Fit and Healthy in NYC: Part 2 {The Fitness}
Hi there! If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know that I love trying all the latest classes and studios around New York City. Fitness is a huge industry and I’m lucky to be able to train with some of the best in the business here. From downtown to uptown and from barre to yoga to high intensity cardio, there are fitness options for every taste. You may even see a celeb at your favorite studio (this has yet to happen to me!). So let’s get Fit and Healthy in NYC: Part 2 {The Fitness}! (P.S. If you missed Part 1 {The Food}, check it out here!).
1. Physique 57– Barre classes are hot and Physique 57 tops the list of the trendiest places to pulse and shake in NYC. With a variety of different classes aimed at beginners to the advanced, there are plenty of options to prevent you from getting bored with your workout. Expect to be challenged and drawn in to the intoxicating world of barre devotees. Locations in Midtown, the Upper West Side and Downtown.
2. AKT in Motion– Celebs like Kelly Ripa and Sarah Jessica Parker are regulars at this fitness joint and it’s easy to see why. The studio emits glitz and glam from the second you walk in and see the diner-like bar at check-in to the disco ball in the studio. The classes are high energy and a ton of fun. Dance cardio and strength are a staple here and both will push you to your limits! Studio is located on the Upper East Side.
3. The Fhitting Room– HIIT workouts are all the rage right now! And for good reason. They burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time and improve your fitness level by forcing you to push hard for short bursts and then recover. The Fhitting Room specializes in HIIT workouts and let me tell you, the workouts are intense! Expect to use TRX bands, rowing machines, your own body weight and kettlebells. You’ll be pushed to your limits and definitely see results. Location on the Upper East Side.
4. Soul Cycle- There is a lot of hype surrounding this one and its following speaks for itself. These days it isn’t so much that you go to Soul Cycle, it’s who you take class with. The popular instructors book up fast so you must have quick fingers. This place is definitely a see and be seen place. Locations throughout the city.
5. Flywheel– Still wildly popular with celebs and regular folks alike, Flywheel offers a consistently intense workout for those less concerned about their image and more concerned about their physique. The leaderboard system and individual numerical gauges on each bike allow participants to see just how hard they are working. Locations throughout the city.
6. Pure Yoga– an upscale sanctuary for yoga, Pure has amazing amenities and high quality instructors. Cold eucalyptus towels await you as you exit a sweaty hot yoga class while the locker rooms are spacious and reminiscent of a spa. Even though you have a membership, be prepared to line up mat to mat for some of the more popular instructors’ classes. Locations on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.
7. Z Club NY– The best Zumba in NYC. Zumba really depends on the teacher and you can get a great class or an ok class. The instructors here are consistently high quality. Expect a blend of Latin, hip hop and more. Plus, the studio offers master classes and brings in big Zumba names like Loretta Bates and others who have been featured in various Zumba DVDs and video games. Locations throughout the city.
8. Body by Simone – A blend of strength, dance cardio and trampoline classes, BBS has one goal and its to make you look amazing. The classes are sweaty and the trainers look like models. Their westside location offers a huge space but not very convenient to get to. Location on West Side.
9. Chaise Fitness– Chaise Fitness is like Pilates on steroids. Have you ever been to a Pilates equipment class and felt like you could use a little more oomph in your workout? Enter Chaise. The workout is based on the Pilates chair but incorporates elements of ballet and aerobics. The studio also uses these amazing bungee cords that hang down from the ceiling and offer upper body resistance. Chaise takes a regular Pilates class to a whole new level with upbeat, fast-paced, calorie-burning moves. You’ll get both cardio and strength in one class and you’ll leave wanting more! Locations on the Upper East Side and in Flatiron.
10. YogaWorks– With a ton of studios located in California, NYC can’t claim this studios as its very own, YogaWorks is nonetheless a premier spot for yoga fanatics. YogaWorks offers high quality instruction in beautiful studio spaces. And while there is a pu pu platter of different yoga styles on the schedule, there are tons of other classes extending beyond traditional yoga to appeal to those who like more variety in their practice. Membership is required so you can’t just drop-in but the classes are consistently high quality. Locations throughout the city.
Readers, which of these workouts would you like to try the most? What do you look for in a great fitness class? Do you like to workout with a buddy or on your own?