The New Girls Night Out Involves Swapping Booze for Sweat

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."

Fitness: Sacrifices for Better Shape

For the past four years I've been in a committed relationship with my gym – Club H Fitness.  The only time I ever cheated was to test out Physique 57 classes or turbo spin classes at other studios, but at the end of the day, I was faithful.  Until now... I quit.  I joined New York Sports Club to make a long story short (I know, I know).  Truth is, my best friend and boyfriend both belong and as of late my motivation is coming from taking classes with them. Despite the fact that I did see an ant at the NYSC near my apartment, I did take one of the best classes I've ever taken in my life there – Turbo Kickboxing.  (Side note: Club H is the cleanest gym ever... so spoiled!)

A study from Oregon Health and Science University found that when people attended gym classes, they worked out 69% more often, as opposed to 54% when exercising alone, which proves my theory.  I'm ignoring the ants and taking the plunge... Hello New York Sports!

Latest Obsession: Heidi Klum for New Balance

Since Heidi Klum is no longer a Victoria's Secret angel, she was able to spread (or should I say shed) her wings and one direction she chose was to work with New Balance in creating an active wear line.  About two weeks ago I was invited to the press preview to check it out and fell in love with some of the pieces.  So who's it for?  The chic yogi. The line consists of a variety of sweat pants, oversized hoodies, T's and ponchos and is super soft, allows for movement and wearable in public (not just in class).  I love going to classes outside my gym like Physique 57 and yoga and these outfits would be perfect because I can walk around the city in them, take the subway and arrive at class with out looking like I'm in gym clothes.  Those classes are the right types of classes for the gear though.  Don't think about taking this line of active wear on the treadmill or to spin class.  Because it's not high-performance, it's definitely made just for certain classes.

Not a fan of classes or working out?  No problem.  How about those days you just want to relax and run a few errands?  We all have them!  My favorites are the Oversized Short Sleeve Hooded Poncho (pictured) and Side Snap Genie Sweat Pant (not to be worn together).  You can shop all of the goods exclusively at Amazon.com.

Exclusive Interview with Gabby Reece

Gabby Reece is not an ordinary professional volley ball player.  Named one of the top five most beautiful women in the world by Elle magazine in the late '80's, her phenomenal body has also graced the covers of Shape and Playboy.  I got the blonde bombshell to dish her beauty and fitness secrets. She credits her glow to Vaseline Aloe Fresh and fab bod not only to volley ball but also to weight training, ballet bar classes like Physique 57 and running in the sand, however she doesn't give up her guiltiest pleasure: chocolate.

Check out my exclusive video interview with Gabby below:

Hottest NYC Workout: Physique 57

A NYC phenomenon, Physique 57, promises to tone and sculpt their clients with their rigorous ballet inspired workouts created by founders Tanya Becker and Jennifer Maanavi.  Kelly Ripa credits the classes for her hot bod. Therefore, I had to check it out to see what all the hype was about. I had the pleasure of joining some of the most reputable beauty bloggers in NYC @Glambr, @eye4style and @fashionstbeauty (on twitter) for my first class.  The classroom was all mirrored with a soft carpet and lined with ballet barres.  Equipment included light free weights, mats, a light ball and strap.

I absolutely loved it.  Having a bit of a dance background helped when the instructor spoke about technique, but wasn't necessary.  Each routine was intense, but by the time I started to cringe because it was burning so badly we were moving on to something else.  So in the end, it wasn't all that bad.  The hour long class included a full body interval workout with light stretching in between tightening.

I'm definitely feeling it today in my butt and thighs, but love it because it's obvious I did something right! I'm definitely excited to go back with the girls and explore other new workouts that are becoming NYC phenomenons.