We try to keep fit by doing a variety of workouts, but with our less than stable core, our downward dogs and jab ‘n bobs sometimes leave our lower back feeling rather sore.

The hour-long classes (fees start at $25 per class) at the bright and airy Essentrics Studio incorporate eccentric exercises, as well as techniques from ballet and Tai Chi, to elongate and tone muscles, creating a lithe look. After completing a one-hour class filled with flowing movements and supple strengthening, we felt one inch taller—minus any lower back woes. In fact, our back felt better than ever,

An exercise that soothes as well as strengthens? We’re in. —JN

Essentrics Studio, 3431 Stanley St., Montreal, 514-989-0236, www.essentricsstudio.com

We’re more into spinning records than spinning our wheels, but ask us to pedal to heavy metal and we’ll be at the head of the pack in no time.

Cadence Cycle spinning studio is drawing in devotees who come to clip in and burn calories in the non-stop ride set to a mixed-on-the-spot playlist of pumped up tracks. Log in to choose the class that fits your schedule (rides start at $25 each) and join in a group sweat session that feels more like dancing to the beat on a bike than exercising to exhaustion.

You spin me right ‘round, baby. Right ‘round.—JN

Cadence Cycle, 2585 Bates Rd., Montreal, 514-733-8111, www.cadence-cycle.com

They say Natalie Portman trained eight hours a day to get her body in ballerina shape for Black Swan. We may not be losing our minds to win a starring role, but we’d still like to gain a little bit of the dancers’ graceful strength and flexibility.

We must admit that we were a little bit nervous when we first saw the complicated contraptions at Gyrotonic Montreal. But it only took a little practice and the expert guidance of Nancie Lepore ($85/hour) until we were able to smoothly use the cables and pulley systems to strengthen our muscles and connective tissues with complete freedom of movement. The circular, spiralling, and undulating motions make this form of exercise very popular with ballet dancers.

No tutu or toe shoes (or torrid psychoses) required. —JN

Gyrotonic Montreal, 4160 Dorchester St. W., unit 102, Montreal, 514-932-5503 www.gyrotonicmontreal.ca

We’re running in the ScotiaBank Half Marathon this Sunday (actually just the 5k). While we may not be particularly “good at running,” we certainly make up for it by looking the part.

A good sports bra is a busty runner’s best friend. Keep curves under control and looking cute in this tie-dyed, blinged out Liz bra by Body Rock Sport (US$42). Delivers to Canada, www.bodyrocksport.com

Run like you’re on a runway with Stella McCartney for adidas’ burn out tank ($49.99).

Determine the best fit for your foot with the experts at The Running Room, where you can find tons of cute styles like the Adidas adiZERO Tempo 4 ($139.99). The Running Room, 5044 Parc Ave., Montreal, 514-274-5888, www.runningroom.com

Breathability for your ladybits is key, especially when it comes to long distances, so try Icebreaker’s ¾ length Rush running tight ($109.99)  made from New Zealand Merino wool. Icebreaker, 1515 Ste. Catherine St. E., Montreal, 514-315-3841, www.icebreaker.com  

We love the slightly longer length of this Arc’Teryx Solita running jacket ($150) for colder weather, or days when you don’t want everyone staring at your bum while you run. Arc’Teryx, 1515 Ste. Catherine St. East, Montreal, 514-315-2052, www.arcteryx.com

See you at the finish line! —JN

If you’re anything like us, the thought of leaving your toasty sofa to wade knee-deep through snowbanks for a workout is leaving you cold.

We’re making it easier on ourselves using Reebok’s EasyTone Apparel, made with strategically placed bands that create resistance in everyday movements. We loved the elliptical-to-everyday look of the tush-tightening pants ($79.99) and the posture-perfecting short-sleeved shirt ($59.99) that tucked in our tummy, just so. Add a pair of Easy Tone shoes to up the ante and we’ll never need to go to the gym again!

Well, maybe occasionally. We don’t want our trainer to miss us.

Reebok EasyTone apparel available at Sports Rxperts, www.reebok.ca

Women’s magazines are full of cheery advice for making fitness resolutions stick, like “Exercise with friends!” and “Change it up so you don’t get bored!”

But what if your friends are couch potatoes and you don’t have the funds to join a different fitness studio for every day of the week?

We signed up to Training Mobs to join likeminded fitness fun-seekers in free or low-cost flashmob workouts around the city, including bootcamps, boxing, capoeira, yoga, running and dance at locations like Studio Breathe, Lululemon, Sportira, and even the great outdoors. Inspired to energize others? Anyone can create their own mob and invite other site members with just a keystroke.

We always wanted to be a mob boss.

www.trainingmobs.com

When you’ve kept the same workout routine for months like we have, sometimes it takes a jolt to realize that you’ve been exercising on auto-Pilates.

We whipped our workout into shape at the Pilates Institute of Montreal, where pixie powerhouse Jodi Riettie put us through the paces with a rigorous lift, bend, twist and stretch session that brought our muscles back to active duty. By the end of our private session ($70), our abs felt as though they’d been through a war zone, inspiring us to re-enlist for a package of 10 group mat/tower classes ($200, 3 per group).

Now we’re masters of our own shape.

Contact Jodi at 514-267-7894, jodi.riettie@gmail.com, www.thepilatesinstituteofmontreal.com

We tend to enjoy sportsy activities more when they provide us with new options for outfits. But when we can shop in the same location as we sweat? Heaven.

Boutique and studio Yoga-à-Porter offers a wide selection of clothes for the yogic lifestyle. We’ll wear our omgirl ruched tank ($70) and Not Your Daughter’s Jeans bodyshape leggings ($130) to one of their 11 yoga classes offered per week ($18/class). Then we’ll pair our sexy and stretchy Second Yoga Jeans ($135) with a St. Martins jersey cape top ($95) for an evening out.

To our local vegetarian restaurant, of course.

One week introduction: unlimited classes $20 for new students only. Yoga-à-Porter, 100 Laurier Ave. W., Montreal, 438-380-6814, www.yoga-a-porter.com

Our regular yoga sessions have helped lift our asanas to new heights. But sometimes we just want to drop it like it’s hot.

When we’re feeling more Snoop Dogg than downward dog, we dance it out at Urban Body Studio ($10/class, $250/3 months unlimited). We tried the Bodylicious class, which had us mingling hip-hop moves with old school aerobics like video vixens. We’re heading back to the studio for Flirty Girl Fitness, a high-impact circuit mixed with dance moves, and Urban Bootcamp, where we’ll pop and lock our way to a better behind.

Taking our body from om to OMG.

Urban Body, 4523 St. Denis St., Montreal, 514-616-9178, www.urban-body.ca

We’re tired of our boyfriend hogging the couch to play video games. What’s more, his thumbs are getting fitter, while the rest of his body is starting to meld into the sofa.

We’re confiscating the console to play the new controller- free Kinect for Xbox 360, which uses your own movements to (wo)man the controls. After the Kinect Sensor scanned our body, we ran, jumped, and twisted until our muscles ached. We’re most excited to get our hands on Dance Central and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved to get our bodies in tip top shape (games start at $49.99).

We’ll have that couch potato mashed in no time.

At Future Shop. Kinect sensor with Kinect Adventures ($149.99), Xbox not included. Bundles with Xbox 360 start at $299.99. www.xbox.com