by Christine Chagaris
Okay. Since perhaps New Year’s Day rolled around, you keep saying to yourself that you want to work out, (Hey, intent is a start! I know, I’ve been there.) but you really don’t know where to begin. Well, don’t fret yet! There is a wide range of great places to work out, tone up and get in shape on the Upper East Side. You name it, from weight training, yoga, Pilates, good old aerobics, individual training sessions to even jump roping, there is a place for everyone with different fitness needs. So, let’s start our “workout” and visit a few.
Nestled in a spacious studio, Attune Holistic Fitness is geared toward those who want a “whole,” individualistic approach to fitness. Attune was founded one year ago by trainers Eva Pelegrin and Jared Cooper. Almost all of Attune’s services are one-on-one. (Those who want to work out on the training floor’s various machines can do so by scheduling gym time. That way, there is usually never more than three people working out at a time.) “Each person gets a trainer, and we also visit clients’ homes as well for personal training,” says Eva. Jared explains what makes Attune unique. “Our approach to fitness is very integrative, as we tailor clients’ fitness plans in response to a range of factors — how they sleep, eat and how much activity they get. For example, if a person has a desk job as opposed to a more physical occupation, then this is a factor that figures into that person’s fitness plan.”
Attune boasts eight trainers, who are very thorough in each client’s initial evaluation. “Clients give their histories to us, and then they can choose what area (ranging from fitness, improved nutrition to energy) to focus on,” says Eva. The spa’s unique program, the Attune Method™, addresses these areas. Attune also offers massage and acupuncture. Fans of yoga and T’ai Chi can enjoy those particular classes at the studio or in private, home sessions. There are also state-of-the-art machines which dot the studio that emphasize range of motion movements rather than isolating muscle groups. One of these is a rowing machine, another is known as a Keiser Function. Jared explains that this machine trains the body to move at any speed, at any resistance. For those who prefer more simple contraptions, there are giant Swiss balls that clients can use to improve balance. Attune also sells various merchandise geared to its holistic approach, such as yoga and meditation DVD’s and CD’s. “Our philosophy is that fitness is not enough. Our instructors believe that a person needs to train from different perspectives in order to achieve total balance,” says Eva.
“We have excellent trainers at David Barton Gym,” says Director of Training Victor Self. “They are unique in that physical training is their full-time career; this is not their second job. They also work with David Barton to continually improve upon what they do.”
David Barton, a Cornell grad, opened his first gym in the early 90’s. The Upper East Side location has been there for 12 years. David Barton Gym offers everything from group training classes to dance and cardio. The group training classes are taught by the trainers and are geared to specific results such as upper/lower body or cardio improvements. Wanna dance or jump rope? Well, the gym offers a Brazilian dance class, as well as Rope Burn, which involves jumping rope to improve cardio function. “This class is for beginners to advanced,” Victor says. There is also Pilates (mat-based, group and one-on-one classes) and different yoga classes, such as Vinyasa and Ashtanga. High schoolers can enjoy one-on-one training should they want to train for a specific sport or just get plain healthier. The gym prides itself on being a blend of cutting-edge and traditional. “We do try and observe trends but we really think of ourselves as being very stable with true, proven exercise for real results,” says Victor. “The more lean muscle mass one has, the more efficient the body will be.”
For gals who are looking for an all-women’s atmosphere to get in shape as opposed to co-ed, look no further. Curves will whip you into shape with its 30-minute circuit workout, which focuses on strength training and aerobics. The hydraulic resistance machines on the circuit are designed so that clients don’t have to scurry around adjusting weight stacks as on conventional machines. Each machine targets a particular body area (legs, abs, arms). Curves approaches the circuit in a novel way, as clients stay on each part of the circuit, or “station”, for 30 seconds, prompted by a voice recording over catchy music. This Curves location has 24 stations, so clients can go around the circuit two or three times. 2nd Avenue location owner ChrisAnn O’Neill marvels at the age range that attends the studio. “We have women here from 15-92,” she says. “Women here network and become friends.” (Time for a bit of bias here I guess, but I can attest to this, being that I am a Curves member at another location. Aside from looking and feeling much better thanks to its workout regime, I also notice that Curves culture seems to encourage great camaraderie among its members.) Girls under 18 come with mom as mother-daughter teams. This particular Curves has been around for four years, one of the first in the city.
Equinox offers a host of workouts and classes that range from cardio-based to Pilates. In fact, the 85th Street location has a new, apparatus-based Pilates studio. Its two Upper East Side locations are chock-full of choices. “Our Pure Strength cardio sculpt and Athletic Conditioning classes are also very popular,” says Carol Espel, National Director of Group Fitness. There are also cardio dance and cycling programs as well. If personal training is more up your alley, Equinox has that, too. For a mind-body approach, why not try the various yoga classes that Equinox offers, or its Budokan class (one of the most popular on the Upper East Side). This one’s a triple whammy, as it incorporates martial arts, yoga and meditation. Wait, there’s more, and it extends to beauty and relaxation as well … clients at the 63rd Street location can enjoy the services of a spa and hair salon. The gym also has stores selling fitness merchandise at both Upper East Side locations, with the shop at the 63rd Street location being the largest. Young and older reap the benefits of working out at Equinox. Carol Espel sums it up: “Our clients take full advantage of our programs, whether they are young, single and in the workforce to the “moms” or older participants who love the way exercise makes them feel.”
If you are looking to try yoga to tone and get in shape or if you’re a seasoned yoga enthusiast, New York Yoga offers a variety of programs geared to all. “We have classes for everybody, even for kids two and three years old, mommy and me and prenatal classes,” says Mike Cline, Manager. “Our teachers are unique in that they create their own particular order of poses, which are designed to open the body in sequence,” he says. New York Yoga is also unique in that the 85th Street location is the “hot” studio, where the temperature is kept at 105 degrees Fahrenheit with regulated humidity. “The heat helps the muscles flex better, and also the pores detoxify by sweating, which makes for an efficient and refreshing workout,” Mike says. New York Yoga is truly interactive, as it also offers online classes for those who can’t make it to the studio. Just log on with a password and download classes that are on-demand. Or, the club also offers a “virtual class” via its web cam. Either way, your yoga comes to you.
So, for those of you who want to really tone up, lose weight or just plain feel great, now you have a variety of places to do just that. So, no more excuses. A cool body and feeling great is just a signup away!