Review: Nimble Fusion at Nimble Fitness

Posted on February 16, 2010 by kymarie13

Loot Booker, a new component to Life Booker, was having a special for a new gym called Nimble Fitness. Nimble Fitness is located right near Union Square on 12th street. They were offering classes for $12 so I decided I would try it! This morning I went to a class they call Nimble Fusion. They have it every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:35am. The class description on the website is: “This open level class will rejuvenate the body with a combination of yoga, pilates, calisthenics, cardio sets, and stretching.  Prepare to feel taller, lighter, stronger and more limber – not to mention sweaty!“

The instructor was a substitute because the main teacher was gone. She was very nice, not too energetic which might have made the early morning a little bit better. In the class we used mats, a ball, and a roller. I was one of two people in the class so that was nice. It was not over crowded. Now going off the class description it was a combination of yoga, pilates, and stretching. There was not a lot of calisthenics, cardio sets, or sweating. There was actually no sweating at all. I don’t know if I feel lighter, taller, or stronger, but I do feel more limber. It was a very relaxing class but I don’t know if it lives up to its class description. I liked using the roller because that really activated my core and I liked the stretching but overall I did not love the class. I do not think I would take that class again.

It was a great space but not an amazing class. If you are looking to get a good stretch and more of a relaxing toned down class this would be good. But it will not get you sweating. They offer a couple more classes, maybe I will give one of those a try and let you know if it’s any better.

Image from Nimble Fitness.

Filed under: Workouts | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

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.

Filed under: Gyms | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Review: Body Enlightening at Exhale Spa

Posted on February 4, 2010 by kymarie13

Today I decided to try a Massage and Body Therapy at Exhale Spa with Fred Devito. The massage therapy I tried is called Body Enlightening. It is a 60 minute session that is a mix of Thai massage, a little acro yoga, stretching and relaxation. The sessions are held at the Exhales Spa locations at Central Park South and the Upper East Side. You should wear comfortable clothing like yoga pants and a tank top. If you are like me, I had no idea what Thai Yoga massage or acro yoga was, so I was in for a complete surprise this morning. But it was the most amazing massages I have had.

I found out that Thai massage is also called “Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Many people say Thai massage is like doing yoga without any work. Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure are also used during treatment. Thai massage is both relaxing and energizing.” Acro yoga is partner yoga.

After a 60 minute session with Fred I felt refreshed and so much better. My muscles had held so much tension from all the Core Fusion and exercise classes I have done, this was the perfect complement to everything I had done to my body. Why would you do a Body Enlightening session and not a normal table massage? Body Enlightening is really good for athletes, dancers, or anyone that does a lot of fitness classes, running ect, that puts a lot of strain on your body. Since the massage is done in clothing it gives you more freedom to move and stretch than a table massage. In the past I would always go get a deep tissue massage because I thought that would help relieve a lot of the tension I held, but every time I left disappointed. It was extremely relaxing, don’t get me wrong, but they didn’t get to where all my tension was and Body Enlightening did. The best way to describe it is, assisted  stretching, similar to what they do after a personal training session but much more focused.

If you workout a lot or have taken a lot of Core Fusion classes, I recommend that you try a Body Enlightening session, you will leave feeling refreshed and relaxed. It was funny after my session with Fred I asked him “So why do you call it Body Enlightening?” And he said “Well how do you feel right now?” My answer, ” Enlightened and refreshed”. There really wasn’t a better way to describe it :) .  For more information on Body Enlightening visit Exhale’s website. One session costs $155 which is very comparable to any massage you can get. Believe me, it is worth it. One note to think about if you decide to try, you must be able to let yourself go, do not hold any tension.

Images from Minnesota Gal.


Filed under: Fashion/Beauty/Health | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Review: Bikram Yoga Manhattan

Posted on January 31, 2010 by kymarie13

Today I decided to try Bikram Yoga Manhattan at their Soho location. It is located on Spring street between Wooster and Broadway. The location was great and pretty easy to get too. They are located on the 4th floor. When I walked up the stairs I was instructed to take off my shoes before I entered and then I entered a very small lobby with one bench and a desk. I filled out all the necessary paperwork and was given the new student special, one week unlimited for $20. The prices are not too bad, $125 a unlimited month with a 12 month contract and $140 a unlimited month with a 6 month contract. I walked back to the dressing room which was extremely small, there were two showers and hardly any room to change. I quickly hung my stuff up and went into the studio. The studio was also small (shocker) but luckily I had gotten there early and got a good spot. The first thing I noticed was the smell, it was horrible, which is not uncommon in a Bikram studio but it was pretty bad. In about 10 minutes the entire room was filled and we had to start squeezing together to fit everyone (at least it seems to be popular).

Finally class started, Pamela was the teacher for this class. She was very nice and helpful. Not like my last experience. She respected everyone’s levels and was always there to help. Once again I went through “the why am I doing this to myself phase” but by the end of class I was happy that I had gone. It was a good class and I got an amazing workout.

After I crammed into the changing room and kept bumping into people I grabbed my stuff and got out. Once I was out I realized I had left my water bottle in the changing room but I had already gone to far to go back so I tried to call them to ask them to hold it until I could come get it but all of their phone numbers are automated! I was pretty upset, it was a Lululemon water bottle :( .

So overall my experience was okay.

  • Pro’s: The teacher was very friendly and helpful, 4 locations, decent prices
  • Con’s: Too small, too crowded, smelled horrible, and an automated phone system

In my opinion I have to say that I like Bikram Yoga Union Square better. I still have one place left to try though, I will let you know when I try it.

Filed under: Workouts | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Review: Core Fusion Yoga at Exhale Spa

Posted on January 29, 2010 by kymarie13

Core Fusion Yoga (Previously known as Core Fusion Energy Flow) is another one of the Yoga classes I love. Core Fusion Yoga is more of a high energy type of yoga. The recommend it as another cardio class you can add to your Core Fusion experience.

“Developed by Elisabeth Halfpapp, one of the innovators of Core Fusion®, Core Fusion® yoga is yet another transformational experience efficiently programmed into a 60-minute class that is fueled by music. Designed to shift your energy and improve overall wellbeing, Core Fusion® Yoga inspires guests with a combination of yoga asanas that raise the body’s heat and increase cardio endurance, intense core functional training to strengthen and tone the core, Qi Gong circular movements, and stretching to move energy and produce a state of inner calm and balance. Previous Yoga Experience is recommended.”

They recommend having previous yoga experience but you can get away without having any previous experience, the instructors work with you and will be happy to help you along the way. The one thing that may confuse you is the terminology of the poses, if you don’t know the terminology you may get a little lost but you can follow along and before you know it downward dog will be your new best friend. Core Fusion Yoga does not use any weights, balls, or resistance bands. It consists of a lot of weightbearing exercises and different yoga poses. “Weightbearing describes any activity you do on your feet that works your bones and muscles against gravity. Bone is living tissue that constantly breaks down and reforms. When you do regular weightbearing exercise, your bone adapts to the impact of weight and pull of muscle by building more cells and becoming stronger.”

Core Fusion Yoga lasts and hour and you will work up quite a sweat before you are finished. I would suggest wearing yoga pants and a tank top to class. If you have never done Yoga this may be a class to try, it will be more upbeat (as they play fun music during the class) and it is an higher-energy class (you will work up more of a sweat). Two amazing teachers I have had are: Kayleigh Pleas and Myra Thibault.

If you don’t know any yoga poses and would like to get to know some of the terminology  Yoga Journal has a really good Yoga Poses Library.

Pictures from Exhale Spa.

Filed under: Workouts | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

Next Page »

  • Stay Connected

        
  • Follow Me on Pinterest

  • See my Inspiration on:

  • About Me

    Hello! My name is Kristine and I live and work in New York City. Since I have been here I have realized how hard it is to maintain a healthy balance while living in the City. Work starts to consume your life and you can get lost in everything around you.

    This blog is where you can read my journey on trying to maintain a healthy balance. I won't be perfect but then again it wouldn't be fun to read if I was.

  • Grab A Button

    Shape Up NYC

    <a href="http://shapeupnyc.com"><img src="http://shapeupcity.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/shapeupbutton.jpg" alt="Shape Up NYC" width="150" height="153" /></a>

  • Disclaimer

    I'm neither dietitian nor a physician, I just share what I learn through various Nutritionists, self exploration, and trial/error. I love learning about new ways to stay healthy and in shape. I wanted to share what I learn with others, so thats why Shape Up NYC is here.

  • Blog Design By

    The Blog Fairy