It blows my mind how fitness in NYC can be both insanely expensive and accessible all at once. There are a ton of $34+ classes and also a ton of free fitness opportunities.
One of my most popular blog posts ever is how to sweat like the reach for dirt cheap. I’m not surprised that this is such a popular topic and I seriously need to update this list because there are now even more opportunities for free and cheap workouts.
Sweaty Betty is doing an insanely awesome job at making fun fitness classes accessible and has been offering a ton of free classes since they first opened their Soho store in 2013.
Even though I haven’t been taking a ton of new-to-me classes thanks to marathon training, I was able to sneak in a Body By Simone class at Sweaty Betty last week.
The class mixes together two of my favorite things—fun cardio dance + strength training for a super sweaty hour. The class at Sweaty Betty got me excited to check out Body by Simon’s studio in Chelsea and take the full version of their signature class.
The Class
Body by Simone is one of those classes I’ve heard SO many good things about. I didn’t know a ton about the class going into it, but knew I would enjoy it because I love anything that has a dance-y element to it.
We couldn’t full out dance at the store because of the understandable space restrictions however I was still able to get a taste of what the class is like… and I definitely liked what I saw.
The class is composed of three cardio segments which are followed by strength portions targeting different parts of the body.
After a warm-up song we launched into the first cardio segment, a very kickbox inspired set of movements put together like choreography. I honestly wasn’t going all out because #marathontrainingproblems and still worked up a sweat pretty fast.
The first strength segment was an ahhhh-mazing song dedicated to bi’s, tri’s with a touch of shoulder and back. I don’t always love using lighter weights because I feel like it immediately starts to piss off my previously injured rotator cuff. While this class still had a high number of reps, the movements were more focused on the biceps and triceps, which kept my rotator cuff happy… and my muscles still burning.
Cardio song number two was another sweaty round of choreography, this time featuring a ton of kicking, moves inspired by 80’s aerobics (I mean this in the BEST way) and some squat jumps for good measure.
Next strength song was really focused on the glute a la a barre class and we did a ton of tiny yet painful movements targeting the bumbum while we were on hands and knees. Why is that that the tiniest movement can sometimes be the hardest? By the time we finished the first side I was doing that awkward “I’m going to pound out my super sore glute muscles now” movement that we all do with our fists. If you’ve ever taken a barre class you know what I’m talking about. After murdering my glutes I was excited for the last cardio song where we put together the moves from the previous songs.
The final 2 songs were super ab focused including a whole song of plank. MY KIND OF AB FINALE. Planks are easily my favorite move ever and I have been known to win a plank contest (or two). Tacking on some serious ab movements in the form of planks plus some crunch variations felt so so tough at the end of class.
All in all, I was a sweaty beast by the end of class and loved the combination of cardio and strength.
More Free Classes at Sweaty Betty NYC
Like I said, I’m really impressed with the amount of free classes Sweaty Betty is offering both at their store locations (Soho + Flatiron) and occasionally offsite at studios. Body by Simone classes will be offered at the Soho location every Tuesday at 7:15pm. In addition both locations host additional barre, pilates, yoga and dance classes. Sign up online beforehand to ensure your spot.
Outfit
Sweaty Betty was kind enough to send me an awesome tank top and running leggings for the workout. Absolutely obsessed with the lime green details in the bottoms! The bottoms are deceptively lightweight which was exactly what I needed– this class took place on a beastly hot summer night.
Tank top: Interval run tank top in neon lime
Crops: Adrenaline run capri in mash-up plaid.
and my favorite pair of nike frees 🙂
That class looks super fun! And I totally love those leggings 🙂