Crunch focuses just on HIIT at The SweatShed. (
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The Meditation Class specializes in vedic meditation. (
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Nail salon Tenoverten has its own line of non-toxic nail polishes. (
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Barba bills itself as a men’s grooming boutique. (
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Best HIIT Workout
THE SWEATSHED
1109 Second Ave.
212-758-3434
www.sweatshed.com
Crunch’s East 59th Street location is just like the other locations of the gym chain, from equipment to studio classes, save for the “Shed.” The space is stocked with battle ropes, rowers, TRX suspension training and more, with the classes open to members and non-members alike. The varied circuits in the small group sessions will make the 50 minutes fly by while also making you, yes, sweat.
FHITTING ROOM
584 Columbus Ave.
646-858-1658
www.fhittingroom.com
This studio chain is devoted to HIIT (or high-intensity interval training). The small group classes are led by two instructors, for plenty of personal attention while you work through your kettlebell lifts and burpees. The Upper West Side location - Fhitting Room’s third in NYC - features two studios for its high-energy classes, along with amenities like individual shower rooms and high-end toiletries.
BARRY’S BOOTCAMP
135 West 20th St.
646-559-2721
www.barrysbootcamp.com
The studio chain has been devoted to HIIT for more than 20 years. Its first NYC location opened in Chelsea in 2011, also notable for Barry’s first Fuel Bar and use of the coveted Woodway treadmills. The studio has been busy ever since, bringing in New Yorkers for its calorie-blasting treadmill and floor workouts.
Best Mindfulness Destination
PURE YOGA EAST
203 East 86th St.
212-360-1888
www.pureyoga.com
In addition to its barre and vinyasa classes, the Upper East Side outpost of the yoga studio offers a variety of meditation classes under its “Pure Mind” umbrella in dedicated meditation studios. That includes the fundamentals of different techniques, breath work and yoga nidra (aka yogic sleep) - a state of deep relaxation that will calm even the most frazzled New Yorker.
THE MEDITATION CLASS
246 West 80th St., Studio 14
www.themeditationclass.com
Before taking a four-day course in meditation, prospective students sign up for a free phone consultation to see if the Upper West Side studio is a good fit for them. Those who ultimately end up enrolling rave about Kelli Douglas’ approach and style in teaching them the practice of vedic meditation. Monthly group meditations and drop-in office hours help keep the community and practice strong.
THE SPRING MEDITATION
145 Sixth Ave., Studio 6E
646-397-8616
www.thespringmeditation.com
Meditation novices, advanced practitioners and anyone in between can find support and resources at this serene South Village studio. Vedic meditation is the focus of the courses, with workshops in subjects like chakra basics and ayurveda also on offer. As part of its mission to make meditation accessible to all, students in need can volunteer to help cover course fees.
Best Spa and Massage
L'APPARTEMENT CAUDALIE SPA
819 Madison Ave., 4th floor
212-265-3182
us.caudalie.com
Treat yourself at the French skincare brand’s first freestanding spa. The line specializes in vinotherapy, a wellness practice that uses wine by-products for its treatments, from facials to massages to body wraps. The charming Upper East Side spa is like a Parisian escape, thanks to details such as a Louis XVI-style fireplace.
ETTIA HOLISTIC SPA
239 West 72nd St.
1-800-795-7109
www.ettia.com
This modest Upper West Side spa has been catering to busy New Yorkers for more than three decades. In fact, one of its packages is the “busy person package,” with a sea salt scrub, massage and facial all in just 90 minutes. Massages run the gamut from deep tissue and hot stone to sports and prenatal, to meet whatever your needs are.
AIRE ANCIENT BATHS
88 Franklin St.
646-503-1910
www.beaire.com
From its stunning space (memorably featured in the first “John Wick” film) to its diverse bath treatments, the TriBeCa spa makes for a memorable experience. Relaxation is the game here, with treatments designed to de-stress and detoxify, whether you’re going it alone, bringing a plus-one or grabbing the whole gang for a self-care session.
Best Dance Fitness Classes
AKT
244 East 84th St., 4th floor
212-858-0305
www.theakt.com
In recent years, the boutique studio has expanded its offerings to include sports-based exercises and recovery, but dance cardio is its bread and butter. Founder Anna Kaiser frequently crafts new combinations, so you won’t get bored even if you take four classes a week. And you’ll feel the burn even as you’re learning new choreography. Through franchising, the studio is opening across the country, but the Upper East Side is where it all began.
STEPS ON BROADWAY
2121 Broadway
212-874-2410
www.stepsnyc.com
Dancers of all ages and levels can get moving at this Upper West Side dance center, founded in 1979. Ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and contemporary dance are just some of the genres taught. The range of classes caters to students just learning how to plie to the ClassPass set to professional dancers on Broadway.
ENERGI
815 Broadway
917-297-6893
www.energi.life
The Greenwich Village event space’s studio has assembled some of the top names in fitness for its roster of classes. That includes dance-based offerings such as The Sculpt Society by Megan Roup; AK! Body and AK! Dance by Amanda Kloots; Choreo Cardio by The Rickey Sisters; and Sweet Space by Kathryn Avery. Find a dance fitness class almost any day of the week.
Best Manicure
JINSOON HAND & FOOT SPA
421 East 73rd St.
212-249-9144
www.jinsoon.com
Celebrated nail artist Jin Soon Choi has developed such a following over the years in New York City that she’s opened four Manhattan nail salons, including on the Upper East Side, with treatments designed to revitalize your hands and feet. She’s also launched her own line of polish that is eco-friendly and free of harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, which you naturally will find at the salon.
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COLORVAT
223 West 79th St., Suite 2
646-661-5277
www.colorvat.com
The year-old Upper West Side salon is all about customization. A consultation before the job will address any concerns customers have, such as peeling cuticles or brittle nails. The technician works to meet color and design preferences, and the application is meticulous. Feet also get love, with several treatments available to moisturize and smooth.
TENOVERTEN
Multiple locations
www.tenoverten.com
Healthy nails and skin are the goal of this nail salon, which has locations in SoHo, the Financial District, TriBeCa and Midtown. That means no gels and dips, and only the use of non-toxic nail polishes. To further its mission, it even has its own line of non-toxic polishes and nail-care products like rose oil and polish remover.
Best Men’s Grooming
QUALITY BARBERS
164 East 88th St.
646-450-7030
www.qualitybarbers.com
This upscale Upper East Side barber shop focuses on meticulous hair cuts, styling and shaves. Customers come back, even after they’ve moved out of the neighborhood, for the first-name service and ease at booking appointments online or through an app. The vibe is often relaxing, too.
REAMIR
Multiple locations
www.reamir.com
Fourth-generation barber Arthur Rubinoff has four locations of his barber shop in Manhattan, including two on the Upper West Side. Reamir also has its own line of natural men’s styling products, from shampoo and conditioner to shaving cream and aftershave. (Fun fact: Rubinoff is founder of the Upper West Side’s NYC Barbershop Museum, complete with its own barbershop on site, too.)
BARBA
235 West 19th st.
212-675-2010
www.barbamgb.com
This “men’s grooming boutique” in Chelsea offers both barbershop and salon services to meet a variety of self-care needs. In addition to haircuts and shaves, customers can get facials, body wraps, microdermabrasion and more. Popular services include beard color and SombraMP (scalp micropigmentation). The shop is also behind Strands for Trans, an initiative to create a safe space for the trans community by highlighting trans-friendly barbershops and salons across the country.