Review: New York Health and Racquet Club Cooper Square

Posted on February 25, 2010 by kymarie13

So my overall goal is to visit most of the gyms in New York City so you have a good idea of what to expect before you decide which gym would be the best fit for you. Two days ago I visited the Cooper Square location of the New York Health and Racquet Club (NYHRC) and I loved it. NYHRC is by far my favorite health club I have visited thus far, I know I still have a 9 locations to visit after this but they have not disappointed me yet. The Cooper Square location is located right off the 6 train at Astor Place on Cooper Square in between 6th and 7th Streets.

NYHRC is located in the Carl Fischer Building building, that was erected in 1926. It is a beautiful historic building. NYHRC occupies three floors. The first floor holds: free weights, weight machines, the rock climbing wall (which is two stories, it’s  a little small but it gets the job done), the spin studio and their juice bar. The second floor which is more like half a floor holds all of their cardio equipment (all of their cardio equipment is brand new with individual TVS and iPod hook ups) and a few punching bags. The bottom floor has their dance studio, locker rooms and whirl pool with a waterfall.

One of the best things about this club is their staff, everyone was extremely helpful and made sure I was taken care of. I am not even a member and I felt right at home at this club. I went around 6pm and it was not too crowded which was great. The clientele at this location is mixed not too old and not super young but I am sure there are many Cooper Union Students that go here, it’s so close to their school. I think they said this location was 7 years old and it looks great! It was extremely clean and all the machines were up to date. The only thing I would improve is the showers and locker rooms, they were not bad but not the best. They have a great variety of classes at this location which I love and they are the only location with a rock wall and juice bar.

If you are interested in joining NYHRC (and if you don’t have a gym yet, I highly recommend you check it out) go see Joe Oginski, membership consultant, at Cooper Square. He has been the most helpful and nicest membership consultant I have dealt with. He did not jump down my throat about joining, he answered every question and concern I had, and was up front about everything. It was one of the most pleasant experiences I have had with a membership consultant. He even gave me a smoothie at their juice bar!

As for prices until Sunday, February 28th, you can join with no commitment for $99 a month with an initiation fee of $49. If you sign a year contract it will be $99 a month with an initiation fee of $9. All 11 locations are included in this price (most locations have a pool and two of them have sun decks) and that also includes their beach club, yacht, and discounts at their partner Tennis and Golf locations. I heard the price will be going up after February 28th so this is a great time to join. I didn’t want to join another health club but I think I may have to reconsider now.

Images from NYHRC.

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Review: 24 Hour Fitness Madison Square Park

Posted on February 22, 2010 by kymarie13

Today I went to check out 24 Hour Fitness in Madison Square Park. It’s located on the Northwest corner of Madison Square Park between 5th Ave and Madison. The easiest way to get there is the R/W train 28th street location or the 6 train 28th street location. I had read many mixed reviews before I went so I didn’t know what to expect. The lobby has a circular front desk when you walk in. A juice bar is to the  right and membership services are to the left. The front desk staff was very friendly and found someone to show me the club right away. Even though it was 6:45 there were membership representatives there which is very nice because at most gyms their membership representatives leave at 6:00pm.

All the cardio machines are located on the street level. Each cardio machine has their own TVs and iPod hook up so you can listen to your music or iPod workout. They have bikes, treadmills (that range between 25 degrees and 45 degrees), stair climbers, and various ellipticals. For being 7pm in New York City, there were surprisily a lot of machines open which is nice. The lower level has all of their weight machines, free weights, stretching room, spin room, and dance studio. There are about 25 bikes in the spin studio and the dance studio is very spacious. They offer a variety of different classes that you do not have to pay extra for.  All their machines are nicely spaced out so you don’t feel to claustrophobic. The only area that felt a little tight was the free weights. The locker rooms have all the amenities you need: towels, soap, shampoo, a few blow dryers, and razors. They also offer monthly locker and laundry service.

The club was really clean which I was very impressed with. The membership representative was very nice and answered any and all questions I had. Now for pricing. There is a $29.99 initiation fee, which is waived if you are a student. The club is a month to month membership. When you join you pay the first and last month (whenever your last month is). Right now the monthly fee is $69.99 but on Thursday, February 25th they are raising their prices to $110 a month. This monthly fee includes all locations in New York. In New York there are 3 locations. Madison Square Park, Soho, and 53rd street (this location has a pool). All 24 Hour Fitness Clubs in New York are Ultra Fitness which means all amenities are included in your monthly price. Also all clubs are open 24 hours a day, kind of crazy but apparently there are people who come at crazy hours.

24 Hour Fitness Clubs are privately owned, they were started in the West Coast and if you look at the map you can see they are everywhere, they are now trying to expand their clubs on the East Coast. You have probably heard of 24 Hour Fitness on Biggest Loser, as all of the trainers on that show are from 24 Hour Fitness.

Overall I was very impressed, it was super clean and offered everything I needed. I really like the $69.99 a month price but $110 will be pushing it for me.

Images from 24 Hour Fitness.

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Review: Clay Gym

Posted on February 16, 2010 by kymarie13

Clay is very different from any gym I have visited thus far. The motto for Clay is “Our Temple for Yours” which describes the gym perfectly. Clay was established in 2002, the philosophy is “To support each member in his or her individual pursuit of health, accomplished through the integration of physical training, mindful exercise and nutritional guidance.” The bylaws were even written by their members.

Clay is a very peaceful place, the whole atmosphere exudes it. To get to the gym you need to go up two flights of stairs and then everything is located on one floor. The gym is mostly white with little accents all around. In the middle of the gym sits a beautiful fireplace where the members can come and relax before or after there workouts. Placed all around the gym are coolers with cold lotus towels that you can use after your workout. They smell amazing! The cardio area is well spaced out and wasn’t crowded at all. Each treadmill has their own TV! The workout equipment and machines are spaced out and grouped in different zones. So you don’t feel claustrophobic while walking around. They have two studios where they offer a variety of different classes. They also offer semi-private pilates classes, personal training and nutrition counseling.

The locker rooms are very nice, a little outdated but very nice, they offer all the normal amenities like towels, shampoo, ect. Each of the lockers is a keypad so there is no need for locks. Outside of the locker room is a lounge where you can check your email on their computer and it is the only place cell phones are allowed to be used (this rule was created by the members). I love that cell phones can’t be used in the gym. It gives you a place to escape. They also have a spa and personal saunas that you can use. Located near the front is a little cafe where you can get juice and snacks.

Overall it is a beautiful gym. It is very peaceful which is a nice change from many of the gyms I have visited. The clientele is much older for this gym. You will not find college students roaming around. If you are looking for a peaceful get away for your workouts this is the place. They only have one location which is at 25 West 14th Street. Right outside of Union Square between Avenue of Americas and 5th Avenue. Very easy to get to from any subway that stops in Union Square.

Prices are much more expensive than most clubs. The initiation fee to join is $500 but they run promotions throughout the year so maybe you will join while they are offering a promotion. Monthly dues are $180 a month if you sign a year contract or $200 a month with no contract. They also offer a discount rate if you pay for the entire year up front.

Like I said it is a beautiful gym and a peaceful get-a-way not exactly the speed I am looking for right now but it was beautiful! They offered me two weeks for free so I will be able to tell  you all about the classes! I am so excited! I can’t wait to tell you about my experience.

Images from Clay.

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Review: Nimble Fitness

Posted on February 16, 2010 by kymarie13

“Nimble Fitness was established in 2005 and began as a small personal training studio. Today we have expanded into a 3000 sq ft fitness facility, offering integrated personal training, cutting edge classes and holistic workshops and seminars. Our trainers and instructors are experts who have been quoted and referenced by many media outlets, including Shape, People Magazine and Time Out NY.  In 2009 Citysearch voted Nimble Fitness “best personal training” in New York City.”

Nimble Fitness was founded by three guys: Daniel Lucas, Keith Paine, and Antonio Sini. As it says above they just moved into a new space. I just went there this morning to try one of their classes Nimble Fusion. There new space is located at 42 East 12th Street between Broadway and University. It is very easy to get to from any Subway that has a stop in Union Square. The space is very nice, not huge but very nice. It is primarily a personal training studio. When you walk in there is a couple of cardio machines (1 or 2 treadmills and a bike), behind the main desk is a larger room with a pilates reformer machine and weights. The locker rooms have keypad lockers, one shower and a place to change. It is small but nice.

The studio is located downstairs where they hold their classes. The studio is a great space! I really liked it, I think it is great they offer small classes. The one I tried was not my favorite but I hope the others are better. The classes they offer right now are: Nimble Fusion, Soul Mat, Spin, Lunchtime Express, and Yoga Foundations. Along with classes they also offer: Personal Training, Holistic Lifestyle Coaching, and Smart Company Wellness programs. For pricing call Nimble Fitness at (212) 633-9030 or e-mail info@nimblefitness.com.

Overall its a nice small space. This is not a gym but more of an expanded personal training studio.

Image from Nimble Fitness.

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Review: Exhale Spa

Posted on February 12, 2010 by kymarie13

So I have reviewed almost all the classes but I haven’t told you about Exhale Spa.

“Exhale is a new breed of spa – merging the paths of mind and body wellbeing and fulfilling the need for an experience that improves and transforms lives in one environment. The core of exhale is a unique and talented team of individuals with a genuine passion for helping people bridge the mind and body to improve overall wellbeing. With plans to grow their well being paradigm to 20 spas over the next few years, exhale currently operates spa and studios in carefully selected upscale locations in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Florida, Los Angeles, Turks + Caicos, and has several additional spas in development.”

Exhale Spa is a unique kind of gym, but I wouldn’t even call it that. It is a Spa that offers Core Fusion and Yoga classes that focus on your wellbeing. There is no fitness equipment so don’t expect to find that there. They offer four different Core Fusion classes: Core Fusion, Core Fusion Sport, Core Fusion Yoga, and Core Fusion Cardio (coming soon). They offer a variety of different yoga classes. The one thing that I really like in New York is all of their teachers rotate locations so if you have a favorite teacher you do not have to worry about going to one location to find them. In New York Exhale has 6 locations: Central Park South (Midtown), Upper East Side, Soho, Gansevoort, Manhattan House, and Bridgehampton.

Central Park South: Is their main location. It has a full spa with two studios; a yoga studio and a Core Fusion Studio. It also has beautiful locker rooms with showers and all the amenities you would need after class including their GRN products. I heard it can get really crowded on the weekends in their core fusion classes.

Soho: Is a temporary location, they should be moving into a new studio in about a year. It only has one studio and no locker rooms. But there is a bathroom you can change in. It offers all the Core Fusion classes and a couple of yoga classes. Tip: The 5:30pm and 6:35pm classes are the busiest classes during the week so make sure to reserve a spot early. On the weekends the busiest classes are 11am.

Gansevoort: Is located in the meatpacking district in the lower level of the Gansevoort Hotel. It has one studio, spa, and locker rooms. The locker room is pretty small but it has showers and lockers to put your stuff in. The studio sadly has no windows. It offers both yoga and core fusion classes. They do not offer as many classes as other locations because it is a smaller studio. In the summer they offer classes on the rooftop of the Gansevoort, I didn’t get to try last summer but I heard it was amazing so next summer I will be checking it out.

As for the Upper East Side and Bridgehampton I have not been able to visit those locations but as soon as I do I will let you know what I think. The Manhattan House location is part of an Apartment building and is only offered to residents.

As for pricing it is pretty expensive. In New York they offer a couple of different options. For all access to all locations and unlimited yoga and core fusion classes it is $285 a month (3 month commitment) or $265 a month with a 12 month contract. They offer a special price for unlimited classes at the Soho location (because it is a temporary studio) $170 a month (3 month commitment) or $150 a month with a 12 month contract. If you would like access to all downtown locations (Soho and Gansevoort) it is $205 a month. You can also buy single or multiple class packages and if you are a member of Rue La La they offer specials for Exhale every couple of months so keep an eye out for that. If you are not a member of Rue La La or don’t know what it is and want more information or to be a member e-mail me and I will invite you!

The special the offer for new students is an unlimited week of Core Fusion and Yoga at any location for $40. It is a great deal if you have never tried a class because one class is $30. For more information on classes or spa services visit their website www.exhalespa.com.

  • Pros: Amazing classes, friendly/helpful staff, multiple locations, I can see the results since I have been here
  • Cons: Very expensive, no cardio machines or other equipment, only offers Core Fusion classes and yoga

I have been a member since June 2009 and I am very happy here. Everyone knows me by name and if I ever have any concerns or questions about my progress they are always there to help. It has been a great experience and I highly recommend trying it if you haven’t.

Images from Exhale.

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