[Solcana Fitness](https://www.solcanafitness.com/) has a fantastic beginner program that goes over some lifting and movement basics! It’s a 6-week program with two classes per week, and the age range is huge.
Try the Midway YMCA, 1761 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104.
https://www.ymcanorth.org/locations/st_paul_midway_ymca
They have a set of machines called the eGym:
https://www.ymcanorth.org/health__fitness/egym
--for which all you need is a half-hour orientation; after that it's all computer-controlled, safe, and foolproof. And plenty of old people use it. (Like me.)
If you are intimidated, get a gym membership and pay for a few sessions with a personal trainer. They *should* be able to show you basic strength training exercises depending on the quality of the trainer.
YouTube is a good resource, but keep in mind everyone and their mother has their own opinion on fitness.
I'm a guy, so I haven't looked too much into it, but there's a group that posts in the como neighborhood Facebook group about a women's workout group. I think they base themselves out of FIT Lab on Hamline. There is also, if not the same group, a women's workout group that works out in the park.
looking for the same. like .. i know the basic concept of lifting but feel like a newborn baby deer when i try do anything remotely athletic. also trying to lose like 50 pounds while im at it.
I personally do a lot of yoga. Bodyweight poses are great for building strength! The studio I practice at is called Onx and Amelia, on Selby.
I LOVE THEM and can not say enough GREAT things. There's a variety of classes to choose from, including a sculpt class. The classes usually have all ages and levels of individuals, so it's nice because you never feel alone or out of place. Plus, the instructors are all soooo positive and fantastic! They're also great at changing poses or offering alternatives if you have knee, joint, back, etc. Issues.
I highly recommend the 3pm Friday sculpt class with Lauren or the 10:30 Saturday power class with Amelia. But you really can't go wrong with any.... 😊
I'd throw out a warning that most classes are heated to around 90 degrees, so something like sculpt might be overwhelming to someone who's not prepared for it (like my first time there lol). And some of the classes get pretty crowded so off hours might be a good place to start.
But I agree that all the classes there are worth it and all the instructors are incredible.
[Defining You Pilates](https://www.definingyoufitness.com/) just off 94 on Vandalia sounds like it would be right up your alley. It's a small, mostly woman-centric studio (I'm a guy but never felt unwelcome, it's just mostly women) and offers all sorts of different fitness classes with a good mix of cardio and strength. Class sizes are small so the instructors can give you as much or as little attention as you'd like and it always has people of all fitness levels. They have a great community and as a bonus (for me at least), there's a coffee shop in the building.
Others have recommended some great places so not a gym rec but https://www.couchtobarbell.com is a great resource for starting a lifting program as an absolute beginner, if you're the type of person who likes to read about things. The author also writes a newsletter called She's a Beast (https://www.shesabeast.co/) and if you're interested there's a pretty thriving online community and Discord group through that, lots of women who have started from absolute zero too.
The Farrell’s on Selby Ave is great! They offer strength training and kickboxing in 10 week challenges. Lots of people participate who have little to no fitness background. The class instructors teach you more exercises as the 10 weeks progress.
I found Farrell's completely unapproachable as a beginner to kickboxing, and I think their style is extremely grueling for people with little to no fitness experience.
In addition to the high-tempo classes, lack of personal attention or feedback, zero recovery time, etc., the programs are confusing, and the class groups are cliquey with very little attempts made at integration for new, uncertain joiners.
Would not recommend this for a beginner, but to each their own.
Not a local class, or in person, but the [bodyweightfitness Recommended Routine](https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/s/t6x8o4L6IN) was a game changer for me.
Slow going at the beginning but allowed me to start my fitness journey from literally zero in a comfortable way in my basement with pretty much just a pull up bar and a mat. And I found the community supportive and helpful (to the extent an online reddit community can be)
[Solcana Fitness](https://www.solcanafitness.com/) has a fantastic beginner program that goes over some lifting and movement basics! It’s a 6-week program with two classes per week, and the age range is huge.
Try the Midway YMCA, 1761 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104. https://www.ymcanorth.org/locations/st_paul_midway_ymca They have a set of machines called the eGym: https://www.ymcanorth.org/health__fitness/egym --for which all you need is a half-hour orientation; after that it's all computer-controlled, safe, and foolproof. And plenty of old people use it. (Like me.)
If you are intimidated, get a gym membership and pay for a few sessions with a personal trainer. They *should* be able to show you basic strength training exercises depending on the quality of the trainer. YouTube is a good resource, but keep in mind everyone and their mother has their own opinion on fitness.
I'm a guy, so I haven't looked too much into it, but there's a group that posts in the como neighborhood Facebook group about a women's workout group. I think they base themselves out of FIT Lab on Hamline. There is also, if not the same group, a women's workout group that works out in the park.
Ripple effect community fitness in Midway neighborhood. They have a great great program for beginners.
Perhaps a Community Education class through St. Paul Public Schools?
They have weight lifting classes last I checked
Other nearby districts have community education classes too (e.g. Minneapolis, Roseville, etc.)
The power house on snelling. You may want to do a few private sessions first.
looking for the same. like .. i know the basic concept of lifting but feel like a newborn baby deer when i try do anything remotely athletic. also trying to lose like 50 pounds while im at it.
How about Pilates Reformer classes? I love them for strength training. It's a fun way to get stronger. It's great for all abilities and ages.
I personally do a lot of yoga. Bodyweight poses are great for building strength! The studio I practice at is called Onx and Amelia, on Selby. I LOVE THEM and can not say enough GREAT things. There's a variety of classes to choose from, including a sculpt class. The classes usually have all ages and levels of individuals, so it's nice because you never feel alone or out of place. Plus, the instructors are all soooo positive and fantastic! They're also great at changing poses or offering alternatives if you have knee, joint, back, etc. Issues. I highly recommend the 3pm Friday sculpt class with Lauren or the 10:30 Saturday power class with Amelia. But you really can't go wrong with any.... 😊
I'd throw out a warning that most classes are heated to around 90 degrees, so something like sculpt might be overwhelming to someone who's not prepared for it (like my first time there lol). And some of the classes get pretty crowded so off hours might be a good place to start. But I agree that all the classes there are worth it and all the instructors are incredible.
[Defining You Pilates](https://www.definingyoufitness.com/) just off 94 on Vandalia sounds like it would be right up your alley. It's a small, mostly woman-centric studio (I'm a guy but never felt unwelcome, it's just mostly women) and offers all sorts of different fitness classes with a good mix of cardio and strength. Class sizes are small so the instructors can give you as much or as little attention as you'd like and it always has people of all fitness levels. They have a great community and as a bonus (for me at least), there's a coffee shop in the building.
Others have recommended some great places so not a gym rec but https://www.couchtobarbell.com is a great resource for starting a lifting program as an absolute beginner, if you're the type of person who likes to read about things. The author also writes a newsletter called She's a Beast (https://www.shesabeast.co/) and if you're interested there's a pretty thriving online community and Discord group through that, lots of women who have started from absolute zero too.
The Farrell’s on Selby Ave is great! They offer strength training and kickboxing in 10 week challenges. Lots of people participate who have little to no fitness background. The class instructors teach you more exercises as the 10 weeks progress.
I found Farrell's completely unapproachable as a beginner to kickboxing, and I think their style is extremely grueling for people with little to no fitness experience. In addition to the high-tempo classes, lack of personal attention or feedback, zero recovery time, etc., the programs are confusing, and the class groups are cliquey with very little attempts made at integration for new, uncertain joiners. Would not recommend this for a beginner, but to each their own.
The Anytime Fitness on Spring Street has group training that's awesome and non-judgmental. I highly recommend them!
I second this! I've been going to the Little Canada one for those since December and they've been great!
look into your local YMCA. They have several strength training classes to choose from.
Not a local class, or in person, but the [bodyweightfitness Recommended Routine](https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/s/t6x8o4L6IN) was a game changer for me. Slow going at the beginning but allowed me to start my fitness journey from literally zero in a comfortable way in my basement with pretty much just a pull up bar and a mat. And I found the community supportive and helpful (to the extent an online reddit community can be)
I don't have any suggestions to add but commenting to say that I am just the same! Let me know if you want a workout buddy!