your weekly nyc fitness and wellness guide: june 1 - 7
Global running day events, an Alo wellness walk, a free trail running excursion from Hoka, and our take on the new sunset sessions at QC spa on Governor’s Island.
Good morning everyone—I’m writing this in bed with my cat on my lap as I let my legs recover from a weekend of activity. This past week was a big one for NYC fitness, with Hyrox (the “fitness competition for every body”) and Bandit Grand Prix both going down.
I (Hannah) was a bit skeptical of Hyrox because of its massive explosion in popularity in the US these last few years (and subsequent difficulty to snag a ticket), but I ran doubles this past Sunday and it was so joyful to prance around Pier 76 overlooking the water and pull some sleds and smash some wall balls with my workout partner and gal. Working out is fun with a friend and community! (That’s sort of the whole ethos behind this newsletter…)
We are also so grateful to be hosting our official launch event this upcoming Wednesday evening, partnering with women-owned adjustable weights brand Lifting the Mood. Maddie is teaching a yoga class and we’ll be hanging after, and we may just have a few last minute spots for newsletter subscribers, so hit reply or comment/DM if you want to attend!
ALSO: Happy Pride Month bbs. We’re yet to find some pride-related workouts but this week but we’re sure they’re incoming.
This week: Global running day events, an Alo wellness walk, a free trail running excursion from Hoka, and our take on the new sunset sessions at QC spa on Governor’s Island.
on the radar: this week’s fitness and wellness events
Tuesday June 2: Hyrox x Warner Bros Supergirl Women’s Run (Dumbo), 8:45AM, free with registration
We’re not totally sold on the Warner Bros partnership, but we love the idea of uplifting women athletes and creating a community around strength and exercise. There’s a 5k shakeout run across the Brooklyn Bridge that ends at the Brooklyn waterfront for a networking (lite) breakfast. You don’t need to be a Hyrox athlete to attend!
Wednesday June 3: Brooklyn Running Co x Asics Global Running Day (Williamsburg), 7PM, free
Celebrate Global Running Day with Brooklyn Running Co and Asics, who will both be set up in McCarren Park from 7 PM to 9 PM. Go hang, run, or demo the Asics Kayano 33 (better for those who need stability) or Superblast 3 (better for fun).
Wednesday June 3: Yoga Club Classical Music Vinyasa + Jazz Social (Park Slope), 630PM, $15
We’ve been seeing a lot of events from Yoga Club, often centering music that one doesn’t typically associate with a yoga class. This affordable “club” (not a class, they specify) is a flowy vinyasa with live music after. Open to beginners.
Wednesday June 3: Field Notes: Ideas and Wellness Market (Sunset Park), 7AM - 10 AM, free
Brooklyn Grange, who hosts the rooftop yoga series we posted about last week and is now waitlisted, also hosts a morning of wellness at their Sunset Park rooftop farm. Join for coffee/juices, yoga, a sound bath, or even experience their Farmer for a Day program (minimum $5 donation required), where you put your hands in some dirt. Programming will change slightly each week, but you can expect a serene setting to spend a morning with intention.
Thursday June 4: Here & Now: A Phone-Free Social Experience (LES), 630PM - 9PM, $25
Kanso hosts phone-free experiences where you enter the room, drop off your phone, and pick up “The Present”—a kit including a journal, pen, and conversation prompts. It is structured similar to speed dating but without the dating component. They also stress it is not networking. Consider us intrigued!
Friday June 5: Tune and Unwind: An Intentional Listening Experience (DUMBO), 7PM, $25
Music can also be wellness, and this “intentional listening” experience from Uloma and Ola Studios seems worth attending. You’ll wear a pair of silent disco headphones to immerse yourself in the tunes, as you’re guided on a curated sound journey. There will also be guided reflection prompts, community conversation, and a journal to record your thoughts.
Saturday June 6: Past the Pavement Trail Run with Hoka x Ralle (Meet in Flatiron), free with $10 refundable deposit
Hoka and Ralle, a group movement collective, are teaming up to host a FREEEE 4.5-mile train run in Palisades Interstate Park (meeting at Hoka Flatiron store). You can also use the opportunity to test out the new Speedgoat 7 trail shoes. Event states that you should already be comfy on trails, so it may not be the most beginner friendly.
Saturday June 6: Global Running Day 5k with La La Bakeshop (Seaport), 10AM, free
We love a pastry run! Pastry Runners, Rice Run Rep(eat), and Local Runner are partnering with La La Bakeshop, a Vietnamese bakery with delicious buns (including pistachio lava, creme brulee lava, matcha lava, and salted egg lava flavors.) Register on Forte to take part of the giveaway.
Saturday June 6: Outsiders Twilight Hike and S’mores (Meet in Chelsea), 630 PM, $50
Sign up for a two-mile moonlit hike with Outsiders, a community of like-minded, adventurous city folk who take any opportunity to get outside in the nature surrounding NYC. Mid-hike, the trip leaders will set up a bonfire and s’mores break so you can really feel like you’re a world away from the city.
Saturday June 6: Orchard Street Runners Bread Route Race (Midtown), 2AM, free
This 10-mile unsanctioned night race weaves through the streets of Manhattan along the route that the race organizer, Joe DiNoto, and his father followed to deliver bread when he was a child. “Those quiet hours, when the city’s streets were empty and the world felt like it belonged to just the two of us, left a mark on me that I carry to this day,” OSR writes on Forte. You can still sign up for the race, although they reserve the right to deny any runner. There are also opportunities to volunteer for athlete check-in, bag check, and the start line, which could be a great way to support the community and get involved for future events.
Sunday June 7: ALO Wellness Walk (Tribeca), 1030AM, free
Alo just opened a new store at Brookfield Place, so they’re hosting a few free events this week in celebration, including this wellness walk. Could be a good opportunity to take some time to slow down on a Sunday and meet like-minded people in the city.
Sunday June 7: DDKT Summer Sweat (Long Island City), 10AM - 2PM, $25
Women-led fitness group, DDKT, is hosting a fun morning of movement and community for less than the price of a boutique class. The full experience includes a 5k run, a strength x HIIT workout, and recovery and social activities (like a picnic in the park except its bring your own snacks.) Drinks from Bloom (we love) will be provided, and of course, as all good NYC events, a DJ. Free if you just want to go hang/picnic in the park.
we think you should know…
This past Friday, Hannah and I hopped on the ferry from Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan and cruised over to Governor’s Island to spend the evening at the QC Spa. On Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer, they have their “Sunset Series”, which features a resident DJ spinning at sunset. And while I wouldn’t say the music was the main event (the DJ is off to the side on her own), it definitely added a vibe and felt more beach club than normal spa. I liked the combination of a more classic spa experience— relaxing in the sauna and steam rooms and laying under the Vichy showers— and being able to chill by the pool, margarita in hand and vibey afrohouse in the background, while the sun went down over Manhattan. I almost felt like we were on vacation.
The atmosphere didn’t seem particularly social or conducive to meeting new people because nearly everyone there was on a date or already with their friends. Saunas were quite the opposite of the more social scenes—everyone was resting with their eyes closed, even if they were with a friend.
Starting around $144, the cost is pretty steep, but we think it’s worth it for a summer Friday if you want to feel like you left the city when you’re actually only a five minute ferry ride away.
happenings around town
Bathhouse announced their Summer Sauna Tour, a mobile sauna in an Airstream. First stop was/is Pier 76 for Hyrox recovery, available to all attendees. It’s right when you walk in to the grounds to your right by athlete warmup. Pretty small, and I can’t imagine it would fit more than a couple folks!
Hyrox started last week and will continue through this weekend. Spectator tickets are mostly sold out, but they may open up some last-minute tickets closer to race days. Follow their IG story if you’re trying to secure one to see a friend race.
Athletic wear brand LSKD is hosting a pop-up at The Training Lab, a hybrid training gym in Times Square, and NYC locals can get a free two-week unlimited gym membership with the purchase of $100 or more. (Although we went there for a Hyrox shakeout run this week and the vibe is a bit…..aggressive.)
Yes, there is a bit of trail running in Prospect Park, and yes, it’s strangely hard to find a continuous route of it. That’s why you should probably go out for a run with Miler Running’s Dirt City Sunrise Trail series, which is Wednesdays at 7 AM from June through August, one of these days. Join them for a five-mile loop—they’ll be going a 10-minute-mile pace, so not open to all levels.
Seaport Fit and Nike trainer Joe Holder are partnering to bring free workouts to the waterfront throughout the rest of summer. Registration is required for each event—which range from group HIIT to yoga to running—but the June schedule is live now on the site.
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!
PR and brands, our inboxes are always open for news and events we need to know. New studios: We’d love to come join a class and write about it.
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See you next Monday.
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