I feel like one lucky little traveler today. I managed to cut my initial three-hour layover time in half and caught an earlier flight to New York City. Hooray for standby!
I ended up sitting in a middle seat in the very back row of the plane but I was thrilled to be able to arrive early and not spend the better part of my day waiting in Chicago O’Hare airport. I’m so excited to be in NYC!!!
Physique 57
Right now I am on my own in the city because my friend Merri has to work until 6 p.m. and we don’t have any plans until happy hour tonight. I didn’t mind having the afternoon to myself at all since there’s no shortage of things to do in the city! So far I’ve managed to entertain myself with lunch, a short walk around the city (carrying luggage around limits my ability to do too much) and an afternoon workout class at Physique 57!
I’ve taken Physique 57 a couple of time in the past when I’ve been in NYC and absolutely love it, so when my friend Natasha who works in marketing for Physique 57 invited me to take a class, I was all for it! It’s a barre-based workout that uses small, isolated movements to target your muscles with a goal of increasing flexibility and endurance, while strengthening and sculpting. Since I don’t do barre workouts regularly, Physique 57 kills me! My muscles felt like they were on fire for most of the class. While I didn’t get super sweaty during the cIass, I sure did burn.
Before I left, I spent some time chatting with the women who work at Physique 57 and since I was visiting from out of town they gave me some information about their online workouts that I thought might interest some of you guys, too! They offer strength, cardio, prenatal and full body workouts that you may view online for $5 to $10. When you pay, you have access to the video for 48 hours and some of the workouts don’t require any equipment at all, so they’re a great option for anyone looking to get in a great workout while they’re traveling.
Now it’s time for me to walk over to Merri’s office and pick her up before we get our evening started! I am anxious to get out and explore!
I will be honest and say NYC totally intimidates me and I definitely feel out of my element when I am here, but I love the hustle and bustle of the city. My friend Ashley is flying in tomorrow morning and we’re planning on grabbing hot chocolate and checking out the tree at Rockefeller Center, but we’ll still have a few hours to kill before everyone else arrives (Ryan gets in tomorrow night!), so if you guys have any recommendations for fun holiday sights we should check out tomorrow, I’d love to hear them!!!
Have a great night!
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I got to do physique 57 once, it was so, so hard and awesome! Have a killer week in NYC!
Rockefeller is right by Fox 😉
Love your infinity scarf!! Where did you get it?
Banana Republic Outlet two years ago 🙂
I was going to ask the same thing! Love it 🙂
I love that scarf!!
I HIGHLY recommend a visit to Levain Bakery. It’s a little hole in the wall place on the upper west side, but you can smell the cookies from a block away. Definitely a must whenever I’m in NYC.
http://www.levainbakery.com/
Thank you for the recommendation!
I lived on the upper west side for 2 years and 100% second this recommendation- you gotta try their cookies!!
Try a FlyWheel class (first one is free!) Spinning but competitive!
You HAVE to have a NYC bagel (Essabagel or Pick-a-Bagel) or NYC Pizza while you are here… Ice Skating in Bryant Park or Central Park (a lot cheaper than the Rockefeller Rink and just as nice), Bryant Park also has a fun holiday market to shop around (with lots of cute homemade goodies!). There are also holiday markets at Columbus Circle and Union Square!
They canceled that! they aren’t free anymore 🙁
Loving that scarf! Where did you get it?!
Thanks! Banana Republic Outlet!
Can I take one random class at physique 57 if I’m traveling to New York or do I have to be a member? I’m heading to New York this Sunday and I’m looking for options to keep up to date woth my workouts!!
Anyone!! You can pay for a single class. 🙂
Chelsea Market! Or the Union Square Holiday Market (http://urbanspacenyc.com/union-square-holiday-market/)
Also, best breakfast in town is at La Bergamote..Chelsea location is the better! Their quiche and pastries are the things I dream about! http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-bergamote-new-york
Oh man I want a quiche right now…
Union square! I second that! Had the best pumpkin whoopie pie of my life there, mmmmmm
Welcome to the Big Apple again! Physique 57 sounds awesome, and although I’ve never tried a barre workout before, I am a dancer so I know that slow burn! Hope you have a fabulous evening with Merri! NYC during Christmastime is the best 🙂
I’ve always wanted to take one of those classes! So jealous. I never want to go to NYC… it’s not me at all, and terrifies me. Ha!
I’ve never heard of Physique 57 – what a great way to switch it up and put the muscles in shock. I wish they had one in Tampa!! Have fun in NYC!
I second the other recommendation for the Union Square Christmas shops (also have them in Bryant park, which has a skating rink now :)!)
Macy’s windows/duck inside to check out the holiday decorations!
Check out Columbus circle! They have these huge beautiful ornaments hanging inside the mall- one of my fave Christmas sights in the city (I lived on the Upper West for years, and second the rec for Levain Bakery!).
You should go to Rolf’s for cocktails – amazing Christmas decor http://rolfsnyc.com/www.rolfsnyc.com/Welcome.html
We went there last year and I loooooved that place! We have plans to go there again tomorrow night!!!
Get there super duper early!!! Got there at 4:45 wednesday to meet 2 girl friends and you couldn’t get anywhere near the bar… frankly it was a fire hazard!
Union square has some really cute pop up christmas shopping!!
Sounds like an awesome class and glad you go to NYC early! That is always a nice surprise – enjoy your weekend 🙂
Im live on Long Island (about 20 min from the city!) maybe next time we can meet up! And it’s funny because whenever I leave ny I feel like the pace is so slow (not complaining!) and I feel out of my element! And you guys should check out serendipity 2 and I also recommend city bakery for their hot cocoa specials! Have fun!
City bakery has the most amazing hot chocolate, try and get some if you have a chance. As far as decorations, check out the store fronts of bergdorf’s, saks and Bloomingdales. They always go all out for christmas. If you get a chance to have a holiday cocktail or even just lunch, go to Rolfs on 3rd and 22nd, they have my favorite Christmas display, in fact I would call it magical. Also St. Patrick’s cathedral is beautiful and is a close walk from the tree at Rockefeller.
I second Saint Patrick’s, it is such a beautiful church. If you’ve never done the High Line park walk, check that out as well! Just make sure to bundle up 🙂
City bakery also has the absolute best chocolate croissants, great vegan cookies and fresh green juice!
That class sounds awesome! Sometimes the less sweaty workouts work you out the most. There’s so much to do in NYC. My favorite is go get a yummy treat at serendipity. Yum!
Sounds like you had a great workout! Enjoy your time in NYC! Don’t freeze 🙂
It is definitely on my must travel to list to go to new york city. I’d love to go on NYE too as cliched as it sounds 🙂
The Bryant park markets are wonderful with lots of great stuff. You can also see the beautiful tree there and go ice skating. It will totally get you in the Christmas spirit. Go see the Rockefeller tree at night when the lights are twinkling and if you stand by the row of angles and turn your back to the tree you can watch the light show on the side of the Saks building. It’s pretty cool. And the window displays in Saks, Lord and Taylor, Macys, etc. are all worth a look. Have a wonderful time!
I second the Bryant Park recommendation!! It’s a cute area to walk through and has a cozy, fun outdoor bar (with a fire pit!). Plus, it’s right by Rockefeller Center 🙂
Check out this holiday food market at South Street Seaport on Sunday!
http://www.newamsterdammarket.org
I took my first barre class about a month ago–ohhhh my gosh was I sore the next day! Just like you said-not much sweat but definitely a burn. I really liked the class they’re just so expensive (at least near where I live).
Check out chelsey market!! The lights right now are unbelievable! Plus, they have sarabeth coffee…so yum!!
ps: I just signed up for the NASM CPT course thanks to you! Michael also applied your discount for me =) THANK YOU!!
Go to 24 hour fitness, get a free 3-day pass and take BodyPump!
Downtown – Buvette (Grove St) is the most heavenly little cafe where you sit at the bar and sip cappuccino’s and watch the staff work their magic on waffles, eggs, and croissants.
The Chobani bar in Soho is amazing also and they let you take home the glass bowls the yogurt is served in (don’t worry, they give you clean fresh bowls at the end)
Ice skating at The Standard under the highline park (much less crowded than the rockerfeller centre)
Bagels at Russ and Daughters on Houston and Ludlow. Just go.
🙂 enjoy and keep warm!
Do you watch the Bethenny show? She raves about these things called “cronuts”, a mix between a croissant and donut! I’m not sure where they are located (big help I know) but I would be willing to track one down!!
Go to Bryant park! It’s my favorite spot in the whole city! They have all these beautiful outdoor Christmas shops and food. there is also a free ice skating rink but it can get a bit crowded. The highline is a great place too!
Love NYC during the holidays! Central Park looks so pretty. I feel like everyone I know is headed there this year.
I’m a huge fan of barre workouts and would love to do them more often!
have so much fun! Christmas time in NYC is so beautiful!
I second visiting one of the holiday markets, either Union Square or Columbus Circle. For food, Friend of a Farmer on Irving place never disappoints, they have great food anytime of the day – all fresh and local. They’re brunch is amazing. Also City Bakery for hot chocolate, it’s on 18th btw 5th and 6th… It’s basically melted chocolate 🙂
Hope you have a great trip! I saw this on pinterest and thought I’d share it with you 🙂
It’s a list of 31 places to find some of the best eats in NYC!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/nyc-winter-food-tour?bfpi
There are quite a few ADORABLE holiday markets, that sell the most unique items, and it feels like a little Christmas village as you walk around and shop. My favorite holiday markets are the holiday shops at Bryant Park Bryant, 42nd St, between Fifth and Sixth Ave. and the Grand Central Holiday fair which is 42nd St, between Vanderbilt and Lexington Aves. Perfect places to kill time when you wait for everyone to arrive!
Barre workouts are some of theeeeeeee best in my opinion! As long as you keep on perfecting your form you will always feel the burn, which is a big plus for any kind of exercise. And mannn NYC sounds so fun!
I am headed there tomorrow!! So far have all the places everyone already mentioned on my list- plus american girl store & lego store & toys r us times square for the kiddos 🙂 definitely checking out Serendipity 3 and their giant frozen hot chocolate!! Praying the snow doesn’t mess up our trip!
You’ve probably been but definitely a visit to Carnagie Deli!!! 🙂
The absolute best bagels are at Murray’s bagels. There are two locations- one at 23 and 7th I think? And then one at 13 and 6th. Just don’t ask them to toast, it’s not allowed!
Also Yayoi Kusama has a popular show at David Zwirner Gallery in Chelsea.
If you are a sucker for donuts you really need to check out the Doughnut Plant, best darn doughnuts I have ever had!
Enjoy yourself!
I moved from Florida this year and finding some holiday fun is a great way to beat the winter blues haha
Union Square holiday market- on a cold day the hot apple cider or hot cooca hits the spot! Bryant Park Ice Skating is fun too!
Also Jump In Trampoline class in tribeca is really a fun and energetic workout!
And of course santacon tomorrow Hope you enjoy <3
When you are at the tree, see the holiday window display at Saks which tells the story of a snowflake making yeti. Then pop over to Bloomingdales, see their window, and go to the wonderful Dylan’s Candy Bar!
Also check out the Highline, chelsea market, christmas stalls at Columbus Circle, Union Square, and Bryant park.
If you want another work out, definitely go to Barry’s Bootcamp( locations in tribecca and chelsea). Half of the class in on the treadmill and half is on the floor with weights and resistance bands. It really is one of the best workouts ever! The room is dimly light and they always play great music. Such a fun atmosphere and the classes are always a fantastic workout!
Which instructor did you have? i was addicteddddd to P57 for about a year and half for 5x a week. It really is not the smartest workout it did a lot of damage on my hip flexors. Paying that much money and working out 5x a week my body was so used to that work out and i feel it isn’t enough. Next time you come to NYC come to Refine Method. A lot of us NYC barre girls have moved over to this. You will for sure have your butt kicked, they are amazing!!!!!
I love Physique and Natasha is the best! I adore visiting the studio whenever I can and it’s smart of you to take advantage of being in NYC and get in such a unique workout. Enjoy your time there – I’m coming on the 20th and can’t wait! Though I’m with you on the hustle and bustle. I enjoy visiting NYC but couldn’t live there!
I was in NYC last weekend and there was a great little Christmas market at the bottom of Central Park by Columbus Circle. Tons of vendors, food, hot cider, jewelry, soaps, ornaments, winter hats, etc. Great Christmas shopping and a super cute little seasonal thing to check out. I’d definitely stop by!
The peninsula is a great place to go to for drinks!
CK 14 The Crooked Knife is a great brunch spot with endless mimosas. It’s a cute little hole in the wall place but so yummy if you have time! It’s on 14th St between 7th and 8th Ave 🙂 ck14.com. Have fun!
So fun!! You really are a lucky traveler! That’s awesome that you were able to get in a workout while waiting on your friend!
Find the Charmin free bathrooms. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s something I just feel like everyone should experience it once haha. They sing to you about toilet paper and it’s hilarious.
my friends and i went to top of the rock (at rockefeller plaza) last december and loved having the opportunity to see nyc’s gorgeous skyline from a bird’s eye view!