If you follow me at all you know I LOVE a good workout class, in February I went pretty crazy taking class and because of that I’ve got 5 new HIGH IMPACT workouts for you to try out in NYC.
I plan on doing a separate post for lower impact workouts to try as well because both are great for you! Below are the 5 gyms I tried and why I loved them. I only add a “cons” section if there are any things that stand out as not being great (no showers is a big con).
One Peloton – If you haven’t heard of Peloton bikes I’d be surprised. They are an at home cycling station with a huge touch screen and library of spin classes for you to take as well as live classes for you to take at home. With the bike costing around 2000 dollars I kind of had a heart attack on instagram when I went to the peloton studio and was told that yes, yes they do have FREE classes. If you have any experience with the fitness industry in NYC then you know free classes at a studio on a consistent basis is pretty insane (they must be making a KILLING selling those bikes.. they have a treadmill coming soon).
- They gave me shoes water and towel free of charge and helped me setup my bike.
- The classes that you take at this studio are actually used for their app so the instructor is kind of putting on a show on this pedestal at the front of the studio and all these cameras are positioned pointing at the instructor (you will not be filmed…I’m pretty sure lol).
- I took a 30 minute HIIT class with Ally Love and wasn’t sure she could kill me in that time. Lo and behold she did, we had about a 3 minute warmup and then went into various intervals for the rest of the class, full out sprints, big pushes up hills, I was dripping by the time we hit 30 minutes.
- If you have a day off take a free class during the day, if you don’t their classes cost the same as any other spin class here (around 35 bucks) so if you’re interested in the bike at all or just want a free workout go check them out.
NYSCLAB – Bianca is a super inspiring personal trainer, who also happens to be a lovely singer. She is a resident trainer at the W hotel, works primarily privately with clients but does teach two classes Saturday mornings at NYSCLAB. Even if you can’t take her class, follow her on Insta because she is always posting workouts you can do on your own.
- Bianca’s class is titled “BURN”, and honestly I thought I was going to combust midway through I was so damn hot and sweaty…it’s 45 minutes and is described as a HIIT and tab at a class….so I knew I was getting into some serious shit when I decided to go. This class is extremely HARD, everyone is doing the same thing facing mirrors the whole class..which I like because my competitive side kicks in and I’m motivated to keep going by the people around me.
- This is one of two classes Bianca teaches each week, she is a top tier trainer and fitness model so it’s fun to take a class from someone who is one of the best of the best.
- She always gives modifications and options if you maybe just really don’t want to do something.
- I was bout ready to die by the end.
- She made me put back my ten pound kettle bell and let me know anything under 18 wasn’t worth it lol (I like that kind of thing, if you’re sensitive….relax). I’m also confident that if I let her know I was afraid to lift over 18 she would of said it’s fine.
Switch Playground – Switch Playground is a HIIT workout studio, that in my opinion is really great if you get a little group fitness anxiety. It’s not all bright lights, mirrors, and white walls like some studios where you might feel a little self conscious next to the NYC fitness freaks in their matching sports bra and pants lol. It’s dimly lit and you are in charge of how hard you work (I know that sounds obvious but in classes when everyone is doing the same thing, it’s blatantly obvious when you take a break or can’t do something).
- Essentially there are 20 exercises and you do each one for two minutes, rotating all over over the room to do each exercise.
- There are around 4 trainers in the room who show you what the exercise is as you go, every 2 minutes you…SWITCH to the next one.
- This class is hard, but you have room to take it easier or harder and not feel like the odd one in the room because everyone is busy doing something else and there are only mirrors when needed. For people like me it feels like you have a chance to cheat lol I perform better when everyone is doing the same thing because i’m very competitive.
- Sprinting on a treadmill, going as fast as you can on a stair master, band booty work, and walking fast uphill are some of the exercises you’ll find in this class.
AKT – Anna kaiser is the mind behind AKT, a studio with 2 locations in nomad and UES. Images of the trainers line the walls including one of Anna’s backside in what appear to be boy shorts so you can see just how perky and toned her butt is (this seems like a little much to me but actually is pretty normal in an NYC studio lol). I took a class called “forplay” 4 sets of 4 moves 3 rounds of each set declining in amount of time spent doing each exercise as you go through rounds.
- this class is HARD, everyone does everything together and the instructor does almost all of the class (I love when the teacher is doing most of the class, keeps you in it) I got lucky and happened to sign up for Anna’s class so I was getting the best AKT experience.
- One thing I appreciated about this class is all the moves were different than the HIIT moves I do at home, lunge jumps, sumo squat jump outs, some super hard side plank thing, shuffle runs…..just go try it.
- Anna has a side of the room for modifications and low impact alternatives!! this is AMAZING, I stayed on the high impact side of the room BUT I really respect her for having another trainer on the side of the room showing modifications and low impact options for students who maybe just wanted to take it easy, were working with injuries, or were still building endurance.
- They have other formats that are not so cardio heavy that I intend on trying, I think a lot of fitness levels can come to this studio because of the modification options at least in the class I took.
The Sculpt Society – An average class with Megan Roup at Project Equinox is going to be lined with various recognizable models (if not recognizable from their work, it’s very clear in their height and waist size lol). That said, Megan fosters an environment of fun so everyone I came across was very light hearted and not taking anything too seriously. This class took me by surprise, it starts with cardio, toning in the middle with sliders (legs, abs, booty, etc) and finishes with cardio. Megan loves using sliders in her class, and has even created her own that you can buy Here. Sliders make everything very hard, because you are stabilizing the entire time there’s never a movement were you feel super grounded when you’re on a slider. The first time I went the heat was broken and I was dripping sweat everywhere, so when the heat worked the second time I was drenched.
PROS:
- The leg series stays the same for the entire week, so you can continue to work on it over the week.
- This is a body weight/light weight high reps class great for people building endurance and balance.
- She introduced herself, it’s unfortunate when instructors miss this opportunity..I take classes everywhere and still feel baby nerves when going to a new studio. So when a teacher comes and checks in it’s great!
- Every station is setup with the equipment needed before class, so you just pick a spot.
- Project equinox has a 2 for 1 deal for your first time..so go take advantage of that.
CONS: there are no showers at project equinox.
If you are feeling anxious about trying out a class, just do it. Even after gaining 30 pounds I was right in the front putting in work because it really doesn’t matter!! Everyone is there to workout who cares if you can’t do every single thing the entire time, it’s meant to be a challenge so eff everyone and do your thing and have a good time. If you ever want to take class in NYC hit me up I’m always down.
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