5 days in New york 5 different gyms

Gyms in general can be intimidating, on top of that when the gym’s Instagram constantly shows images of Victoria’s secret models and celebrities in their gym it can dissuade you from going at all… i’d rather be in my grave then stand next to a VS model in my pit stained T-shirt. For my readers, I bit the bullet and tried 5 very popular New York gyms over the course of a week…my thoughts below!

Soul Cycle

you get what you pay for, as over priced as this class feels I LOVE IT! They clean the bikes, provide towels and the music and environment is intoxicating. It’s kind of a cult, but in a good way?

Things I loved:

• Music so loud you can’t really think about anything else.
• Rhythm based movement so you feel like you’re apart of some big dance team.
•  Very clean, staff wipes bikes and provides fresh towels in between every class.
• Get into Rique’s class at least once in your life, it fills up instantly so you have to be waiting at your phone when booking opens up Monday at noon.

Things I was annoyed by:

• If i was going to hate anything it would be the price but the price is fair for New York.
• Some of the language in their app doesn’t make sense, but it’s very minor things.

Equinox

Popularly referenced in Kanye’s song “Highlights”….all the bad bitches go to Equinox. Equinox uses only Kiehls for their bathroom products…which tells you a lot about this gym. It’s really nice, clean, all the equipment looks new, and a lot of their instructors are those fitness people with 30k followers on Instagram.

Things I loved:

• Like I said above, it’s clean, everything looks new, free towels to use, also free cold towels soaked in some type of lavender eucalyptus potion (love using this post workout).
• All the equipment is the newest version of whatever it is, treadmills, stair masters, you name it..they have it.
• The trainers are really nice, i used my free assessment and session and did not feel pressured to buy packages or training sessions after. If you are looking for a trainer Chris Parnell at Equinox Wiliamsburg is awesome.

Things I was annoyed by:

• It is hideously expensive to be a member of this gym, but because of my modeling agency I get a pretty great discount which is why i’m a member now..but if you don’t have the hook up you pay close (or over maybe) to $200 a month to bask in the Equinox glow.
• The Williamsburg location is small, so at the end of the work day between 5-7 it is a ZOO. I know that is fairly normal for a gym, but this location is so small it makes the situation worse.

Body By Simone

Simone has been getting tons of publicity recently for working with some major celebrities like Chrissy Tiegen as well as various victoria’s secret gals. Essentially it’s a dance cardio class that takes on different focuses, for example they have full body and hips, buns and thighs classes. I doubled up and took the full body class followed by the cardio dance class. Simone’s method is low weight high reps, which most women lean towards because they feel it will keep them from bulking up (separate post on that another time).

Things I loved:

• The choreography is easy, anyone can take this class and pick it up quickly.
• It goes by quickly! If you like dancing, this class doesn’t drag because you are constantly dancing to great music.
• Simone focuses on all the areas women tend to obsess over, hips, buns, thighs, core.
• Because the NY location is in Chelsea, I purchased the downloads of her cardio and hips,buns, and thighs classes this is so nice to have when working out at home or traveling!

Things I was annoyed by:

• You need to have really supportive shoes for this class because almost the entire class is spent on your toes. The first time i took class I had cramps in my feet because my shoes weren’t good, went back with my asics and all was well.

SLT Pilates

SLT stands for STRENGTHEN, LENGTHEN, TONE all the trigger words used when you hear women talk about what they want to do with their bodies. This class is HARD, you are going to feel the burn from the beginning to the end. It’s a really great if you are looking for a low impact full body workout, with short bursts of cardio (just a sprinkling of mountain climbers here and there). Their classes hold under 15 people, and the SOHO studio I went to was sold out during the prime times every single day about two weeks out….so make sure you can plan ahead if you want to attend these classes in the morning or early evening. Brooklyn Bodyburn was recently purchased by SLT, so now SLT has locations in Williamsburg and soon Greenpoint! I’ve taken class with Tracy (former owner of Brooklyn Bodyburn, it’s amazing).

Things I loved:

• This class was really challenging, I certainly failed out at certain parts and was very sweaty by the end.
• They ask what you want to work at the beginning of class, most people never respond to this question from teachers but I always do! BUNS BUNS BUNS!

Things I was annoyed by:

• No one showed me around, it felt like I was expected to know what the hell I was doing even though it was my first time. I like when people point out the locker rooms, where to put my stuff, how things work etc. I think this is dependent on location, at the Williamsburg location i’ve seen them showing every new person around and describing the workout.

The DOGPOUND

Home to tons of Victoria’s Secret models in their cute VSX gear and their non existent waists! The DOGPOUND has received a lot of publicity recently for being the model go to in NYC for a great workout, specifically toning the buns. Personal training here is expensive (around 150 an hour, which from what I hear is actually a fair price in New York), but they also have group boxing classes throughout the day that are priced similarly to all the other classes in New York, 35 bucks for an hour. I took a 12pm class on a Monday, and I am obsessed with this place.

Things I loved:

• Walking in, there is blaring old school hip hop amongst all your favorite new club songs. When I say blaring I mean it, it’s loud as shit. As someone who plays their music loud when they workout, I love this.
• They give you all the equipment for the class, gloves, wraps, jump rope, all you need to do is come in workout clothes and tennis shoes with enough time to get your gear on.
• Everyone is really nice! Gym has a high energy young vibe, and you are taking the class in the center of the gym. So there are people around you doing personal training, and the trainers will often yell words of encouragement at you while you are doing 20 burpees and wishing you were dead.
• I almost barfed at one point…I actually do like that, you know you’re working hard if you almost barf.

Things I was annoyed by:

• There are no locker rooms, there are two small unisex bathrooms. So showering and changing is not an option. I’m OK with this, just don’t love it 🙂

In closing, i’ve returned to all of these gyms and am now a member at Equinox (because of discount I mentioned earlier). Don’t be intimated by these places! Everyone is there for the same reason doesn’t matter what level you’re at get your ass out there and do it.

YS