In high school, many students drift away from childhood sports because they don’t have the time to devote to practice and games everyday. Luckily, there are numerous ways to stay in shape throughout the year. Three of the best alternatives are The Edge Fitness Clubs, the Wellness Center at the Westport Weston Family YMCA and Orangetheory fitness.

The Edge Fitness Clubs have locations within close proximity to Westport: one in Fairfield and one in Norwalk. Both locations are perfect for Staples students who live on either side of town. The Edge offers a three-day trial pass before having to commit to a year-long membership.

Additionally, The Edge is the most affordable of the gyms in the area. They offer three levels of membership that are listed at different prices: $9.99, $19.99 and $29.99 per month. With each increase in price, more amenities––such as spinning class and access to all Edge locations––become available.

One of my favorite parts about The Edge is that with every purchase of a membership, people are given a free fitness assessment alongside a personal trainer. This is essentially a free personal training session. Furthermore, the space in The Edge is very big; there is more equipment in this gym than any other gym I have seen.The Edge is a great choice for a Staples student based on its affordability and size.

The Wellness Center at the Westport Weston Family YMCA is another choice for Staples students. It’s location makes it very convenient to either fit in a quick workout or stay for a few hours. The Westport Weston Family YMCA is also fairly new, which means that all the equipment is up-to-date.

While the Wellness Center is not very big, it certainly has enough equipment for any workout you have in mind. Additionally, a membership costs $50.00 per month plus a $25.00 “join fee” for high school students.  A perk of membership is access to the pool and gymnastics center.

Lastly, there is Orangetheory Fitness. Orangetheory is a group workout class designed to maintain motivation and momentum for members as they work to achieve their fitness goals. Orangetheory classes work in stations and include cardio such as treadmills and stationary bikes, rowing machines, benches and weights for strength training, floor exercises and a cool-down stretch.

Orangetheory offers a free class to everyone before purchasing a membership. The three memberships offered are Orange Basic (four classes per month), Orange Elite (eight classes per month), and Orange Premier (unlimited classes) at varying prices. These classes are perfect for anyone looking to find a workout routine that works for them.

These three gyms each offer different atmospheres and benefits. To find the best fit, think about the amenities you really need and check out your options.