Since I started my fitness journey a few years ago, I have been incorporating working out and healthy food into my everyday life. The healthy food idea does not transition so well on vacation. I write this after finishing 10 fresh dumplings, a large bowl of noodle soup and a bag of Takis 🙂 But if this blog is about anything, it is about balance, right? So before I venture anywhere, I first look to see what fun or interesting fitness classes there are in the area. On one of my past trips to NYC, I took classes at Y7 Flatiron (hip hop warm yoga), SoulCycle Park Slope, F45 Flatiron and completed a long run for half marathon training.  Whew!  I was exhausted but I had so much fun.

I packed one workout outfit for each day that I would be on vacation with an extra just in case. I had these double as my pajamas to save some room in my suitcase.

Running + Y7 Flatiron

On Saturday, I ran from my friend’s apartment in Brooklyn to the Y7 Flatiron Studio because my training for my second half marathon started the weekend before. It was a total of about 5 miles. It was a great way to see the city but I was much slower than I would have liked due to stopping for traffic, taking pictures, and just looking around.

As you may already know by reading this blog, I am obsessed with Y7.  Even walking up the stairs makes my heart literally skip a beat. It is a hip hop yoga class with a warm, mirrorless room. They create such a great environment where you feel like you are sweating out all of your problems. If you are in NYC (or LA), do yourself a favor and book a class. I highly recommend buying “class+towel+mat” package because you sweat so much, you are going to need the towel and the sweat cover for the mat.

SoulCycle Park Slope

My one rule when I travel is that the fitness classes I take can not have a Boston location.  I was looking to do an indoor surfing class but it was raining and I was really in the mood for a SoulSurvivor class at SoulCycle, so I booked one at the Park Slope location on Sunday.  It was low key the BEST SoulCycle class I have ever done. The music was on point and the balance between hills/pushes and moments to catch your breath were perfect. I took Anthony’s class, but I’m sure that all the instructors are great!

SHOUT OUT – When I went to book the class online, I clicked on the package of 50 classes instead of paying for one class. Basically, instead of being charged $37, I was charged almost $3,700.00. I called the Park Slope location immediately and spoke with Andrew who was AHMAZING. He talked me through the reversal of the charges and made sure that I kept the same bike. I know that SoulCycle can be expensive but the customer service and quality of their classes are truly unparalleled.

F45 Flatiron

Before leaving to head back to Boston, I really wanted to try F45. I had seen some amazing YouTubers like Zanna Van Dijk, Grace Fit UK, and Tally Rye try it out and they seemed to really like it. I booked the 12:15-1:00 pm class adjacent at their Flatiron location so that I could complete the class, shower and get right on the train at Penn Station.

I have to say that this was one of the best fitness classes I have ever taken. I took the “Bears” course with Heather and had a phenomenal time. F45 is set up as a series of circuits where you complete an exercise over and over again until you have to either take a 10 second break, or move on to the next exercise. There was really no down time and I absolutely loved it. Heather was walking around helping to make sure we had good technique and was encouraging us to push harder. I am so excited for F45’s new studios to open in Boston!

Any other fitness classes that you think I should try on my next trip to the Big Apple? Let me know in the comments below!