Unleash your inner jock: Fitness classes for sports lovers

Photo credit: Allison Giardina runs the Black Diamond workout at New York Sports Club.

Although many workouts are aimed at just getting you in shape, there are increasingly more offered that are designed for the sports enthusiast. No more boring aerobics classes? Sounds good to us!

Black Diamond Workout
New York Sports Club
151 E. 86th St., 212-860-8630, Mysportsclubs.com, FREE and open to members and non-members
New York Sports Club just started offering the Black Diamond workout, a program designed specifically for recreational skiers. Although it is designed to help skiers get into the best possible shape before hitting the slopes, in order to avoid the torn ligaments and broken bones that can result from skiing mishaps, the workout also has a lot to offer those that have never set foot on a snow-covered mountain.

"It's [A\]all-encompassing workout for any type," explained trainer Allison Giardina. "Hopefully, I can inspire others to take up skiing or snowboarding."

Spindurance
Equinox locations
85th St. and 3rd Ave., 44th St. and Lexington Ave., 33rd St. and Park Ave., 212-774-6363, Equinox.com, members only
Harlan Matusow's Spindurance class attracts both the serious cyclist and those who only ride a stationary bike.

"The class does appeal to cyclists because of its emphasis on technique and cadence," Matusow said. "It also provides great aerobic maintenance in the off-season."

Matusow says it's not uncommon for some of his more uninitiated students to ask how they can pursue cycling outside of the gym. Given the fact that Matusow has been coaching the New York City chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training since 1999, he's certainly the right person to ask.

Yoga for Runners
I.AM.YOU Studio
132 Mulberry St., #6E, 347-320-9356, $25-45
Studio owner, yoga instructor and avid runner Lauren Imparato was inspired to develop a yoga program geared specifically towards runners after seeing the wear and tear running was having on her own legs. Imparato offers private yoga lessons to runners looking to prevent injury and avoid building up the kind of bulky leg muscles that are often the byproduct of the sport.

"It specifically targets the muscles that need to be repaired and the ones that need to be built," explained Imparato.

She also boasts that 100% of the runners who have taken her classes have avoided injury in their subsequent races and events.

SurfSET Fitness
The Sports Center at the Chelsea Piers
Pier 60, 20th St. and Hudson River Park, 212-336-6000, free for members, $35 for nonmembers
The SurfSET fitness classes reproduce the experience of surfing indoors and on dry land. The workout aims to provide the kind of slim, toned and lean physique typically achieved by avid surfers.

The experience of navigating the waves is simulated by the RipSurfer X, which is essentially a surfboard atop some inflatable medicine balls. It's an effective (and fun) workout.

Swim Team
Equinox
97 Greenwich Ave., 212-774-6363, Equinox.com, members only
Equinox's Swim Team is a group swim class for more advanced swimmers, specifically those that can swim 100 yards freestyle during the hour class, although the instructor will adjust the program for the members' various skill levels. It's a rigorous class that is especially great for those training for a triathlon or anyone with a competitive swimming background. It also attracts people who have taken a break from the sport and are looking to get back into it. Swim Team particularly works the back, shoulders arms and legs, in addition to the core.

The class is taught by Ellis Peters, a member of the American Swim Coaching Association and a former USS swim team coach. He's been teaching water aerobics since 1995.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Delicious
• Digg
• Stumble Upon