When it comes to finding the right fit for fitness, the trend in the 21st century appears to be turning away from XXL one-size-fits-all franchised gyms and toward locally owned studios -- and innovative classes.

In looking around the Salt Lake Valley, I found small-business owners who are passionate about health and fitness, not just running meat markets. Which suggests this: If you're trolling for a boyfriend, visit www.eHarmony.com; if you're searching for a workout that works for you, we've got the perfect match.

I looked for instructors who had knowledge of body alignment and kinesiology, the movement of alignment. One of my standards: the classes offered by Streamline Bodyworks owner Eva Kauffman. "I only feel satisfied as a teacher when I've actually educated the student of Pilates in appropriate and efficient use of muscles and joints," is Kauffman's philosophy.

Many of the newest classes are off the beaten track -- on the back side of a stripmall or inside a remodeled warehouse -- so we've made it easy for you by tracking them down, taking a class and evaluating them, based on a trained dancer's impressions.

Cost varies, although most of the exercise and dance classes we visited are about $10-$12 each, with the first class offered free. Most studios offer deals when you sign up for a series of classes or punchcard.

Antigravity Yoga

Venue » Imagination Place, 1155 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City, in Brickyard Plaza; 801-463-9067; www.imaginationplace.com.

Classes » Check Web site for schedule and to sign up in advance, as classes are limited by the eight or so hammocks.

Also offered » Although there are various forms of this activity, Imagination Place is the only studio currently teaching the licensed Antigravity Yoga by certified teachers in the state. For acrobatic or trapeze-based exercise, try Revolve Aerial Dance, at www.revolveaerialdance.com, which teaches classes at The Sugar Space, 616 Wilmington Ave., Salt Lake City, or gymnastics studios.

Owner says » AntiGravity Yoga is great for cardio conditioning, core strengthening, decompression of the spine, and nurturing your mind and body, according to owner Paul Mulder. "And it is more fun than yoga because you get to fly!" he says.

Professional assessment » Warmup is mellow yet effective, and the fabric hammock supports the weight of your leg or body, allowing for a relaxed, less injurious stretch. "Non-weight-bearing" makes it sound like less work, but initiating movement without external resistance introduces a new set of muscle groups and ways of finding them.

Calories burned/exercise value » Stretching and engaging the proper muscles is more the point, but the effort of maneuvering in, out and around the hammock has to burn a few hundred calories.

Cautions » Don't be fooled --- this requires more effort than you'd think. My teacher, Lori Miller, has an MFA from New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, and her directions and corrections were very clear and specific. A second helper aided new students having trouble hauling their bums in and out of the hammock.

Zumba dance

Venue » Treehouse Athletic Center, 1101 E. Draper Parkway, Draper; 801-553-0123; www.tacfitness.com

Classes » Schedule listed at www.tacfitness.com

Also offered » Studio 600, 26 E. 600 South, Salt Lake City, 801-355-9860; DF Latin Dance Studio; 346 S. 500 East Suite 200 C, Salt Lake City, 801-557-3648, at 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Search for Zumba classes by ZIP code online at search.zumba.com/classes.

Teacher says » "Ditch the workout and come party with us," say Camilo Jimenez and Lindsey Taylor, who, when not teaching in Utah, travel the country training teachers in the Zumba Cardio Party and the Zumba Toning programs.

Professional assessment » Zumba satisfies the yearn to dance in everyone. The Latin/techno music is exciting, and the steps are complicated enough to make you think, but repetitious enough so almost anyone can get them. There's no stopping for individual technical corrections, so it's basically a really fun calorie burn.

Calories burned/exercise value » Claims to burn at least 600 calories per class.

Cautions » Wear tennis shoes for traction, or look like Ethel and Lucy salsa-sliding in front of Desi's band.

Laughter Yoga, Nidra Yoga and Power or Core Yoga

Venue » Centered City Yoga, 918 E. 900 South, or 1550 E. 300 South, both Salt Lake City; 801-521-9642; www.centeredcityyoga.com.

Classes » A wide variety of yoga classes are offered at local studios. For Laughter Yoga courses, e-mail Jim@amazinglifedesign.com. Also offered by Karen Bayard at noon Thursdays at the Sugar Space, 616 Wilmington Ave., Salt Lake City. For a sample, check out this video snapshot.

Also offered » Search the Internet for yoga classes near you, but here are a few regarded Salt Lake City studios: Kula Yoga, 823 E. 400 South, 801- 521-5852, www.kulastudio.com; Flow Yoga, 2065 E. 2100 South, 801-485-5933, www.flowyogaslc.com.

Teacher says » Laughter yoga coach Jim Pehkonen substitutes the well-worn "Have a great day" with "Create a great week!"

Professional assessment » Laughter yoga coach Jim Pehkonen expertly leads this group experience in the reciprocal benefits of exuding positive energy -- it's a blast. Nidra is a must-try form of extreme relaxation and spiritual exploration; this guided meditation by Scott Moore will, at the very least, cure your sleep problems. Power and core: You might think you've tried yoga, but CCY owner D'ana Baptiste will kick your butt while simultaneously instilling a sense of calm that translates to everyday life. I highly recommend her Sunday morning class combined with Sheldon Thieszen's pranayama breathing class.

Calories burned/exercise value » The internal heat generated from yoga is like a blast furnance, so although somewhat incalculable, you're probably burning enough calories to light up California.

Cautions » Laughter yoga is not a physical yoga class, so only expect the cheeks in your face to hurt the next day. Nidra: be careful not to waste your class time snoring. Power/core: Plan dinner next door at Mazza only with close friends, since you'll be sweat-drenched and giddy.

CrossFit group classes

Venue » Salt Lake City CrossFit, 440 S. 400 West, Suite D, Salt Lake City; 801-359-0540; www.slccrossfit.com.

Classes » Free class every Saturday morning. Call for workout times and regimens.

Also offered » There are 20 CrossFit affiliates in Utah; more information at www.crossfit.com. Affiliates are different from franchises in that the owner has more control over business policies and practices.

Trainer says » "Our goal is to make people functionally fit," Vi Diamonds says. "We're not here just to give people a beach body; our goal is to provide lifelong fitness."

Professional assessment » This workout, which involves a circuit of exercises, can work for anyone from the elite athlete to the beginner. Diamonds is an ex-Navy SEAL whose soft-spoken demeanor defies stereotype. No high pressure to join, just encouragement to work out as often and at the highest intensity possible for you. Group classes include an appropriate warm-up and friendly competition. Clients work to exceed their own limits with individual corrections from trainers.

Calories burned/exercise value » About 250-300 calories, but also improves agility and coordination.

Cautions » Check with each CrossFit affiliate for specific prices and schedules, since each is individually owned.

Boxing

Venue » Boxing Is For Girls, 1983 S. 1100 East, Salt Lake City; 801-484-8269; www.boxingisforgirls.com.

Classes » 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Also offered » For local boxing clubs, visit the Utah Amateur Boxing Association Web site at www.utahboxing.org.

Owner says » "People come in for their health, but stay when they see how it changes the shape of their bodies," says owner Eliza James.

Professional assessment » James knows anatomy, physiology, and the fitness regimen of every gym in town. She ends her cross-training classes with boxing and also trains competitive boxers. She wants to make you as buff as she is and keeps a mental tally of exactly how many pushups, chinsups or laps accomplished, no matter what corner of the gym in which you're trying to hide.

Calories burned/exercise value » Each class is varied, but possibly 200-300 calories burned per hour. James requested I do pushups on her stomach to show off the strength of her abs.

Cautions » The gym name is a misnomer: Men, women, and kids are welcomed. Personal workouts incorporate boxing moves, and some classes are specific to boxing, so be sure to ask for what you want.

Hula Hoop

Venues and schedules » Sugar Space Studio, 616 E. Wilmington Ave., Salt Lake City, 888-300-7898, www.thesugarspace.com or www.hooptohealth.com.

Also offered » Studio Soiree, 2021 S. Windsor St., Salt Lake City, 801-486-0054, www.studiosoiree.com. Watch for a free HoopFest event Sept. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Sugar House Park, 1700 E. 2100 South, Salt Lake City.

Teacher says » "If everyone just stopped for 10 minutes a day and had fun, the rest of their day would go much easier," says Hoop to Health teacher Laiya Moniak. "Fun energizes the body."

Professional assessment » You can practice this fun form of exercise in your own backyard. But there is technique, and learning even the basics gets your core working. Calories burned/exercise » Possibly up to 300 per hour, if you really keep it going. But coordination, endurance and core muscle strength are as key to hooping as the love of play.

Cautions » Look out; you might try pole dancing next.

Free-lance writer Kathy Adams is a dance critic who studied dance in New York City, Chicago, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Send comments about this story to features@sltrib.com.