On Franklin Street between Church and Broadway, a new wellness hub is shaping up (literally). You’ll find AIRE, the luxurious, Turkish-style Tribeca bathhouse (heavenly, I highly recommend)…
…and the newly-opened CrossFit 212.
Then, there’s AQUA, where my fitness blogger friend Kayla and I took our first aquacycling class.
Already much buzzed-about in Europe, aquacycling is different from “terrestrial” spinning in several ways. First, the bikes are anchored into a 4-foot-deep pool, so, the ride becomes impact-free.
And, instead of our usual three standard positions (first, second and third), there’s a fourth, which involves slipping off the bike entirely so that you’re floating in the pool, holding onto the saddle in front of you and lifting each leg out of the water, one at a time, to really engage your core. Our instructor switched back and forth, both in and out of the pool, and the bikes look like this:
As for what to wear? We decided that a sports bra and swim suit bottom are best, plus required rubber water shoes provided by the front desk ($2 shoe rental fee; first class: $34 and $40 thereafter).
AQUA’s studio is absolutely beautiful, with loft-like ceilings and exposed brick walls lit by (faux) candlelight.
While I can’t say that it was the most challenging workout in comparison with my usual spin classes, I can definitely agree that aquacycling is beneficial for athletes who are injured, pregnant women and those for whom just being in the water is motivation enough to work out.
Because, in the end, we all have to find our own reasons to keep coming back for more.
Any questions? Feel free to comment here and I’ll be happy to answer you!
Meet Kayla on her site, Kayla in the City.
