BY JANE ARGODALE | In the summer, free fitness programming abounds in Manhattan, with a variety of classes taught by first-rate instructors and the possibility of free goodies from corporate sponsors. Over the last week, I attended three such classes in three different locations — the Meatpacking District, the Flatiron District, and the High Line — and found all of them to be rewarding in some way, whether it was a totally new form of exercise to me or just a really, really good workout. After all, anything that’s free and gets you moving is worth a try.
If you are willing to risk the possibility of passersby seeing you publicly struggle through your push-ups, and can do without the typical gym comforts of a changing room and bathroom, the following programs are a great opportunity to get in shape without spending any money. Remember to show up to classes early, in order to check in and sign a waiver before instruction starts.
MEATPACKING SWEAT SESSIONS | Sponsored by the wellness and travel design firm Wellthily and the Meatpacking Business Improvement District, Sweat Sessions take place almost every Tuesday in Hudson River Park’s 14th St. Park (10th Ave. btw. W. 14th & W. 15th Sts.) through August. The program offers a variety of free fitness classes led by local instructors, that range from Lululemon Yoga to Exhale Core Fusion Barre. I attended the latter. As a yoga enthusiast, I found it difficult to adjust to a fitness class where the instructor yelled directions into a headset over blaring Top 40 tunes. Unlike a typical yoga class, which is more soothing in tone regardless of how challenging the class may be, Exhale Core Fusion Barre felt like boot camp. The class went by quickly though, and was definitely a good workout.
After 45 minutes of fast-paced, ballet and yoga-influenced aerobic and bodyweight strength exercises, I left feeling incredibly sore in muscles I didn’t even know I had. The soreness lasted two days, and I also think my abs were slightly more visible the next morning. The exercises mainly target the abs, glutes, and thigh muscles, though a few arm and chest exercises were included as well. If you like your fitness tough, quick, and with as little sugar-coating as possible, Exhale Core Fusion Barre is the way to go.
Exercise mats and other necessary equipment are provided. After the classes, complimentary snacks and hydrating drinks are available at the Samsung-sponsored Cool Down, at the company’s building on 13th and Washington Sts. RSVP for Sweat Sessions at thesweatsessions.splashthat.com. Also visit meatpackingbid.org.
FLATIRON WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS | Sponsored by the Flatiron Business Improvement District and women’s athletic clothing company Athleta, free fitness classes take place every Wednesday from 6:30–7:30pm in the Flatiron Plaza on Broadway (btw. W. 22nd & W. 23rd Sts.). Classes are taught by local instructors from Yoga Shanti, the Mile High Run Club, ChaiseFitness, and more. Though attending the classes does entail occasionally getting a waft of unpleasant Broadway smells, the opportunity to do sun salutations while facing the Empire State Building is worth it.
I attended the Yoga Shanti Sweat class. As a regular practitioner of yoga, I found it a tad more gentle than what I had expected. In contrast to the Meatpacking Sweat Sessions class, however, I came away relaxed and refreshed rather than frazzled and sweaty. A highlight of the class was being able to keep my eyes open during the final Savasana, or “Corpse Pose.” Lying down on my mat, I was treated to a gorgeous view of the Flatiron Building reaching up into a clear blue sky.
Mats are provided, though attendees are encouraged to bring their own. Participants receive goodie bags from Athleta and a substantial complimentary smoothie sample from Flatiron Green Cafe after the class. Visit flatirondistrict.nyc/summer2016 for schedule and RSVP links.
TAI CHI ON THE HIGH LINE | Taking place right underneath the Standard Hotel on the High Line at Little W. 12th St., and taught by members of W. 29th St.-based Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA, this class is less of a test of strength and flexibility, and more of a test of coordination. Though a quick glance at my classmates indicated that I was probably the only one in attendance under the age of 40 (in stark contrast to the young professionals I exercised alongside at Flatiron and Meatpacking), smoothly moving through the poses of this Chinese martial arts-influenced exercise form proved difficult for me in my early morning jittery, over-caffeinated state.
The instructor didn’t provide a ton of direction, but I found the easiest way to learn and improve in the class was to watch and copy the instructor’s and classmates’ slow, deliberate movements. If you are young and in good shape, the class won’t test your body — but it will certainly test your mind.
No special equipment is required, though comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended. Classes are an hour long and take place through September, every Tuesday at 9:30am. For more information, and to RSVP, visit thehighline.org/activities/tai-chi. Also visit taoist.org/usa.
