"A Journey In Fitness" - New York Times

Rating Every Workout in New York City

[workingoutinnyc]

ChaiseFitness: Ballet Bungee

The workout: tbh the workout wasn't that hard. There are basically these bungee chords from the ceiling and you use those to do different strength and cardio things. I think my bungees were too long so there wasn't enough resistance and also the workout was only 45 minutes and I am generally used to an excruciating hour. I hadn't eaten before the workout so I was going to pass out, which should have added an extra fun challenge. Yet I was still able to do it and only felt like 20% more that I would pass out. If I had actually fainted I might reevaluate how hard this was. The studio: the location I went to was at the 92nd street y. Yeah I went all the way there because this place is always filled up so I was curious to try a class. It was fine, has the novelty with the bungees, but besides that the location is inconvenient and the facility is kinda shitty. The music: What made this kind of good though was they had the best soundtrack at a studio so far. And the importance of a good soundtrack cannot be underestimated. When I used to workout solo on a treadmill the only thing that could keep me going through the tedium was some really good tunes and they played several of the ones I would have picked out myself!! If Bari studio played a soundtrack as motivating as this one (and also added a shower and Brooklyn location) I would probably get a membership there.

[workingoutinnyc]

Bari Studio: Barione

My feelings: Wow I was incredibly bummed before I went to this workout. I was in a bad way. I even wore my university cap hoping someone would talk to me and put me out of my despair in a movie kind of way. Someone did talk to but it was after the workout when I didnt care anymore. And I have to say that when I finished this workout I felt 75% better!! New favorite workout. The workout: I had really high expectations for this. Its basically like an intense dance cardio for a while, then some weight lifting thing with these suspenders from the ceiling, then more cardio, more weights, trampoline (very fun), and then toning. This workout is really high tech (there is even this strap thing you put on to measure all these stats as youre working out) and there are a lot of props. Other thoughts: This workout is kinda dangerous with all the props and shit. But its also fun and I am happy I did it today.

[workingoutinnyc]

Exhale (Meatpacking and Soho): Core Fusion Barre

The workout: In my opinion, Core Fusion Barre is the hardest Barre workout in the city. Ranking of Barre workouts by difficulty: 1. Core Fusion: Finding a good reason to leave as fast as possible on a terrible date. Depending on how hungover I feel and who is teaching, this workout is also akin to trying to gracefully exit a conversation at a networking event/party. 2. Xtend Barre: Giving a cab driver instructions when they don’t know where you’re going and you don’t know where you’re going. 3. Pure Barre: Having to do a stop-and-chat with an ex who is with their girlfriend. The studio: I have been to two studios – Meatpacking and Soho. The Soho one had shitty carpet and low on amenities. The meatpacking one has a locker room and all the nice stuff they give you in a locker room, so I prefer that one. Fat friendliness: idk but wallet friendliness is $0. Everyone is like 30’s-40’s rich lady and there is at least one preg lady in every class. Pro tip: Wipe down your mat at the start of class because the people at the end of class don’t wipe their mats down.

[workingoutinnyc]

SYNCSTUDIO Brooklyn: SYNCCYCLING

My feelings: Um this is just not for me right now but in the future I might revisit this. The workout: Well yeah it’s a soundtrack and you cycle to it. You have to cycle to the beat of the music to be in sync with the rest of the class and for this to be ‘fun’ but I was unable to do this. Fat friendliness: really low. Someone got up and left in the middle of the workout, something I have still only seen happen once. Pro tip: Don’t be that girl who is going to cover her ears during the workout because you sat right near the speakers dummy because you’re ruining the vibe for the whole class. Also don’t sit in the front if you don’t know what you’re doing.

[workingoutinnyc]

Pure Barre: Williamsburg

The workout: This is definitely my favorite workout even though I don’t think it is as effective as Core Fusion Barre. I like the studio too and it’s convenient. I don’t really have much to say besides that. Pro tip: go up to an instructor after class and ask wtf they’re talking about so you’re not doing the movements wrong.

[workingoutinnyc]

Brooklyn Bodyburn

My Feelings: Well this is another place that is hard to get a spot, so I was definitely excited and optimistic to get a spot!! The Workout: WHAT. THE. FUCK. This is absolutely the hardest workout I have ever done in my life. You are basically on some kind of death contraption torture machine. I had no idea what the instructor was talking about and showed up late, so this whole experience was stressful and anxiety-inducing. Pro Tip: Don't show up late, don't go to a class unless you've been to a beginner class, or just don't go.

[workingoutinnyc]

The Fhitting Room: Signature Fhix

My Feelings: Well this studio is always packed and I could never get a class, so when a spot opened up, I was psyched!! But it was a beautiful Saturday and I was hungover when I went, so I was feeling pretty awful. The Workout: A combination of heavy weight shit and circuit training and some rope thing and everything is timed so you feel like a bomb is going to explode. Fat Friendliness: Idk but you definitely have to be in shape to do this, which I'm not. Pro Tip: Bring a water bottle and leave it next to you on the shelf.

[workingoutinnyc]

BellaVita Fitness: Zumba

My Feelings: First group workout I ever did so going into it I DID NOT want to do it at all. The Workout: SUPER COMPLICATED DANCE COORDINATION. I am NOT Kevin Federline!! Fat Friendliness: Very fat positive because the workout isn't that strenuous even though its confusing as fuck. Pro Tip: Don't stand in the front of the room unless you want to feel like an idiot or you know what you're doing.

[workingoutinnyc]

Xtend Barre: Brooklyn Heights

My Feelings: Afterward I felt 5% less depressed but I still almost started crying in a cab later, so this workout DID NOT hit my 8% less depressed hurdle rate. Reflections:Sometimes, nothing you can do in life will help you, but you can’t really walk out of a class, so at least you can do that. The workout: It is pretty easy to pick up (combination cardio/weights) although I still did a lot of the movements wrong. Before you go: Make sure to buy those socks with the grips at the bottom. You can buy them at the studio too. Side note: I face a dilemma any time I go to a barre studio because my socks are from Pure Barre and say Pure Barre on them. I feel like everyone in the studio is judging me as if I sat down at a coffee shop with a PC. But I’m not going to buy three different computers. If any instructor can chime in on this I would love to know what you think… What to know when you’re there: Grab a set of one pound weights, ball, and a towel before you go to your space on the mat. Pro tip: Just look at the one person who knows what they’re doing and try to do the movement how they are. Fat Friendliness: Very low. Of the 11 people in the class, I would say 6 were on the skinny side, 4 average, and maybe one chub so i felt really fat here. The Energy of the Studio: Seems like everyone in the studio is BFFs. I prefer when no one knows or talks to each other so this was off-putting to me.