From the traditional to the out-of-the-box, our editors pick their favorite
places to work up a sweat in New York this season.
Squash, Anyone?
There’s a
new glass cube structure in Hamilton Fish Park and,
no, that’s
not the latest Apple store. It’s the world’s first public
outdoor squash court — completely free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
This is more than just another exercise class — the yoga-cardio workout
is
wonderfully cathartic, and strengthens your body as well as your mind. Fans include Naomi Watts and
Christy
Turlington Burns.
Kayaking on the Hudson River
Manhattan
Community Boathouse offers free kayaking sessions plus free classes for beginners during
the summer.
Sample lessons: “Turns: Techniques for
Maneuvering Your Kayak” and “Rescues: A Step-by-Step Guide for Recovery After a Capsize.”
Aerial Arts
Why should Cirque du Soleil have all the fun? Sign up for lessons in a
wide range of
aerial activities, from flying and static trapeze to silks and trampoline, at Trapeze
School New York.
Runner’s Delight
For a truly scenic run, head to Prospect
Park where you can hit the 3.35-mile running lane or the smaller dirt-covered paths. Once
you’re under
the forest shade and
jogging along waterfalls and ravines, you’ll forget you’re in the urban sprawl of New York City.
Archery
Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen and be a badass archer at Gotham
Archery, which hosts locations in both Manhattan
and
Brooklyn. The intro class includes bow rentals.
Open Track Nights
Train alongside your fellow runners on Thursday evenings at Icahn
Stadium on Randall’s Island. The track, which
features
beautiful views of the skyline,
is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and meets Olympic
standards,
too.
Bull Riding
OK, so there aren’t any rodeo schools in New York City. But if you’re
hankering for
a touch of the Old West this summer, there are plenty of places to test your mettle with a
mechanical bull,
among them Viva Toro in
Williamsburg
and Johnny Utah’s by
Rockefeller Center.
Ping Pong Plus
Close out the night at SPiN,
the ping-pong club co-founded by actress Susan Sarandon. You can work up a sweat on the table and
then
cool
down with a signature cocktail, like the Marty Reisman, a mezcal concoction named after the
champion
player.
