Fitness in NoMad
Fitness is my hobby. as an active person — but also a petite woman in my “higher” fifties — I look for options that are challenging, but not too intimidating. When I book travel, I try to choose locations and accommodations with plenty of fitness opportunities, so it should come as no surprise that when I’m closer to home, I take advantage of the exceptional fitness programs and workout boutiques in NoMad. Here’s my take on a few of the neighborhood’s hotspots:
Barry’s Fitness in NoMad
107 E 27th Street
I have been a longtime fan of Barry’s and Park Avenue South is my “home” location in NoMad. As I enter the Red Room, I am always welcomed with enthusiasm and the dimly lit gym is alive with upbeat music. There are treadmills around the edges of the room and carefully spaced low workout benches arranged in the open area.
Classes alternate between treadmill and strength segments on the floor — targeting a specific muscle group each day. My latest class focused on the chest, back and abs. I started the class on the treadmill with a relatively aggressive run. I went
at my own pace, and even though I was not quite hitting the suggested pace of the instructor, I felt like my speed was faster than if I had been running on my own. When I hit the floor, the instructor suggested a range of weights and a fast-paced series of exercises.
Classes are 50 minutes and there are approximately 12 conveniently timed class options each day. I think the fact that I am active and in good shape helps me to fully appreciate this class — it’s definitely challenging but leaves me feeling accomplished and strong.
The gym is always clean, showers have luxury amenities, and a smoothie bar offers healthy post workout options. Barry’s app is great for booking and checking in for class.
Mile High Run Club
24 W 25th Street
I’m still in awe of the woman in the front row who jumped on her tread and started class at an eight mph pace (which is kind of like my running from a bear pace — definitely not my comfort zone!) These classes are well-suited for all levels, and you don’t have to be a seasoned runner to thoroughly enjoy the sessions. While it is indeed a “running” workout, the pacing of the classes, upbeat music, and high-end treadmills keep it interesting and challenging.
My 45-minute session started with a five-minute warm up, which was followed by a series of two to six minute themed segments — alternating hill climbs, endurance stretches, and speed zones — each followed by a walk period to allow for a drink and to catch my breath. The bite size segments make the class fly by and before I knew it, I had racked up quite a few miles.
This is a non-intimidating, go at your own pace session, with wide speed ranges offered. The instructors are expert runners and offer tips and advice throughout the class. (Chest up, knees up, eyes up.) Options range from High 45 to Dash Strength (which mixes in weights) to outdoor runs. And if you happen to have your eye on a marathon, training options are also available.
The locker room is clean, bright, and has nice product in the shower. Classes are easy to book online and there are about eight class options per day.
Aerial Arts NYC
150 W 30th Street
Because it is just a block away from NOMAD Magazine’s office, I have walked past Aerial Arts hundreds of times, marveling at the acrobats dancing in the air. Curious about what went on behind the doors of this unique studio, I was excited to try a class — to see if I, too, could dance in the air.
Created as a training ground for aerial and circus arts, the studio offers instruction in silks, aerial hoops and hammocks, ropes, and basic aerial conditioning. I signed up for a beginner silks class, thinking to myself, “how hard could it be?”
My class of six students started with a pilates-esque warm up of head-to- toe stretching before we headed to the silks. Silks are soft, long, colorful draped fabrics securely bolted to the two-story high ceiling. After requesting that we remove any jewelry or items that might snag the fabric, the instructor demonstrated a few moves, wrapping the silk around her arms and doing a few pull ups. She made it look effortless.
At this point, I should mention that instead of paying full attention, I was distracted by the advanced artists who were working out in the front of the studio. There was a very limber woman doing a trapeze routine on a large ring, a man holding himself vertical on a rope with one hand, and another gracefully climbing up and then rolling down a silk in the front of the class. They were graceful, elegant, and inspiring to watch.
When my turn came, I quickly realized how very hard this was going to be as I struggled with the most elementary moves. Soon, with coaching and some hands-on assistance, I had wrapped my arms around the silks and was doing a series of leg lifts, pull-ups, and flipping my legs over my head. By the end of class, I had climbed the silks as high as my nerves would let me and done a split deeper than I thought possible. I was not graceful, but I felt accomplished (and convinced my muscles would ache the rest of the week).
The beginner skills taught at Aerial Arts are fundamental building blocks that must be mastered before moving on to the more advanced classes. This is not a one-shot instruction sort of gym and the path to success is one of practice, repetition, and dedication. I left with a much deeper respect for the strong and talented athletes that I watched during my class. There was a sense of community amongst the regulars, and it was clear that this was much more a passion than a routine trip to the gym.
Aerial Arts offers 20 class options each weekday and about 15 on the weekends. Options range from: contortion, silks, straps, dance, trapeze, ropes, Pilates, and handstands to youth circus programs for kids ages six to 16. There are draped changing areas, cubbies, and lockers for your belongings. This is a great opportunity to grab a friend and try something new or to push your fitness boundaries. And if you get bitten by the circus bug, Aerial Arts has options that will take you from novice to professional.
Y7 Studio
25 W 23rd Street
I was met by a bright and welcoming reception area and locker room when I visited Y7 Studio, but my yoga class, I quickly learned, would be in the dark — a new first for me. Game to give it a try, I signed the waiver, grabbed my complimentary towel and gear, and headed up a flight of stairs into a large candlelit room. The floor was clearly marked, indicating exactly where to unroll my mat, and though the class was packed, there was ample space to comfortably spread out.
I think it’s fair to mention at this point that yoga is not a part of my regular fitness routine. It has been a few years since my last yoga class and I am not fluent in the moves. We Flow Hard® Vinyasa, a Y7 Studio signature class, started with a warmup that included breathing exercises and then broke into three sections, each featuring a different sequence of moves. The first flow of each section was instructional and slow, followed by a faster run through, and finished with a “you are on your own, figure it out” flow. I was feeling good until the 3rd section, which lost me a bit, but thankfully, the person next to me was a pro and I took my cues from her. I am confident that I moved muscles I didn’t know I had — and I will undoubtedly be sore later.
Y7’s NoMad location has over 10 class options daily, from early mornings until the evening hours, with themes that include We Flow Hard®, Hip Hop Classics, and Slow Burn Vinyasa Express. This studio has two classrooms; the larger accommodates 27 students and the smaller holds 17.
Know before you go:
• Get there on time. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted. I did, however, witness the front desk try to accommodate a latecomer by booking them into the next class.
• If you want to shower on site, be sure to give yourself a little extra time as there can be a wait for the unisex shower rooms, each of which is stocked with MALIN+GOETZ products.
• Go in with a bath towel as there are none inside the shower area. Also, because there is no dedicated locker room, you need to dress before exiting, so the transition time is a bit longer.
I can see why Y7 has a dedicated fan base. The dark and heated room, no mirrors, and motivating music make the class fun and my 50-minute session flew by quickly. There are six New York area studios; virtual classes for at-home practice are also available online.
Tone House
32 E 31st Street
The moment I walked in the door at Tone House, I felt like I was part of a team. From the enthusiasm, friendliness, and camaraderie of the front desk to the women I encountered in the locker room to the class instructor and participants in the gym, I never once felt like I didn’t belong.
I took two of the signature classes; a strength class geared for all levels and a few days later, an intermediate conditioning class. The conditioning classes are offered in introductory, intermediate, and advanced options. Both classes had about 15 participants — the very fit instructors had us break the ice with a group cheer. Class began with a series of warmup drills, followed by segments that included strength training and sprinting. We cheered each other on as we pulled weighted sleds, lunged across the floor carrying sandbags, and worked on sets of heavy deadlifts.
The coaches are all accomplished athletes who explained proper form and technique along the way and demonstrated proper movement. The small class size allowed for individualized attention and modifications. In addition to fitness classes, Tone House offers recovery coaching, private training, and nutritional services.
The classes weren’t easy, but I left feeling strong, accomplished, and exhilarated. It was by far the most interactive class I experienced and I left both times ready for more. While I suspect you can certainly drop in, regular attendance and a mix of strength and conditioning will yield the best results. The locker room was large, clean and stocked with Hawthorne soaps and shampoos. For the brave, there was a cold tub for a post workout recovery. The pricing is boutique, with discounts for multiple classes. My take? Absolutely worth it. See you soon Tone House!
Tone House offers 10 class options each weekday, six on weekends.