Downtown Birmingham is where fitness meets community in a vibrant urban landscape. From cutting-edge gyms to scenic outdoor spaces, there’s no shortage of ways to stay active here in the heart of the ‘ham. In this trail, we’ll take you through locations on both the north and south sides of downtown, highlighting gyms and outdoor destinations where you can connect with others while working on your fitness goals. Ready to break a sweat? Let’s dive in!
Jump to: NORTHSIDE GYMS | SOUTHSIDE GYMS | OUTDOORS | COMMUNITIES
Gyms
Downtown’s gyms are as diverse as the city itself, offering everything from state-of-the-art equipment and expert training to flexible hours that accommodate a wide range of schedules and lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for a high-energy workout, personalized guidance from a trainer or a quiet space to focus on your fitness journey, downtown has something for every type of fitness enthusiast.
Aero Joe Pilates
2924 3rd Ave South
Aero Joe is inspired by the original Pilates methodology developed by Joseph and Clara Pilates, focusing on transformative exercises that improve posture, flexibility and overall well-being. Upholding the integrity of their methods, Aero Joe offers a welcoming, less-clinical approach to fitness that enhances both physical health and mental wellness.
BODYROK Birmingham
2805 2nd Ave South Suite 300
BODYROK seeks to redefine Pilates with 45-minute, full-body strength training group classes on the custom BODYROK reformer. Combining Pilates-inspired sequences with planks, lunges, jumps and more, the workout aims to boost energy and accelerate metabolisms.
HOTWORX
2901 4th Ave South Suite I
HOTWORX offers a unique, virtually instructed exercise program that combines infrared heat absorption with effective workouts. Users can choose between a 30-minute Isometric workout or a 15-minute High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session, maximizing benefits in a heated environment for enhanced performance and recovery.
Iron Tribe Fitness
300 27th St South
Iron Tribe fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, encouraging members to challenge themselves and reach their fullest potential in a motivating, team-oriented environment. With a focus on structure and support, Iron Tribe helps you achieve your fitness goals while becoming part of a tribe that empowers and inspires.
Orangetheory
117 20th St South
Orangetheory boasts science-backed workouts suitable for all fitness levels and expert coaches to guide you through variable-intensity intervals, ensuring a personalized experience. Through OTconnect, real-time data tracks your progress, helping you understand when to push harder or ease off for recovery.
Phase Gym
615 28th St South
Phase offers open gym hours plus personal, small-group and online training – but their bread and butter is WarHOUSE: a trainer-guided workout program focused on the core principles of body movement and mechanics. Phase also offers discounts for students, teachers, UAB employees and first responders!
Rebellion Fitness
3029 6th Ave South
Rebellion Fitness is a unique small-group gym known for its strong sense of community and lasting camaraderie. With a membership cap of just 125, Rebellion offers a personalized workout environment where members receive tailored health and fitness services.
Sculpt B’ham
3101 4th Ave South
Sculpt B’ham is a locally owned fitness facility offering members round-the-clock access (that’s 24/7) and personal training. Focused on providing what members truly need, Sculpt keeps the equipment simple and effective while continually enhancing the workout experience and providing passionate trainers.
Steel Strength Training
2805 2nd Ave South #100
Steel Strength Training is dedicated to pure strength training, distinguishing itself from CrossFit, Bootcamp and HIIT. They offer both semi-private and personal training, ensuring personalized attention and expert guidance to help you meet your goals.
True40 Studio
2201 2nd Ave South #201
True40 Studio offers a blend of high-intensity, low-impact strength training, drawing inspiration from barre, Pilates, yoga and functional fitness. Classes, ranging from 45-60 minutes, are designed with modifications and challenges to meet differing bodies’ needs, including those in pregnancy, postpartum or injury recovery.
Wheelhouse Academy
2424 4th Ave South
At Wheelhouse Academy, extra care and focus are given to proper form rather than workout speed. Before diving into any routine, they build a solid foundation to ensure members get the most out of every movement while minimizing the risk of injury – staying true to the “academy” part of their name!
Xtreme Fitness and Performance
1509 3rd Ave South
Not for the faint of heart, Xtreme Fitness and Performance is an elite performance training facility. Their programs and coaching systems are designed to develop movement patterns related to sports and maximize an individual’s athletic potential.
Yoga Lab Birmingham
2205 7th Ave South
The Yoga Lab offers classes seven days a week in a beautiful, calming environment. While members can join the community and experience the transformative power of yoga, non-members are also welcome to drop in. Looking to deepen your practice or become an instructor? This studio also provides teacher training classes.
24e Health Club
1901 6th Ave North
24e Health Club was founded with a focus on addressing the most common concerns gym-goers face: cost, cleanliness, accessible hours and well-maintained equipment. Committed to helping members “break a sweat without breaking the bank,” 24e provides access to the tools and education needed to achieve wellness goals.
Five Star Fitness
1610 3rd Ave North
Five-Star Fitness is a results-driven studio offering classes designed to help you safely and effectively reach your full potential. Committed to a philosophy of “Eat Clean, Train Dirty, Live Healthy, Live Happy,” they aim to provide the support and encouragement needed to transform your fitness journey and achieve lasting results.
GrindHouse
2225 3rd Ave North
GrindHouse is on a mission to transform its members physically, mentally and spiritually. Choose from group classes like HIIT, strength training, yoga, bootcamp, FELLA-ship and more, or opt for more personalized training programs.
X4
1801 2nd Ave North
X4 Fitness offers dynamic programming that caters to all fitness levels, with classes designed to keep your workouts fresh, intentional and holistic. The diverse class options — Flex, Classic, Strength, Sprint, Burn and Gauntlet — blend strength and cardio, combining HIIT with functional fitness for a well-rounded experience.
Outdoors
If you’re looking to mix up your routine and enjoy some fresh air, downtown has a handful of outdoor spaces perfect for recreational activity. Not to mention exercising outdoors can offer numerous benefits, from improving mental clarity to boosting your mood and energy levels. Whether you’re taking a scenic jog, practicing yoga under the open sky or enjoying a leisurely bike ride, working out in the following spaces might just help you feel more connected to the city while strengthening both body and mind.
20th Street North
20th Street North might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to outdoor recreation in Birmingham, but this linear park is a welcoming space for walkers, joggers and cyclists alike. Also known as Birmingham Green, this iconic thoroughfare has retained a historic charm with well-preserved architecture and landmarks. Those features – combined with the street’s mix of contemporary shops, restaurants and landscaping – make this stretch of downtown an extra pleasant backdrop for outdoor activities.
City Walk BHAM
Ready to get active and have a blast? City Walk BHAM has transformed the I-59/20 corridor into the ultimate spot to move and play. Whether you’re into pickleball, skateboarding, roller skating or just getting outside for a walk, this vibrant space has something for everyone — no matter your age or fitness level. Even furry friends can join in the fun at The Barkery, a 50,000 square-foot, off-leash dog park!
Kiwanis Vulcan Trail
While the Kiwanis Vulcan Trail is not technically located downtown, we’d be remiss to exclude it from our list! This two-mile jogging and biking trail extends to Green Springs Highway, running along the former Birmingham Mineral Railroad grade on the north face of Red Mountain. Offering views of Vulcan from below and downtown’s stunning skyline from above, this well-traveled pathway also serves as the future hub for the planned 750 miles of Birmingham’s Red Rock Trail System.
Railroad Park
Railroad Park is a 19-acre urban oasis in the heart of downtown. Located along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Often referred to as the city’s “front lawn,” the park offers a rich backdrop for recreation and relaxation. Plus, from April 1 to October 31, they offer free exercise classes like boxing cardio, hip hop cardio, Zumba, yoga and line dancing as part of their Get Healthy on the Railroad program!
Rainbow Viaduct
The Rainbow Viaduct, one of Birmingham’s oldest bridges, has been transporting people between the south and north sides of downtown for more than 130 years. In 2023, REV Birmingham’s team installed short-term measures including 1,200 feet of multi-use path to make it a more pleasant place for pedestrians and cyclists. We encourage you to check it out – not only is the bridge a top-tier spot for catching beautiful views of downtown, but it’s also the occasional host to pop-up yoga with True40 Studio!
Rotary Trail
Rotary Trail is the Rotary Club of Birmingham’s 100th anniversary gift to the Birmingham community. Completed in 2015, the 3.5-million-dollar project transformed a vacant railroad right-of-way, or “cut,” into a pleasantly landscaped, four-block walking/running/biking pathway.
Communities
Beyond its facilities and outdoor spaces, one of the signature components of exercising downtown is community. Downtown is home to a welcoming network of fitness enthusiasts who come together through group workouts, running clubs and other meetups, cultivating an environment that’s both motivating and supportive. Whether you’re looking for accountability, friendship or just a fun way to stay active, these community groups offer an invaluable way to enhance your fitness journey.
Below, we’ve listed a few of the standout groups that are making an impact on the fitness scene in downtown Birmingham.
- The City Walkers Walking Club (resumes March 2025)
Did we miss anyone? Email jamie@revbirmingham.com to let us know!
Related News
-
12 anchor businesses in Woodlawn's historic commercial district
Filed Under: Business-Proving, Front Page, Small Business, Woodlawn
The historic Woodlawn commercial district has been home to some exciting openings in the last year. These new concepts represent the evolution of Woodlawn businesses, providing us a glimpse at what the future holds for this special place. However, as the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither was Woodlawn! That’s why we want to tip our hats and raise a glass to some of the businesses that have paved the way for further development and growth in Woodlawn.
-
A cautionary tale: Birmingham's historic losses
Filed Under: Developer, Downtown Birmingham, Front Page, Historic Preservation
In case you haven’t heard, May is National Historic Preservation Month, as so celebrated for years by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service. Here in Birmingham, a city rich in history and culture, this month-long celebration is not only a reminder to take stock of the historic treasures and charm we currently possess, but a time to mourn those we no longer have.
-
10 powerful examples of historic preservation in action
Filed Under: Downtown Birmingham, Filling Vacant Spaces, Front Page, Historic Preservation, Potential-Proving, Yaysayers
It’s easy to take for granted the historic gems we have here in Birmingham. Many beautiful, story-filled buildings dot the map of our city, their silhouettes adorning our skylines and their façades serving as the vibrant background to our everyday lives downtown. However, without attention, investment and a commitment by our community to prioritize these treasures, our historic buildings and the authentic character they give our city can disappear.