Summerbod

be.come’s founder Bethany Meyers is all about body neutrality. They’re a leading voice in fitness, especially as it pertains to inclusion. Their class strikes all the right chords, while still being surprisingly effective considering the small, body-weight-only, movements.


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The Class says that there is “grace in release.” So yeah, they’re definitely not talking about a summer body here. It’s more of a “do it for yourself” vibe. We’ve found it to be a spiritual experience, even for non-believers. Instructors here go through a serious teacher training process, and, as a result, the workout is well constructed while also deeply liberating.

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There aren’t many places where it’s acceptable to cry in public. Tears tend to be reserved for personal late night viewings of Love Actually, expensive therapy sessions, or the very unplanned mini breakdown in Ikea. And now, there’s The Class by Taryn Toomey. It’s surely audacious to call your workout “THE Class,” but it’s also audacious to offer the overworked and overwhelmed a place to cry, scream, and sweat without pretense or judgment.
 
If this sounds to woo-woo to you, fear not. No one enters The Class with plans to shed tears. But somewhere in this HIIT-yoga-pilates fusion with repetitive calisthenics and burpees that last an entire song, things can happen. At the very least, you’ll get a really good workout and leave feeling a little more present in your own body. 

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Sure, it’s easy to make fun of The Class. And it’s easy to write it off as another pretentious experience that’s great for someone who’s fancier than you. But take it from us, The Class doesn’t feel exclusive, so maybe those crystals underneath the floorboard and the palo santo in the air are serving their purpose. 

It’s a rarity in New York City to find a place that strikes the balance of Goop vibes without feeling cult-y, and with a truly grueling workout sans being yelled at. The vibe is very “you do you.” Foggy mirrors and blasting music help to create a safe space where you can get in your own zone. It feels as effective as a really productive session with your therapist, for a fraction of the cost, and with the added benefit of sore muscles the next day. And to top it off, when all is said and done, there’s Chanel face wash.


Tribeca

The Class is a workout started by Taryn Toomey.

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The Class

Tangerine Hot Power Yoga is all about the good vibes. They’re about chilling out, while sweating profusely. The hot yoga is a workout, but it doesn’t feel fitness-y, and the language matches up.

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When it comes to yoga, there's a big gap between studios focused on physical fitness and those offering "spiritual enlightenment." Tangerine’s strength-based hot yoga classes are definitely a workout, yet they still manage to go against the fitness-obsessed culture that misinterprets the original context of yoga: a practice to train the mind and body to become more aware of ourselves, and to cultivate discernment, awareness, and higher consciousness through intentional movement. 

At this cozy Brooklyn studio, the interpretation is traditionally-rooted, with a modern twist: chill out and quit being jerks. Meaning, the classes focus heavily on your mental experience, which helps you connect more calmly with the physical (a 90-degree room full of sweat-drenched, wobbly bodies). The music is so low-key you hardly notice it, and the instructors manage to be knowledgeable and totally unpretentious. For what they lack in hands-on instruction, they make up for in humor. 

As for the types of classes, if you’re a pro, you’ll probably want to opt for the Tangerine Flow+ or the Slow Burn over the basic flow. While still great, the moves in the flow class are very much entry to intermediate level, and there isn’t a lot of time or space created for inversions and personal practice. In either class though, you can expect a good amount of attention paid to all the core muscle groups: abs, arms, and legs. 

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Inside the studio, your mats will be laid out for you, and blocks and towels are provided. The mats have pretty good traction, though you can pay to rent a special non-stick towel if you need it. As for the temperature, 90-degrees is warm, but the radiant heating panels, which simulate the heat of the sun, actually feel kinda great. It’s like a taking a tropical vacation in the middle of winter. 

The space itself is small and often overpacked. During peak times, expect to be two inches away from your neighbor. The sense of community is palpable; we just wish they would cap classes instead of maximizing every square inch. 

We think Tangerine’s delightful blend of modern LA crunchiness and traditional yogic teachings is worth the trek, just keep in mind the whole hot-yoga-no-shower thing. Our recommendation is to take a class on a weekend, sweat out the night before, and then head to Mile End or Shelsky’s for a quality bagel.

Downtown Brooklyn

A hot yoga studio for those who value good vibes, peace of mind, and <em>free almonds</em>.

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Tangerine Hot Power Yoga is a hot yoga studio with very chill vibes in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.

Tangerine Hot Power Yoga

Hit House is a great place to punch it out, but it’s also a very legitimate Muay Thai Fitness Studio. The instructors here are so knowledgeable—especially the founder, Tyler—and, as a result, you’ll feel like you’re both learning and accomplishing something. It’s definitely fitness, but we’ve found them to be mindful with words.

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It’s easy to bundle Hit House in with all the other kickboxing and boxing classes, but we’re going to be as direct as a sharp jab to the chin—we think it’s a must-try even if punching stationary objects isn’t your typical go-to.

Hit House centers around Muay Thai, Thailand's traditional martial art also known “The Art of the Eight Limbs.” For reference, kickboxing utilizes only four limbs and boxing a mere two. We’re not saying that numbers matter, just that elbows and knees are limbs, too. 

The class feels individualized, with your attention focused on your personal “Bishop.” This uniquely shaped, human-like, soft foam, non-judgemental punching bag is there to absorb both head kicks and emotional baggage. Its material will also result in fewer bruises post-class and its cover is washable, making this studio cleaner than most other boxing spots. 

Since everyone is focused on their own Bishop, you don't have to worry about being party to your classmate's experience—or Instagram story. The only thing that will break your focus is the instructor as they wander through the class to offer well-meaning tips. And speaking of instructors, Tyler, the founder, is awesome and very knowledgeable. Take a class with him if you can. But no worries if you end up in another class, as all of the coaches are clearly experts in the field, and you would never catch them dead doing a made-for-Instagram workout.

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While Hit House attracts some dedicated Muay Thai kickboxers, the class and the studio are welcoming for beginners. The learning curve is shallow; the first portion of class is dedicated to learning, and you’ll pick up all the basic moves in no time. If you feel like you’re lagging in getting the combos down, just fake it till you make it and go with the extremely rhythmic flow. Regardless of ability, it’s definitely still a full body workout.

The class culminates in a three minute, knock-em-out round, which is very, very fun—it’s just you making up combos using the moves you learned during class. When you put your eight limbs to the test, you can envision your opponent as your coworker who always leaves you with their work at 5pm. But you can also just do it for yourself, knowing that you’re moving a step closer to become a Muay Thai Kru. 


Nolita

Hit House is a kickboxing class different from all other kickboxing classes. 

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A 50-minute Muay Thai style kickboxing class in Nolita that is different from all other kickboxing classes. The studio sports luxurious bathrooms as well as early morning classes.

Hit House

We’ve found Pilates Rebels instructor, Helen Phelan, to be really honest when it comes to the fitness industry, body image issues, and the like. Plus, she’s a really good pilates instructor. If you’re in Brooklyn, you can find her at Session NYC. If you’re in Manhattan, take her class at Project by Equinox. She’s a gem.


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Pilates Rebels

Instructors at Forward Space are extremely conscious about their language, and that’s a welcome relief from the too-many-to-count dance cardio studios where phrases like “reach for that six-pack” are on heavy rotation. Forward Space is all about the beat, the vibe, the dark room, and moving for joy.

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Many workout studios claim to be just like clubs. Have a DJ? Wow, just like a club! Have a dark room? Look at you, giving Marquee a run for its money. A place where people dance? Consider us sold.

Despite every best effort to create a space where people can let loose, a lot of dance studios are still fitness studios first and foremost. People show up in workout clothes and instructors say things like “reach for your summer body.” That last one fools absolutely no one—and also just sucks. 

Forward Space is a newcomer to Nolita, and while it’s definitely still fitness, it’s the closest fitness-y thing we’ve found to a proper night out. The kind of night out where you had so much fun dancing that you forgot all about your outfit or who you were (or weren’t) going home with. 


When you walk in, the staff greets you with high fives and smiles that make you feel like they were waiting just for you. Everyone here has a perma-smile and it doesn’t even feel *that* cheesy. The studio sports lots of black, white, and concrete, with nods to disco and street style cool. It’s a laid back and gender inclusive vibe—men dance, too!

The room itself is dark with lots of strobe lights. The instructor is on a platform so you can actually see what they’re doing. Most importantly, the music is consistently really good, which makes it a million times easier to move.

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All of these components create a space where you’re really happy to be, and that seems like a major pre-req for \*dancing like nobody’s watching.\*

Forward and Forward+ are structured so that you’re doing easy-to-follow repetitive motions to the beat for most of class. But, you can really get into it and add flair if you want to. The last portion of class is dedicated to learning a super short “routine” and then “performing” it over and over again to the beat. It’s definitely beginner friendly, but if you’re just looking to move and hate being told what to do you might like it less. It’s only about 10 minutes though, so no harm, no foul.

Our favorite instructors are the founder Kristin Sudeikis (yes, sibling of that famous actor) and Rachel Warren, but you can’t go wrong with anyone here. And despite Forward+ being the slightly more advanced version of Forward, both are beginner friendly. Some people who come here clearly have some serious dancing chops, but it’s just as cool to come as you are and flail around. 

Forward Space is a great escape that’s more like your best night at Paul’s Baby Grand, and their ethos matches that as well. We attribute this partially to their decor but mostly to their language and energy. It’s subtle but powerful when a dance studio is more focused on the dance then the cardio. Tuning into the beat and the energy rather than the particulars of a move or the reasons you might be dancing is possibly the best escape of all.

Forward Space is the ultimate place to dance and <em>let loose</em> (that doesn’t serve alcohol). 

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Forward Space is a new dance studio in Nolita serving up great music, low lights, and super fun moves in their 50 minute class Forward.

Places to Move When You Don’t Want to Hear the Phrase "Summer Body"

01.
be.come

02.
The Class

03.
Tangerine Hot Power Yoga

04.
Hit House

05.
Pilates Rebels

06.
Forward Space

01.
be.come

02.
The Class

03.
Tangerine Hot Power Yoga

04.
Hit House

05.
Pilates Rebels

06.
Forward Space

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Places to Move When You Don’t Want to Hear the Phrase "Summer Body"

01.be.come

02.The Class

03.Tangerine Hot Power Yoga

04.Hit House

05.Pilates Rebels

06.Forward Space

01.be.come

02.The Class

03.Tangerine Hot Power Yoga

04.Hit House

05.Pilates Rebels

06.Forward Space

Share

More guides

Stay Active. Subscribe to our newsletter.

01.
be.come

02.
The Class

03.
Tangerine Hot Power Yoga

04.
Hit House

05.
Pilates Rebels

06.
Forward Space

01.
be.come

02.
The Class

03.
Tangerine Hot Power Yoga

04.
Hit House

05.
Pilates Rebels

06.
Forward Space