We used to be able to stay fit the easy way: playing on jungle gyms and doing cartwheels at recess.

Spurred by childhood dreams of running away with the circus, we were eager to join in on a one-hour JUKARI Fit to Fly class at Kingwest Fitness in Liberty Village. The full-body workout, created by Cirque du Soleil and Reebok, uses a piece of custom equipment called the FlySet—a modified trapeze of sorts. The toe-tapping instructors make it look incredibly easy: you hold onto the bar, run in circles, jump and leap, all in sync. However, after only a few quick lifts our arms were burning. If fun, playful moves can keep us toned, we’ll definitely keep frolicking with Fit to Fly. —Paige Dzenis

To get free information on JUKARI classes, visit www.kingwestfitness.com

Down a little mews in London’s idyllic Primrose Hill is Triyoga, the warehouse-turned-yoga studio where Gwynnie and Madge escape the chaos of celebrity life.

Here in Toronto, we have our own sanctuary. Once an Annex staple, Octopus Garden Yoga’s new digs (at College and Dovercourt) boasts two ultra-spacious studios, Urban Herbivore’s new outpost café, plus treatments and services such as massage therapy.

Most of all we appreciate the calm, focused instructors, immaculate equipment and the wide variety of classes to suit beginners and experts.

Famous or not, every girl deserves a little star treatment.

First time visitors can drop-in for free (regularly $18) or become a member for $80 per month. Octopus Garden Yoga, 967 College St., Toronto, 416-515-8885, 
www.octopusgardenyoga.com

We like to think of ourselves as easy going, so why is our body as flexible as an iron rod?

Determined to loosen up, we enrolled in a reformer class at Body Harmonics and haven’t looked back. Pilates is not about making you sweat, it rewards proper form for controlled and subtle movements whether you are on the mat or rocking the reformer. Results can include increased energy, better posture and toned core muscles. Inside the lovely and airy Dupont studio, Body Harmonics’ instructors aim to help you make a lasting commitment to your wellbeing.

We may never be Joe Pilates, but at least we can touch our toes.

Start with a one-on-one session ($73) to learn the ropes or book a welcome package for just $49.

Body Harmonics Pilates Flagship Studio, Suite 406-672 Dupont St., Toronto, 416-537-0714, www.bodyharmonics.com

We always thought “no swinging” was the number one rule of weight training. Then we tried Kettlebell.

Founded in Russia and centuries old, Kettlebell is all about the swing. The instructor makes it look easy as she guides you through familiar moves (lunges and presses) and brand new ones like the “snatch” and “clean” (no joke) with small cannonball-esque weights in 10, 15 or 17.5lb denominations. At first, we felt awkward, a bit like Jennifer Coolidge trying to “bend and snap” in Legally Blonde, but gradually we got into the flow. Kettlebell worked our glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core. The key is balance and control so don’t fret about keeping up with the regulars and do plant yourself in the first row by the instructor. 

Classes at Energia Athletics are 45 sweaty minutes long and get booked quickly in advance ($18/class).

Energia Athletics, 
164 Danforth Ave., Toronto, 
416-406-6664
, www.energiaathletics.com

Girls just wanna have fun, but when their gym kit makes them look like Little Miss Sunshine, you can bet they won't be turning cartwheels.

There's no sitting on the sidelines with Lilikiks, a Vancouver-based girls activewear line that has just launched its online store.

With on-trend colours, super-soft fabrics, and high-end technical detailing, styles like these will take them from tennis to track and back again.

She shoots, she scores!

Shop by sport or by style at their new e-store.

www.lilikiks.com

June equals weddings and weddings equal bachelorettes, but when our go-to party dress wouldn’t quite zip up, we admitted we had let things slide.

Kick-start your summer fitness regime with the Circuit 60 class at Track Fitness. The unique, total body workout alternates intense treadmill and weight training in five- and ten-minute intervals so there’s no time to get complacent. Before you can complain about the sprints, it’s time to hit the floor for push-ups or squats. While the class is designed for varying abilities—walkers, joggers and runners—everyone is pushed to their limit for a full sixty minutes.

Incidentally, the same duration as the hot bath we took when class was over.  

$25 per class (first class is free). Track Fitness,  417 Spadina Rd., Toronto, 416-481-7872, www.trackfitness.com

If you treat bikini season like a test (with dread and lots of cramming), then we’ve got the study group for you.

Shape up starts by enrolling in Survivor Bootcamp. The four-week intensives offer two, three or five day a week routine outdoor grinds in Canadian cities. Lead by very motivating instructors, they combine cardio and circuit training for trimming down and toning up. We’ll testify that they’re no walk in the park, but yield serious results.

And the high we had afterward felt better than scoring an A+.

From $190, find a location and sign-up at www.survivorbootcamp.com

Ever since Michelle Obama flaunted her hula hooping skills on the lawn of the White House, women across the continent have decided to whirl their way to better bods.

Hooping can burn up to 600 calories in an hour, and as well as being a lot of fun, it tones the body in all the right places.

Wham-O, first released the hula hoop in the '50s, and it remains most enthusiasts' ring of choice. Pick one up in hot pink and neon green and get gyrating.

Check out Hoop Toronto for tips, tricks and classes in the GTA.

$9.95 at Swipe, 401 Richmond St. W., Toronto, 416-363-1332, www.swipe.com

If your summer exercise plans have stalled, or never properly began, a month of Fit Chicks could be just the kick-start you need. 

Fit Chicks is like bootcamp but without all the anger. No two classes are the same and instructors plan every minute of the eight one-hour sessions to work your entire body. Think jumping jacks, walking lunges, push-ups and abs, and did we mention the group meets rain or shine? Be prepared to work hard but rest assured, the time flies because it’s actually fun. Throughout the month, you will receive emails with training tips, recipes and news to keep your motivation and focus intact. 

Fit Chicks takes all your measurements on the first and last day of class and yes, we saw results - three inches lost overall, but we’re not telling where!

Fit Chicks, $159 for four weeks, www.fitchicks.ca 

Need a new 5K? Give Cedarvale Park a whirl. 

Step one, find your running buddy. Part of this run is through the woods so please, no solo missions.

Start at the Heath exit of St. Clair West station—the south entrance to the park. Head north along the trail, which will begin to veer northwest. Eventually you’ll see the steps up to Strathearn Road on your right. For an added challenge, run up and down them, twice. Continue past the off-leash dog area on your right and then the tennis courts on your left. At the end of the route, you’ll be at Ava and Everden Road. Take a quick minute to stretch and head back to the start.

The terrain is part-trail, part-path and there’s just one short hill at the very end. 

By our estimate, it’s a nearly perfect 5K.

www.cedarvalepark.com