Chaise 23 in NYC

 

Chaise23 is a unique studio that uses the Reinvention Method, a “Pilates and ballet-based” workout by using a device called the Reinvention Chair as a base for most of their classes. The Reinvention Chair is a little bench with a pedal that you use throughout the course of the workout to help with balance, stability, and core work. There are bungees hanging from the ceiling for your arms, which makes anything you do on this chair a total body workout. All classes require that students wear sneakers.

The studio is small, but clean and bright. The locker area provides locks, towels, a bathroom, and changing rooms, as well as amenities such as deodorant, hair ties, and lotions. There is no shower available at the studio.

Chaise23 offers over ten different types of classes. I took the Cardio Chair class, which is described as “combining high intensity cardio bursts with the defining characteristics of the Reinvention Chair.” My instructor was Seiji. Seiji explained the chair and bungees and went through some moves before class started, which was helpful. He was funny and upbeat throughout the course of the class although, because of the loud music, I sometimes had trouble hearing his directions. He also walked around correcting and modifying each student’s form. Classes are pretty small, so he could really give individualized attention throughout the class.

The classes rotated between cardio moves using the bungees and sculpting moves using the chair. Since I am a bit of a klutz, I was a little nervous on the chair in the beginning, feeling like I was going to fall or hurt myself. You use a lot of core strength to balance yourself on the chair, and I definitely felt it in my abs and thighs the next day. I think the more often you take this class, the better. It took me most of the class just to feel comfortable on the chair.

A single class is $20, but I would suggest signing up for the newcomers’ “three for $33″ special. This great deal will really help you get a feel for this type of workout. For more info, visit Chaise23.

SLT Fitness

SLT Fitness is located in both Midtown and Soho, and offer Megaformer and yoga classes. I took one of each class at the Midtown location. SLT uses the megaformer machine, which resembles a souped-up version of the Pilates reformer machine. It has a bunch of pulleys and springs that you use to work out in sequence to create long, lean muscles.

My Megaformer instructor was Amanda. Before class, she took me to a machine and gave a basic explanation of how it worked and how to change its settings. The room included about 15 machines, and on that Saturday afternoon class was only half full, allowing Amanda to really focus on students and correct our postures and movements. The class itself moved very quickly and hit all body parts. Exercises changed about once a minute. It took me about 20 seconds with each exercise to feel comfortable; I was constantly moving. I enjoyed the class, but it seemed to focus a lot on legs and less on abs, and I would have preferred to see the reverse. There were definitely a few times I felt like I might fall off the machine, but I think I’d be more comfortable after a few more classes.

Overall this was a good full-body workout. Megaformer classes are on the pricey side at $40 each. That price is a little too high for me to justify, but it is a solid, unique workout. After the class, everyone cleaned off their machines with wipes. At $40 a class, I think someone should be doing that–but maybe I’m a snob! There is a small changing room and a counter with deodorant, hairspray, wipes, and hair ties. Unfortunately, there is no shower, and the bathroom is in a shared hallway. This class may not be ideal for someone who needs to go right to work or an event after working out.

I also took the Yoga Flow class. The yoga studio is right next to the Megaformer studio, and has a small waiting/changing area with the same amenities as next door. My instructor was Erin, who was a positive, hands-on instructor making adjustments to students throughout the class. I love when an instructor is hands-on, so I really appreciated her teaching style. The music is a major part of this class; it’s fast-paced and popular rather than the peaceful quiet you would expect in a traditional yoga class. There is also a great abs section at the end, which I loved. I left this class feeling good, and like I’d really worked out.

SLT Fitness also offers a more bootcamp-style class called Shred, and a more intense Hardcore Yoga class. These classes are $24 each, a great price for what you get. The only downside is the lack of shower. For more information, visit sltnyc.

Exhale Core Fusion

I have loved the core fusion classes at Exhale for a long time, unfortunately, they are expensive.  Nut they periodically have deals to make it easier to try them.  I recently took a Core Fusion Barre class at Exhale Spa located in the Gansevoort Hotel (in the Meatpacking District). Exhale classes include Core Fusion Barre, Core Fusion Sport, Core Fusion Cardio, Core Fusion Yoga, and Core Fusion Boot Camp. They also have a yoga program that includes Exhale Chill, Exhale Flow, and Exhale Power. Almost all of the studios (there are five locations in Manhattan) are connected to a boutique and a spa with a lavish, full menu offering mani/pedis, massages, and facials.

The facilities at Exhale are plush and relaxing. I have been to all five locations and the Meatpacking District location is by far my favorite and the most luxurious—although I enjoy the yoga at the Central Park South location, practiced in a gorgeous studio. The Gansevoort location features a locker room with showers and everything you would need to get ready to party in the District after class: shampoo, razors, robes, towels—even shower shoes. There are also hot tubs and a sauna you can relax in after class. There is a wonderful relaxation/waiting room with tea and magazines—I love to chill out in here after a challenging class. Members may also take advantage of the hotel’s gym, which features cardio equipment and weights to help you achieve a well-rounded workout.

I took a Sunday afternoon class with Malaika. The class was pretty small, probably due to the time of day (4:15 pm). Malaika introduced herself and asked about injuries. There were a few newbies in this small class and the instructor gave a rundown of the class and explained what to expect. Core Fusion classes usually follow a specific pattern–warm-up, arms, thighs, butt, abs, then a cooldown/stretch; this class was no different. I found the specific combination of exercises in this class to be less hardcore than others I have taken at Exhale. I felt worked out, but not totally exhausted and begging for savasana by the end of class like I have in similar classes. For $37, that’s how Iwant to feel! Malaika was a bit quiet and I found her directives hard to hear and follow at times, but I appreciated her gentle corrections. For some reason, there was no mirror in this studio (although there are mirrors at other Exhale studios) so it was sometimes difficult to monitor your form. I think Malaika class would be a great intro for those new to Barre. A nice surprise at the end of class is that Malaika handed out free guest passes to give to a friend!

Core Fusion classes at Exhale are $265 per month for unlimited access or $37 each for an individual class. Yoga classes are $26 each. Packages are available and deals are often found online to make costs more manageable. For more information, visitexhalespa.com.

FlyWheel

I love FlyWheel!

FlyWheel Sports offers two types of classes, cycling and barre. I took both a FlyBarre class and a FlyWheel class at their flagship Flatiron Studio. I tried FlyWheel with Todd M. and FlyBarre with Amanda V. When you walk into the studio you are given the option to check in via the computer terminals or at the front desk. There is also a boutique and lounge area with couches, newspapers, water, and fruit that you can relax in before or after class. FlyWheel Sports offers both types of classes numerous times throughout the day, almost hourly from 6:00 am until 8:30 pm. There are 4 bathrooms, 4 changing rooms, and showers available for student use. I liked that the changing rooms had deodorant, lotion, and dry shampoo to freshen up with after class!

A FlyWheel Sports cycling class is not your average gym spinning class! They have stadium-style seating for the bikes, so you can see the instructor clearly from every bike. Each bike is equipped with a little computer to measure your torque and RPM. There is a scoreboard set up for the competitive types, so you can see how you compare to others in class. You clip in using cycling shoes, which are rented free to students who need them.

Todd was an encouraging, motivational instructor. He gave good directions and helped students with the setup of the bike. The music was well choreographed for the ride. FlyWheel also has one routine near the end of the ride that uses 2- and 4-pound weight bars that are stored on the side of the bike. I really enjoyed this addition of an arm series during cycling, as it really creates a full-body workout. FlyWheel Classes are $32 each, including free shoe rental and water. Although a bit pricey, it is on par with boutique fitness studio prices and the great amenities make it easier to justify the cost.

FlyBarre is a full-body sculpting workout. Barre classes focus on small movements to quickly shape and stretch muscles. My FlyBarre class was quite challenging. I have taken barre classes before and they all usually follow the same format of cardio warmup, arms, thighs, butt, and abs, followed by a cooldown. FlyBarre takes the traditional barre class and rearranges the order, making it a fast-paced, surprising workout. FlyBarre uses light weights and incorporates an arms and ab workout throughout the whole class. Amanda was an outgoing, friendly instructor who was hands-on in correcting students’ form and posture.

FlyBarre classes are also $32. For some reason, they do not allow you to mix wheel and barre class credits when buying, so even though they cost the same, you have to purchase a separate package for each type of class. Kind of inconvenient, but that seems to be the policy. I would definitely recommend FlyWheel Sports for a great workout, especially if you are someone already paying per workout. The small details and amenities really make you feel welcome.

Punk Rope

One of the most fun and different workouts that I do in NYC is the Punk Rope workout at the 14th Street Y. I go every few week with my friends Ian and Frannie and it is always a good time!  Punk Rope is a jump rope class that feels like a high school gym class! The instructors choreograph the class with punk music and encourage students to jump to the beat. This challenging but fun class alternates between rope jumping, calisthenics, relay races, and partner work. This quick-moving class is never boring, as each song brings a new activity.

During this week’s class we did rope jumping, rubber chicken relay races, squat circles, and partner jumps. The workout ends with ab work and a cooldown. The hour went fast and the music was rocking.

Punk rope was created by Tim Haft nine years ago in NYC and is now becoming a nationwide phenomenon. Each week has a new music theme and students troop to a local bar for happy hour and rock trivia afterward. For me, the best part of punk rope is the community. Tim plans events, happy hours, and group activities. Even the class itself encourages interactions and friendships with other classmates. Classes are $12 and you can try your first class for free. In a city of $35 workouts, Punk Rope is a great deal!

Hard Rock Cafe Resort Cancun

My family took a trip to Hard Rock Cafe in Cancun.  What a trip!  18 of us at a luxurious all inclusive on the beach!  We all ate and drank a lot!  So my sister, Becky and cousin, Johnny, made sure to hit the fitness center everyday.  We took spinning, boot camp, Pilate's and yoga classes.  Most of the classes were taught by DJ Jenny.  She was a upbeat, enthusiastic instructor who always blared a rocking play list!  The classes were challenging and fun.  These were not easy vacation workouts.  The only downside was that the classes were only offered early in the morning, which meant if you (me!) had to set an alarm if you wanted to take the spin class.  They also had a full fitness center with weights and equipment.  Overall, it was a nice facility to get in a good workout before stuffing your face and getting tipsy at the swim-up bar!

305 Fitness

I recently tried 305 Fitness is a super high-energy dance workout class. 305 came to New York from Miami (taking the city’s area code as its name) and has been packing classes ever since. The instructor and founder, Sadie, has a background in dance and is very enthusiastic about her craft. The class is cardio dance and features a live DJ. It is choreographed to hip-hop, pop, and Latin music. Similar to Zumba and cardio dance, this class is entertaining and easy to keep up with. The routines are fast moving, but Sadie makes it easy for all to follow along, no matter what your position in class. I suggest getting a spot in front of the mirror, though, just so you can have a good view of everything. The class moves quickly, and the DJ plays live beats to motivate the class to work hard and have fun. I am extremely uncoordinated and a horrible dancer, but found myself laughing and enjoying myself the whole time. Sadie’s positive energy and the pumped-up music helped me push myself further. And the DJ was a great, unique touch. I really did feel like I was in a Miami club-minus the alcohol!

The class met in a dance room at Stepping Out Studios. Unfortunately, this location has no showers and a small, crowded locker room. There are many other classes happening simultaneously, so there’s lots of traffic and students coming in and out. Still, it was pretty cool watching the ballroom dancers as I waited for the bathroom! There are plans for expansion and new instructors are being added. I would like to see Sadie in her own studio, one that fits better with the workout, as well as one with showers: you leave this class very sweaty. Right now, there are pop-ups classes in different spaces around the city. Classes are $24 each, with package and student discounts. Visit the site for more info.

Barry's Bootcamp

Barry’s Bootcamp is a boutique fitness studio with two locations in NYC, one in Tribeca and one in Chelsea. I tried a class at each location: a class in Tribeca with instructor Alycia and a class in Chelsea with instructor Harley.

The music is pumping and the lights are low, giving it a club feel. The classes are all similar in structure: about ten minutes on the treadmill, ten minutes on the floor doing exercises that target that day’s body parts.

I took a class with Alycia in Tribeca that focused on arms and abs, and took Harley’s hard-core abs class in Chelsea. Both instructors were energetic and walked around throughout the class, interacting with students. I found the floor portion of the arms and abs class the most challenging part of either class. Both instructors encouraged the use of heavy weights. I enjoyed Harley’s style and use of partner work (a great way to make new friends), but more than once I found myself confused about what I should be doing. I appreciated the fact that Alycia took the time to correct students’ posture. The energy was infectious in both classes.

Personally, I hate running, but quick transitions within the class made it bearable. The treadmills face the studio mirrors, and something about the lighting made me feel like I looked superhot while working out!

One word of caution; Barry’s is not a good workout for people who are uncomfortable with other people’s sweat getting all over them. You share mats, steps, and treadmills, and due to the quick transitions, there is no time to wipe down, so I was literally running and planking in a pool of someone else’s sweat. Definitely bring at least two towels to class with you!

Classes at Barry’s are $34 each and get cheaper when you buy a package. I loved the workouts at Barry’s Bootcamp, and found them both fun and challenging. Each studio offers more than 10 classes throughout the day.

The locker room offers great amenities, like spray deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, lockers, hair ties, towels, and tampons. I think these benefits are important when paying a premium for a workout. Barry’s also has the Fuel Bar, which offers smoothies, snacks, and light meals. I had a peanut butter smoothie made with almond milk—one of the best I ever had!

Yandara Yoga in Bali

This summer I decided to take a plunge and get my yoga teacher certification.  It is something I have been wanting to do for awhile now and of course, being the jetsetter that I am, I wanted to go abroad to do this. After researching many different options in many different countries, I decided on Yandara Yoga Institute in Bali, Indonesia. This 16 day training covered so much, it is hard for me to describe it in a few paragraphs.  I will give you a few highlights and let my photos do the talking.

For more information, visit http://www.yandara.com.

Sunny Chinese Body Work

I was recently turned on to Sunny's by a fellow yogi at Stanton Street Yoga.  This is a no frills little massage spot on the Lower East Side.  I walked past it a million times because it is right across the street from my job, but never thought to go in.  One week when I overdid it at the gym and my back was killing me, I tried to check it out!  $40 for a one- hour massage!  Great deal for sure.  The woman there work hard t help you relax.  Check them out on the Lower East Side.  Not shady at all!

Pilates at Clay

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