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.