Club Strength @ NYSC Rego Park

The class started a tad late which threw me off a little. I didn't know if I was in the wrong place. But I followed everyone else as they grabbed a yoga mat, 3 different sets of dumbbells and a big barbell (that one would use for squats). Once the class started, with Sharmane, it was fast paced with lots of reps working every different muscle on my body. We started standing working the legs with different variations of squats with and without weights. Then we moved to arms, then laid on the mats working chest, then stomach. The class ended by working the derriere and then some light stretching. All in all, I left with my legs, arms, and stomach burning. It's an in depth full body workout that will leave you sore for a day or two.

You'll need to sign up in advance for this class. Check out the schedule here!

Instructor 4/5 stars
Music 5/5 stars (some kind of Spanish house music with bass)
Workout 5/5 (you'll feel it for days!)

Core Fusion Sport @ Exhale Spa Midtown

What a difference it makes going into a spa to workout versus a gym! When you walk into this spa on Central Park South, everything screams tranquility and calm. The locker rooms are clean and each locker has a key (so no personal locks needed!). After you check in at the front desk, someone will personally escort you to the locker room and show you where your class is. So I was already quite calm before I entered into the serene yoga studio for the Core Fusion Sport class. But that quickly changed with the help of instructor, Micaela Butcher! This class is more endurance and cardio than it is yoga. The moves are quick and intense, but very easy to follow. You'll use a medicine ball (you choose either light or heavy), a resistance band and a mat. You should probably take a light and a heavy ball cause some moves are too easy with the light ball and you may want to switch it up. Micaela is very encouraging and comes around the small class to make sure that everyone has good form and is keeping up. She's energetic and friendly and definitely makes you feel comfortable even as you approach yet another set of squats. This class is very leg heavy with intense training on your thighs and butt. There's lots of push-ups and arm work and some slow ab work at the end too. It's a very well-rounded routine!

You'll need to sign up in advance for this class. Check out the schedule here!

Bodyweb @ Crunch! 38th Street

I've never used the TRX system before. But knowing that Gunnar Peterson uses it to train Jennifer Lopez and his other star clientele, I knew I had to give it a shot. What could be so hard about bands that are used for suspension training, right? Wrong. This class works muscles you didn't know you had. Everything from push-ups to planks and squats becomes easier yet so much harder at the same time. Instead of just using your legs and butt for squats, you're also using your arms to pull your weight back up with the suspension trainers. It's odd at first, but you'll love it by the end of the 45-minutes. You'll surely feel it the next day! This is a really intense full body workout that anyone can do. It's at 12:15, so if you can sneak out during the workday, I highly recommend it. It's the good kind of pain :)

You don't have to sign up in advance for this class but you'll want to sign in when you get there. Check out the schedule here!

Workout 5/5
Instructor 4/5
Music 3/5

Aerobox @ Aerospace

If you like kickboxing, you're bound to like this quick half hour cardio kickboxing class led by Michael. The jabs are fast, the kicks are high and the jumping is never-ending. Like the two other classes that I took here, you'll definitely need water and you should be prepared to sweat a lot. Unlike the previous classes, this one seems to adhere more to beginners, but that doesn't mean that you won't get a good workout in! It's a great kickboxing routine, that of course has some jump rope intervals as well.

You must sign up for this class. It gets packed!

Aerosculpt (abs) @ Aerospace

I consider myself to have strong abs, but I couldn't do half the ab moves in this class. They are so intense! Michael is really encouraging and will help you feel comfortable, but it doesn't change the fact that your entire core will be burning like crazy. It's fast-paced without much breathing room, but you'll feel the burn for days! It's a great follow up to the Aerojump class or a great warm up for the Aerobox class that comes after it. But be prepared to struggle your way though. No wonder the regulars have such tight abs!

You must sign up for this class. It gets packed!

Instructor 5/5
Music 2/5
Workout 4/5

Aerojump @ Aerospace

Remember when you were a kid and you thought you could jump rope for hours? Well this class proved that my body isn't what it used to be! Michael, the owner and instructor, doesn't believe in breaks. From fast jumps, to one legged jumps, to criss-crossing your rope, you'll do it all. And it is not easy! Imagine jumping for 30 minutes straight and then imagine doing that really quickly, with high jumps and double jumps. It's intense! Although there is no actual break or cool down, it's totally acceptable to take a breather if you need one – and chances are you will! It's amazing what some people can do with a jump rope. Expect to sweat A LOT. If you don’t like being in tight quarters with ropes flying everywhere, you may not like this one. But if you're in the mood for some killer cardio, Michael is the man. Be warned that the music is sometimes too loud and you may not be able to hear the instructor at all times.

You must sign up for this class. It gets packed!

Instructor 5/5
Music 3/5
Workout 5/5