But, just because the new year is here doesn’t mean that the party’s over. Never one for major New Year’s resolutions, I do believe in reasonable goal-setting to keep myself motivated through the dead of winter.

So, I’m dedicating 2015 to moving forward.

STRENGTH+Sole is getting a new look and we’re busy behind the scenes now, making your experience even better. That means: easier search, bigger images and more weekly fitness and fashion content. Stay tuned–it’s coming your way by March!

If you’re shopping for a new gym, take a look at David Barton‘s just-opened Chelsea location. Formerly, the raging, all-night dance club The Limelight, it’s now a haven for sweating of a different sort. With Life Fitness treadmills, ellipticals and weight machines tucked into dimly-lit, dreamy spaces and the original stained glass windows all around, this gym is proof that in New York, everyone–and everything–is always being reinvented.

Here’s to the power of positive change.

The entire class is done on a machine called the Megaformer, an über version of the traditional Reformer, timed to a pumped up, pop playlist.

Equipped with adjustable springs, stirrups and straps, I found myself hanging from and twisting on the Megaformer in ways that I didn’t know were possible. Moves like the Mermaid worked our obliques, Scrambled Eggs targeted the outer thigh. Plus, there were many, many planks.

This is my instructor Emily, showing off her best side plank. (I love her look, especially the girly toe socks.)

Mixed with high intensity cardio like cycling and running to shed fat, I can definitely see how SLT would deliver on its promise. And, you know me, I’d rather be sore than sorry any day.

SLT Flatiron opens next Monday, 11/3. Find a class here.

You’re wrong.

Welcome to Tone House, the hardest workout in New York City.

Bathed in red light, you’ll breathe harder than in any other class in town, you’ll sweat profusely as you carry the weight of a 70-pound harness on your back and you may even see black spots in between sets. But, you’ll be back for more.

Founder Alonzo Wilson lettered in every high school sport and went on to play college football. He now models for Wilhemina (that face, those guns!) and in conversation, he’s surprisingly soft-spoken for someone who designed a workout so crazy fierce.

The 15-minute warm-up consists of several rounds of hurdles, like these.

Then, there are pushups and burpees wearing the harness, strapped to the wall.

And, sprints back and forth across the studio, followed by resistance exercises using TRX bands that leverage your full body weight.

You’ll do all of this for an hour until it’s time to stretch and gather for one last team huddle signifying “game over.”

But, if you’re like me, the next morning, as you tell your friends about your more-than-grueling evening the night before, you’ll maybe, just maybe, also check the schedule.

At my office, there’s theClub, a pay-for-play gym with a full class schedule and full-time instructors, a greenmarket in the cafeteria on Wednesdays and blood pressure testing around the clock. The new meaning of “stress test”? My boyfriend’s company goes even further, offering a standard “uniform” (tee, shorts, socks and undergarments) for guys and girls who forget their clothes (or just hate doing laundry), in addition to equipment and personnel. They also sponsor race registration and help make it all happen with post-training parties and transportation to and from out-of-town destinations.

While out on the west coast, I toured Clif Bar’s HQ and took an insider peek at how the (lucky) crew behind my favorite energy bars make the most of their workdays–and make a difference in the community.

The Clif Bar athletes’ wall offers gym-goers a little last-minute motivation. I mean, if they can do it…

Bored with your cardio or weight training routine? There’s always rock climbing.

A conference room overlooks the garden with employee bike “parking.” (Even bikes are zen here.)

Look up and you’ll see more bikes…

…plus, skis and snowboards.

Coffee (or a puzzle break?) to spark afternoon creativity.

And, community: employees are encouraged to volunteer on company time for causes that they care about (provided that their office work is done). Onward and upward.

How do you make time to work out before, during or after work? And, what health & wellness benefits does your company offer or would you like to see at your office?

Welcome to “The Project: IMMERSIVE FITNESS” by Reebok and Les Mills, the global mastermind behind popular group fitness and team training programs like BODYPUMP (weights), BODYCOMBAT (martial arts), RPM (indoor cycling) and LES MILLS GRIT (30-minute high intensity interval).

Combining cinema quality video projected onto studio-sized screens with instructors who cue moves synchronized with exactly what’s in front of you, it’s the most high-tech way to get into the “zone” whether you’re riding through a kaleidoscopic cosmic explosion or stretching out under a sunset sky.

Recently debuted in London, The Project: IMMERSIVE FITNESS is on the road in Europe.  Stops include Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and Milan, for any of you with international travel plans.  And, sign up to stay tuned, because it’s coming our way next year!

So, get ready for your turn in the spotlight.

And, the best part is: you don’t even have to go on a single audition.

WATCH THE PROJECT: IMMERSIVE FITNESS VIDEO HERE.
And, follow on Instagram.

The next level of fitness is here. IMMERSIVE FITNESS™ surrounds participants with cinema quality video content projected onto screens of a purpose-built studio.  Exercise moves synchronize perfectly with music and graphics, creating a truly immersive fitness experience. Learn more!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Les Mills. The opinions and text are all mine.

I recently took a few weeks off from hard core exercise (speed walking, which was allowed, doesn’t do it for me) and now that I’m approved to really get moving again, I couldn’t wait.  But, I also felt a little hesitant.  Should I have scheduled my session after I’d had the chance to get in a few solo runs or straightforward elliptical?  In any case, the appointment with BSF’s founder was set and suddenly, there I was–lunging while gripping a 30-pound duffle bag filled with water.

But, let me start from the beginning.

Body Space Fitness was founded two years ago by Kelvin Gary, an NYU Stern MBA grad with an engineering background. Like many people in fitness, Kelvin started in the corporate world and ultimately decided that he could put his skills (hello, chemistry!) to better use helping others do what he loved most.

The BSF concept is largely based around semi-private training where a small group of clients work out together for team spirit, but, each performs a personalized program designed by Kelvin to meet his/her pre-defined goal, whether that’s weight loss for an event, race training or all-around muscle tone. Programs are centered around functional fitness, so, you’ll work with kettlebells more than free weights, for greater range of motion, and spend a lot of time pushing, pulling and planking.

On the morning that I was there, a pretty ripped woman in her 40s was wrapping up her prep for her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, while designer Rebecca Minkoff was on her way out after a typical bi-weekly workout (she’s a long-time client and Kelvin fan). I spent my session using TRX ropes, doing speed drills, pushing and pulling the infamous sled and of course, lunging with Kelvin’s pink aqua bag.

When I caught my breath 45 minutes later, I decided that what I liked best about Kelvin’s approach is that it’s very real. His workouts make sense. And, he’s super intelligent about the way our bodies work, especially when it comes to diet–one of the most important factors when you’re simply fine-tuning vs. trying to lose a lot of weight.  Based on natural body type, Kelvin can rattle off the percentage of carbs, protein and fat that will help shed those last few pounds and reveal the muscles that you’ve been building underneath.  And, if you’re looking to make excuses for abandoning the routine while traveling for business, forget about it.  Kelvin informed me that we can all source salads, chicken and yogurt in any U.S. airport.

As for me, I worked out 4 of the 6 days that followed my session at Body Space Fitness.  Which means that I’m back in the game.  And, soon to be better than ever.

Ready, set, go. Warming up in ALALA, my new fitness fashion obsession. With its see-through panels and ladylike details, this collection just may be all you need to work up a sweat.

Sneakers: ZQuick by Reebok; Sunglasses: David Yurman.

Product provided by ALALA; all thoughts/assessments are my own.
Photos by Jennifer Liu Photography.

Those were my first words upon arrival at Living Room Soho, the bright, airy Gyrotonic studio on Broadway founded by a gorgeous Greek former ballerina named Angeliki.

From white-washed brick walls to fluffy towels in Neopolitan shades of cream, pink and chocolate, it’s heavenly.

Influenced by gentle, flowing movements like those in ballet and using a special piece of equipment with weights and pulleys (made by a company called Cobra), Gyrotonic can help build strength, increase flexibility and maybe even teach you how to sit up straight.

Until last week, I always thought that meant arching my back, stretching myself up, up, up–all the way toward the ceiling.  But, I was wrong. Sitting up straight actually means shifting your weight back so that your head, neck and spine are in perfect alignment (no arch or curve of your spine, whatsoever). Why does it matter? Well, if you find that after a few hours at your desk, you suffer from lower back or neck pain, you might want to examine how, exactly, you sit.  You’ll likely find that a few ergonomic tweaks make all that time at the office more enjoyable (though I can’t do anything about your boss!).

Besides feeling a little taller and much more relaxed, after our session, I got busy with Angeliki’s amazing collection of floral scented bath products, lotions and oils by girly brands like Cath Kidston.  Yum!

A big thanks to NYC’s ultimate Greek goddess!

Book a class or private session at Living Room Soho here.

With his mega-watt smile, playful personality and perfect plié, you’ll find just that in FlyBarre’s Brandon Goodman.

Brandon got his start in the industry teaching in his living room at 7 a.m.  A former Tracy Anderson Method front desk staffer and member of the popular studio’s “first line of defense,” Brandon had what he calls a long-time “love/hate relationship” with fitness.  He wasn’t overweight, but, he wasn’t in shape, either.  So, using what he learned at his day job and via personal training, he kicked himself into high gear and invited a small but determined crew over for early morning exercise with light weights and high reps (essentially, FlyBarre’s key to success).

He’s a trained actor and creative writer, with a flair for fashion inherited from his mom. He describes her as “the most stylish minster you’ve ever met.” “If it sings to you, then you’ve gotta have it,” he says, listing colorful socks, vintage pieces from Beacon’s Closet and everything by ASOS as his go-to favorites. Check out those leopard print sweatpants! (They’re American Stitch.)

As a guy who not long ago was on the outside looking in, Brandon understands that fitness can be intimidating.  He suggests finding a personal trainer with whom you really connect and can be yourself.  Ask a friend to show you a few things around the gym or tag along with you to that boutique studio you’ve been wanting to try.  “Fitness is where you’re most vulnerable.  You’re either strong or you’re not.  You can either lift that weight or not,” he says, noting that FlyBarre’s classes are designed to be small enough that the instructor keeps a close eye on your form for maximum results but big enough to be social.  Why?  “You’re gonna work hard when someone is watching you.”

If you haven’t tried FlyBarre, a few things to know:

• When it comes to clothes, the more fitted, the better–but, wear what makes you feel comfortable.
• Set an attainable goal for just that particular class, whether it’s staying in plank or using your weights for a full song.
• And, bring socks, if you want (he teaches barefoot, but, lots of students wear them).

Above all, set goals that are realistic and are designed to make you happy.  So, if you’re working out to please your nagging boyfriend/husband or to squeeze into a string bikini for an upcoming beach vacation with friends, you may be heading down the wrong path.

“When it’s only about you, that’s when you change.”

Who needs a sweat session with Brandon?  Book it here.  And follow him around town: @manbgood.

For me, each of my long-term relationships has come hand-in-hand with the rotation of a specific pair of “fat” jeans toward the front of my closet.  They’re old but semi “designer” (Citizens for Humanity) and they never see the light of day when I’m single.  (Here they are and note that I’m also hiding behind my bag, which is a tactic that I’ve frequently employed when madly in love.)

It’s not that I’ve ever stopped working out, entirely, because I haven’t. My boyfriends have always been sporty types who share my love of running, biking, baseball, the beach and walking endlessly around the city.

It’s just that when I’m in a relationship, I tend to completely lose sight of my own routine when it comes to exercise, sleep and eating. Hardcore cycling classes get replaced by a few minutes on the elliptical, salads become steaks and the occasional dessert becomes an evening affair right before bed. And, as happy as I have been with the other person in those relationships, I haven’t been happy with myself. For me, “I” rarely comes before “us.”

Dating in New York can be a full-time job. In fact, it’s almost like playing professional baseball. Where are you in the lineup, did you strike out, knock it out of the park and are you the one consistently saving the game? Performance on a date or in a new relationship can be analyzed in a million ways, there could practically be a score card.

I’ve spent hours over the past year boxing, climbing and kicking major butt on the bike, largely in part to build this blog. I’ve really challenged myself (and changed my body) in order to create something to share with–and inspire–you. And, I’m not giving that back.

And, while I know that I’ll always have to work for my abs, regardless of my relationship status (that’s just my genetics), I also know now that when I do find the right guy, I’ll never again need to look back.

Are you where you want to be? How do you balance work, life, love and your fitness level?

Photos by Mariana Zenteno Photography, Shante Carlan Photography & Lindsay M. Koffler Photography.