Magic is a key part of any fantasy story, and a hallmark of the genre. Many fantasy stories, whether they be movies, video games, or books, feature magic, which is handled in a variety of different ways. In literature, these are divided into two categories: soft magic systems are systems that are looser, that have few rules, and that don’t have a clear explanation. On the other hand, hard magic systems have extensive rules and technicalities, as well as a serious cost for using them.

Both have their places in both high and low fantasy stories, and both can be equally enjoyable, with distinct pros and cons. In recent years, magic has been something that many fantasy authors have added to their work, not just to liven up the world, but also to give something complex to add to the lore. Whichever category they belong to, these are the best magic systems in fantasy novels.

‘The Broken Eye’ (2014)

Image via Orbit

The Broken Eye is the third book in the Lightbringer novels. Like many of the other books on this list, it may not be the first book in the series, but it is the one where the clearest explanation of the magic system can be found. In the world of Lightbringer, magic works with the use of light. It actually intersects with real-world physics a bit, too. To cast spells, mages known as drafters pull specific wavelengths of light from the air, shaping it into a physical substance called luxin.

However, the drafter must be able to see, or must be near the specific wavelength they want. For example, they’d need to be near blue wavelengths of light in order to make blue luxin. The colour of the luxin determines its specific effect: red is flammable, orange is corrosive, blue shatters like glass, and so on. For every spell cast, a physical substance begins to fill the eyes and mind of a drafter; once their eyes are full, they are blinded, losing their sanity and becoming a wight. This magic system is truly singular — there’s just nothing else like it out there in the world of fantasy. It’s also great because the cost of overuse is a fate worse than death, which makes the consequences have so much more weight.

‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell’ (2004)

Image via Bloomsbury

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is set in an alternate version of the Napoleonic Era. In this alternate world, magic is well-known to exist, but its use is heavily frowned upon, and the subject is taboo in most social circles. The few that do use it are seen as social pariahs, and are often shunned from most gatherings. Nonetheless, magic is a respectable practice. It acts as more of an extension of science and physics rather than a supernatural force, meaning there are set laws and dedicated scholars for it.

If one wants to be able to harness magical abilities, one must read about it in books penned by other magicians. Even then, they must be performed exactly as documented, or there is a serious risk of causing unintentional death or destruction. As a result, it is always being experimented on, in the same way that humans conduct tests when a new chemical compound is discovered. Much of the process is trial and error, and could possibly have explosive results if something goes wrong. The magical energy is tied directly to England itself, meaning casting spells requires rituals, solving complicated equations, and sometimes, manipulating or influencing the environment somehow. This magic system actually feels realistic, because if it were real, it would probably be this academic.

‘Shadow and Bone’ (2012)

Image via MacMillan Publishers

Shadow and Bone is the first book in the trilogy of the same name. The debut novel of Leigh Bardugo, this trilogy takes place in her shared universe known as the Grishaverse. Magic in this series isn’t actually referred to as such; instead, it’s called the Small Science, which is only accessible to a few gifted individuals. What’s important to note about the Small Science is that nothing can be conjured out of thin air; every spell must be cast by manipulating existing elements.

Gifted magic users are divided into three groups: Etherealki, Materialki, and Corporalki, which deal with the elements, inanimate objects, and living beings, respectively. Each of these groups is then divided into certain subgroups. For example, the Etherealki also include Squallers, who manipulate the air, and Summoners, who manipulate light and shadow. However, a magic user, known as a Grisha, must have a natural affinity towards whatever they can manipulate in order to use it. This magic system isn’t super unique, but it’s singular enough to warrant particular attention, especially with how it’s treated as a science rather than a supernatural ability.

‘Blood of Elves’ (1994)

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Blood of Elves is the first full-length novel in Andrzej Sapkowski‘s dark fantasy Witcher saga. Previously, the books consisted of short story collections all involving the same central character, Geralt of Rivia. While the magic system is briefly explained in these stories, this first novel does a better job of showing people the technical aspects of it. There are actually two systems of magic in this world, which are only accessible to specific people.

The first magic system is Witcher magic, which is something that Geralt of Rivia uses fairly often. Primarily, witchers use these spells, but they can technically be used by anyone, since they’re fairly simple. There are only a handful of them, but they are invoked by drawing a specific rune in the air. Usually, it causes some basic effect, like starting a fire. However, magic is also accessible to sorcerers and witches, who have an entirely different form of magic at their disposal. These people cannot generate magic internally; rather, they act as a conduit of the world’s primal elements: earth, fire, air, and water. However, magic is very difficult to control, so those who know it use it cautiously. While the magic systems in this series aren’t complex or even that original, they’re simple and easy to remember, and fit in with the world perfectly.

‘Forge of Darkness’ (2012)

Image via Tor Fantasy

The Malazan series is constantly growing, currently consisting of well over 20 novels, each belonging to certain subseries. Magic is a prevalent aspect of all of them, but it’s in the prequel trilogy where Steven Erikson really delves into the meat and potatoes of it. In particular, Forge of Darkness does a good job of explaining how exactly it works. In order to cast a spell, a mage must first open a spiritual conduit to The Warrens, a group of alternate dimensions, and a reservoir of pure magical energy located at the edge of the universe.

Once this conduit is established, the mage can then pull through the raw energy and shape it to their will, turning it into fireballs, healing spells, lightning bolts, or pretty much anything they want. However, nothing is free, and magic takes an enormous toll on the user. It can short out one’s nervous system if used too frequently, cause long-lasting, permanent physical or psychological damage, and, in some extreme cases, can even cause mages to explode. As such, it is not used lightly. It’s such a great magic system because it has all the hallmarks of one. It has clear boundaries, rigid rules, and a cost to everything.

‘The Wise Man’s Fear’ (2011)

Image via DAW Books

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The Wise Man’s Fear is the second full-length novel in Patrick Rothfuss‘ unfinished trilogy, The Kingkiller Chronicle. The story follows Kvothe, an exceptionally gifted individual, as he recounts his past to a Chronicler. Kvothe begins his studies at the university in the first book, where he learns to study magic. However, things get much more in-depth in this sequel. In this universe, magic is actually an exceptionally difficult thing to master.

The most common form of magic is sympathy. What this means is that the mage must establish a link between two different objects; the closer they are in material, size, or shape, the easier it is. Whatever one does to one object, the other will follow. Think of it like a voodoo doll, but for random objects. There’s also naming, which is an archaic and rare form of magic that involves invoking the unknown true name of things, such as the wind (hence why the first book is titled The Name of the Wind), which allows users to bend it to their will. What’s most interesting about this magic system is that it feels like readers are learning about it along with Kvothe, and it continues to fascinate.

‘The Colour of Magic’ (1983)

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The Colour of Magic is the first entry in the Discworld saga, and the first in the Wizards sub-series, meaning it takes an extensive look at how magic works in this weird and wonderful world. At heart, Discworld is a parody series, which satirizes classic fantasy tropes to an absurd degree, which is why it’s so funny and well-loved. Appropriately, the magic system is cumbersome and ridiculous. Although wizards exist in this world, most of them discourage the use of magic and rarely practice it because it’s highly volatile and unpredictable.

Magic is compared to loading a musket: it’s a long, arduous process to get everything ready, and when it is ready, the payoff is loud, messy, and highly inaccurate. Wizards prepare spells by either performing rituals or solving a complex series of mathematical and scientific equations in their head. Once that multi-step process is done, all they need to do is “pull the trigger,” but it’s a one-time use kind of thing. After the spell is cast, they have to begin the process all over again. It’s silly but entertaining and unique, which perfectly fits into its established universe.

‘Children of Blood and Bone’ (2018)

Image via Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

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Children of Blood and Bone is set in a world resembling pre-colonial West Africa, where magic has disappeared under an oppressive regime. The only people who can perform magic are the race known as divîners, who are recognizable due to their signature white hair. Upon reaching the age of 13, the divîners experience a magical awakening and discover which of the ten clans they belong to.

The ten clans deal in exclusive types of magic. For example, there are the Amukè (Valers), who tame and control the local wildlife. But there are also more elemental clans like the Omi (Tidecallers), who create and manipulate water. In order to actually cast a spell, the incantation must be spoken in the Yoruba language, which is based on the real-life language of the same name. While it’s not as complex as other magic systems, with it being a YA book and all, it’s still delightfully fun and interesting in its own regard. Not only are there basic elemental powers, but there are also things like healing, mind control, and necromancy based solely on one’s clan.

‘The Shadow Rising’ (1992)

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The Shadow Rising is the fourth book in The Wheel of Time saga by the late Robert Jordan. It’s one of the best books in the series, and a personal favourite for a lot of fans, but it also happens to be one where the technical aspects of the magic system are elaborated upon. In this series, magic is derived from something called the One Power, which has two halves: saidar, the female half, and saidin, the male half. Those who can access it are known as Channellers. While this ability is more common in women, men are capable of becoming more powerful. However, saidin has also been tainted by the Dark One, meaning any male Channeller is doomed to lose his mind before long.

Once a Channeller has accessed the One Power, they are able to weave threads of fire, air, earth, water, or spirit to cast spells. Combining the threads produces different effects like lightning bolts or healing. Magic isn’t free, though — it comes at a cost. It is directly tied to one’s energy level, meaning it isn’t unheard of for Channellers to die of exhaustion after using their magic for a prolonged period of time. As such, it must be used with caution, especially since it can be so destructive. While it isn’t the most original magical system, Jordan spent a lot of time working through the technical aspects of it. As a result, the rules of it are pretty rigid. However, new things are constantly being learned about it throughout the series, so the books manage to keep it interesting.

‘Rhythm of War’ (2020)

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Rhythm of War is the fourth installment of Brandon Sanderson‘s The Stormlight Archive series, which is, in itself, part of his shared literary universe known as the Cosmere. Each series or stand-alone in the Cosmere is set on its own planet with its own magic system. Rhythm of War is set on the world of Roshar, which is a barren planet plagued by storms of apocalyptic strength called highstorms. Other Stormlight books are better and do feature the same magic, but Rhythm of War is the one that dives deepest into it. There are actually a couple of different magic systems in this series, but the one that’s elaborated on the most is called Surgebinding.

Surgebinding starts with spiritual creatures called spren, who represent various aspects of nature and emotion, such as fear, flame, and anger. Certain types of spren, such as ashspren or mistspren, are attracted to individuals who carry a lot of trauma, eventually forming what’s called a Nahel bond with them. Once the bond is formed, the person gains access to two out of ten surges, with the two depending on what kind of spren bonded them. For example, if one bonds a liespren, they would be able to create illusions and transform inanimate objects into other objects. Whereas if one bonds an inkspren, they would also be able to transform objects, but instead of creating illusions, they’re able to teleport between dimensions. There are ten possible types of Nahel bonds, meaning there are ten orders of Surgebinders, who become known as the Knights Radiant. Magic itself is fuelled by Stormlight, an ethereal essence which is pulled into gemstones in highstorms and stored for later use. It’s a really elaborate magic system with a lot of moving parts to it, but it’s so infinitely interesting.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 41 seconds ago

Has this ever happened to you? You’re flying around in a space shuttle when you discover an unidentified spaceship riding on the tail of a comet. You go inside with your loyal crew, only to find a bunch of bats, aliens, and bat aliens, all seemingly guarding the same thing: two naked men and a naked woman, each encased in their own glass coffin. You decide the best idea is to bring these bodies back home to Earth for research purposes, thinking to yourself, “This is going to go absolutely great. I foresee zero problems with what’s about to transpire!”

That’s the setup to Tobe Hooper’s 1985 cult classic, Lifeforce, based on the 1976 Colin Wilson novel The Space Vampires.

As a fan of Hooper’s work who still hasn’t seen everything he’s made, this might actually be his best movie. I’m not trying to throw shade at the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies or Poltergeist, because they’re bona fide classics for a reason. But Lifeforce is such an ambitious film telling such a ridiculous story that you can’t help but sit back in admiration over how completely insane it is.

Texas Chainsaw is one of the best slasher franchises of all time, but they’re still just slashers. Poltergeist is one of the best haunted house films ever made, but it’s still just a haunted house movie. Lifeforce has shape-shifting vampire aliens, or is it alien vampires, trying to take over the world. It’s a sample size of one.

Words Cannot Do Lifeforce Justice

I basically already told you everything that happens in Lifeforce, but there’s a little more to it that makes it interesting. When Colonel Tom Carlsen (Steve Railsback) first investigates the spaceship and its contents, curiosity quickly turns into carnage. We don’t know exactly what happens to Tom right away, but it’s soon made clear that nobody aboard the Churchill Space Shuttle survived whatever transpired inside. The rescue mission confirms the entire interior had been incinerated and that one escape pod is missing.

Back on Earth at the European Space Research Centre in London, the bodies are examined, and this is where everything goes to hell. The female body (Mathilda May) awakens from suspended animation, and we learn how these vampires operate. She seduces her male victims, who become overwhelmed with uncontrollable lust before she literally sucks the lifeforce out of them, reducing them to ash.

When Tom Carlsen is found in his escape pod, he’s physically unharmed but deeply traumatized as he recounts what happened to his crew before setting the entire ship ablaze and jumping ship himself. We learn these creatures are harvesting humanity’s life force to power their spaceship, and they quickly overwhelm the human race with that goal in mind. Officials declare martial law, but humanity proves no match for the space vampires that never should have been awakened.

Just Let It Happen

If Lifeforce sounds like one of the most ridiculous sci-fi plots you’ve ever heard, you’re right. It’s an incredibly far-out concept, but Hooper plays the whole thing completely straight, which is exactly what makes it work as horror. Even better, it has my favorite kind of gore, which is barely any. There are some graphic moments, as you’d expect from a Tobe Hooper film, but it’s all so spectacular that it never feels like the kind of movie that will make you sick to your stomach. There’s an almost dreamlike aura hanging over everything.

Despite Lifeforce failing at the box office, earning just $11.6 million against its reported $25 million budget, it remains a cult classic because it’s willing to go completely off the rails without ever winking at the audience. It’s sexy, violent, and plays like the best kind of fever dream. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind film, and a must-watch if you’re a fan of Hooper’s more iconic work but want to see what he was capable of when given free rein to do whatever he wanted.

As of this writing, Lifeforce is streaming for free on Tubi. 

We’re now five full years removed from the last James Bond movie, No Time to Die starring Daniel Craig, and 007 fans are waiting on pins and needles for more information about the next Bond film in the works at Amazon. Bond fans have had a new project to hold them over before the next film though in 007 First Light, the new AAA video game developed by IO Interactive, the same studio behind the critically acclaimed Hitman trilogy. Amazon has not released any plot specifics regarding the next James Bond movie, which is still without an official title, but the first behind-the-scenes details about the film are finally beginning to take shape. Denis Villeneuve, famous for his work on the Dune movies, is directing the new 007 film with a script from Peaky Blinders scribe Steven Knight.

Nina Gold, who famously worked as the casting director on Game of Thrones, has been recruited to cast the next James Bond. Gold has shared that Amazon is looking for someone young enough to carry the franchise for at least three or four movies and also someone who “oozes sex appeal.” Gold takes over as the Bond casting director from longtime veteran Debbie McWilliams, who recently shared her thoughts on some of the most popular 007 fan casts, such as Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, and Harris Dickinson. “I don’t want to see any of them as Bond,” she said. “It is absolutely essential that Bond retains a total enigma. I don’t want to see any of them as Bond because we know too much about them. We want to know as little about them as personally possible, because that’s what spies are.” The rest of her quote reads as follows:

“We don’t need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are or where he lives. We never want to see him at home. And a vital element of the whole thing is his job description. He’s licensed to kill, and we have to believe he can do that. If you don’t, then you’ve lost your audience. Timothy [Dalton] and Pierce [Brosnan] weren’t particularly well known. Daniel [Craig] had a career in independent films and a fairly romantic life beforehand, but he wasn’t a household name, and that helps enormously. I want to see somebody who is completely out of the blue.”

Could Henry Cavill Be the Next James Bond?

Fans have been pushing for Henry Cavill to take over the mantle of 007 for years now, along with Idris Elba, who have long been two of the most popular fan casts. Elba has effectively taken himself out of contention for playing 007, and with the confirmation that Amazon is searching for someone young enough to play Bond for a few movies, this likely eliminates Cavill as well, who is already 43 years old. It was confirmed just last week that the first round of Bond auditions are over, and Amazon has begun letting candidates know who will be welcomed back for the second round, which will take place in August.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the next James Bond movie in the works at Amazon.

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Release Date

October 8, 2021

Runtime

163 Minutes

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Director

Cary Joji Fukunaga

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Days of Our Lives has EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) stuck and he can’t seem to catch a lucky break with any of his schemes. His sister Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) is sick again, and Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) doesn’t know how to save her.

Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) is honeypotting him when EJ’s got a huge legitimate crush on her. Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) is being problematic, plus EJ’s being investigated left and right, and now the shady DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals Coriseal problem. So now I’m kind of wondering if Clyde Weston (James Read) might have set him up. We’re going to get into EJ and the possible plot involving villainous Clyde.

Days of Our Lives: The Coriseal Crisis

Now, let’s talk about it. So, EJ was recently told by his trusty and totally scary right-hand woman that when their pharmaceutical division produced that arsenic-tainted batch of Coriseal, the head of the pharma division had it buried out on Smith Island. So all the bad pills went out on this island, which is bad enough, especially with Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) sick when she just was out there.

And on top of Lexie’s issues, EJ is soon going to find out DiMera money was used for the Titan Industries loan payoff. What’s bizarre is that the loan was bought by a company that does capital lending and buys up loans called AR Capital. And with the hint that it’s DiMera money, I’m wondering if it’s Kristen who got Titan’s loan. The A could be for Aramé, where Kristen’s family is from and where her mom lives. And the R could be for Rachel, the name of both Kristen’s mom and daughter.

Days of our Lives: EJ’s Losing it All

So, things are on the cusp of falling apart for EJ on many fronts, both personal and professional, and he just had to bring his co-CEO son Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) into the loop on the Coriseal problem. I was surprised that EJ was actually transparent with his son. Like truly transparent. He actually told Johnny the truth that arsenic might be in the groundwater out on Smith Island and that Holly could have been poisoned by the DiMera drugs buried there.

She’s the only one who got sick on that trip. Arianna Hernandez (Vico Escorcia), Tate Black (Leo Howard), and others were mostly boozing it up while Holly was guzzling tainted water out of the tap and that made her sick. So Tate and the others thought initially that Holly might have the stomach flu or that it was side effects from her new anti-depressants. But Dr. Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) found Coriseal in Holly’s bloodstream along with the anti-depressant prescription medication.

Holly Saved on Days of our Lives

Thankfully, Tate, Arianna, and others rushed Holly to the hospital for emergency treatment. And then she started having seizures. Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Sarah were already looking into DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals because of the sisters Destiny and Clea who both died and both took Coriseal.

Destiny went to the clinic with severe nausea and she told Sarah she had headache and pain, similar symptoms to what Holly has right now. But Sarah never got to do any more testing because Destiny got really upset and ran out of the clinic. And then of course she ended up dying in Horton Square on her way back to the hospital to see Sarah. And we had Xander Cook Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) and Sarah there both trying to help her. Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez) showed up trying to help. But sadly it was too late.

Days of our Lives: Sarah Hunts for Answers

So, now Sarah’s on a mission to find out why her patient died and why Destiny’s sister died as well. And of course EJ knows that Sarah is involved since he eavesdropped on her and Brady talking about the Coriseal and DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals. So EJ is going to ask Johnny to do some snooping in Sarah’s office later this week. Neither EJ nor Johnny wants Holly to die. They do want answers. But they’re also engaging in a cleanup.

EJ told Johnny that somebody else handled the drug disposal and he didn’t follow up. It was the head of the pharma division if I recall correctly. But it really doesn’t matter now on Days of our Lives. There are two deaths that we know of and Holly could be the third. And somebody’s clearly doing a cover up as well.

Sarah asked Xander to take a peek at the DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals files he still had access to after the Titan merger fell through. But he noticed all the files that he needed to look at had vanished. So, somebody was erasing the evidence in real time.

Back to EJ. He insisted to Johnny that even though the bad batch was taken off the shelves, this was the first time EJ learned about the dangerous disposal of the opioid. And he admitted that he dropped the ball somewhat by not following up.

And this week, Brady goes to get a water sample from the Horton cabin and somebody’s watching from the hedges nearby and it may be the guy who disposed of it to start with or a DiMera henchman.

Days of Our Lives: The Clyde Connection

So, on Thursday, EJ finds out something is amiss on Smith Island. So, he may go out there himself to poke around. EJ’s got a vested interest in sorting this out, not only because of massive legal liability and possible criminal charges. But also because his ex-stepdaughter Holly may be dying.

And I also wonder if somebody behind the scenes knew that Xander was poking around and paid the Titan loan off. They might have done it to force him to stop poking around on Sarah’s behalf. So, we’ll see. But right now, I’m still feeling like it might be Kristen that is behind AR Capital. We’ll find out. But also, lots of fans on soap social media seem to think Clyde Weston is involved in this arsenic situation because he had a long history with dirty drugs.

Clyde was running drug operations from Missouri all the way up to Salem. And also, he hates EJ and the Coriseal was tainted before Clyde was shot and put into that coma. So, he might have tainted the supply to mess with EJ for revenge. And at the same time, Clyde might have even stolen some untainted Coriseal to sell in his drug ring.

Days of our Lives: EJ’s Connection to Clyde

And remember years ago, EJ, who was played by James Scott, was involved with Clyde’s illicit drug business. So Clyde had been encroaching on the drug rings territory, and he got really angry at EJ. And then Clyde had one of his henchmen kill him. And of course, EJ’s not so dead, which is typical for a DiMera.

So, it’s honestly not a stretch that Clyde could have tampered with the original Coriseal batch after EJ returned from the dead, but before Clyde was shot. That’s what we last heard, that he was still in a coma, but maybe not, you know.

Days of our Lives: Clyde Has the Answers People Want

And Smith Island has been a recurring isolated setting on the soap for years. And it’s a place that was used many times for shady dealings by Clyde and the DiMeras. So, it’s not a random choice of location. Plus, Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) has been hoping that Clyde would come out of the coma and tell them where Abigail Deveraux DiMera’s (Marci Miller) remains were located. If she is really dead, we don’t know. Lots of fan theories on that, too. But Clyde may already be out of his coma and lurking, and they just need to find him. I think that could be fun. Obviously, EJ would hate it.

And even if Clyde hasn’t woken up from his coma, the timing still works out for him to have been involved with tainting the Coriseal supply. Yes, he might have done that to do EJ dirty. Clyde would not care a bit how many people died if he tainted a drug supply. And in fact, the more people that died, the better because it would make it that much worse on EJ. That would make Clyde really happy because we know exactly how much he despises EJ. And of course, the feeling is mutual. So, we’ll see how it goes.

Social media users are crackin’ UP at a clip of Kevin Gates pushing a fan who ran up on him trying to snap a picture.

RELATED: That’s How You Feel? Kevin Gates Upgrades Jelenny Tejada’s Wedding Ring After Calling Out Dreka & Alleged Tea Behind Their Divorce

More On The Video Of Kevin Gates Pushing Fan Who Ran Up On Him To Snap A Picture

On Tuesday, June 30, The Shade Room obtained footage of Kevin Gates reportedly out and about in Los Angeles, California. In the clip, Gates appeared to be walking while surrounded by fans when he noticed a female run up toward him then turn back seemingly smiling and throwing her fingers up for the camera.

As the flash of the camera struck, then came Gates’ hand, pushing the fan from his side.

Social Media Users Are Crackin’ UP At Video Of Him Pushing Fan Who Ran Up

Social media users were crackin’ UP in TSR’s comment section at the video of Kevin Gates pushing the fan.

Before Kevin Gates Pushed The Fan Asking Him For A Picture, He Showed Love To BroRilla

Before Kevin Gates made headlines by pushing a fan who asked for a picture, he was showing love to GloRilla’s sister, Victoria Woods. As The Shade Room previously reported, in February, Woods shared a voice note she apparently received from Gates. The post, which was initially shared on Facebook, has now been deleted. However, in the audio, he told her, “Your video had just came across my desk. I just wanted to tell you something: I really appreciate you, bruh. Thank you. And I’m flattered. Like, that really mean a lot to me. S**t whenever you wanna meet me bruh… whenever.”

RELATED: Celeb Love! Kevin Gates Appears To Show GloRilla’s Sister Victoria Woods Support Amid Her Spicy Exchanges With Lil Pump, The Game & Others

ClassPass has become one of the most-talked-about names in fitness as the $30 billion US health and fitness industry keeps expanding. Here is how the subscription works, what it costs and why users say it actually keeps them moving.

How Does ClassPass Work in 2026?

ClassPass is a subscription that gives members access to thousands of studios and classes in their city through a single app, using a credit system rather than unlimited access. Members buy a set number of credits each month and spend them on classes they book.

Popular boutique sessions can cost up to 9 credits, while general classes may run as low as 1 or 2. ClassPass launched in 2013 with a flat $45 monthly fee for five classes regardless of type or location, but pricing now varies by market. The company partners with more than 8,500 studios across 50-plus cities. As of January 2025, 94% of users were brand-new to the venues they booked through ClassPass, a sign the app is steering members toward studios they would not have found on their own. The broader fitness industry has grown 3 to 4% annually for the past decade, with boutique studios now driving more than 35% of revenue.

Why Does ClassPass Keep Members Coming Back?

Variety, not any single workout, is what keeps members committed, according to Jeff Bladt, senior vice president of pricing and marketplace at ClassPass parent company Playlist.

“All those fundamental problems that prevent people from forming a fitness habit, ClassPass solves,” Bladt told Forbes. He pointed to price, discovery and availability as the biggest friction points that stop people from sticking with a routine. The credit system also creates urgency. A member with 40 credits and a month to use them has to plan ahead, and the “use it or lose it” structure pushes members to catch up after a missed week rather than walk away. Bladt describes fitness as a “habit-forming frequency thing,” and the product is built around that behavior. Locking users into one studio or modality, he argues, may produce short-term commitment but long-term fatigue. The pattern Playlist sees is members starting with yoga, shifting to Pilates, trying strength training and dabbling in recovery services.

What Classes and Services Can You Book on ClassPass?

ClassPass members can book yoga, Pilates, spin and boxing alongside newer favorites like HIIT, Barre and dance cardio. The app also surfaces trending formats such as aerial yoga and extends beyond fitness into recovery services like massage and meditation, plus beauty appointments including nails and haircuts.

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That breadth lines up with what research has flagged as the fastest-growing fitness activities of 2017, including event-style classes, equipment-based classes, HIIT, Barre, yoga and HIIT small group training. Writer Alina Tang said in a piece for Medium that she had tried more than 30 different studios since signing up, sampling yoga, spin, boxing, Pilates, Zumba and bootcamps. “It wasn’t until I started using ClassPass that I discovered the joy of exercise,” she wrote. “Not simply for results, but for pure pleasure.”

How Much Does ClassPass Cost?

ClassPass pricing varies by city and runs on credits rather than a flat unlimited rate. When the company launched in 2013, members paid $45 a month for five classes regardless of class type or location.

That model has been replaced by tiered credit packages, where members choose how many credits they want each month and spend them on the classes they book. The cost per class varies, with high-demand boutique sessions sitting at the top of the range and standard offerings priced significantly lower. Pricing also flexes by location since ClassPass operates in more than 50 cities and partners with over 8,500 studios, so the same package may unlock different numbers of classes in different markets. The monthly credit structure gives members a built-in target and a deadline to use what they paid for, which Playlist’s Jeff Bladt has described as central to how the product reinforces a fitness habit.

The Supreme Court has shot down Donald Trump’s bid to dismantle birthright citizenship. The proposal declared that children born to immigrants in the United States are not American citizens.

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Supreme Court Rules Against Donald Trump’s Executive Order

On Tuesday, June 30, the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s executive order challenging the 14th Amendment. It declared that children born to people in the country illegally are not U.S. citizens, according to PBS News. The 14th Amendment was created in part to establish formally enslaved people as citizens.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” reads the ruling. 

Roomies React To Trump’s Loss

Instagram user @itsgemaaaduhhh_ replied, “Lmfao he’s going to stroke out ! Please keep making him mad.”

President Trump Recently Made Headlines By Way Of Barack Obama

Obama went on to say that during his two presidencies, he didn’t have time to be bothered by his predecessors, and he dragged Trump for filth in the process.

“Look, first of all, when I was president, the last thing I had time to do
was worry about what somebody said or what my predecessor did,” he added. “They’re gone, I’ve got work to do… Look, kind of worrying about that is a strange thing to me. It shows me somebody who’s not focused on the American people and the job they’re supposed to do.”

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