Fall is officially here and we all know how it goes: first comes the cold wind and the ceaseless rain soon follows. There’s absolutely no way you’re getting away from your blanket and hot mug of cocoa. Not to mention the series of back-to-back holidays that arrive with a plethora of reasons to enjoy delicious (but not-so-nutritious) dishes, desserts, drinks … the list of bad habits and guilty indulgences goes on and on.

Well, this may be the case for some, but not you! CRAVE has investigated the best indoor fitness resources around town for energy-boosting, calorie-burning, muscle-toning activities that will get you moving and sweating! Most places offer free trials so you can feel them out and find what best suits you! Just check their websites for details. Here is what we’ve found:

NW Personal Training
2714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232 • Twitter • Facebook
Whether you’re looking for group classes or personal training, the team at NW Personal Training will keep you warmed up during this winter season and get you looking great by summer time. This gym has programs for all levels and at all times of day, so you can design a routine regardless of your schedule. Check out their website and sign up for great freebies like fitness newsletters and their 6-week training manual.

Portland Team Fitness
3500 NE MLK & Fremont
Portland Team Fitness offers a unique medley of classes, such as their Holiday Hustle program that is designed to work you through the winter season and comes at a discounted seasonal price! They also provide adventure trips such as camping, hiking, rafting, surfing, etc. It just depends on the day and place, and they are always open to your suggestions! Sign up now and join their trip to Kuau’i in 2010!

Yoga Pearl
925 NW Davis Street
This studio right in the heart of the Pearl offers a great variety of yoga styles, inlcuding vinyasa & power vinyasa, yin, ashtanga & mysore, yoga basics, prenatal hatha fusion, meditation and pilates. Check out their introductory special of unlimited passes for the first 2 weeks only for $20! They consistently bring in yoga specialists for additional workshops and offer yoga retreats for focused immersion in specialized practices, such as meditation or specific styles of yoga.

Core Power Yoga
2277 NW 23rd & NW Quimby and 
844 SE Morrison Street • Twitter • Facebook
Workout in a sauna? Core Power does it all. Specializing in hot yoga (room temperatures range from 80-100 degrees F depending on the level), Core Power is the perfect escape from the winter’s cold. Performing under high levels of heat not only sweats out all the toxins and allows you to stretch deeper into the muscles than ever before, but it also catalyzes greater fat-burn! Styles include power vinyasa, pilates, hotpower fusion and yoga sculpt.

Julie Lawrence Yoga Center
1020 SW Taylor St., Suite 780 (On Taylor between 10th & 11th)
Julie Lawrence is one of few places offering Iyengar yoga, which is appraised for its emphasis on joint alignment– a common culprit in injuries and muscular aches. While most studios allow for drop-ins, this studio runs by terms. This can be beneficial as it has a concrete curriculum designed to move you forward as time goes on. They also provide specialized workshops throughout the year and offer 5-day retreats.

West African Dance – Matt Dishman Community Center
77 NE Knott Street (Off MLK Blvd)
Try this 90-minute, traditional West African dance! The live drummers don’t stop, and neither do you, keeping your heart rate up the entire time!  Improve your health and sense of rhythm all at once. All levels are welcome, and you have the option to drop-in or to purchase a series of classes for the entire season.

Ghanaian Dance – Center Space
420 SE 6th Avenue
Similar to the dance style taught at Matt Dishman, but specific to Ghana, this high energy dance makes for a great cardio workout while toning major muscle groups and breaking a good sweat. Only $5 for a 1-hour class!