The search for sport
Don’t sweat it! A slew of sleek new fitness-friendly Web sites makes scheduling your next workout a breeze. These five sites can help you book classes — from the traditional (spinning at Flywheel) to the quirky (a “Glee”-centric dance class). So lace up your sneakers — it’s time to get moving!
FITiST
Ideal for: Goal-oriented fitness freaks who want a specific workout plan
How it works: The first site of its kind, FITiST goes beyond acting as a simple booking agent: It’s a centralized platform for users to book packages culled from about 40 studios and catered to specific types of people — e.g., brides, moms-to-be, marathoners. Listings provide a basic description,a blurb explaining why FITiST likes the studio and available amenities (locker rooms and showers, for example). Also notable is that every studio has been tried and tested by the FITiST team — so you know it’ll be good.
Most popular studio: SLT (37 W. 57th St.; 212-355-1737), a sleek new studio offering a workout designed to strengthen, lengthen and tone the body by incorporating Pilates, strength training and cardio in 50 minutes
Quirky class: ModelFit (107 Chambers St.; modelfit.com), based on workouts created by celebrity trainer Justin Gelband for supermodels such as Miranda Kerr
FITMAPPED
Ideal for: Location-minded gym rats
How it works: This NYC-area fitness directory — an online YellowPages for workout studios—is bare bones in design but lists an impressive 900 studios and gyms, all of which were selected by word-of-mouth and via Yelp and Groupon searches. The site allows you to search by type of workout, like swimming, or neighborhood.
Most popular studio: Chaise23 (40 E. 23rdSt., third floor; 212-432-6100), with Pilates, aerobics, strength training, and ballet exercises in a chair
Quirky class: GLEEful Class at Broadway Bodies (151 W. 26th St., sixth floor; 212-924-5877), a dance workout inspired by the TV show.
GO RECESS
Ideal for: OpenTable addicts
How it works: Offering about 1,000 classes every day inNew York City alone, this site aims to change booking classes the same way OpenTable revolutionized restaurant reservations. The site, still in beta (a mobile-friendly version will launch in August, with a smartphone app in the fall) — allows you to refine your search by type of workout and location, or by a specific studio. Megan Smyth “was getting moreand more into group classes,” but tracking down info from multiple studios was a hassle, so she co-founded the site.
Most popular studio: SLT (see above) — offers yoga classes too!
Quirky class: Stiletto Derriere at NDG Wellness (211 W. 28th St.; 212-273-1191), a calisthenics-style workout with dance-inspired exercises using stilettos
SPORTANEOUS
Ideal for: Deprived New Yorkers who’d love a personal assistant
How it works: This NYC-based Website and app, still in beta, with nationwide expansion slated for year’s end, is dubbed a “fitness concierge in your pocket,” says co-founder Omar Haroun. Users sign up through Facebook, which tells Sportaneous which activities you like (boxing, anyone?). While other sites are search-based, Sportaneous takes the effort out of wading through the oversaturated boutique fitness market by sending you notifications about studios based on your location.
Most popular studio: DeRose Method Flatiron (101 W. 17th St.; 917-727-0233), a mind/body workout which gives you strength and flexibility
Quirky class: Focus NYC (115 W. 27th St., 11th floor; 212-319-3816), which uses iPads during class to demonstrate proper technique
CLASSTIVITY
Ideal for: Fitness fiends who want lots of options
How it works: Similar to GoRecess, Classtivity was born out of co-founder Payal Kadakia’s difficulty searching for classes. “One day I went to go find a ballet class — I got off work early and had dance clothes with me, but I didn’t know where togo,” says the 29-year-old dancer. The site offers a whopping 8,000 classes per week at 3,000 venues.
Most popular studio: Flywheel (multiple locations; flywheelsports.com),a mini-chain of popular spinning studios with classes set to loud, pulsating music
Quirky class: Sambarobix at PowerPilates (49 W. 23rdSt., second floor; 212-627-5852), a dance fitness workout blending samba and reggae with plyometrics and toning
christina.amoroso@nypost.com
