the why: i don’t know what it is about summer, but despite all the sports & outdoor activities, the season is usually when i’m in my worst physical shape of the year. the irony is, of course, it’s also the time of year when clothes are the skimpiest. but between bbqs, happy hours, weekend trips, and too many bowls of guac, those extra 5-7 lbs always sneak up by august.

now that i’ve been in town more consistently, i’ve made getting fit a big Fall priority. combined with a strict(ish?) diet monday-friday, i’m working through the last of the summer pudge and feeling better physically and mentally. as result, today i thought it would be fun to share my favorite places in NYC to break a sweat, as well as some new gear to inspire you to get that booty in motion.

the program: i’m on of those people who bores easily of the same routine, so i mix up several things–including running, barre, spin class, boxing, and yoga. if i had to pin down a typical week, it’s 2 runs, 2 yogas and a barre class, but i work out with a boxing trainer once or twice a month and swap out spin for cardio when my knee is bothering me. i also lean on spin in the dead of winter when i can’t bring myself to run outside in negative temps. very occasionally my crossfit crazed boyfriend drags me to barry’s bootcamp, which is a painful, yet effective experience. in my humble opinion, if you have to pick just one workout to do regularly– do yoga. it lengthens your limbs, it’s the perfect mental calm, and if you’re going to the right classes, it’s hard enough to tone and strengthen your body the same as lifting weights. however, i also recognize how much i love to eat— and running is definitely the best way to burn those extra brunch cals.

my favorite local spots: 

• barre
  • physique 57 — a full body barre workout that’s fast paced and guaranteed to make you shakey. this studio is always packed with super fit UES moms guaranteed to motivate you.
  • barre 3 — i started doing this class when i lived in DC, it’s less bootcamp and more pilates based than other barre classes. 6am Monday/Friday classes are my favorite here because they’re not intimidating enough to make you want to hide in bed.
  • tracy anderson— the queen of micro movements (and no talking!), my roommates and I do her youtube videos as add on workouts in the evenings.
• spin
  • soul cycle— the first of the cycling studio crazes, i admit i was reluctant of all the hype at first. with the help of some friends, eventually i caved and have since found a few teachers I really like. plus you can’t beat getting in/out in just 45 minutes.
• yoga
  • yoga vida— the cheapest of all the yoga classes i’ve found in nyc, and centrally located at union square. the room can get very crowded so show up early! as a teaching studio, you always get an extremely qualified teacher (hillaria baldwin owns & started the studio). for me, it’s a classic vinyasa class can’t be beat.
  • lyon’s den— this studio is the only baptiste method in new york. it’s heated but not hot, and one of the best yoga classes i’ve ever taken (go see Emily!). i used to go to the tribeca studio occasionally, but they just added a new location in chelsea that’s super convenient, so hopefully i can make it more.
• running– i typically run the west side highway, but also love the central park 6 mile loop when i need a change of scenery
• boxing
  • Gotham Gym– i used to go here for group boxing classes back in the day, but a plethora of models (including Gigi Hadid) instagramming at this studio caused me to get slightly priced out of working out here. if you can afford it, try a month– it’s the original new york boxing locale and i’m still salty i don’t go there anymore.
  • Work Train Fight– luckily for me, my trainer Josh from Gotham moved over to Work Train Fight, where we’ve been boxing for the last year or so. i can’t speak to how the group classes are here, but it’s a great studio in Soho and worth trying a few punches out.
  • rumble– the newest kid in the boxing game, rumble opened a few months ago and has been taking nyc by storm. i describe it as “Barry’s for Boxing”– replacing the treadmill intervals with boxing on a bag. i haven’t been completely converted but this is a great option for anyone wanting to try boxing out for the first time.

what to wear: 

1– cotton tank

2– leather tote

3–printed leggings

4–rubber grip socks

5–arm weights

6– invisibobble hair ties

1– long sleeve wicking top

2– bose wireless headphones

3– light support sports bra

4– cropped tight

5– nike tempo shorts

6– running socks

7– asics gel kayano sneakers

1– champion sports bra

2– mesh athletic full legging

3– performance windbreaker

4– marble print water bottle

5– prana yoga towel

6– adidas ultra boost

cps– now that i’ve shared my secrets, i’d love to hear from you. what are your favorite ways to get fit? what gear gets you motivated? also– use code c9save25 at Target right now to get 25% off any of the champion gear i featured above!