We have all heard it, diet, an exercise routine and enough sleep will keep you from having to visit the doctor or having a serious health crisis.

Exercise helps you keep stress under control, it helps you get in shape and get rid of the extra weight or build that lack of muscular tone that you may have noticed recently. Physical activity is in vogue, this is certainly a good thing, and we should all hope that it transforms into a lifestyle for the majority, but, let’s face it, we are not all born with that ability for sports, and for some it’s not even about ability but about interest.

In the past throughout Costa Rica the options to exercise were really limited, you could play soccer with your friends, go for a walk or run or take out your bike for a nice ride,  decades ago gyms started opening doors here and there and became a trend that has survived all these years, however, they’ve also had to make some changes to their offers and adapt to the demands of their clients.

Santa Ana, being one of the county’s in Costa Rica with significant growth over the past 15 years, has a variety of alternatives for physical activity that speak to the younger crowd who seeks options that adapt to their lifestyle and taste, because the gym is not for everyone.

Here are some options of gyms and fitness centres in Santa Ana that offer different exercise routines, one of them should certainly speak to you:

1) Furati: Probably one of the best known in the area, Furati complex started out as a soccer academy for children and a place to practice what is known as Football 5. Today Furati offers a fully equipped gym, indoor cycling, group classes (aerobics, Pilates, yoga) and an indoor pool. Cafeteria and parking are also available.

2) Kawa Movement Center: Kawa is the perfect place to practice Karate ShinKyokushin and Jiu Jitsu they also specialize in TACFIT classes, considered the “world’s smartest workout”, this program is a precise fitness system that allows to see results in a short amount of time. Cafeteria, parking and classes for kids and adults.

3) Crossfit Snaga: The practice of crossfit has gained popularity in the past few years, this training system is bases in constant functional movements executed with high intensity. It allows those who practice it to soon reach a great resistance and physical condition. Plenty of parking and a variety of schedules available.

4) Kurt Niehaus Swim Academy: If swimming is your choice of exercise, this academy in Lindora is perfect for you, classes for babies, children and adults. This academy doesn’t just teach you how to swim, but they design a swimming plan according to your needs, you get a personal trainer and they also offer classes for pregnant ladies. If you are already a good swimmer you can also just go in to swim in specific schedules.

5) Soul Fitness: A perfect space for women who enjoy trying out different fitness alternatives, yoga, pole gym, cardio dance, Pilates and aerial-yoga. Fun ways to stay fit and work on your body and spirit.

6) Mukti Yoga: This is a small but cozy yoga studio for men and women, their offer includes “danza fit” a combination of functional exercises with dancing that will have you in shape in no time. There’s also baby yoga, fit mom, and yoga kids.

7) Raw Outdoor Fitness: Because sometimes the last thing you want to do is workout in a locked space, breathe fresh air while you exercise in a safe place. Raw outdoor fitness will offer you variety of exercise options to make sure you don’t get bored with the same routine all the time.

8) Fight Club Lindora: For those who prefer lots of action, Fight Club just opened its Lindora location in Momentum, and offer boxing classes, cardio box, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thai, functional training and Parkour. Individual or group lessons.

9) Electro Body Center: Sometimes we need a little help from technology, especially when we are stuck and can’t reach our goal, or we to get quicker results. Electro fitness helps you shape your body with a combination of exercise and electro-stimulation that will help you with your muscular tone and elimination of localized fat. Sessions are of only 25 minutes.

1) 360 Fitness Gym: Located in City Place 360 is a comprehensive fitness center that combines exercise with nutritional advice all for one price. The latest in gym equipment, spinning room, weights room, steam rooms. You can also opt for group classes such as yoga, Pilates, aerobics, Zumba fitness, tae-bo, fit combat, among others.