In New York City, fitness studios are like restaurants: you have your go-tos, the top-reviewed places you're willing to spend your dollars on, the hidden gems, the spots your friends drag you to, and the trending scenes where you can’t get a primetime reservation for the first year. Even if you’re not a foodie, surely you understand the comparison. If you live here, you know that this city has to offer just about everything.
But unfortunately, there's no Zagat for workout classes. So to ensure you don’t end up on the elliptical for the third straight time this week, we’ve created a handy guide to exercise classes to help you navigate the NYC fitness landscape.
Why take a class? From the motivating, upbeat playlists to mashup formats that test your physical limits, group fitness classes offer tons of physical and mental health benefits that your home gym simply cannot.
Studies show that doing something new can keep you interested in exercise and make you more inclined to repeat that activity again.
Additionally, working out in a social setting can push you past your perceived limits, as you’re surrounded by others working towards a similar goal. Being coached throughout the workout can help you understand the importance of what you’re doing and push you to complete the class. If intimidation is keeping you from signing up, know this: everyone in your class was, at one time, at a first-timer. And more often than not, friendly competition is outweighed by camaraderie in a class, adding another dimension of motivation. In other words, it is totally worth it to cough up $30 for a one-time class.
Ahead, tried-and-tested workouts with brutally honest reviews so you know exactly what you’re getting when you sign up.
SLT
Locations: Flatiron, Midtown, SoHo, Upper East Side, Upper West Side
Workout Type: Pilates
Best For: Type-A people
What It’s Like: Many people who’ve taken SLT describe it as, “Pilates on crack” — and the description isn’t too far-off (it was owner Amanda Freeman who actually coined the term). SLT is a 50-minute cardio-meets-strength-training Pilates class that makes use of the Megaformer to add tension to the total-body exercises. You move around the machine fairly quickly (giving you the cardio component) doing compound moves that work multiple muscle groups to the point of failure. You’ll leave sweaty, sore in weird places, and with an understanding of how this supremely effective workout has developed a cult-like following.
First-Time Tip: Grab a machine next to the most experienced-looking person in the room. Transitions between moves can happen fairly quickly so you’ll want to have someone nearby for posture check. Instructors aren’t as hands-on with adjustments here.
Photo: Courtesy of SLT.
Flywheel
Location: Astor Place, Chelsea, Flatiron, Tribeca, Upper East Side, Upper West Side
Workout Type: Cycling
Best For: Competition lovers
What To Expect: Like other cycling studios, Flywheel classes rely on dynamic instructors with motivating playlists, structured routines, and group energy to keep riders engaged and sweating through 45-, 60-, or 90-minute workouts (which include a short weighted arms segment). But it’s the stadium-style seating and a performance-based metrics system that measures rider performance in real time that truly sets Flywheel apart. Utilizing resistance and cadence (RPMs) to quantify power, small screens known as TorqBoards are available on each bike to measure participants progress through a points system. Competitive cyclers may choose to opt-in to the class TorqBoards, displayed on large screens behind the instructor, so they can race against one another. In the end, you’re left with a number that can help motivate your next ride. Another perk? Free shoe rental and water bottles.
First-Time Tip: Arrive early for assisted bike setup.
Photographed by: Justin Steele.
305 Fitness
Location: Midtown East, West Village
Workout Type: Cardio/Dance/HIIT
Best For: Dance junkies looking for a healthy alternative (or addition) to clubbing.
What To Expect: Get sweaty shaking your money-maker with this high-energy, Miami nightclub-inspired dance class that feels more like a party — seriously, there’s even a live DJ. Don’t expect 55 minutes of hip-hop choreography, though, as each class fuses high-intensity exercises, sports drills, and strength training with dance-cardio routines for a total-body experience. While the heart-pounding class is definitely cardio-heavy, you’ll reap muscle-strengthening benefits from the toning component. No prior dance experience required, only an open mind. As a notoriously clumsy dancer with a total lack of coordination, I find I get the best workout by letting go and forgetting all about form.
First-Time Tips: Hydrate before class and keep your phone nearby for a post-workout Instagram in front of the studio's unique mural art and neon signs that give 305 its Miami flair.
Photo: Courtesy of 305 Fitness
Barry’s Bootcamp
Locations: Chelsea, Flatiron, NoHo, Tribeca, Upper East Side
Workout Type: Running/Strength Training
Best For: Working your butt off — and feeling it for the next few days
What It’s Like: Hardcore, intense, intimidating, painful — ask anyone about Barry’s Bootcamp and you just might not go. But there’s a reason Barry’s is one of the most successful fitness studios in the country and so popular in New York: it really makes you feel like you've accomplished something afterward. Each class is divided into 25-30 minutes of interval training on the treadmill, 25-30 minutes of plyometrics and weight-training, plus a cool-down stretch. Upon sign up, you’ll reserve a starting spot either on the treadmill or the floor. Personally, I like to boost my heart rate and get my energy up first, so I always reserve the treadmill.
The instructor directs both the treadmill and strength portions at the same time and it's up to him or her how much you switch positions — sometimes it's only once, but usually you switch several times. For example, you might do 7 minutes on the treadmill, 7 minutes on the floor, and switch throughout. Or you might have an instructor who has you do 30 minutes straight on the treadmill, followed by 30 minutes of weight training.
So what makes this class so hard? First, the speed and incline at which you run may resemble that of an Olympic sprinter. Second, the floor exercises usually involve heavy weights and high reps, making the strength-training portion more intense. Nonetheless, you can definitely go at your own pace and the instructor will not shame you if you do. You’ll leave feeling sore but very proud of yourself.
First-Time Tip: Go at your own pace — don’t try to compete with your neighbor on your first visit.
Photo: Courtesy of Barry's Bootcamp
Mile-High Run Club
Location: NoHo, NoMad
Workout Type: Running
Best For: Goal-setting
What It’s Like: At MHRC, running is the new spinning. Walking into the studio is an experience in itself: rows of treadmills bask in dim, neon lights that change on-tempo to music. A lot of serious runners fill MHRC's classes, but don't be intimidated. The athletic coaches are sympathetic to all levels and encourage all classgoers, regardless of speed. A handy RPM guide is attached to each treadmill monitor with speeds to match beginner, intermediate, and advanced runners. Despite how close you are to your neighbor, this class feels less competitive than group fitness studios, because it’s equally designed for marathoners seeking a better PR and cardio newbies who just want to learn how to run without stopping.
MHRC even offers three types of classes catering to different runners: DASH 28, a short duration intervals plus kettlebell class, HIGH 45, interval-based running, and THE DISTANCE, one hour of sprints, hills, and nonstop effort ideal for race training. There’s also an outdoor running program in case you really get into it.
First-Time Tip: Unless you have all the time in the world, don’t plan on showering there — at least if you’re female. The locker rooms are small and overcrowded.
Photo: Courtesy of The Mile High Run Club
Flex Studios — Flex Pilates
Locations: NoHo, Union Square
Workout Type: Pilates and Strength Training
Best For: People who want to try a trendy workout without being in a scene.
What It’s Like: Flex Studios offers three types of classes as well as hybrid classes that can seriously change your body. Its signature Pilates classes are taught on FLEXformers, customized fitness equipment that resembles a torture device but in the best possible sense as the machines lets you do countless exercises that focus on core strength and conditioning muscles you never knew you had.
Each class accommodates 12 students, making it ideal if you want individual attention and form correction throughout class. As the most offered class type, FlexPilates also has a less-intense old-school version called Flex Pilates Pure; FlexPilates Prenatal for expecting moms; and Flex 30/30, a Pilates-barre combo.
First-Time Tip: Tell the instructor you’re new in the beginning of class so he or she can demonstrate how to use the equipment and adjust your form during class.
Photographed by: Jay Sullivan
Flex Studios — FlexBarre
Locations: NoHo, Union Square
Workout Type: Cardio/Barre
Best For: Multitaskers who want to get sweaty and strong in less than 60 minutes
What It’s Like: Just when you think you’ve exhausted that muscle entirely, the class changes pace and you’re doing lunges, planks, or another heart-revving exercises that challenges you in a whole new way. One of the more cardio-intensive barre classes out there, FlexBarre fires up your your lower-body muscles without neglecting your arms and core. Planks, push-ups, and burpees are done in-between ballet barre and floor exercises.
Dumbbells, balls, and bands are incorporated into compound moves that target specific muscles by contracting them with higher reps and no weight. While that can sometimes mean pulsing for a very long time, it doesn’t feel that way in Flex, since the pace changes so often. And keeping your body guessing is a surefire way to reach deep, hidden muscles you often neglect.
First-Time Tip: Arrive on-time — the warm-up routine is crucial to getting the best workout.
Photographed by: Jay SullivanLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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