NYC workout guide
A guide to a handful of workout classes in Manhattan for all abilities and styles
Photography by Ming Yuan/The Barnard Bulletin
By Izzy Pope
November 15, 2024
Staying healthy and exercising in the city can be challenging, especially as the weather gets colder and outdoor activities become less appealing. However, New York City has many great options for individuals who want to maintain their fitness, including exercise classes, which often offer student discounts or good deals on class packs. Of course, Dodge or the Lefrak fitness center are always options, but sometimes a different environment can be stimulating. So, consider one of these classes when you need a fun workout in the city.
If you want to trek to Soho and spot an influencer in class, this is the place to go. Their studios are well designed and they tailor classes specifically to your needs and any injuries or limitations you may have. They focus on slow and isolated movements, which is more typical of classical pilates. However, if you want to break a sweat, look elsewhere.
Difficulty: 2/5
Cost for a single class: $50
Location: Soho, West Village, Bowery, Flatiron
Fuze House has my heart. An aesthetic, Bala-clad studio. Cleansers and moisturizers post-class. Protein bars and OUAI hair products. What more could a girl want? Not to mention the SWEATY (emphasis on sweaty) workout that will leave you feeling like a new person. 100-degree room, ab-focused mat pilates, love, love, love! Somehow, Fuze House has managed to make it feel like 48 dollars for an hour of workout is not a highway robbery, and for that, I applaud them.
Difficulty: 4/5
Cost for a single class: $48
Location: Chelsea
Core Power Yoga has multiple locations across the city, the closest near the 72nd subway stop. Offering a range of hot yoga classes at different levels and intensities, there’s a class for everyone. My personal favorite is Yoga Sculpt, a high-intensity weighted yoga class with a cardio portion. Every class feels welcoming and will leave you feeling calmer and more ready for whatever your week holds.
Difficulty: 3/5
Cost for a single class: $40 (20% off for students)
Location: UWS
Solidcore is hard—there is no other way to describe it. You may question your existence the entire time you're in there, but you will get results fast. It is a reformer class that I would say is more similar to Lagree than Pilates, meaning it focuses more on strength training than mobility. Nonetheless, it is fairly low impact, great for building core strength, and muscle endurance without putting too much stress on the joints. If you're ready for a challenge, Solidcore will push your limits while offering a safe, controlled workout.
Difficulty: 5/5
Cost for a single class: $43
Location: W 57th, Brooklyn, East Village, Chelsea and more
SoulCycle is a high-intensity spin class with a weighted arms portion towards the end. Take a class with James on the UWS. If there’s one thing you take away from this article, let it be this. James will heal wounds you didn’t even know you had. 45 minute spin class? More like therapy to the soundtrack of Sabrina Carpenter.
Difficulty: 3/5
Cost for a single class: $40 (30% off for students)
Location: UWS
SLT ties together cardio, strength training, and the most challenging elements of Pilates into a 50-minute exercise. If you're new to Pilates, I would recommend taking one of their ‘Essentials’ classes where the instructor will walk you through each movement more slowly. It is a similar style workout to Solidcore but without the dark room and club music. It’s definitely a hard workout and it will leave you feeling it the next day.
Difficulty: 4.5/5
Cost for a single class: $44
Location: UWS