Social Workout

Gym Deals

What It Feels Like to Get Caught Double-Dipping at Equinox

Free passes can get you pretty far in this town. Fellow gym-blogger Julie Neyman of "Buns of Steal" is attempting to work out all year at gyms around NYC without spending a cent, courtesy of day-passes, week-passes, whatever she can eke out of the promotional system. But she recently got busted by Equinox:

New York

Snapshot

All Elizabeth Wants is a Yoga Top That Stays Put During Inversions

Every day, we give you a snapshot of one fellow striver in fitness. We ask personal questions, they boldly answer. Today's snapshot: Elizabeth, aka joesgirl. 

• What's your number one workout spot? Virayoga in Soho. I've been a member of the kula (sanskrit for "community of the heart") at Vira for years. It is the best yoga studio in New York, in my opinion, and not just because it is a wonderful place to practice — some of my closest friends in life are people who I've met there over the years. It just seems to attract the most wonderful souls. Equinox, to which I have an all-access membership through work, is a distant second. I will candidly admit that there are times when I have routinely used Equinox for nothing more than access to the steamroom (LOL). In recent years, however, and as I get older, it's become more obvious to me that a little additional cardio and weight training doesn't hurt a person. So, I'm now also exploring spinning and various other brutal experiences at a variety of the downtown/Brooklyn-based Equinoxes (Equini?) 

Events

Fitness Pampering for the Preggers Set

Knocked up? Not afraid to show your pregnant self in your high end gym? Good news! Equinox is offering a three-week prenatal pampering series:

• What: Six prenatal yoga classes, a spa treatment, a prenatal nutrition group consultation, and a "baby fair" with speakers, baby clothes, and other stuff pregnant ladies might potentially want 
• Who: Equinox at 63rd and Lexington, with classes led by Latham Thomas of Tendershoots Wellness 
• When: February 23 - March 11, 2010
• How Much: $330 for members, $370 for everyone else 
• Link: Prenatal Wellness Series. Email Sara.Hom@Equniox.com or call (212) 750-4900 for details or to register

New York

Snapshot

Nate Does Pushups During Commercials and Will Never Try Mastercleanse

It's another new feature! Every day, we're giving you a snapshot of one fellow striver in fitness. We ask nosy questions, they bravely answer. Today's snapshot: natejgray.

• What's your number one workout spot? 1a. Equinox Brooklyn Heights--great classes, great space, and nice people 1b. Doing push ups during tv commercials. 
• What's the healthiest thing you eat? Baked tofu and sauteed kale. My wife makes amazing baked tofu. It is a transcendent food. I wash it down with homemade kombucha, love those live cultures. 
• What's your secret sin? I love pork chops. 

New York

Workout

Superbowl Sunday Yoga

Stephanie Culen's class was crowded for Superbowl day. Mostly women. She's got a gift for the talking, steady, counting almost all the breaths, and firm. She doesn't stop the flow to do demonstrations. She did give me a good correction. It's a different style, and I like it. I'm not a fan of the demos I guess. Sometimes I suspect the teacher of showing off.