your weekly nyc fitness and wellness guide: july 27 - august 2
Lots of beginner-friendly run clubs, the BKLYN Mile race, and a summer kickball game.
Hi everyone! I just got back from a lovely girls getaway upstate at this massive, art-filled old farmhouse in Valatie. I lounged by the pool with my laptop in the shade of the umbrella, finished a 1,000-piece puzzle, and floated on donut inflatables while chatting. Highly recommend.
Before heading out of town, I stopped by Saucony’s pop-up at Soft Bar, a non-alcoholic bar, for a run led by fellow journo and trainer Ciara Lucas to test out the new Paramount Max shoes, a delightfully marshmallowy shoe with a wide base for a super stable feel. I’ve been wearing them for every run this week. The partnership goes through Wednesday, so check out Saucony’s Forte page for specifics.
This week: Lots of beginner-friendly run clubs, the BKLYN Mile race, and a summer pick-up kickball game.
on the radar: this week’s fitness and wellness events
Monday July 27: Seaport Fit x Joe Holder We Move NYC Series (Seaport), 6PM, free
Runners often love to skip strength training or any type of work that helps with injury prevention, so we love the idea behind this free “Run Strong” workout class from Joe Holder. Expect cross training, prehab, strength movements to prepare you to ramp up the mileage.
Wednesday July 29: Mornings in Motion x On Group Run (Williamsburg), 615PM, free
Women’s-only movement collective Mornings in Motion is teaming up with running shoe brand On for a 4-mile run or 1.5-mile walk. You’ll have the chance to demo shoes, too, if you want. As with most run clubs these days, there will be complimentary bevs from Hint water.
Wednesday July 29: WTHN UES: A Night of Mind, Body, and Community (UES), 630PM, $5 - 15
WTHN, a wellness boutique rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, recently opened a new studio on the Upper East Side, and this event is a great introduction to their offerings: acupuncture, ear seeding, coaching prompts. Suggested ticket price is $15, but minimum is $5.
Wednesday July 29: Here & Now: A Phone-Free Experience (Williamsburg), 630PM, $25
Kanso is back with another phone-free experience (because some of us need to be forced to stop scrolling), this time with a jazz band backdrop on the gorgeous patio at FourFixSix cocktail bar. You’ll check your phone at the door and rotate through conversations, for which they’ll provide prompts. We love their premise that in the world of AI, “human connection is the new luxury.”
Wednesday July 29: Cannavita Yoga Night (Astoria), 730PM, free
1, Ya’ll love a free yoga class (we check the most clicked links for each newsletter to better align with what you guys are digging) and 2, dispensaries have been getting in on the wellness action lately, which is a fun evolution. We can’t personally vouch for the quality of the teacher, but Cannavita has done a solid job partnering with other local Astoria wellness businesses + practitioners.
Saturday August 1: F45 x WEL Burn and Brunch (Dumbo), 1130AM, $20
Bless whoever decided this workout didn't need to start at 7. (Not an early AM workout girl over here….) Circuit training gym F45 is hosting a 60-minute, full-body strength and cardio workout, with light bites like oatmeal bites and a peach matcha refresher after. Not quite brunch in the classic term, but we still think the price is fair.
Saturday August 1: Gorp Girls Hike Club with Ursa Major (Van Cortland Park), 1030AM, $15
Cutie girl group Gorp Girls—who also has branches in Tokyo and LA—is hosting an urban hike up in Van Cortland Park in the Bronx. Go touch grass on a four-mile easy hike with other people who love nature!
Saturday August 1: BKLYN Mile Shakeout Run by Hoka (Williamsburg), 10AM, free
Race weekend is upon us, and even if you’re not participating in the iconic BKLYN Mile race, you can join in the energy for a casual shakeout run from Brooklyn Running Co. If you’re planning to race next year, it could be an opportunity to scout out the course.
Sunday August 2: Slow Girl Run Club x Hungry Llama x WEL (Meatpacking), 9AM, free
If you’ve been thinking about joining a run club but want something a bit more beginner-friendly, this one’s perfect. It’s a two mile route and all paces are welcome. Stay for mocktails, coffee, hang outs.
Sunday August 2: Brooklyn Summer Kickball (Williamsburg), 1245PM, free
Summer isn't complete without at least one kickball game. The league is usually sold out, but they're opening this pickup game to anyone. Seems like a fun group, as they go drink frozen margs after the game.
happenings around town
This past Wednesday at The Edge, adidas hosted one of the wildest product launch performances we’ve seen for the new Originals Sport collection, a women’s training/lifestyle line. A group of aerialists dangled on ropes on the side of the mirrored building and seemed to defy gravity as they ran horizontal and tossed each other in the air. As a former climber who’s spent a decent bit of time rappelling, the level of control and grace was gorgeous to watch.
Summer Streets, where the city closes major streets so they’re pedestrian-only, is one of the best parts about summer. And one of our favorite routes returns this Saturday: From 7AM to 3PM, you can frolic from the Brooklyn Bridge, down Park Ave, all the way up Broadway to Dyckman Street in Inwood without worrying about cars. Last year, I stopped for free donuts at the Great Lawn rest stop by Grand Central and watched a mariachi band on a side street. Maybe a good chance to check out the Met Cloisters while you’re up there.
The BKLYN MILE—a one mile race along Kent Ave in Williamsburg—is this Sunday. Even if you’re not registered, it should be a good time to spectate.
Luxury gyms aren’t the only ones adding recovery facilities. Crunch, known for their group fitness, recently introduced a new Relax & Recover space to their Chelsea location, included with the standard membership, which will run you about $120 a month. You won’t get the same aesthetic as a pricey wellness space, but there are pod-style red light saunas, massage beds, and a dry cold plunge?? We're honestly not sure what a dry cold plunge is either, so we'll report back.
Ton Pilates, an infrared reformer Pilates studio in Astoria, opened in early July. The studio heats the room with infrared panels, making the workout noticeably warmer than a traditional reformer class. They have a three class intro deal for $75, which includes the infrared option.
The free Athlates core mat pilates classes from Monad Pilates sell out fast, and the next one with available tickets is on August 30th.
That’s all for this week. If you make it to any of these events, we want to hear about it. Let us know in the comments. And if you come across something worth featuring, send it our way or drop it in the community chat!
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See you next Monday.