This morning I was reading the New York Times and an article called “Swapping Girl’ Night Out for A Workout” caught my attention. It highlighted a bachelorette party attending a Flywheel Sports class in NYC instead of getting their drink on. Of course as typical New Yorkers, the girls went out for manis, pedis and sushi after. To me, it doesn’t sound like swapping girls night out, this type of night is girls night out.
In New York City, fitness is essential as New York skinny is an aspiring look. Blogger, Garance Dore describes the look as, “Thin to the brink, yet muscly from Pilates because it gives you super long lean muscle.” Unattainable for most, but an image that’s seen everyday gracing the streets in 5″ stilettos.
With this idea of perfection in mind, New York women (myself included) are adding fitness classes into their girls nights out and list of Sunday Funday activities (who needs to chug beer and watch football anyway). Calories! Besides the goals of having a toned body, girlfriends are the best source of motivation and make working out seem less like a chore and much more like a fun activity.
The days of dancing on tables and drinking empty calories are over in this city and we have our girlfriends and endless exercise classes to thank from Core Fusion and Physique 57 to SoulCycle for keeping us in shape – you know, “New York skinny.”
New York skinny is an aspiring look according to this blogger? (Who, BTW you should not use as reference material, since bloggers are really only giving opinions and in most cases, they are not based on much more.)
Are we really striving for something because it’s ‘an image that’s seen everyday gracing the streets in 5″ stilettos?’ Hmmmm, that sounds healthy.
This is an amazing trend – and glad you are helping to bring it to the forefront. What goes on inside some of these studios is amazing and live changing. But how about a focus on the camaraderie, the general elevated sense of taking care of one’s self, getting healthy, and best of all, that women have been smart enough to see the wave of the future as the real reason behind the trend – not yet another maniacal exercise/weight frenzy women are participating in to get to something that is admittedly ‘unattainable for most’.
For the record, I don’t aspire to New York Skinny, just Human Being Healthy. The days of dancing on tables and drinking empty calories are NOT over in this city – and thankfully so. I will rue the day that a little out of control partying and fun with the guys comes to an end for an exercise class. Everything in moderation.
Of course, that’s my opinion – maybe I will start a blog.
There have been tons of articles/books about “Parisian Skinny” or “New York Skinny” that authors use as a visual reference or motivation. I think, in this case, it’s just an example since the NYT article is about NY women. Jeannine always talks about health and fitness with a well rounded lifestyle. I guess you don’t normally read this blog
I totally agree! Don’t get me wrong, I love the girls nights of going out and having a fun night, but the nights of just taking a yoga, or a spin class together and laying low, is so much better these days. Before heading to the gym every day I always call my girlfriends to see who is around and to see what classes we are going to take.
There comes a point in your life that dancing on tables and chugging beer just isnt the thing to do anymore, especially when you’ve grown up a little and have class!
hmmm, i actually felt the opposite. i commend beauty sweet spot for exploring a HEALTHY way look great while bonding with your besties. Sounds like a fabulous idea to me.
with regard to the quest for NY skinny…healthy or not… the reality in manhattan is that women are trying desperately to look good and that does mean skinny to most NYers. And I think after reading this piece that Beauty Sweet Spot looked at it from that perspective…with so many women choosing unhealhty routes to obtain being skinny, this article is advocating using fun fitness classes and the company of your gfs as a great method to helping us in the quest to look great and have a good time! I probably won’t give up all those fun nights out dancing on tables but I am happy to sacrifice a couple for a few laughs with my loves while making myself a healthier, more beautiful, me!
Thanks for reading my thoughts and for all of your comments ladies.
If you’re a regular reader of my site you’ll know that I’m a huge advocate of a healthy lifestyle and promote health and fitness in a positive light.
And of course, I believe in a well rounded lifestyle! Everyone needs a glass of red or a bloody mary once in a while…
I agree – I think it’s great that Jeannine is bringing this new trend to the forefront and sharing it with her readers. From my experience, sharing a yoga class with a friend not only makes it way more fun and tolerable, but is great for catching up and spending time with people that I wouldn’t normally have time for with my busy “New York Schedule” – I’m going to workout anyways, might as well bring my friends and spend time with them while getting my health on.
“New York Skinny” is just a play on words, no where in this article, or any of Jeannine’s writings does she advocate unhealthy habits. Jeannine is always posting about healthy ways of living – from eating to working out but also going out and having fun.
Everyone knows it’s been shown in numerous studies for years that its more effective to work out with groups of friends since they help motivate each other. The NY Times highlights a twist on it by suggesting to swap an unhealthy activity (binge drinking) for a healthy one (exercise class) every once in a while – even better!