Top Recommendations for Staying Active in New York City
Exercise has always been an important part of my life. For this reason, I spent a lot of time researching gyms and other ways to stay active before I moved to New York City. I wanted to make sure I kept up a good routine as a way to stay healthy and relieve stress.
During my research, I came across a Reddit thread with people’s opinions on the best gyms in the city. There was one particular response that caught my eye (edited slightly to keep it PG):
“Monotony is equivalent to death. Death. Have you noticed how if you get yourself into a routine time seems to fly faster? You are literally bleeding life. Switch things up.”
Though it is a bit morbid, the quote has a lot of truth to it. I have noticed that when I fall into the same routine, the days just seem to blur together. While repeatedly doing the same thing may seem more convenient at times, switching up your workouts can be better for you from a physical and psychological standpoint. Not only will it help you work out different parts of your body, but it also makes workouts more exciting. If you constantly do the same workout, your body will adapt and your results will start to plateau. The same can be true for other aspects of life as well - growth will not occur if you are constantly in your comfort zone.
Flash forward to two months later living in the city, and the words from that Reddit response have continued to resonate with me. Here are some of the ways I have been attempting to mix up what I do for exercise during my time in NYC so far:
Go For a Run
Photo taken by author
Though this option might not be for everyone, running is personally one of my favorite exercises. Fortunately, my apartment is conveniently located near a running trail along the East River. Typically I run 2.3 miles toward a lookout point over the water with a lovely view of the Brooklyn Bridge, and then 2.3 miles back the same way. It is a great way to explore a different part of the city while also enjoying the fresh air. Running is especially nice around this time of year when the temperature falls between 60-70 degrees.
There are other running routes around the city, including in Central Park and along the Hudson River. I prefer avoiding running through streets because I don’t like being interrupted by red lights. There are also running clubs available for those who prefer to run in groups, including the Mile High Run Club (though each class costs $20).
For more information on running routes in Manhattan, take a look at this link.
2. Independent Gym Workouts
At the conclusion of my gym research, I decided to buy a membership for Stuy Fitness - a gym connected to my residential complex. Though the monthly fee is relatively high, having a gym in a convenient location was worth it to me - there would be no valid excuses to skip a workout. Independent gym workouts typically serve me best on days I have to work overtime, especially when it’s too dark to run outside or late to attend a class.
My typical routine begins with two miles on the treadmill, followed by 10 minutes on the stair stepper machine. Next, I alternate between various machines, depending on whether I want to focus on legs or arms that day. If I choose to focus on legs, I also add weighted squats, lunges, and other exercises in the weight room. I end every workout with a 10-minute core workout routine.
If you need exercise ideas, I would recommend looking on YouTube for tutorials. It may also be worth it to hire a trainer or attend a workout class to help get you started.
3. Group Fitness Classes
I am not typically a group fitness kind of person, but I decided to try out some classes. I figured it would be a good way to gain exposure to new exercises I haven’t done before, and even potentially meet more people around the area. I was not disappointed.
The first class I attended from my gym was an outdoor HIIT class. This was my first group fitness class in New York, and to be honest I felt a little awkward showing up alone for the first time. It was definitely worth it though - the trainer was incredibly welcoming and supportive during the entire class, and even made an effort to remember my name. It was definitely different from the workouts I typically do, which was very refreshing. To top everything off, I made friends with a girl who lives nearby who I now see regularly at other workout classes.
Since then, I have participated in many other workout classes. My favorite is currently a Boxing Fit class, which teaches MMA techniques and conditioning exercises. As a lover of sports, I love learning the techniques and watching myself improve after every class. It also never fails to make me extremely sore the next day, which indicates that it was a successful workout.
4. Free Workout Classes Around the City
Image from: https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/seaport-sweat-2021-free-outdoor-fitness-series
If you do enough research, you’ll notice that there are many free workout classes offered to the public in various locations. While this is not something I have done often (due to the extra time it takes to commute), it is a great way to do something completely different from what you’re used to. Not only is it a great way to learn new exercises, but it also gives you exposure to an entirely different setting. I highly recommend this if you would like to explore new parts of the city.
One of my favorite free workout classes I attended was through Seaport Fitness in the Financial District. I had never been to that part of the city before, so it was a great excuse to get out and explore. I attended a HIIT class, which ended up being much harder than I expected. I always feel more motivated when working out in group settings, so it was exactly the change to my routine I needed.
There are free workout classes offered in other parts of the city as well. Chelsea Piers offers classes that are open to the public at Brooklyn Bridge Park. If you look on Eventbrite, you can find even more free fitness classes in various locations. The opportunities are truly endless.
5. Ditch Public Transportation
Image from: https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-way-to-do-a-walking-tour-of-new-york-city-2015-5
Honestly, living in a city without a car can have its perks. Before I graduated college, I would make an effort to go to the gym almost every day to make sure I stayed in shape. Now that I live in New York, I have found that this is no longer necessary due to the insane amount of walking I do, especially on the weekends. It still surprises me when I close all the rings on my Apple watch without even having to set foot in the gym.
Something else I am trying to get better about is choosing to walk over taking public transportation more often (at least during the warmer months). This is not always an option for me, as I am almost always rushing to get from Point A to Point B, but in many cases it’s better to take the longer route. I’ve found that walking is one of the best ways to get to know a city. Every time I pass by a restaurant that looks interesting to me, I write it in my notes on my phone. I found one of my favorite bars by just passing by it on my way home. I also love admiring the little things - decorations around a doorway, the changing leaves in fall, the flowers planted along the sidewalks. You miss out on all of this if you’re always commuting underground.
As if that’s not enough, walking is also great exercise. I find myself walking up to 20 miles each weekend, which way more than I ever walked in Florida. According to NBC, walking has a lot of benefits: it “improves fitness, cardiac health, alleviates depression and fatigue, improves mood, creates less stress on joints and reduces pain, can prevent weight gain, reduce risk for cancer and chronic disease, improve endurance, circulation, and posture, and the list goes on…”
So switch things up. Break that routine. It isn’t always easy, but nothing worthwhile comes easily. When it comes to your health, it is always worth putting in that extra mile.