New York is known for a lot of things and is seen as one of the best places in the world for its food, shopping and bar scene. What you may have overlooked is the extensive range of boutique fitness studios popping up all over the city. Over the last year I have made my way through a long bucket list of famous classes and now I’m giving you the skinny on all my favourites! So whether you live in New York or just visiting, there is a workout class for everyone and often will be an experience you won’t get anywhere else in the world! And even if your not a major fitness fan, the decor alone in some of the studios make a visit worthwhile. I really hope Dublin takes note and joins the boutique studio trend, I’m so over committing to the one gym!
Pop Physique
Introducing my favorite barre class to date. Pop Physique is an oh-so-hip barre workout that uses weights, core and flexibility work on the floor and, thigh- and glute-work with balls at the barre. They focus on technique and I found the class to be more difficult than an average barre class. They treat barre like an art and have designed their studios to match with fun prints and very Instagram worthy walls! They have thought of every detail from the music made to match the class, to the way the volume and lights go up and down. It’s like a performance!
Celebrity fans: Mindy Kaling, Diane Kruger, Vanessa Hudgens, Brie Larson.
View their website HERE.
WundaBar Workout
The Wundabar machine and its accompanying workout are not like just another reformer class. Amy Jordan, a Pilates instructor designed the machine and workout to be efficient and take up as little space as possible and to take as little time as possible to transition into different exercises. She designed the WundaBar to include the Reformer, Wunda Chair, Jumpboard, and a ballet barre, a “Swiss Army Knife of Pilates machines”. The class is super efficient and fun, but with no downtime. It definitely leans more towards a Pilates session in terms of speed and intensity, and because there’s an emphasis on slow, deliberate, challenging movements that come from your core and employ good form.
Celebrity fans: Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale andColin Farrell.
View their website HERE.
New York Pilates
This is hands down the most beautiful studio I have ever seen. I just want to go there and hang out, drink the kombucha on tab and celebrity spotting! No two classes are the same and instructors incorporate moves I have never done anywhere else which keeps it really interesting.
Celebrity fan: Emma Roberts, Hannah Bronfman
View their website HERE.
ANYA Aerial Yoga
So I’ll be honest, this class is far more fun than it is a workout. Don’t expect to get a big sweat in but do expect to walk out smiling, as it is the closest thing you’ll get to join a circus. I had so much fun in this class and would definitely do it again. I focus mainly on upper body strength and is a good exercise to learn to trust yourself and you swing and tumble. The best part is the meditation at the end where hang in the silks and gives you a feeling as if you are back in the womb! haha
View their website HERE.
Uplift Studios
For women, by women. Uplift Studios is all about lifting heavy weights, to be strong mentally, emotionally, and socially, as well. A studio is a place where women can come to workout, socialize, and attend events such as “Uplift Your Career” and “Uplift Your Nutrition” panel series and plenty of out-of-studio hikes, trips, and retreats. It’s more like a community than just another gym. I didn’t join as a full member, I just attended a few classes through ClassPass but would definitely consider becomes a full member. Uplift offers three amazing classes, Uplifting-HIIT, Uplifting-Sculpt Fusion, and Uplifting-Strength which are all very challenging but the instructors are super motivating in a nonintimidating way.
View their website HERE.
Shaktibarre
Located in the Williamsburg area this yoga-meets-barre studio has a mission is to empower everyone to get sweaty. It hosts both individual yoga and barre options, in addition to it’s most popular class, a mix between the two. This studio also has a cafe that you can work from or read a book after your class. It also holds sessions with Reiki and meditation experts, so you really can check off all of your health needs in one place!
“New Yorks most enlighted yoga-barre studio.”- Vogue
View their website HERE.
You can attend all of the above classes through ClassPass.
Shadowbox
Boutique-boxing studios are huge right now in New York and Shadowbox is one of the most popular with a gorgeous studio and cafe serving turmeric lattes and coffee with MCT oil. Trendy AF. Much like all boxing classes, Shadow Box incorporates cardio, strength, total-body and HIIT. The majority of the class was spent going through 7 different rounds of boxing with the heavy bag with gloves on. When you aren’t throwing punches, you’re doing burpees, lunges, mountain climbers etc, there is no rest time in this class!
Celebrity fan: Ashley Graham
View their website HERE.
