When I was a sophomore in college, I looked in the mirror and felt unhappy with the way I looked. By no means was I fat but I definitely had some pounds to lose and areas to tone. This was in 2014, right after Kayla Itsines released her Bikini Body Guide. I came across her page on Instagram and after seeing the transformation photos of other women, knew that I wanted to give it a try. January 2015, my New Year’s Resolution was to do 12 weeks of Kayla and get fit. Once I started, I became addicted to working out and being healthy. 20 pounds down, I’m much happier with myself, I feel healthier, and going to the gym doesn’t feel like a chore but rather something I love to do.

Fast forward four years and many rounds of BBG later, I began to feel a bit stagnant in my fitness progress. My sister, Mackenzie (you may know her), had recently signed up for a free trial of ClassPass and convinced me to come to first a dance class with her, then a spinning class. I became hooked on trying new things and being a part of a group, rather than working out alone. So I signed up for ClassPass and I realized how much Manhattan has to offer in terms of workout classes. Below are some of my absolute favorite classes, ranked by level of difficulty, as well as some I suffered through so you don’t have to.

Use my link to sign up for ClassPass and we both get $40 off! → http://class.ps/lRh7Z

Beginner Level

SurfSET

• I took this class when it was 6 degrees outside, but the studio made me feel like I was actually riding the waves in sunny Australia. If you’re looking for a low-impact, full body workout (mainly targeting your core), SurfSET is a great class to take. They have custom-made surfboards that are meant to mimic the instability of being on the water, so you will increase stability, strengthen, and help you build up a tolerance for cardio.
• You don’t have to have any prior experience with surfing, however, the moves will definitely be easier to maneuver if you’ve been on a board before. I chose to take a hybrid class of beginner/intermediate for my first time but honestly could have gone straight to the advanced class as it is fairly easy.
• They also offer a yoga-based class, so if you’re a yogi and want to take your moves off the mat, this is a cool way to do so!
• Highly recommend for beginners who are looking to tone and build up cardio tolerance, and could use something to help get rid of their seasonal depression!

Y7 – Vinyasa Yoga

• If you enjoy hot yoga but get sleepy listening to meditation music, Y7’s Hip Hop Yoga is a great choice for you. Get your flow on to Ariana Grande or Cardi B while you move through three different Vinyasa flows.
• I listed this under beginner because Y7 only offers one level of classes, however, the structure of the class allows you to move wherever your yoga practice takes you. If you’re a beginner, the instructors will guide you through the flow. If you’re more advanced, feel free to whip out that headstand!
• Y7 is candlelit and there is no mirror to look at yourself. The darkness will throw off your balance in the first few classes, so don’t be surprised if you fall over during tree pose, but it gets easier the more often you do it!
• The amenities aren’t great in many of their studios, other than Bryant Park and Williamsburg, so it’s difficult to shower and get ready afterward, which is important to keep in mind if you’re looking to go before work or during lunch! You will definitely sweat.
• Mats are not included in the cost of the class, so bring your own if you can!

Pure Barre – Classic

• If you haven’t done a Pure Barre class, you’ve been living under a rock.
• Pure Barre follows the same flow every class for which area of your body you’re targeting, but the instructors switch up the exercises so you’ll never do the same workout!
• Using micro movements, you target muscles that you don’t normally work, toning and strengthening. I remember the first class I ever took with my Big, Carla, who is an instructor, my muscles were shaking so badly and I was a little concerned because that’s never happened before. However, shaking here is good because it means that your muscles are getting to the point of fatigue, and you’re working muscles that aren’t used to being targeted.
• You don’t have to have any dance experience to be good at Pure Barre (which is good because I’m a terrible dancer), and all levels are welcome because it’s as hard as you make it!
• An added bonus of barre classes that your instructors won’t mention, is that the moves you do will make you better in bed. There is a lot of pelvic thrusting, air-humping, and stretching to make you much more flexible (sorry Mom and Dad if you’re reading this article)! Take a few classes, seriously your sex life will be hotter, you’ll be hotter, and the lucky guy you’re with will just reap the benefits of your hard work.  

Nimble Fitness – Cardio Sweat Party

• Okay, this one is DEFINITELY a little different, but if you’re having a bad day and you need to get your endorphins pumping, I highly recommend Cardio Sweat Party led by Mz. Motivational – Michele Gordon
• I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked into this class. I had such a bad day and was dreading going to work out, but ClassPass charges you if you cancel so I went. I’m so glad that I did because I walked out of there smiling, happy, and knowing that I needed to be doing something different with my life (I quit my job three days later)!
• Cardio Sweat Party combines kickboxing, dance, and athletic drills. You don’t stop moving for the full hour so you definitely break a sweat. Michele runs you through 3 groups of choreography that are easy to pick up on, and in between, you do strength and power drills.
• As someone who is NOT a good dancer, I felt a little awkward when one of the first things you’re instructed to do is freestyle. I didn’t know anyone, fortunately, so I just let loose and dropped it low, not caring what anyone else thought.
• Fun for all levels! I would suggest bringing a friend though because it’s much more fun to dance and go crazy when you have someone to laugh at/with.

Swerve Ride

• At Swerve, you’re put onto a team with other riders. You have to work together to get more points than the other team, which is based on whether you’re hitting the beat or not, so speed and power aren’t necessarily the most important factors here.
• The class was one of the easier spin classes I’ve taken, and it’s fun if you’re looking for a little competition and have some girlfriends who you want to bring with you to be on the same team! Personally, I wasn’t a big fan of this class because I’m overly competitive and I wasn’t in a good group, but I think it would be better if I had some of my friends on my team.
• A huge pro about Swerve versus other studios is that Swerve has amazing locker rooms which is great if you’re taking the class before work or during lunch and need to go back to the office. You don’t feel dirty and they have the best smelling products. Also, there’s a juice bar to refuel.
• Swerve has complimentary spin shoes so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own.

Broadway Bodies

• Mackenzie’s favorite! If you haven’t seen her Instagram videos, definitely go look at her fitness story highlight and you will LOL
• Broadway Bodies’ motto is FTC or  “fuck the choreography” because although they teach you the moves, it doesn’t matter if you mess up. The studio is for all levels so whether you’ve danced your whole life or have never taken a class, you’ll be welcomed there.
• Again, I’m NOT a good dancer but I love to drop it low and don’t mind making a fool of myself here, because everyone is just staring in the mirror at themselves and not paying attention to what you look like when you try to twerk.
• Highly recommend bringing a group of girlfriends for a birthday or a bachelorette party to unleash your inner superstar/Beyonce

Intermediate

Brrrn – Slide

• Brrrn is one of my favorite studios, I use my three class maximum every month (ClassPass lets you go to a studio 3 times at the normal rate, then ups how much each class costs by about 10 credits)
• Brrrn is the first cool temperature (45 – 60 degrees) boutique fitness classes which pairs “the benefits of routine cool temperature exposure (called mild cold stress) with exercise (called environmental conditioning) to optimize the fitness experience: burn fat + more calories acclimate to cooler temps, and work out harder for longer.” They have four different 50-minute classes, I’ll outline two of them (I haven’t done FLOW in 60 degrees yet because I’m more of a hot yoga person but I will give it a try eventually!)
  • FLOW: 60 degrees
  • SLIDE: 55 degrees
  • HIT + Slide: 50 degrees
  • HIT: 45 degrees
• The Slide class is honestly so much fun, especially for someone like myself who played hockey, because it uses similar muscles and I feel like I’m skating across the ice again.
• The class focus on core and total body conditioning, using the slide board as a way to improve your balance, mobility, sculpt your legs (and butt!), strengthen inner thighs, and improve core strength.
• You dress as if its fall (light sweatshirt and leggings) but I usually end up in just a sports bra on top, because even though its cold when you first get in, you SWEAT.
• This is easier than the HIT class (which is why I put it under intermediate) but you will feel the brrrn (I know, I’m punny). Every time I take this class I have trouble walking up the subway steps afterward.
• My personal favorite instructor for the Slide class is Caitlyn Seitz, she’s a total badass, has amazing energy, and hopefully can train me so that my body to look like hers.

XTEND Barre

• My personal favorite barre class because I find it more difficult and athletic than the others, but that’s probably because it is more ballet-based and I dropped ballet in kindergarten.
• XTend combines dance, ballet, and Pilates in a way that makes you sweat and shake in places you didn’t think you could.
• Personally, one of the things I prefer about XTend over Pure Barre is that it’s on a wood floor instead of the carpet and I feel like I always get carpet burn. Also fewer planks!!!
• Just going to reiterate for all you ladies reading this (and men!!), barre has been proven to give you better O’s – get to the barre!

Flywheel

• If you’re as competitive as me, Flywheel is the spinning class for you.
• Using technology and an algorithm based upon your speed and resistance levels, you get a Total Power score which is put up on a board in front of the class (you can opt out). The board is split by gender but at the end, you can see all the men you beat.
• The music is always great, the class is always challenging, and I haven’t had an instructor I don’t like.
• A con for people I’ve taken a class with who aren’t as competitive as me (Mackenzie), the consensus seems to be that they don’t like it as much because it is a REALLY tough class, but you can do anything for 45 minutes!
• Locker room amenities aren’t great, so I personally wouldn’t take a Flywheel class before work or during lunch.
• Free spin shoes, water bottles, apples, and bananas!

YogaSpark – Blacklight Spark

• This yoga studio is HARD and HOT
• Each class is 60 minutes and sometimes feels more like a strength workout than a yoga class. It is set to fun music similar to Y7, but the studio is a bit more modern – the front of the class is a giant mirror for you to focus on your practice, and the floor itself is basically a huge yoga mat, which is good for your joints and makes practicing a headstand more comfortable.
• YogaSpark’s signature class is Blacklight Spark yoga. It’s an extremely challenging class in a super dark room lit by blacklights, with electric music playing. Definitely wear something white or neon so that you can glow! (Funny story, I had gotten my hair highlighted the night before and my hair was literally glowing. No one else’s hair was and I looked like an alien).
• This studio I would only recommend to people who can handle the heat, as it’s very very hot, and definitely don’t come if you’re hungover or dehydrated. I also find the flows to be more challenging than Y7, so you should be comfortable with standard yoga poses and not need much guidance.
• Be ready for a workout where you’re drenched in sweat the moment you walk through the door. But it’s all worth it at the end – the instructor places a tea tree oil-infused towel on your eyes during savasana that will cool you down.
• The locker rooms are some of the best on this list as they’re huge, clean, and have products that smell great.
• Yoga mat and grippy towel are included with every class which is honestly a huge plus!

Exhale HIIT

• This high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class brings you through 5+ stations that will get your heart rate right up
• When I first took this class, I wasn’t expecting it to be too much of a challenge because it’s at a spa, however, this class is hard (especially if you take Julie Bobek’s class)!
• I’d suggest bringing your workout buddy as you have a partner going through the stations with you, and it’s nice motivation having someone you know pushing and challenging you.

Advanced

Switch Playground

• I just did my first Switch class this Saturday and loved it so much I did my second class on Sunday, so it’s now tied with Brrrn for my favorite studio.
• Switch was founded in South Africa (sexiest accents) and has since been brought to NYC. It’s a 1-hour class with colored lights, a disco ball, and a live DJ who plays bumping music throughout.
• When you walk into the studio, they give you a towel with a number on it, which is the station you’re starting at, and you’ll either be assigned a partner (if you’re a loser like me and show up alone) or you can go with a friend and challenge each other! If you’re new, you get a black towel which lets the trainers know you might more instruction – great if you’re new to working out and need a little help!
• There are 20 stations that you go through, you’re at each station for 2 minutes each, switching up the exercise every 30 seconds. There is the main instructor who calls out the timing, and there’s a personal instructor for every 3 stations who explains to you which moves your doing using hand signals.They change up the workout every day, so although the stations might look the same, you’ll never do the same workout twice.
• The class is as hard as you make it because you’re able to choose which weights you use and you can modify things based on your ability. I felt that I challenged myself more in my second class because I had a better grasp of what was going on – they say it takes 3 classes before you fully understand the concept
• I HIGHLY suggest this class if you feel confident in your abilities to do basic workout moves (squats, pushups, etc.) but even if you need a little more guidance and want a good workout, Switch Playground is a fun environment with great instructors and even better music

Brrrn – HIT

• I talked about Brrrn earlier so I won’t go back into the research behind it and why you’re in a freezer, however, HIT is definitely a more challenging class. You also have to dress warmer since it’s only 40 degrees in the room. They selll fingerless gloves, which I wear because 1) I don’t get rope burn and 2) I look cool.
• The class is split into two sections that you alternate between – free weights/AMRAP and battle ropes. You do 6 minutes of each section at a time then switch, doing each section three times each. It is a very challenging workout, especially the battle ropes, and your shoulders and legs will be sore for days afterward!
• Something I love about Brrrn is that the instructors are always great, energetic, and helpful. I also find that I’m able to sustain a harder workout for longer in the cold (honestly I sweat a lot and will end up in just a sports bra, even though it’s only 45 degrees in there)
• Favorite instructors for HIT include Janeil Mason and Johnny Adamic, one of the founders of the studio
• After you’ve finished your workout in the cold, take a break in their hot infrared sauna to relax and unwind!

EPIC Interval Training – Grynd, Tone & Power, Blast

• This is a small group workout where you move through 8 stations, two people to a station. EPIC fuses interval and HIIT movements into a fun rotating workout. They switch up the workout every month, which gives you four weeks to perfect the exercises. This helps to build up your strength, endurance, and confidence!
• You will feel yourself gaining muscle and burning a ton of calories in this 45-minute class. It is completely up to you though how much you do, as the instructor demonstrates three levels for each movement – beginner, intermediate and advanced – because they recognize that not everyone is at the same level, but we all start somewhere.
• Something I find really interesting about EPIC is that in every class, you work out completely barefoot because it helps you have better form (it’s great for lunch break because you don’t have to pack sneakers).
• What I love about this studio is that they are a family. The people who go every day do workout challenges together, hang out together, and pump each other up when they work out.
• There are monkey bars which are a lot of fun but it makes you question how you ever got across the monkey bars as a child on the playground
• Con: there is only one shower for men and one shower for women, so going during lunch is tough if your company really tracks how long you’re gone. The locker rooms are also really small so changing is crowded
• Favorite instructor: Sarah Gawron  – she’s bod goals, so sweet, and she pumps you up

Bout Fight Club

• Bout was founded in 2018 to make boxing more easily accessible for all. The instructors are great – Bout was my first boxing class and they helped me with my technique so that I didn’t hurt myself
• You burn a TON of calories through shadow boxing, high-intensity interval circuits, and punching bags
• There were a lot of people who I wanted to punch in the face when I took my first class. It felt so good and therapeutic to pretend it was them when I was hitting the bag. If you’ve recently gone through a breakup, have a coworker who mansplains you, or a fuckboy in your life who you just can’t get over, go to a boxing class, trust me.
• I recently took Jenna Gaglioti’s class – she is amazing, especially if you’re new to boxing like me and need help nailing down the basics.
• Gloves are free but you do have to bring or buy wraps!

Church Street Boxing

• Honestly, I felt like a bad-ass boxer during this class.
• I really like that this club offers ladies-only classes, so if you’re a novice boxer (like myself), it’s a little bit less intimidating that there aren’t men around. They also have a mandatory orientation right before your first class where they teach you the basics so you’re ready to go when class starts.
• The class involves cardio (they make you run up so many flights of stairs. I was not prepared for this), core and stability exercises, and boxing.
• There are a lot of burpees. Also was not prepared for this.
• I took Shannon Eberly’s class and she was great, I love having a badass woman instructor. But don’t let her nice demeanor fool you, you will feel like you’re dying.
• This class is not easy and I only suggest if you’re in good shape (two out of five people left the class halfway through).

Classes I do not recommend:

• Circuit of Change – Mind Body Bootcamp
  • This is honestly the weirdest class imaginable so I want to explain why you should not go. I wanted to laugh out loud the entire time and people were taking it very seriously. It was confusing and awkward.
  • The class combines yoga, martial arts, kickboxing, core, and tribal movements into high-intensity intervals. Honestly, I had zero idea what was going throughout the entire class, I was just screaming tribal chants and bouncing in circles in a squat like a frog with the rest of the class who apparently found this normal?
• Pilates on Fifth – Barres & Bells
• Return to Life Center – Barre
• Physical Equilibrium – Booty Call
• Yoga to the People – Hot Yoga

Hopefully, this inspires you to try out some new classes and studios! I’m always looking for a workout buddy if you want to join me, use my link for ClassPass (we both get $40 off)! → http://class.ps/lRh7Z or comment below + tell me your favorite Class Pass gyms in the city!