FREE Workouts all Summer Long in NYC

I love summer in the city. I love that the weather is finally comfortable enough for me, someone who is always cold, to skip the subway and walk all of Manhattan, from downtown to uptown, morning to night. I love August, when tourists and locals alike leave town and suddenly the city is quiet and peaceful. Most of all, I love all the great free events that return each May. I feel so connected to my city when I'm enjoying an evening Jazz performance or yoga class in one of our public parks.

One of the best things about these summer offerings is the free outdoor group exercise classes. Offered all summer long, they are a great introduction to a new fitness activity and an opportunity for starting healthy new habits in a stress-, judgement-, and commitment-free environment, surrounded by the energy and beauty of NYC.

I love summer in the city. I love that the weather is finally comfortable enough for me, someone who is always cold, to skip the subway and walk all of Manhattan, from downtown to uptown, morning to night. I love August, when tourists and locals alike leave town and suddenly the city is quiet and peaceful. Most of all, I love all the great free events that return each May. I feel so connected to my city when I'm enjoying an evening Jazz performance or yoga class in one of our public parks.

One of the best things about these summer offerings is the free outdoor group exercise classes. Offered all summer long, they are a great introduction to a new fitness activity and an opportunity for starting healthy new habits in a stress-, judgement-, and commitment-free environment, surrounded by the energy and beauty of NYC.

Piece o' Cheesecake: A Gym Membership for Under $5 A Week!

Are you hungry for a second slice o' cake? Because I've got a bonus blog post for you this week, from my New York City-focused series, Piece o' Cheesecake. I've got a hot tip on one of my favorite things: cheap workouts! This deal may be ending soon so I couldn't wait until next week to share it with you.

I knew that Planet Fitness had partnered with one of my favorite shows, NBC's The Biggest Loser. I also knew that they had recently arrived in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan at 158 W 27th street between 6th and 7th avenues. What I didn't know was that they offer insanely low deals on gym membership at their clubs!

Are you hungry for a second slice o' cake? Because I've got a bonus blog post for you this week, from my New York City-focused series, Piece o' Cheesecake. I've got a hot tip on one of my favorite things: cheap workouts! This deal may be ending soon so I couldn't wait until next week to share it with you.

I knew that Planet Fitness had partnered with one of my favorite shows, NBC's The Biggest Loser. I also knew that they had recently arrived in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan at 158 W 27th street between 6th and 7th avenues. What I didn't know was that they offer insanely low deals on gym membership at their clubs!

Do One Thing: Pick 1 New Healthy Eating Habit...or Just Try This Pasta!

Piece o' Cake is about finding little ways to make it easier for you to fit exercise and healthy eating into your already busy, challenging life. This month we've been talking about resolutions, trying new things and making small changes:

The Secrets to Resolutions You Can Actually Keep! - January 1, 2013

Piece o' Cheesecake: Run Free! - January 5, 2013

Do One Thing: Come Prepared! - January 14, 2013

In sticking with these themes, today I'm sharing a short & sweet article that offers some ideas for simple new healthy eating habits to try, as well as a recipe for a yummy-sounding vegetarian pasta dish:

Piece o' Cake is about finding little ways to make it easier for you to fit exercise and healthy eating into your already busy, challenging life. This month we've been talking about resolutions, trying new things and making small changes:

The Secrets to Resolutions You Can Actually Keep! - January 1, 2013

Piece o' Cheesecake: Run Free! - January 5, 2013

Do One Thing: Come Prepared! - January 14, 2013

In sticking with these themes, today I'm sharing a short & sweet article that offers some ideas for simple new healthy eating habits to try, as well as a recipe for a yummy-sounding vegetarian pasta dish:

Piece o' Cheesecake: Run Free!

Last week we discussed The Secrets to Resolutions You Can Actually Keep. If your new year's resolution includes getting more exercise or running more, or if you are a regular runner, then this week's blog may be for you. This week features my latest post in the Piece o' Cheesecake series, New York-specific blog posts for the best in healthy eating and free, cheap & unique workouts around New York City. And today we are talking about the many free run clubs offered around Brooklyn and Manhattan (as well as nationwide). Check it out: 

Last week we discussed The Secrets to Resolutions You Can Actually Keep. If your new year's resolution includes getting more exercise or running more, or if you are a regular runner, then this week's blog may be for you. This week features my latest post in the Piece o' Cheesecake series, New York-specific blog posts for the best in healthy eating and free, cheap & unique workouts around New York City. And today we are talking about the many free run clubs offered around Brooklyn and Manhattan (as well as nationwide). Check it out: 

Piece o' Cheesecake: Get Wet & Wild!

One of my absolute favorite things to do is to share with all my friends the many opportunities for free, cheap and unique workouts around New York City. As Summer draws to a close, I want to tell you about yet another free outdoor workout to check off your list while the weather is still pleasant...and a totally unique year-round indoor workout that I am a HUGE fan of.

The New York City Downtown Boathouse offers free walk-up kayaking at each of its three locations:
Pier 40 - located @ the west end of Houston Street
Pier 96 - located @ Clinton Cove Park on the Westside Highway & 56th St
72nd St - @ the waterside promenade in Riverside Park, @ about 72nd St
From the middle of May to the middle of October (weekends and holidays, as well as many weekdays), you can just show up, with no kayaking experience, and the "dedicated volunteers" will give you a life jacket, kayak, paddle and some quick paddling tips and send you off on a short 20-minute paddle within their "protected embayment." The NYC Downtown Boathouse also offers free lessons and 3-hour guided trips. It's all first come, first served. Changing rooms and running water are available at Pier 40 and Pier 96 but are not available at 72nd street. All locations offer lockers but you should bring your own lock. For more information check out the Downtown Boathouse's Kayaking and FAQs webpages.

The DivaDance Company describes itself as "a community of young, chic urban professional women who in their day jobs are accountants, lawyers, and marketing goddesses and after work, all share the common bond of a love for dance!"

One of my absolute favorite things to do is to share with all my friends the many opportunities for free, cheap and unique workouts around New York City. As Summer draws to a close, I want to tell you about yet another free outdoor workout to check off your list while the weather is still pleasant...and a totally unique year-round indoor workout that I am a HUGE fan of.

The New York City Downtown Boathouse offers free walk-up kayaking at each of its three locations:
Pier 40 - located @ the west end of Houston Street
Pier 96 - located @ Clinton Cove Park on the Westside Highway & 56th St
72nd St - @ the waterside promenade in Riverside Park, @ about 72nd St
From the middle of May to the middle of October (weekends and holidays, as well as many weekdays), you can just show up, with no kayaking experience, and the "dedicated volunteers" will give you a life jacket, kayak, paddle and some quick paddling tips and send you off on a short 20-minute paddle within their "protected embayment." The NYC Downtown Boathouse also offers free lessons and 3-hour guided trips. It's all first come, first served. Changing rooms and running water are available at Pier 40 and Pier 96 but are not available at 72nd street. All locations offer lockers but you should bring your own lock. For more information check out the Downtown Boathouse's Kayaking and FAQs webpages.

The DivaDance Company describes itself as "a community of young, chic urban professional women who in their day jobs are accountants, lawyers, and marketing goddesses and after work, all share the common bond of a love for dance!"

Piece O' Cheesecake: Who Needs a Gym Membership?!

Recently I posted about free yoga classes and other workouts in NYC. Since then, I am excited to report, I have discovered that the two NYC locations of Athleta are also offering free weekly classes and boy do they sound like fun! The Upper West Side and Upper East Side Athleta sites offer everything from yoga, Zumba, Stacy's Bootcamp, cardio sculpt and dance cardio to...Burlesque Pilates, Bellydance Fitness, and Booty Blasting! They even offer a kids yoga class. I cannot wait to try my first class.

For more information on Athleta's class offerings, check out their website here.

Athleta UWS - 216 Columbus (between 69th & 70th)
Athleta UES - 1517 3rd Avenue (between 85th & 86th)

All this fitness fun isn't reserved exclusively for New Yorkers! 

Athleta also has stores in CA, IL, MD, MA, MN, NJ, PA, TX, VA, Washington DC & in Scarsdale, NY, with several new locations coming soon.

Don't forget about the Solstice:

I learned about Athleta's free weekly classes when I decided to read more about this year's Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga event coming up on Wednesday, June 20. My mom and I did Solstice Yoga in Times Square last year and had a blast. There's still time to sign up for the three of four free classes that still have availability!

Recently I posted about free yoga classes and other workouts in NYC. Since then, I am excited to report, I have discovered that the two NYC locations of Athleta are also offering free weekly classes and boy do they sound like fun! The Upper West Side and Upper East Side Athleta sites offer everything from yoga, Zumba, Stacy's Bootcamp, cardio sculpt and dance cardio to...Burlesque Pilates, Bellydance Fitness, and Booty Blasting! They even offer a kids yoga class. I cannot wait to try my first class.

For more information on Athleta's class offerings, check out their website here.

Athleta UWS - 216 Columbus (between 69th & 70th)
Athleta UES - 1517 3rd Avenue (between 85th & 86th)

All this fitness fun isn't reserved exclusively for New Yorkers! 

Athleta also has stores in CA, IL, MD, MA, MN, NJ, PA, TX, VA, Washington DC & in Scarsdale, NY, with several new locations coming soon.

Don't forget about the Solstice:

I learned about Athleta's free weekly classes when I decided to read more about this year's Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga event coming up on Wednesday, June 20. My mom and I did Solstice Yoga in Times Square last year and had a blast. There's still time to sign up for the three of four free classes that still have availability!

Piece O’ Cheesecake: Yoga-curious? Try it (+ other workouts) Completely-free in NYC!

Are you interested in trying yoga but aren’t sure it’s for you, are intimidated by the studio atmosphere, don’t have a gym membership or don’t want to shell out the cash for a class? Here in NYC there are many opportunities for Yoga virgins to dabble with Downward Dog or test out their Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), especially during the Summer season! Or add spice to your regular workout routine with Tai Chi, running or dance…

Are you interested in trying yoga but aren’t sure it’s for you, are intimidated by the studio atmosphere, don’t have a gym membership or don’t want to shell out the cash for a class? Here in NYC there are many opportunities for Yoga virgins to dabble with Downward Dog or test out their Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), especially during the Summer season! Or add spice to your regular workout routine with Tai Chi, running or dance…

Piece O' Cheesecake: 99-calorie Indulgence!

A friend and mentor, Jodi Citrin Greebel, RD of Citrition, LLC, recently introduced me to a shop on Lexington Avenue, between 85th St & 86th St in Manhattan, called Little Brown. As a future Registered Dietitian who also happens to be a self-confessed hot chocolate addict, I was intrigued when I saw on the menu a 99-calorie hot chocolate prepared with 70% dark chocolate and skim milk. I am here to tell you, it's delicious and right up there with all the best decadent hot chocolates in NYC. It's even better because this Little Brown hot chocolate consumed in moderation and by itself passes as a (less than) 100-calorie snack that provides some calcium from the skim milk and some antioxidants from the dark chocolate. Enjoy!

A friend and mentor, Jodi Citrin Greebel, RD of Citrition, LLC, recently introduced me to a shop on Lexington Avenue, between 85th St & 86th St in Manhattan, called Little Brown. As a future Registered Dietitian who also happens to be a self-confessed hot chocolate addict, I was intrigued when I saw on the menu a 99-calorie hot chocolate prepared with 70% dark chocolate and skim milk. I am here to tell you, it's delicious and right up there with all the best decadent hot chocolates in NYC. It's even better because this Little Brown hot chocolate consumed in moderation and by itself passes as a (less than) 100-calorie snack that provides some calcium from the skim milk and some antioxidants from the dark chocolate. Enjoy!

Piece O' Cheesecake!

Introducing Piece O' Cheesecake!, a new series that highlights my favorites in healthy food & fitness around New York City. As a Brooklyn native who has always worked in Manhattan, my focus will be on these two boroughs but you can be sure that if I discover a new favorite thing in the Bronx, Queens or Staten Island, I will be sharing it with you here! I cannot wait to start revealing where I go for free and unique workouts or for a 99 calorie hot chocolate that is just as delicious as the more calorie-dense versions around the city. Look for posts that start with the Piece O' Cheesecake! name. I'll be sharing my first NYC food/fitness tip tomorrow!

Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend! 

Image: porbital 

 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Introducing Piece O' Cheesecake!, a new series that highlights my favorites in healthy food & fitness around New York City. As a Brooklyn native who has always worked in Manhattan, my focus will be on these two boroughs but you can be sure that if I discover a new favorite thing in the Bronx, Queens or Staten Island, I will be sharing it with you here! I cannot wait to start revealing where I go for free and unique workouts or for a 99 calorie hot chocolate that is just as delicious as the more calorie-dense versions around the city. Look for posts that start with the Piece O' Cheesecake! name. I'll be sharing my first NYC food/fitness tip tomorrow!

Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend! 

Image: porbital 

 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net