This non-profit organization is one of the oldest athletic clubs in the U.S. and is well-known for organizing the world-famous annual Boston Marathon. With the help of local sponsors like John Hancock Financial Services, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) provides community programming for the city of Boston. It teams up with area schools and other non-profits to encourage public fitness and promote healthy lifestyles. Other BAA events include the Boston Half-Marathon, the Jimmy Fund Walk and the annual Mayor's Cup Race.
Youth Enrichment Services is a Boston-area youth development organization that introduces kids and teens to the great outdoors through sports. Sports programs offered include skiing, snowboarding, biking, hiking, rock climbing, and others. The organization also offers YES Academy, which is a year-round college prep program. To sign up or for information on ways to donate, call the number provided.
On Boylston Street, Back Bay Yoga is a 5,000-square-foot yoga studio offering guests fun and challenging classes taught by dedicated teachers. Beginners and experts alike are welcomed to take off their shoes, de-stress and practice several styles of yoga or take yoga-influenced classes.
Back Bay Yoga offers newcomers 14 days of yoga for only $25. No mat? Don't worry. You can rent or buy one at the studio. Community classes are offered for only $5 and all classes offered at Back Bay Yoga are drop-in, no registration required.
Integrated Mind & Body is a wellness studio that offers individuals of all ages mind and body therapies. The studio offers one-on-one instruction, partner sessions and group classes in Pilates, Hatha yoga, reiki, occupational therapy, tai chi, breast rehabilitation and kids’ and seniors’ programs.
C.Spa does massage, facials, waxing and threading. Its customers needs are of utmost importance to the staff; thus the satisfaction rate is extremely high! Its massages include Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone, and facials range from antiaging to purifying. If time does not allow for a full massage, the spa offers 30-minute mini-spa treatments. Owner and massage therapist Crystal Morgan has extensive training and always treats her clients with customized treatments.
The secretive Somerset Club is a private social club housed inside two towering, white granite row homes on Beacon Street.
Founded in 1852, the interior of the club is grand, with stately furnishings and walls covered in Renaissance art. You must be invited to join and if you're not a member you're unlikely to make it past reception in the lobby.
In 1988 Somerset opened its doors to women and minorities for the first time.
Girl Scouts United States has been around since 1912, but the unique Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts was formed in 2008 by a merge of Patriots Trail Girl Scouts, Spar and Spindel Girl Scouts, and Girl Scouts of South Eastern Massachusetts. Together as Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, they believe "Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place" and a better community. This great youth group serves 45,000 girls ages 5-17 and 17,000 adult volunteers in the 178 communities in Eastern Massachusetts alone.
The Back Bay location is one of several Healthworks Fitness Centers in the city of Boston. Healthworks offers a broad range of programs that reflect a "total" approach to physical health -- for instance, an outdoor weight-loss "boot camp," classes geared toward pregnant women, motivating lectures, Pilates, and much more. Amenities include a cafe, a Jacuzzi, and several steam rooms. Patrons are given complimentary towels as well as access to television and movies in certain parts of the gym (to enjoy as they exercise on the machines). Personal trainers are available to individuals and groups. Child care is provided for patrons with young children.
Synergistics offers personal training on an individual basis. The studio's chief focus is to put exercise and education to work so that trainees may fulfill their bodies' potential. Trainers adhere to a fitness method that includes Pilates, weight training, martial arts, postural correction, weight loss, flexibility improvement, sport specific training (golf, marathon, tennis, etc.), improved neuromuscular connection, cardiovascular training, nutrition education and relaxation.
The Life in Synergy Fitness Studio at 867 Boylston Street is the sister-company to Synergistics and hosts over 100 group exercise classes.