PopSugar New York City

Afternoon Reads: Pure Barre Joins the New York Barre Scene

Marisa Tom — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST

Add Pure Barre to the ever-growing list of NYC barre classes - Well + Good NYC
Jay-Z's Rocawear capitalizes on Occupy Wall Street - Business Insider
You should check out Park Armory's Pavilion of Art & Design ASAP - Cool Hunting
Follow around in Phoebe Cates's footsteps for a week - Grub Street New York
More on the BataliGate backlash - Eater NY
Sneak peek of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Museum - Gothamist
Cosabella flagship is open - Racked NY
When life gives you a tiny apartment, make origami! - HuffPo New York

Marisa Tom — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:49:00 EST

$39 For a One-Month Membership at David Barton Gym!

"Look better naked" at one of the six David Barton Gym locations across the US - NYC, Chicago, Seattle, and Miami - with a one-month membership at a fraction of the cost. Work out in a nightclub-inspired fitness space that veers away from the constant reminders that you are, in fact, at a gym. Add to the mix swanky locker rooms, sexy classes, and a hint of glam to everything you put your mind and muscle to, and you have yourself the full-service Barton experience.

Want a Shaman With That Cleanse? RAWvolution's Got You Covered

Marisa Tom — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EDT

If you really are serious about embarking on a juice cleanse, chances are you'll need a support system. In my case, I would need all the cheerleading, distractions, and willpower I could gather, whether this motivation came from within or without. Fortunately, some people think of everything!

The East Village's RAWvolution (504 E. 12th St., 212-473-3990), by way of Los Angeles's cult juicery, has gone that extra mile with its cleanse morale boosters. Unlike other cleanse companies that offer 24/7 support hotlines (yeah, those exist too), RAWvolution has enlisted the help of an actual shaman when you opt into the juice bar's living liquid cleanse. While your body may undergo a temporary world of detox hurt, your soul will get a large dose of healing from Parashakti, founder of The Dance of Liberation. Not to say that shamanism is an easy pill to swallow, but rest assured, the soul healing is far from sweat lodges and chanting. Parashakti promises to implement lifestyle adjustments that pair well with your personal level of comfort. For example, instead of your daily morning jog, she'll create a dancing routine that keeps you moving and inspired. It's the little things that will get you through those darker detox moments, right? While I'm not on the cleanse hunt right now, I wonder - how many of you would make use of the shaman's services?

Source: RAWvolution and Parashakti

Are You Into the Idea of KiwiSweat's Fitness Pop-Ups?

Marisa Tom — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EDT

In the spirit of all things trendy, new fitness platform KiwiSweat (459 Columbus Ave. #306, 646-494-7905) has taken the likeable idea of pop-ups and merged it with a fitness routine. Or lack thereof. To avoid the boredom that can come with the perfunctory "routine" of going to the gym and repeating the same workout over and over, KiwiSweat keeps it movin' - literally. The company recruits the city's best instructors, high-energy DJs, and unique locations in order to create an exciting fitness experience. Each pop-up takes over a cool destination - its first spot happens to be Chelsea Market - for up to four weeks at a time. Classes are offered on a pay-per-class basis and there are absolutely no membership fees. I like the idea of switching up my workout venue for new scenery and hopefully by association, new motivation.

Source: KiwiSweat Facebook

Cindy Lai Fitness: Kettlebell and Bootcamp Classes For Fresh Air Fitness

Marisa Tom — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Get your fill of fresh air fitness with three kettlebell classes or three bootcamp sessions from Cindy Lai Fitness for only $39. With the great Central Park outdoors and the West Village as your not-so-typical gym backdrop, you'll burn calories rain or shine.

Get familiar with kettlebell iron weights, which offer up a unique workout unlike one with traditional weights. Lai combines kettlebells, crossfit technique, martial arts, and strength training to mix things up. Feel like going the bootcamp route? No problem. Lai's bootcamp courses are intense, fun-filled group classes that incorporate cardio, muscular endurance, plyometrics, calisthenics, and core strengthening exercises. In one hour, you'll kick-start your metabolism into high gear. From beginner to seasoned athlete, each class - maximum 12 per class for more individualized attention - ensures top results and pushes you toward your fitness goals. Not to fear, Lai is a certified personal trainer, mentor, and motivator, not a drill sergeant. So prep yourself for a challenging workout that's both motivating, fun, and sweat inducing, but never a militant chore.

SLT's Founder Amanda Freeman Shares Her Fall Fitness Tips

Marisa Tom — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EDT

I already shared four new fitness fab ways to keep your motivation up and your Fall-to-Winter slump far from view. Now founder of SLT (37 W. 57th St. #703, 212-355-1737) Amanda Freeman - and in my opinion, a mastermind behind the ultimate slim, trim, and toned look - shares her top three tips for maintaining your Summer bod priorities, as the leaves start to change.

Oh and as for preparing yourself for the SLT workout? Freeman playfully warns, "Nothing can get you fully prepped for SLT given how unique it is from other workouts. Since it combines elements of all workouts like running, cycling, yoga, Pilates, and barre classes, the more experience you have with any or all of them, the better you will be your first time." Before you dive head first into Freeman's easy-to-execute Fall fitness tips, here's one tip from yours truly: do yourself a favor and go break a sweat at SLT.

View Slideshow ›

4 New Ways to Fall Into Shape

Marisa Tom — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EDT

Three words: don't slack off. Just because your beach bummin' days are over (and therefore, bikini-bod-in-training goal diminished) doesn't mean you should relax or forgo your good fitness habits. Why not spice it up instead? Keep your workout stamina up by incorporating new classes and new studios into your stay-fit schedule. With an LA-transplant Pilates reformer class and an Equinox Printing House takeover debuting this Fall, here are four fresh ways to keep your Summer shape.

The Lotte Berk-inspired Physique 57 (2109 Broadway, Ste. 206, 212-259-0570) opened its third Manhattan location in mid-August on the Upper West Side in the historic Ansonia building. Just like the Midtown and Spring Street locations, the newest outpost offers its signature 57-minute barre classes in two sun-drenched studios. Plus, we hear there will be a handful of new workshops announced soon!

At SLT (37 W. 57th St. #703, 212-355-1737), Vital Juice cofounder Amanda Freeman introduced her successful Los Angeles workout to the East Coast just over two weeks ago. Utilizing fitness guru Sebastien Lagree's acclaimed Megaformer workout, another take on Pilates reformer, you can expect 50 minutes of high-energy music and, of course, total body strengthening, lengthening, and toning. Ahem, S-L-T. The great thing about this intense session is its small group atmosphere - each class caps out at 10.

Equinox (212-243-7600) never fails to keep things interesting. In a not-so-surprising takeover, the fitness giant acquired the squash mecca Printing House Gym at 421 Hudson St. Known for its sweeping views of downtown Manhattan, I know I'm not the only one excited to reclaim my workout in the clouds. Slated to open by the end of September, renovations include larger group fitness studios, and you can breathe a sigh of relief, as the rooftop pool remains. If a west side trek is not in the cards, try Equinox's new Fall class Pound. Think of it as a Guitar Hero-esque fusion of movement and making music. Using Ripstix, weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercising, Pound provides an effective way to break a sweat and drum like a rock star.

Founder Brian Delmonico's Circuit of Change (57 W. 16th St., Fl. 4, 212-255-0053) started as a labor of love but has now found a permanent home in Chelsea. The classes do away with the regular gym scenery - no machines and no weights in sight - in favor of seven key elements: plyometrics, resistance training, yoga, gymnastic strengthening, cardio core training, boxing, and kickboxing. And with this latest location opening, you can also opt into one-hour Vinyasa classes for only $10.

Source: Physique 57, SLT NYC, Equinox, and Jeremy Merriam

Gramercy Pilates Fitness: Private and Group Pilates Sessions

Marisa Tom — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EDT

Tone, elongate, and energize your body at the gorgeous Gramercy Pilates Fitness studio, two ways. Opt for four group Pilates machine classes for $59 or two private Pilates sessions for $79.

With the cooler climates settling in, don't fall back on hibernation habits. Instead, work toward an überfeminine, sleek dancer-esque bod and rock your thigh-high riding boots and skinniest jeans. The brand new, 2,500-square-foot Gramercy-based studio is home to some of Manhattan's most notable Pilates and Gyrotonic instructors. Translation: a longer, leaner, stronger you is just around the corner. Whether you choose to improve your agility, balance, and flexibility with two private sessions, where you'll utilize all the Pilates equipment, or take part in four group machine classes, you're guaranteed to develop a strong core, build strength without bulking up, and perfect your posture. This could be the beginning of a long, beautiful (Pilates) relationship - just sayin'.

Source: Jeremy Merriam

US Open 2011: Take Control of Your Tennis Pro Destiny

Marisa Tom — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:15:52 EDT

With the US Open in full swing and the Arthur Ashe Stadium arena filled with tennis greats, it got me thinkin'. Perhaps, it's time for a good and proper tennis refresher course? I haven't hit the courts since moving to the city years and years ago, let alone have racket with my name on it. How about you? Interested in playing doubles? Let's use this week as the motivation and inspiration to perfect our serves, ace our aces, and take the tennis court in style. Here are four solutions to your tennis skills tune-up.

Central Park Tennis Center is located in the park in the mid-90s streets. You can enter at 90th, 93rd, or 96th Street and Central Park West, or if you're already on the east side, enter on 90th or 96th Street and Fifth Avenue and head west into the park. Currently, the program is gearing up for its Winter indoor season. If you're interested in joining the club, call 212-316-0800.

USTA National Tennis Center There isn't a better tennis resource than this one for pinpointing what programs and facilities are available to you around the city. My pick from USTA? The New York Junior Tennis League.

TennisTIP Like USTA, TennisTIP provides citywide choices for new adult tennis programs, or, if you're way beyond the novice level, the site can match you with another player.

BumbleBee Tennis (347-284-6061) offers tennis players the most convenient and affordable tennis lessons in New York. All sign-ups and coordination takes place through its easy online system.

Source: US Open

Uh-Oh, Today's Yoga Flash Mob Gets the Kibosh

Marisa Tom — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EDT

UPDATE: We hear that the yoga flash mob has been called off due to serious MTA repercussions. Who would have thought that an event meant to inspire peace and unity might have resulted in arrests and strife? No, thanks. Instead, you can meet the dashed flash mobbers for a quiet picnic in Bryant Park. All's well that ends well.

This year is all about the reinvention of conventional yoga. First, new schools like Breakti and BuddhaXtreme emerged; then, yoga dance parties became a thing. While I wouldn't label this a trend just yet, c'mon, flash mob appeal mixed with diehard yoga enthusiasts? Sounds like a crowd pleaser to me. NYC-based yoga nonprofit Storm Yoga is spearheading yoga's first foray into public spectacle tomorrow evening. Are you down(ward dog) to strike a pose in one of New York's busiest transportation hubs?

At 6 p.m., you can leave behind your regular 9 to 5 and become an official flash mobber. All you have to do is meet at Grand Central Terminal, mat in tow, for what Storm Yoga describes as a "bold display of an emerging consciousness that's built upon focus, presence, and boundless energy." Given that this semispontaneous act of yoga sequences is taking place smack dab in the middle of rush-hour commute, I wonder how Zen the experience will prove for passersby in transit as well as for the actual flash mobbers midsalute. Interested in participating? For final event details, check Storm Yoga's Facebook page for exact coordinates and last-minute updates.

Source: Storm Yoga