Forget fitness plateaus. This year was huge for fitness in Boulder County -- spanning life-changing yoga workshops to the emergence of a new caliber of group fitness in Longmont. One that has risen to look Boulder, the fittest city in America, straight in the eyes and challenge many of the exercise tenets that Boulder is built upon.

Every week for seven years, the Daily Camera has reviewed different fitness options around Boulder County, to expose the ever-surprising, fascinating evolutions in health and fitness. The goal: As with restaurant reviews, only for physical activity in this highly active community, to open up new possibilities to readers, while challenging the instructors to continue to improve.

At the end of each year, we look back at the classes we reviewed to single out a few that left an impression and raised the bar.

Here are our Best Workouts of the Week for 2013.

Hardest class: A tie between "Insanity" Zumba and Burn and Tone

This is a tie, between two classes in Longmont that truly have mastered the art of pushing participants to their maximum -- in terms of fitness.

And fun.

Tumbao Fitness's party-style Zumba class, unofficially known as "Insanity" Zumba (that is not a registered trademark of Zumba, but rather a nickname based on how hard it is), first made major waves by becoming the first ever Longmont class rated a 10 out of 10 on an intensity scale. This Latin-based dance class is wild -- with loud, nightclub-music, colorful lights, fast dancing and a convenient kids' class next door at the same time.

Then, Longmont's latest craze, Burn and Tone, followed by Zumba, took it to the next level.

Like Tumbao, Burn and Tone offers an energetic party atmosphere, but Burn and Tone classes (partially influenced by the interval-focused Beach Body Insanity program, but with a unique flair) add the strength component, as well. Challenge yourself to your own personal max -- stay for the full two-hour series if you can -- and you'll only be out $5 per class. Hear that, Boulder? Cheap and killer.

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The best Boulder (and other) workouts of 2013