Guide to Sandpoint Fitness

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff

Spring is the perfect time to get moving again. Not because you need to get swimsuit ready (you look great), but because nothing makes you feel better than emerging from winter hibernation and remembering that all your muscles work and wearing shorts is actually pretty liberating after six months of long underwear.

For this guide, we asked area gyms and studios to share some basic information, as well as something about their business that makes them unique. To learn more, contact them or go check them out.

Xhale Pilates Studio
225 Cedar St.
(208) 755-2687

Hours: Hours vary, but usually 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturday mornings, depending on classes. Soon to begin yoga classes.

“Something unique about our studio is that we offer springboards for each participant in our mat classes,” said co-owner Corrina Barrett. “This is not a normal piece of equipment for a mat class and really ups the value for our participants and sets us apart from other studios.”

7B Fitness
606 N. 5th Ave.
(208) 263-7174

Hours: 24-hour access for members

Owner Jenny Mire emphasized that 7B Fitness is locally owned and operated and is a full 24-hour access gym. She said all classes are free to members, and they offer day and week passes.

Sandpoint Hot Yoga

A class at Sandpoint Hot Yoga prepares for another session. Photo by Ben Olson.

1243 Michigan St.
(208) 946-7646

Hours: 3-5 classes daily at different times starting at 6:30 a.m. with the last class at 6 p.m. The schedule is posted at www.sandpointhotyoga.com.

“We specialize in various styles of hot yoga to promote detoxification, increased circulation and boost in metabolism, but also have classes that are room temperature as well as gentle (restorative) yoga and Pilates,” said owner Kerri Kuntz. “We work with all ages (including offering kids yoga), levels and abilities, but specialize in beginner yoga. We have retail, changing rooms and shower facilities.”

Black Bear Training Center
114 S. Boyer Ave.
(208) 946-4515

Hours: Monday and Wednesday 3:45-7:30 p.m. Saturday 10-11 a.m.

Co-owner and youth instructor Martin Tetachuk said the training center is a comprehensive martial arts studio that specializes in the striking aspect of Martial Arts. “Self defense, safety of yourself and others, and being able to de-escalate dangerous situations are some of the many goals we focus on,” he said.

CrossFit Sandpoint
215 Olive Ave.
(208) 610-2220

Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Owner and head coach Kenny Markwardt said CrossFit Sandpoint is Sandpoint’s resource for functional strength and conditioning, as well as practical nutrition and lifestyle coaching.

Sandpoint Rock Gym
522 Church St.
(208) 278-6199

Hours: Visitors should go to www.sandpointrockgym.com or the gym’s Facebook page (facebook.com/thesandpointrockgym) for current hours for non-members as they change based on the season. Members are given access to the SRG via electronic key card.

The SRG is a non-profit and is run entirely by volunteers — from the board, to the route setters, to the high school students and others who open the SRG for open climb. “Drop in climbing rates are $5 a day with free use of shoes, allowing inexpensive access to giving climbing a try!” said board president Katie Cartier.

Sandpoint Zumba
225 Cedar St. (@ Xhale Pilates)
(208) 290-2600

Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m., Saturdays at 9 a.m.

“I’ve been teaching Zumba for over eight years now consistently and love the energy and community my classes bring each week!” said instructor Kathy Chambers. “People think you need dance experience to attend, but that’s far from the truth. I have many ages, sizes and fitness levels attend my classes.”

MVMNT:Gym
101 S. Third Ave. 
208-263-9999

Hours: By appointment

Ryan Egan, owner at MVMNT:Gym, strikes a pose. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert.

Owner Ryan Egan said MVMNT specializes in “joint movement reconditioning.” Rather than focusing on exercise, Egan said he focuses on his clients’ limitations at the joint level, and then helping them through a process to reestablish lost joint function. “What we find is most people that are going to gyms and exercising are actually doing harm to their bodies, and that all relates back to having restriction at the joint level,” he said. “Everybody needs (joint reconditioning) — from 6- and 7-year-olds to 60-year-old adults, because what we need as human beings is more usable ranges of motion.” Most of MVMNT’s programs right now are custom, but they do offer some group classes. Call for details.

Natural Fitness
1103 Superior St.
(208) 263-0676

Hours: Open 24 hours

“Our attention to our members and facilities really set us apart,” said Sandpoint location owner Shawn Martin.

Zest Inspired Living and Hot Yoga
100 N. First Ave.
(208) 290-3812

Classes: Private and semi-private yoga sessions by appointment. Stand-up paddle board yoga sessions by appointment. Stay up to date on workshops, special events and retreats by visiting www.zestinspiredliving.com. Owner Jennings Waterhouse said Zest helps people “create an inspired life through yoga, nutrigenomics and lifestyle design.”

North Idaho Jiu Jitsu
114 S. Boyer Ave. (@ Black Bear Training Center)
(208) 536-3921

Jenny Mire, owner of 7B Fitness, works out at their gym in Sandpoint. Courtesy photo.

Classes:
Monday: Fundamentals 6-7 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: Positional training 12-1 p.m. and all levels of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 5:30-7 p.m.
Wednesday:  Drilling 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Saturday: Open mat 9-11 a.m.

“Something unique about North Idaho Jiu Jitsu is the support people receive walking in the gym,” said owner Jon Brown. “You are surrounded by people that want to help you achieve what seems like the impossible, all while learning something useful and staying in shape. It can be very demanding but the art distracts you from just how much you are working out at the same time.”

Shree Yoga
(208) 290-6000 

Hours: Classes on Mondays and Tuesdays at a private location, call for details. There are also Shree classes at the North Idaho College extension building in Sandpoint.

Shree Yoga owner and instructor Francesca Agnello said she doesn’t just teach poses — she teaches her students to apply yoga to their everyday lives. “It’s about ‘how does yoga apply to me today?’ How can yoga help you while you wait in line at the bank?” she said, adding that in her classes sometimes yoga means rest, not necessarily intense practice. “That’s yoga — you learn to honor yourself. It’s not just learning how to do downward facing dog, it’s ‘How do I apply these principles? How do I see my world?’”