Our second day in New York City started early!
We had plans to take an 8:30 a.m. class at Physique 57 and awoke at the last possible minute that would allow us time to change, quickly eat a bagel and arrive at the class right before it began.
When I was in NYC back in May for the Fitness Magazine Meet ‘n’ Tweet event, I met Natasha, the awesome woman behind Physique 57’s social media and she invited me and my friends to try a beginner class during our visit. Since I’ve taken the class one time before, I knew to expect to feel intense burning in my muscles and Saturday morning’s class did not disappoint.
Our class was led by Chad Levy, a ridiculously flexible and incredibly upbeat dancer.
Chad made the class an absolute blast. He was so funny and his enthusiasm was contagious. We did what he called “thigh dancing” to Gagnam Style which had all of us laughing and almost forgetting how much our legs were burning.
Chad described the workout as “interval training for your muscles.” We overloaded our muscles so they were burning like crazy with only bodyweight exercises before stretching them out. As someone who loves strength training with weights, I am still blown away by just how much you can seriously work your muscles without any weights at all.
We chatted with Chad after class and when I mentioned how bummed I was that Physique 57 does not offer classes in Florida, he said that they recently launched on-demand online workouts that you can do from home for $5 – $7. I wonder if any of them include Gagnam Style thigh dancing?
After quickly showering at the studio and stopping by Merri’s apartment, we headed out to walk the Brooklyn Bridge before lunch.
Unfortunately the weather was foggy and drizzly so we couldn’t see much from the top of the bridge, but it was still a fun walk and a cool experience.
Lunch became a priority after our walk and we eventually found our way to The Grey Dog on Mulberry Street.
The Grey Dog had an eclectic, rustic feel inside that I adored.
While we were there, Merri gave each of us a hilarious booklet themed after the movie Bridesmaids and asked each of us to be a bridesmaid in her wedding!
Of course we were all so excited and wedding talk consumed the rest of our lunch.
We sipped hot coffee and ate sandwiches, soup and salad and left feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle wedding dress shopping for Merri!
Our first stop was a huge success!
We arrived prepared with champagne and ended up popping it open and toasting to Merri because she found the dress!
Unfortunately I cannot share any pictures of her dress with you guys, but it is incredible. Merri looked perfect!
Since Merri’s dress shopping experience ended up being a lot shorter than any of us anticipated, Merri said she wanted us to try on bridesmaid dresses.
Merri’s idea for bridesmaid dresses is so cool. She wants all of us to pick an original dress in a champagne/cream/beige/light gold color so we’ll all be a little different, but still have a unified look together. (The idea reminded me of Molly Sims’ bridesmaid dresses but without the black.) How fun!!!
We tried on dresses to get an idea of a color palate and had a blast.
Merri’s wedding isn’t until October 12, 2013, so we have plenty of time to find perfect dresses but shopping together on Saturday was really fun.
See ya in a bit with more NYC adventures!
Healthy Holidays Giveaway Week Winners
Congratulations to…
Bethenny’s Skinnygirl Workout DVD:
- Jamie: “I tried one of bethanny’s yoga routines off of on demand at my parents house once and loved it! I’d love a copy of the dvd as I myself do not have cable!”
- Emily: “I’ve tried one of her skinny girl yoga segments on comcast’s demand. I would love the full DVD!”
Moving Comfort Urban Gym Tights:
- Katie Voorhees: “I practically live in my workout gear, especially when it’s comfy yoga pants !!! Love the look of the urban gym tights! Must try!!”
New Balance Minimus Training Shoe:
- Jenny: “I tweeted! Would love a new pair of shoes
”
”ZOOMA Race Entry:
- Katherine @ The Kats Meow: “I would love to run the Zooma race in Annapolis and I think running the half would be run! Good motivation to start running again.”
Best Body Boot Camp Entries:
- Raisa: “Hi Julie, I read your blog everyday and I love it! I have been wanting to try Tina’s best body bootcamp since I started reading pbf. I recently got engaged and have been looking for great workouts online but haven’t been successful at finding anything I like yet. I need something new to keep me in line!”
- Jessica: “I would love to win this bootcamp thing!! I am a brand new reader to your blog. I fell off the exercise wagon in the past month because I started a full-time job and continued with full-time school. Finals are KICKING my BUTT, but I will be able to get back into the swing of things in about a week!! This will be something new and exciting to really jumpstart my workout routines for the new year!”
- Nicole: “I am a Marine wife to be. I will be getting married in May and I would love to have a plan to stay in shape for my wedding, really kick butt and impress my fiance who is a United States Marine. I love everything that Tina’s Best Body Bootcamp stands for and I feel like it would be a great plan for me! What better way to prepare to be a Marine wife than doing my own session of bootcamp!! ”
Everyone please email me at pbfingers@gmail.com with your mailing address and size preferences (if applicable) and we’ll get you your goodies right away!
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Ahhh it looks like you had SUCH an amazing time in NYC! I’m so happy Merri found THE dress and can’t wait to see photos, next year of course 😉 I love the idea of different bridesmaids dresses in different colors! It allows each person to be unique but still look like party of the wedding party!
I’m getting married the exact same day and doing the exact same thing with my bridesmaid dresses! Girl’s got good taste 😉
I absolutely love the dark gold dress! That’s gorgeous!
My sister is getting married the same day as Merri and all us bridesmaids are wearing the same color but different dresses. I was in a wedding this past summer similar to what Merri is doing. Can’t wait until October so we can see pics of the dress–I love weddings!
It looks like you are having a blast in NY!
Dress shopping in the city sounds like a blast!
Sounds like a wonderful weekend! The dresses y’all tried on are all so cute! My sister is getting married in March, so I am surrounded by wedding talk, but love love seeing everyone’s awesome ideas!
It looks like you’re having the time of your life! I am so jealous! What an amazing way to spend the holiday season 🙂 Also, I am obsessed with your red/coral? workout tank!! Where did you get it? The color is beautiful and it looks like it would actually be long enough for my torso, AKA the longest torso known to man kind
I agree- love the color!
Brooke- it reminds me of Lululemon. I have a pretty long torso as well, and love the length of their Racerback Tanks (I probably own 10 hahah)..
http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/women-tanks/Cool-Racerback-30193?cc=7365&skuId=3469065&catId=women-tanks
I love Lulu but have never tried the Racerbacks! I might just have to try one!
it’s made by casall and is honestly one of my favorite workout tops b/c it’s actually LONG and doesn’t ride up.
Sounds like exactly what I’m looking for! Thanks for responding 🙂
It looks like you’re having the time of your life! I am so jealous! What an amazing way to spend the holiday season Also, I am obsessed with your red/coral? workout tank!! Where did you get it? The color is beautiful and it looks like it would actually be long enough for my torso, AKA the longest torso known to man kind
I hope you’re having a blast! Wedding dress shopping is so emotional but awesome!
Sounds like an amazing weekend! The weather has been weird in NYC but at least it hasn’t been super cold!
I did the same thing for my bridesmaids, too – except they had to pick out black cocktail dresses. I loved the idea of them being able to spend the money on a dress they actually loved & (hopefully) could wear again!
Oh! That’s what I’m doing with my bridesmaids dresses, too, but in grey! I’m going to tie it all together with bright yellow accessories. 🙂
What a fabulous time in NYC! Glad Merri found THE dress! Woot 🙂
I was supposed to take a class with Chad tonight (he’s new) but I escaped during lunch for class. All the girls are saying he is amazing! Glad to see your having fun in NY while your here!
I’m getting married October 11 2013! I am also thinking of doing gold/champagne colors–love her idea of different dresses on the bridesmaids. What are her other color ideas? I
she’s doing a lot of whites and creams. very romantic!
That’s great that she found a dress! I went wedding dress shopping while I was in Charleston this weekend with my friend (for HER) but she didn’t find anything yet. Although now she’s gone from “I have no idea what I want” to a good idea of what she likes, so that helped!
What a lovely weekend! So much fun! I loved my trip to NYC during the festive period, it was so beautiful! Great news that your friend found her dress and that you get to be a bridesmaid 🙂
Sounds like a great trip! I’ve only been to NY once 6 years ago, I NEED a trip back!
Wow! THE dress in one stop! Congratulations to Merri! it took five stores and nearly 35 dresses for me! But, like they say–there definitely is the *perfect* dress for everyone!
Wow – I can’t believe she found the dress on the first stop! That’s great 🙂 It sounds like you all had a great weekend.
sounds like you had a blast in the city!! I love walking over the Brooklyn bridge. I have yet to try out a few physique 57 dvds that I have but need to get on that asap!
I LOVE her idea for inviting you all to be bridesmaids! haha.
I’m getting married in September and I also found my dress at the first (and only store) I went to. It was actually the very first dress I tried on! I tried on maybe 20+ more after that but kept going back to that first one. And I’m also doing the exact same thing with my bridesmaids – same color palette too! I wonder if Merri and I picked the same dress…. 🙂 I guess we’ll have to wait and see! eeeeeeee weddings are so fun!
It looks like you had a great weekend! I had a similar experience, though not in NYC :(. My best friend asked us to be her bridesmaids by giving all of us individual puzzles with a picture of the two of us that said, “Will you be my bridesmaid?” It was so cute and clever! We went bridesmaid dress shopping yesterday and found the dresses! She is doing black and ended up loving two different styles so she picked both!
Great to see you didn’t let the NYC weather interfere!
What a fun day! I got to go with my friend to her last dress fitting for her wedding over the summer and that was SO fun since i got to learn how to get her in the dress and tie the bustle. I can only imagine how fun the experience must be from the beginning!
Please post your NYC day 2 outfit. Perfect outfit for a day in the city. Super cute!!
I am so excited that Physique 57 offers on-demand videos!!!!! 🙂
Hope you’ve had luck finding the perfect wedding dress. I bet shopping for it in NY was amazing.
What is the name of the Physique class you took? My sister and I are going to NYC for Christmas and we are dying to try a class and yours sounds like the perfect one! On the Physique 57 website they list so many different classes, I’m unsure of which one to choose!!
we took the beginnger class! if you can find one with chad, i highly recommend his class. it was so fun!
I love the color scheme for the bridesmaid dresses. I think that having different, but similar dresses is becoming quite popular lately!
That’s so exciting that she found THE dress so soon! Gotta make things easier for sure.
Your pics are so fun. I was just in NYC last week and this post makes me want to go back ASAP. In fact, I think we’re going to take the train down in 2 weeks. 🙂
I love Grey Dogs! Its really funny because I was in NYC this weekend as well and we ate at Grey Dogs on Friday… but we went to the one on University!
Hey Julie!
Where did you get your orange workout tank in the first picture? I love how long it is!
casall! it’s great b/c it doesn’t ride up. i LOVE that tank!
LOVE Manhattan!!! Next you’re there you have to go by Big Gay Ice Cream (food truck or their shop)…SO good!!! Olive and Bett’s is awesome shopping, too!
I’m loving this post! Ill be in NYC in a little over a month for a surprise bday trip for fiancé! So excited to reveal this trip to him.
Also, I’m getting married a week after your friend Merri and I too have told my bridesmaids to pick a dress in the peach family that is knee length. I’m not one to like uniformity so I can’t wait to see the dresses they picked out. I also told them they could play them up with cardigans or belts and big statement necklaces. I’m gonna love the way they look in pictures!!!
Ahhh The Grey Dog! I used to study there in college. The turkey, brie, and granny smith apple sandwich on whole wheat is the BOMB. Delicious. I miss that place. Glad you enjoyed! Go back for brunch sometime.
So fun! Wedding dress shopping was one of my favorite parts of the planning process!
I have the physique 57 workout dvds and they kick my butt! Wedding dress shopping in NYC sounds fabulous! Looks like you girls had a blast!
I love the idea of different bridesmaid dresses that all kind of match! very cute idea!
Where’s all the workouts 🙁
I like following your blog for new workout ideas, but lately there’s been not much of any. How come?
That’s so awesome that your friend found the dress so quickly and in one trip! Congrats to her. Looks like NY was a fun time!
I wish you could have walked the brooklyn bridge when the weather was nice! The view is pretty gorgeous, though seems like you had an amazingly fun time anyway!
I’m so impressed she found a dress on her first trip! Wahoooo! Looks like you had a blast in NYC!
What a blast! We did mixed bridesmaid dresses for my friends wedding and they looked great!
Looks like you guys had a great time! And congrats to those winners!
As a New Yorker, Grey Dogs is one of my favorite places to eat! I’m lucky to have one of them across the street from me, so tasty
How fun!! Dress shopping was one of the best parts of wedding planning. I love that you guys brought champagne to celebrate. 🙂
Super fun! I am so very envious of New Yorkers and their endless fitness possibilities!!!!