Ready to hit the electricity-generating elliptical, a track made of sneakers, or a treadmill— on ice? Some gyms aren’t quite like the others, and they have the facilities to prove it. So take a tour of Greatist’s most innovative gyms, those at the forefront of developments in exercise technology, methodology, and management. Whether you’re near one or not, they’re sure to inspire your next great workout.

1. Athletes’ Performance (Phoenix, AZ)

 Photo by Architecture3s

Go big, or go home, right? At Athletes’ Performance, elite athletes get the All-Star treatment, including top-notch integrated performance training, physical therapy, nutrition planning, and massage. The Adidas-sponsored facility is also home to a renowned NFL Combine Program and state-of-the-art performance innovation labs. (But start saving now— the High Performance training program can cost up $16,500 a year!)

2. Reebox CrossFit Back Bay (Boston, MA)

  Photo: The Green Microgym

Looking for a little more green cred? At the GreenMicrogym, eco-conscious gym-goers help generate electricity— simply by working out. Capturing energy produced from the flywheel, the gym’s high-tech bikes and elliptical machines can produce approximately twice the power needed to run the facility at any given moment. Converting melted calories into precious watts? Now that’s hot. 

4. DeFranco's (Wyckoff, NJ)

5. University of Missouri — Columbia (Columbia, MO)

  Photo: MizzouRec

The MizzouRec philosophy? Maximum participation. And who wouldn’t want to hit the beach club instead of the books? The swanky pool and lazy river (seriously) come complete with palm trees, a waterfall, and flat screen TVs. Prefer to stay on dry land? Head to the Pump Room, Jungle Gym, or scale Scroggs Peak, a 35.5-foot rock climbing tower. We’d heart college, too.

6. Nike World Headquarters (Beaverton, OR)

  Photo: Nike

Working at Nike has its perks— and it’s not just getting first crack at the KobeSystem. At the Nike World Headquarters, employees have access to 190 acres of star-powered facilities, including the Lance Armstrong Fitness Center, Ronaldo Athletic Field, and Michael Johnson Running Track made from 50,000 recycled Nike shoes collected from the Reuse-A-Shoe program. We’re still waiting for our invite.

7. Athletic Republic (various locations)

  Photo: Athletic Republic

Everything’s better on ice— treadmill workouts included. At Athletic Republic training centers, patented skating ‘mills can hit 16 mph and reach up to 32 percent elevation. And if state-of-the-art ice hockey training isn’t your thing, simply hop on the Generation II Super Treadmill. Raised and lowered hydraulically, these tricked-out treadmills are designed to help athletes improve their speed (28 mph sprints or 40 percent incline hills, anyone?) while reducing force at the knee upon foot strike.

8. Westside Barbell (Columbus, OH)

  Image: Westside Barbell

Home to some of the world’s strongest powerlifters, this is one gym that’s earned every ounce of its reputation. And with powerlifting legend Louie Simmons at its helm, Westside Barbell devotees have more than just world-class equipment at their fingertips. Simmons’ resume includes three books, 37 years of elite lifting experience, and strength training consulting for the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots. Oh, and he invents and patents his own machines. Now who’s ready to put up some weight?

9. Peak Performance (New York, NY)

  Photo: Peak Performance

Who wouldn’t want to train like a VIP? At private training facility Peak Performance, owners/celeb trainers Joe Dowdell and Jay Wright help clients get in the best shape of their lives using innovative tools and equipment, and impeccable technique. And while these workouts don’t come cheap, every inch of the 10,000-square-foot space is designed to work for you, from functional battle ropes, prowlers, and sandbags to state-of-the-art Force treadmills and Olympic lifting platforms.

10. Green Fitness Studio (Brooklyn, NY)

  Photo: Green Fitness Studio

An eco-friendly gym grows in Brooklyn, it’s true. With bamboo floors, recycled rubber mats, and remanufactured, energy-efficient exercise equipment, the Green Fitness Studio is building a more sustainable gym from the ground up. And we mean all the way up: The “living” rooftop features a 2,000-square-foot blanket of sod, designed to absorb pollutants, conserve rainwater, and reduce storm weather runoff.

11. Cressey Performance (Hudson, MA)

  Photo: Cressey Performance  

GTL someplace else. Designed by athletes for athletes, this high-performance training facility is the real deal. Stripped of non-functional machines and extraneous equipment, Cressey Performance and its sports-specific development program is the go-to gym for elite and pro athletes looking to throw, hit, and run faster, increase strength, and stay injury-free.

12. Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning (Woburn, MA)

  Photo by Megan LaBella

Elite athletes come far and wide to train with legendary performance training coach Mike Boyle, owner of Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning. Voted America's top 10 gyms by Men’s Health, the cutting edge facilities feature 2,000-plus square feet of multiuse turf for sprints, drills, and sled work, along with functional training equipment like slide boards, plyo blocks, and 70-plus feet of concrete wall space for a barrage of medicine ball drills.

13. Gym Jones (South Lake City, UT)

Mere mortals need not apply. At Gym Jones, (indeed, a nod to Jim Jones, the sect leader who drove more than 900 people to suicide in 1978), the workouts are grueling, and the culture, rooted in “The Art of Suffering.” But while the unmarked, invitation-only facility caters primarily to the fitness elite (this is the gym that got 300’s Gerard Butler loincloth-ready), for the rest of us, there’s always online memberships (get ripped at your own risk).

14. The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers (New York, NY)

  Photo by Fred George

The ultimate urban escape, the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers offers 150,000 square feet of athletic adventure, perched above a sprawling NYC pier. Featuring a ¼-mile indoor track, a 46' high x 100’ wide rock climbing wall, and the Big Apple’s only indoor sand volleyball court, there’s truly something for everyone— triathletes included: The Sports Center is the only USA Triathlon Certified Training Center in the Northeast.

15. Crunch (various locations)

  Photo: Crunch Gym

Group fitness might not seem revolutionary, but throw antigravity yoga, pole dancing, and Kangoo into the mix, and things are known to get a little cray— in a good way.  From day one, out-of-the-box classes have been Crunch’s calling card. And with 31 locations and counting, the “no judgments” chain always seems to have a few new tricks up its sleeve.

16. Jackson’s MMA (Albuquerque, NM)

  Photo: www.jacksonsmma.com

The premier Mixed Martial Arts school in the country, Jackson’s MMA is where the sport’s rising stars (not to mention a few UFC title holders) come to train under the great Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn. Featuring a pro boxing ring and cage, Jackson’s hones fighters’ wrestling, kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai skills— tapouts guaranteed.

17. Institute of Human Performance (Boca Raton, FL)

  Photo: The Institute of Human Performance

In case the name alone didn’t sell you, Florida’s premier private fitness facility offers innovation at every turn, from sports-specific training to weight loss, combat, and conditioning programs. What’s more, the Institute of Human Performance serves as a consulting and beta-testing site for the industry’s top manufacturers— so clients can get first crack at some of the latest cutting edge technologies and equipment.

18. David Barton Gym (Miami Beach, FL)

  Photo by Dan Forer

Gym-as-nightclub? Why not. Splashy, flashy, and oozing with South Beach flair, Miami’s David Barton Gym is the ultimate exercise in excess, featuring entrance-reflecting pools, valet parking, and live deejays (oh yeah, and 42,000 square feet of fitness space). With six ultra-luxe locations to his name, David Barton has clearly found his ($230 million) niche, and has no qualms about cashing in.

19. Curves (various locations)

  Photo: Curves International

Do my ladies run this m*th@f—? Hell yeah! The first fitness and weight loss facility designed for women only, Curves boasts nearly 7,000 locations, millions of members worldwide, and a signature 30-minute circuit workout that blasts up to 500 calories a pop. Cleveland Clinic employees are getting in on the action, too, resulting in more than 100,000-pounds lost in the first year of their partnership.

20. Gold’s Gym (Venice, CA)

  Photo: Gold's Gym

Want to lift with the big boys? This three-story flagship is considered the “Mecca of Bodybuilding”— and for good reason. Complete with 35,000-square-feet of free weights and Nautilus machines, a posing room, and a larger-than-life guest list (including Lou “The Hulk” Ferrigno, Jim Morrison, and the Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger), when it comes to "Pumping Iron," Venice Beach is still the place to be.

21. Parisi Speed School (Fair Lawn, NJ)

  Photo: Parisi Speed School

Ready for life in the fast lane? Far from your average snooze-fest, this school offers the ultimate in speed training, with a focus on power, strength, flexibility, and endurance. Touted by NFL players and UFC fighters alike, the Parisi Speed School combines everything from plyometrics, speed work, strength training, yoga, and more. And with 75 locations and counting, chances are there’s one within running distance.

A note about our methods: So how did Greatist's Editorial Team come up with our list of the coolest, most innovative gyms in the country? We asked our writers, editors, readers, and experts to weigh in, and did a whole lotta independent research as well (it’s The Greatist Way, after all).    Don’t see your favorite heavy-hitters on the list? Tell us which gym keeps you on your toes in the comments section below!