Good morning!
This past week, I visited TMPL (a luxury gym) on Madison. I was curious to check it out after they hosted the Strong NY after party in their bathhouse, and after seeing its very hot-girl IG presence.
The vibe is like, dark, sexy, Gen Z bodybuilding gym: Tons of hard-to-find machines from Arsenal Strength, flattering lighting, and gym bros clad almost exclusively in black sweatpants and black pump covers. The PR rep asked what I was going to hit that day, and I told her upper body because I’d done legs the day before. That was a bummer, she said, because they had plenty of booty machines.
At 3:30 p.m. on a Wednesday, the gym was quiet, and most of the people in the strength area were recording their workouts. But there was no grunting, equipment hoarding, or general gym-bro chaos. Everyone had surprisingly great etiquette. One guy (hey, Mickey!) even stopped to ask if I was okay being in the background of his video.
A side note: We’re dreaming up future plans for this newsletter and want to hear more from y’all. This week, we led with happenings around town and moved the event calendar further down, but we’re experimenting! Let us know what you’re here for—and comment or DM us if there’s anything you’ve particularly been loving.
This week: An outdoor sauna returns to the East Village, a new tea house and yoga studio open their doors, and celebrities keep finding new reasons to host a 5K.
happenings around town
Each major marathon has title sponsors—a few for New York are New Balance, Gatorade, and Maurten gels. Well big news this week is that New York Road Runners has banned any other brands for taking part in cheer zones along the marathon course. That means no banners (from brands, people can still hold signs, ofc), no confetti canons, no alcohol, no sidewalk chalk (???)—rules that would presumably also prevent the kind of guerrilla marketing we saw from competitors at Boston, like Nike’s “walker’s tolerated” failure at Boston. Naturally, people are mad, because NYRR is seeming to protect sponsors at the expense of the culture that makes the marathon special. Run club cheer zones have turned into mini block parties, and although they aren’t banned, they often partner with brands to help foot the bill for DJs, food/drink, and other extras that make them so fun to attend (and electric to run through.) I doubt we’ll see anyone really following these rules, the brand involvement just may be more subtle.
CUL DE SAC, Gabe Bender’s community sauna concept, is back with a Fall residency at La Plaza Cultural Community Garden in the East Village through October 18th. They also have a Kickstarter in place so you can help fund their goal of a more permanent residency in BK this winter.
The iconic New York Bakery Run returns this October 25th, hitting 10 bakeries (and 10 different pastries), allowing you to skip the notoriously long lines at spots like Radio Bakery and L’Appartement 4F. You enter via a lottery (I signed up the other day) but chances are slim: Only 100 people get to participate. They say it’s open to all levels, but the slowest wave is apparently a 10:30-minute-mile pace, which is quite fast for a beginner running a half marathon fueled by heavy baked goods.
Second House Tea opened its doors in Chelsea this past week, so you can stop by for a guided, mindful tea ceremony.
Bed-Stuy Stoop reported on the opening of Noir Yoga on Fulton Street this past Thursday, after a car crashed into their new studio space just before its planned opening. I loved seeing the joy in the photo of the opening ceremony.
on our minds…
Celebrity-led runs aren’t new (Kevin Hart was drawing thousands to Nike-backed 5Ks a decade ago), but I’ve been seeing them eeeeeverywhere this past year. First, Diplo Run Club and Gunna’s Wunna Run Club helped usher in the latest iteration.
A few months ago, Dylan Efron hosted a run with Suncruiser on the West Side Highway, followed by a rooftop sunset party where everyone drank vodka iced tea lemonades while waiting for a photo with The Traitors star. Last week, Brooks brought the DK5K—singer Dermot Kennedy’s 5K series that pops up in cities where he tours—to NYC, ending the 2.8-mile run at Houston Hall with an intimate performance. Attendance for both of these was open to the public via a lottery system/contest.
And just the other day, Pack of Wolves & A$AP Ferg joined forces with Wiz Khalifa and Diplo for a run through Harlem. I’m sure a recurring Wiz x brand run club isn’t far off. (He’s very shoe agnostic, so my bet is on R.A.D., Satisfy, or Oakley.)
on the radar: this week’s fitness and wellness events
Monday October 5: Dance Social Club The Boy Is Mine (Midtown), 730PM, $20
A girls-only community dance class by Dance Social Club where you’ll learn choreography set to Ariana Grande’s the boy is mine. You’re encouraged—but not obligated—to wear heels. Dancing has seemed like an increasingly appealing way to move and tune into my body, but it’s just so damn intimidating, and this class seems like an accepting, encouraging space—plus it’s only open to gals.
Tuesday October 6: Milly’s x The Lives of Men In Conversation (Bed Stuy), 6PM, $25
Men: It’s mental illness awareness week, and Milly’s Bar in Bed Stuy is hosting an evening centered on men’s wellbeing in partnership with The Lives of Men. In a social media landscape dominated by the manosphere, it’s refreshing to see an organization redefining what masculinity looks like. The ticket price includes light bites and a champagne toast. Every time I’ve been to Milly’s, I’ve had a memorable night and met really cool people. Owners Ron Leakey and Anthony Ramos have created a vibey neighborhood spot that feels welcoming—more like being a guest in someone’s home than simply going out for a drink.
Wednesday October 7: An Evening at Lore (NoHo), 630PM, $65
Maddie has been going to and loving Lore Bathing Club this past month (a more detailed write up to come) and they always host creative events that may make the price more worth your while. This one is an evening of sauna + gifting, with a skincare brand, longevity supplements, N/A bevs, and complimentary ear seeding.
Saturday October 10: Safe & Sound Self Defense (Chinatown) 9AM, free
NARC NYC, Dames, and Chinatown Fight Club are coming together to bring you a self defense workshop including both somatic breathwork (staying calm is important) and boxing techniques. As someone who boxed for over six years, I think it’s a valuable skill to make you feel more confident and capable in your day to day (although I don’t think it’s the best sport to learn for pure self defense for women.)
Saturday October 10: Ruck The City by GORUCK (Inwood), 9AM, $25
Rucking is already just walking around carrying something heavy, but this one gives the weight a little more meaning. For Depression Awareness Month, you’ll ruck roughly 13 miles down Broadway from the top of Manhattan to Battery Park carrying weighted packs meant to represent the invisible loads we all carry. Along the way, participants will trade weight and carry for one another—a very literal exercise in helping lighten someone else’s burden. The $25 is worth it because all proceeds benefit the Hope for Depression Research Foundation.
Saturday October 10: The Feel Good 3-Miler by Project Healthy Minds (Lower Manhattan), 930AM, free
Part of the World Mental Health Day Festival, this free group run is led by five completely different personalities: Becs Gentry (Peloton instructor), A$AP Ferg (rapper), Emily Abbate (a fellow fitness journo!/podcast host), Max Siegelman (a brand founder), and Dan Clancy (Twitch CEO?). Love to see it.
There are a few other free workout classes for this festival, including a Housework by Sydney Miller (Pilates-based), and bodyweight strength training with Kelsey Wells, as well as meditations, conversations and more.
Sunday October 11: Usal Central Park Bouldering (Central Park), 10AM, free
If you’ve climbed in the gym and are itching to touch real rock, Usal hosts monthly community bouldering sessions in Central Park. Plus there will be shoe demos from La Sportiva, one of the best brands for outdoor climbing shoes.
See you next Monday.