High intensity training is what it’s all about at The Fhitting Room. That means 50 fast-paced minutes of moves that rely primarily on body weight (burpees, jumping jacks, lunges and squats) and standard equipment (kettlebells, medicine balls, rowers and TRX), combined to create a Functional High Intensity Mix (FHIX). Our class was a fairly balanced blend of women and men (guys were definitely well-represented, for a group fitness class in Manhattan) and with an instructor-to-client ratio of 12:1, we found extra help where we needed it–and minimal opportunity to “rest” while no one was watching. Here’s a look around the gorgeous studio, plus a shot of Emily, Bianca and me celebrating a job well done.

Curious to try it out?  Book a class at The Fhitting Room’s Flatiron or original Upper East Side studio (first-time students receive 2 classes for the price of 1 – $35).  Then, come back here and let me know what you think!

Featured image c/o The Fhitting Room.

On Friday night, Audrey and Diane, two of my 100-mile relay teammates, drove down from Vermont for a fun fall weekend in the city.  On the agenda: shopping, snacking on B-day Truffles at Momofuku Milk Bar, sipping Salty Dogs at Willow Road and cycling at SWERVE, the newest studio in the city, which opened yesterday.

Located on West 18th Street in the Flatiron, the exterior is reminiscent of SoulCycle, with colorful branded window vinyls.

The SWERVE concept is a team inspired ride, whether you come with friends or solo (both are encouraged). The bikes are brand new Schwinn, with the most amazing flat handles for position 2, separated into three teams: red, green and blue via overhead lighting.

Each bike is equipped with a monitor à la Flywheel and Revolve, but here, it’s synced to measure team performance, which is displayed via color-blocked bar charts on flatscreens. Go, team spirit. (SWERVE’s founders are college friends with finance backgrounds.) You can also check out your personal performance at the end of class via the ride summary that appears on your monitor.

Our instructor was Trisha, a blonde, braided Cali turned city girl. This was her fourth class in two days, but, we never would have known–she had great energy on and off the bike, plus a killer playlist.

After class, you can hit the juice bar with a selection of freshly blended smoothies, Chia Bars and cold-pressed juices from neighborhood favorite Liquiteria.

While SWERVE’s studio interior also looks like SoulCycle, bespoke details make it feel more luxe.

As a new Cory Vines ambassador, I was psyched to see SWERVE’s branded apparel collection includes the brand’s tops and tanks, plus some Nike favorites.

The SWERVE experience was fun. It definitely brings some additional energy to the city’s increasingly crowded cycling scene, And, girls, if you’re looking for eye candy, you can find it here…the studio was filled with cute finance boys on bikes!