yoga and power yoga
Power yoga is a faster, more athletic vinyasa. Hot yoga is practiced in a heated room, commonly somewhere in the 90s Fahrenheit, which makes you sweat heavily and feel more flexible. Hydrate before and after, start with a shorter or warm (not hot) class if you can, and leave the room if you feel dizzy. Our guides to hot yoga and hot pilates cover heat and safety. Portland Power Yoga on Cove Street is the best-known heated studio in Portland, and a dedicated Portland hot yoga page is coming to our directory.
Cardio classes
Indoor cycling (spin)
A stationary bike class led by an instructor, set to music, with climbs, sprints, and intervals. It is one of the most efficient cardio workouts that is easy on your joints, since there is no impact. You control the resistance, so beginners can ride alongside regulars. Wear padded shorts for your first few rides, or expect a sore seat.
HIIT and bootcamp
High-intensity interval training alternates short bursts of hard work with brief rest: think burpees, kettlebell swings, rowing sprints, and jump squats. Bootcamps mix in strength stations. Heart-rate-based chains like Orangetheory are a version of this. Effective and time-efficient, but higher impact, so ask for low-impact options if your knees or back complain.
Boxing and kickboxing
Classes range from bag-based cardio boxing to technique-focused sessions with pads and partners. Expect intervals of punching combos, footwork, and conditioning like burpees and core work. You usually need hand wraps and gloves; many gyms rent or sell them.
Dance cardio
Choreographed routines to music, from Zumba to hip-hop to studio-specific formats. The workout comes from moving continuously for 45 to 60 minutes. It is the class for people who do not want it to feel like exercise.
Strength and conditioning classes
Group strength
Coached classes with dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, or machines, usually following a written program across the week. A good way to learn lifting with someone watching your form. The federal Physical Activity Guidelines recommend muscle-strengthening activity on at least 2 days a week, and these classes cover it directly.
CrossFit-style training
Varied workouts mixing Olympic lifts, gymnastics moves, and conditioning, often timed and scored on a board. The community is the main draw. Most gyms require an intro or on-ramp course before regular classes, and coaches scale the movements for beginners.
How to choose the right class
- You want a stronger core and better posture: pilates, mat or reformer.
- You want cardio without joint pain: indoor cycling.
- You want to sweat hard in 45 minutes: HIIT, Lagree, or a power yoga class.
- You want to get stronger and learn to lift: group strength.
- You feel stiff or stressed: yoga, especially slower styles.
- You get bored easily: boxing, dance, or a studio with a varied schedule.
- You are on a tight budget: yoga, mat pilates, or a rec center or YMCA membership.
- You are coming back from an injury: pilates or gentle yoga, after checking with your doctor or physical therapist.
A balanced week for most people is two strength-focused classes, two cardio sessions, and one mobility class or long walk, which lines up with federal activity guidelines. You can build that from almost any combination above. If pilates is where you are leaning, our guides on pilates for beginners and how often to do pilates cover the next steps.
Tips for your first class of any type
- Book an intro, beginner, or foundations class when the studio offers one.
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to sign in, sign the waiver, and set up.
- Tell the instructor it is your first time and mention any injuries.
- Take the easier option without guilt. Nobody is watching you as closely as you think.
- Check what to bring: grip socks for pilates and barre (see what to wear to pilates), padded shorts for spin, wraps for boxing.
- Read the cancellation policy. Many studios charge a late-cancel or no-show fee, often if you cancel within 12 hours.
- Try a class at least twice before deciding. The first one is mostly about learning the room.
Trying classes in Portland, Maine
Corvi is built in Portland, so our directory starts here. The Portland class directory lists every studio we track across the peninsula and nearby towns, with separate pages for pilates, yoga, and gyms and group strength. A few anchors: JIBE Cycling on Hanover Street for spin, Portland Power Yoga on Cove Street for heated classes, Springboard Pilates in the West End for reformer, btone fitness on Commercial Street for machine-based high-intensity classes, and Reframe, F45, and Orangetheory for coached strength and intervals. Our best workout classes in Portland guide sorts them by goal.
Once you start rotating between formats, it helps to see your week in one place. Corvi is our free app for that: you book with each studio as usual, then check in on Corvi to track every class type in one streak, set a weekly goal, and see where your friends are training. Corvi does not book classes or sell credits.
Common questions
What are the most popular types of fitness classes?
Pilates, especially reformer, is the fastest-growing boutique format, and Mariana Tek's industry report lists it as the primary modality at over 43% of boutique studios. Yoga, barre, indoor cycling, HIIT, and group strength round out the most common class types at studios and gyms across the US.
What is the best workout class for beginners?
Yoga, mat pilates, and indoor cycling are the easiest to start because you control the intensity and the movements are simple to learn. Reformer pilates is beginner friendly too, though most studios want you to take an intro class first. Pick something you are curious about, and choose a class labeled beginner, foundations, or all levels.
Which workout class burns the most calories?
High-intensity cardio formats like indoor cycling, HIIT, boxing, and bootcamp generally burn the most per class because they keep your heart rate high. Lagree and power yoga sit in the middle. Mat pilates, barre, and gentle yoga burn less but build strength and flexibility. The class you keep attending will matter more than any single session.
How many workout classes should I take a week?
Three to five classes a week works for most people, mixing strength and cardio. Federal guidelines recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity plus muscle strengthening on at least 2 days a week. If you are new, start with two or three classes and add more once recovery feels easy.
Find your next class: browse every studio in our Portland, Maine class directory, or join Corvi free.