Love Philly? So do we. Let’s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today.
Thousands of visitors come to Philly’s Old City to step back into history and experience this vibrant area with that 18th-century charm that many enjoy strolling through. While there are many iconic sites, like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, that are uber- popular with visitors, there’s also spots locals can visit to help escape crowds and noise that Old City attractions can draw.
Here’s a look at how a group of boutique fitness studios are creating places for people to spend time enjoying the neighborhood and making connections with others.
Together Athletics offers mat pilates, which consists of light weights , low impact, and full body sculpting. In addition, having cardio classes using aerobic intervals and reformer pilates. They consider themselves as the city’s community-first pilates and sculpt studio where they emphasize the community connection among students taking classes.. They collaborate with other local small businesses and community events that foster friendships in Old City.
Pulse Yoga & Fitness studio believes in a philosophy of building a community rooted in balance, strength, and shared intention, according to their motto. They offer three types of classes: Pulse, their signature yoga sculpt offering; Flow, that features vinyasa yoga in a heated room; and mat pilates, which is also a heated class. Pulse also offers community classes where members or passersby can get a chance to meet their instructors.
At Alchemy X fitness and wellness studio, participants can find pilates, barre, sculpt, strength, and yoga classes. Alchemy X is a boutique spa-inspired setting that also includes saunas, a bathhouse, and a zen courtyard. They also host special events that can bring community members together and workout together.
In Flow studio lays claim as Philadelphia’s first wellness incubator, offering a specialized support system for early-stage health, beauty and self-care startups. Their mission is to honor healers and seekers with a space to serve the community’s well-being. Not only do they offer workshops and opportunities to enhance life experience, but they also offer a monthly rotating schedule of classes
“I was really looking to break into a new community and bring what we have built so well in Fishtown to a new part of the city,” said Alli Cavanagh, Flow Studio owner and founder. She opened her third location in Old City in January, bringing a new community and meditation experience to her studio.
“It’s really cute to see how it’s a small community of wellness, because the area itself is small, but people who are like-minded tend to go to the same places, and so you really quickly see the way that friendships are formed,” she said.
Although the studio has been open for only a short time, Cavanagh and her team have been working to collaborate with local businesses and solo-preneurs.One of them being a collaboration with the Old City farmers market and adding a movement element to that event.
For some people, workout classes might not be on their radar, but Evolve Fitness Philadelphia is a locally owned, community-focused gym offering functional fitness classes, open gym access, and personal training for anyone looking to level up their fitness goals. They work in partnership with Hyrox training club and Big Little Gyms that can help the community train for their needs. In addition to their services, they offer nutrition coaching, a recovery zone, and a corporate wellness program.
In a neighborhood known for preserving the past, Old City is also carving out space for modern routines and new connections. Whether someone is visiting for the history or staying for the lifestyle, the area’s growing fitness scene shows how a community can be built in more ways than one.
