Best of Boulder 2024: Fitness and Health

Readers' favorite climbing gyms, yoga studios and more

By Boulder Weekly Staff - Apr. 25, 2024
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MECHA won best gym and fitness center during this year's Best of Boulder contest. Credit: David Harwi Photography

Gym/Fitness Center

MECHA
2546 Spruce St., Boulder
1817 CO-42, Louisville

MECHA is here to get you sweating and make you feel powerful along the way. With studios in Boulder and Louisville, owner Rebecca Baack and her spectacular team bring a fun, welcoming energy to your workout day in, day out, offering cardio and strength classes, resistance, hybrid and more. First time? Get your first three classes for just $35 as part of their new client offer. 

Silver: Uplift Boulder
Bronze: Alchemy of Movement
Write-in: Studio Shira

Climbing Gym

The Spot
3240 Prairie Ave., Boulder
1754 Dogwood St., Louisville

Boulder County’s premier climbing gym lives up to its name year after year — The Spot truly is the place to be for locals craving a vertical rush. From climbing to yoga and an open gym, there’s something for everyone, whether it’s your thousandth climb or your first. 

Silver: Boulder Rock Club
Bronze: Movement Climbing + Fitness

Yoga Studio

Yoga Pod
633 S. Broadway, Unit N, Boulder
1890 30th St., Boulder
2201 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont

Co-owners Gerry and Nicole Wienholt, along with their wonderful team, bring balance and beauty to their studios every day. It’s why, time and time again, Yoga Pod is the preferred destination for our readers when it comes to strengthening the body, mind and soul. Looking to start your journey? Their introductory offer of $40 for four weeks of unlimited classes is your sign to start.  

Silver: CorePower Yoga
Bronze: Full Throttle Yoga
Write-in: Studio Shira

Pilates Studio

MECHA
2546 Spruce St., Boulder
1817 CO-42, Louisville

When it comes to pilates courses, MECHA has it down to a science. Their RESISTANCE class is a modern approach to pilates, borrowing elements from strength training to deliver a challenging, satisfying class for all levels of experience. By the end of it, your body will be thanking you. 

Silver: Bolder Pilates
Bronze: Club Pilates

Dance Studio

Alchemy of Movement
2436 30th St., Boulder

When Ashley Patchen took over Alchemy of Movement in 2018, she understood the importance of accessibility and fun on the dance floor. This is precisely why, in the six years that have followed, Alchemy of Movement has remained the destination for both casual and experienced dancers to get their groove on (and a killer workout) by way of a plethora of unique classes. 

Silver: Studio Shira
Bronze: Avalon Ballroom

Martial Arts

Tran’s Martial Arts 
3101 ½ 28th St., Boulder
117 S. Sunset St. D, Longmont

Whether it’s Hung Tran at the Longmont location, or Greg and Allison Zolun at TMA Boulder, Tran’s Martial Arts success begins with passion and love for their disciplines. It starts at the top and permeates through their experienced coaches to every student that straps on a pair of gloves. From Krav Maga to Muay Thai, fitness kickboxing and a number of children’s martial arts courses, they’ve got what you need to unleash your inner dragon. 

Silver: Easton Training Center
Bronze: One Dojo

Golf Course

Flatirons Golf Course
5706 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder

Golf can be many things: relaxing, gorgeous, often expensive. At Flatirons Golf Course, you’ll check off two of these three boxes. Enjoy your day with one of the best views the sport has to offer, but you won’t break the bank. It’s that sort of pride for inclusion that lands them in the number one spot yet again. 

Silver: Boulder Country Club
Bronze: Indian Peaks Golf Club

Barber Shop

Floyd’s 99
Multiple locations

Time and time again, Floyd’s 99 proves that excellent service and consistent cuts are the pathway to capturing the top spot for best barber shop in Boulder County. Need a fade? A coloring? A close shave? Head into one of their many locations and leave feeling fresh. 

Silver: Rollins Barbershop
Bronze: Al’s Barber Shop
Write-in: Hennepin Barbers

Hair Salon

Voodoo Hair Lounge
2100 Pearl St., Boulder

2024 marks another win for Voodoo Hair Lounge, and who can blame our readers? A well-done hairdo is an art form, and the Voodoo team is obsessed with maximizing your cut every time you step in their doors on Pearl Street. Furthermore, they divert 93% of their waste, going the extra mile to ensure sustainable businesses. They collect the hair they cut, which is turned into oil booms to collect oil in the ocean. How cool is that? 

Silver: Twig Hair Salon
Bronze: Boulder Hair Collective
Write-in: Downtown Refinery

Nail Salon

jlounge 
3003 Walnut St., Boulder

Few things bolster one’s confidence quite like a mani/pedi. At jlounge, everything from the aura of the room to the passionate employees makes for an unforgettable experience. It’s precisely why Boulder County has named jlounge the best nail salon again in 2024. 

Silver: Contempo Nails
Bronze: Polish Nail Salon

Best massage, best day spa

St Julien Hotel and Spa
900 Walnut St., Boulder

Elegance, relaxation, decadence — these are words synonymous with the experience you’ll receive during your day at the St Julien Hotel & Spa. A great massage, like the ones given here, can help you forget about the world for a little while. Go experience it for yourself with one of their twelve different therapeutic massages, or one of five massage enhancements, all offered in a top-notch facility. The spa is also home to a steam room, sauna, pool, hot tub and fitness center, as well as a litany of specialty treatments, including a body toning scrub, classic pedicures and more. 

Day Spa 

Silver: The Dragontree Spa
Bronze: jlounge Natural Nail Bar & Spa

Massage

Silver: The Dragontree Spa
Bronze: Apex Massage & Recovery Lab
Write-in: Spirit in Harmony

Acupuncture Clinic

Acupuncture Clinic of Boulder
2500 Arapahoe Ave., Unit 290

Erin Pass and her passionate team possess years of experience — it’s no surprise to see the folks at Acupuncture Clinic of Boulder back on top. No matter the reason — pain management, digestive issues, immunity and more — this local practice has what you need to kickstart your health and wellness. 

Silver: Boulder Community Acupuncture
Bronze: The Dragontree Spa

Chiropractor

APEX Chiropractic
183 S. Taylor Ave., Unit 162, Louisville

Your back can be your best friend or your worst enemy. At APEX Chiropractic, their work is dedicated to ensuring the former. Founder Shane Kuth and company offer a plethora of services, from athlete recovery to brain injury treatment, prenatal and pediatric chiropractic — the list goes on. 

Silver: Boulder Sports Chiropractic
Bronze: The Joint

Physical Therapist

ALTA Physical Therapy & Pilates
2955 Baseline Road, Boulder

ALTA director Jane Milliff has dedicated over 40 years of her life to physical therapy in all forms, and if you ask her, it’s as fulfilling as the day she started. That’s what you get when you work at a place like ALTA Physical Therapy & Pilates, whose consistent dedication and experienced team make the journey of physical rehabilitation for every client worthwhile and memorable. 

Silver: Altitude Physical Therapy
Bronze: Coal Creek Physical Therapy

Medical Doctor

Dr. Geeta Lalwani
1440 28th St., Unit 3, Boulder

No one understands the importance of quality care quite like Dr. Geeta Lalwani and her staff at Rocky Mountain Retina Associates. Their dedication to preserving the vision of countless patients is why Dr. Lalwani stands at the top of the podium this year. 

Silver: Dr. Karin Susskind
Bronze: Dr. Krista Toomre

Dentist

North Boulder Dental Group
1001 North St., Boulder

We all need to smile more — it’s good for us! At North Boulder Dental Group, their devoted team makes sure your pearly whites inspire self-confidence, offering everything from tooth cleanings to implants, cosmetic dentistry, fillings and much more. 

Silver: Boulder Dental Arts
Bronze: Louisville Dental Associates

Write-in: Alber Dental Studio

Orthodontics

Wong Orthodontics
3400 Penrose Place, Suite 203, Boulder

A straight smile can be life changing. Dr. Wong, like many of us, had his smile corrected through orthodontic treatment and in the process found a passion for sharing that same experience with others. At Wong Orthodontics, a family-friendly atmosphere and a dedicated staff are just two of the reasons why it’s the preferred spot for our readers. 

Silver: Boulder Orthodontics
Bronze: Melcher Orthodontics

Lasik Services

Boulder Eye Surgeons
4745 Arapahoe Ave., Suite 100, Boulder

Since 1997, Boulder Eye Surgeons has provided personal care and specialized surgeries. Their equipment is state-of-the-art, and every patient leaves having gotten quality, personalized treatment. 

Silver: Insight VisionGroup and Lasik
Bronze: Eyecare Center of Northern Colorado

Urgent Care Center

Boulder Medical Center
2750 Broadway Unit 100, Boulder

Visiting the urgent care can be unnerving, mostly because you usually didn’t think your day would end up there. Boulder Medical Center knows this experience can be stressful. That’s why they ensure that every trip is met with the utmost care and expertise. The clinic is staffed by board-certified physicians and advanced practitioners seven days a week, 365 days a year. 

Silver: AFC Urgent Care
Bronze: BCH Urgent Care 

Veterinary Care

Alpine Hospital for Animals
3210 Valmont Road, Boulder

Having everything you need in one place, from medical to surgical, dental and alternative care for pets of all shapes and sizes is what makes Alpine Hospital for Animals such a great destination for your furry (or scaly) friends’ needs. Add in over 50 years of operation and a roster of top-of-the-line veterinary experience, and you’ve got our repeat winner for best veterinary care in Boulder County.

Silver: Humane Society of Boulder Valley
Bronze: Rise Vet  

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