Shape Up NYC

I originally went to New York Health and Racquet Club to take their Cuerpaso class but what an amazing opportunity to review two things at once! New York Health and Racquet Club has 11 locations around the city, I went to their 21st and Park location which just opened in November 2009. The club was extremely easy to get to off the 6 Train, take it to 23rd and then walk down two blocks. It is a three-story building with large beautiful windows.

I walked in and the front desk staff could not be more friendly or helpful. They showed me to the women’s locker room which is one floor down from the main floor. The locker rooms were beautiful and spacious. They provided towels, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. The products were not a certain brand but at least they provided them. The showers were large and beautiful. The cleaning lady came around when I first got to the gym and was back as I was getting ready to leave. So you know they clean a lot. The women’s locker rooms is two levels, the lower level has a door to out to their lap pool! The pool has two lanes and is about 20 yards, it is a good size for New York.

I had gotten to class 30 minutes early so I decided to take a look around. The top-level is where all the cardio equipment is. Most of the cardio equipment looks out onto the street from the large windows which is really nice. Each treadmill is equipped with its own TV and you can hook up your iPod to it where it will not only allow you to choose your music from the screen but will also charge your iPod. All of the stair machines and ellipticals also have their own personal TVs. They have many weight machines and a wide variety. Since it just opened in November everything is very new. One of their trainers asked if  I would like him to warm me up before my class. Since I had 15 minutes to kill I did not decline. He was so helpful and gave me a pretty good warm up on the treadmill. The gym was crowded but it wasn’t bad, it did not make me feel overwhelmed or that there was not a machine available.

They have two studios located on the lower level with their pool. The dance studio and the spin studio. The spin studio is like any other and the dance studio is rather small but not too bad. It could fit about 20 people to a class and has all the equipment you would need. They offer 600 weekly classes throughout all of their locations, including, Cuerpaso, which I suggest you try.

Each location offers different amenities which include: classes, lap pools, basketball courts, racquet ball and squash courts, and rock climbing. Right now you can join NYHRC for $99 a month with a $99 initiation fee but the prices are always changing and depending on what you are looking for they can probably give you a better deal. The $99 includes all of their 11 locations around the city and includes their Beach Club in Westchester, NY. Not a bad way to get out of the city in the summer. The clientele is a little older from Crunch but not by much. For the price and what they offer I think NYHRC is a better deal! I am even thinking of joining myself. I had an amazing experience and would love to check out their other locations.

Images from NYHRC.

Filed under: Gyms Tagged: | Gym, New York, New York Health and Racquet Club