Spending an hour at the gym can be boring and time-consuming, and it also typically involves not much in the way of tasty food. But New Yorkers are bucking the trend, looking for ways to make staying fit fun.
“Traditionally, there have been a lot of runs and races where the focus has been on . . . the fastest time. Now the focus has shifted toward: ‘How can I have fun doing this?’ ” says Jonathan Ages, editor of the e-mail newsletter Blood, Sweat & Cheers, which offers ideas for fun fitness options in the city.
The result? Bizarre pairings of workouts and chowdowns. Will these two-for-ones leave you feeling more gluttonous than glowing? We dug in — using estimates for calories consumed and burned by a 140-pound woman — to find out.
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1. Running & Pizza
Lauren Kim (center) and Jillian Scharello (left) get into the spirit of burning calories while eating during the recent NYC Pizza Run, while Riley McCormack (right) takes a break for a slice. Zandy Mangold (2) On a Saturday morning in September, 120 people — some runners, some speed walkers, some superfans of pizza — gathered at Tompkins Square Park for the annual NYC Pizza Run. The concept is simple: Run four laps around the park (a total of 2.25 miles), stopping to scarf down a slice of pizza (provided by the popular Pizza by Certé at 132 E. 56th St.) between laps.
“I Dream Of Pizza” blogger Jason Feirman, who created the race, calls himself a “casual runner” who does it for fun.
“That played into the whole reason I started a pizza run,” he says. “There might not be a whole lot of people who want to do a 5K, but when you make the race a little bit shorter and throw in pizza, they’re like, ‘I’m in!’ ”
Feirman concedes that the concept can be somewhat counterintuitive (the race includes three slices and a post-run beer), adding, “If you’re a big fitness buff and watching everything you put in your mouth, the pizza run might not be for you.”
Before the race, Lindsay DeLong, 30, who came from Long Beach, Calif., just for the event, says, “I want to last as long as possible.”
But by the second lap — and second slice of Margherita pie — there is fear in her eyes as she gasps through a mouthful, “I think I might throw up.”
Calories consumed: 3 slices of pizza = 540
Calories burned: 240
NET GAIN: 300
Info: Visit nycpizzarun.com for future runs.
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2. Bootcamp & Brunch
LEFT: Kat Black kicks it into high gear at the Buns n’ Biscuits boot-camp workout along the Hudson River. The program’s motto is “Burn it to earn it.” RIGHT: NYU law student Claire Jen (left) and her friends take care of the appetites they’ve revved up at Buns n’ Biscuits. Gabi Porter (2) Love digging into a warm stack of blueberry pancakes, but hate the side of guilt that often accompanies it? Then get ready to sprint, jump and squat your way to a much-deserved brunch, thanks to Buns n’ Biscuits.
“My motto? ‘Burn it to earn it,’ ” says BrunchCritic founder Andrea Pappas. The 32-year-old West Village resident this year launched the Buns n’ Biscuits program, which takes place every Saturday along the Hudson River. Personal trainer David Jeanty of Jersey City leads the class on an hourlong series of boot-camp-style drills — from jumping jacks and mountain climbers to a relay-race duel.
Emily Moss, 30, a regular attendee at the event, says it’s a great way to start what could otherwise be a lazy Saturday. “I typically go to brunch anyway, so why not get in a workout?” says the Soho resident.
But the post-workout reward is about more than food — it’s a chance to build connections. Claire Jen, a law student at NYU, came with a group of girlfriends, many of whom met as undergrads at Amherst College. “We’re trying to do more activities that don’t revolve around going to the bar,” confesses the 25-year-old.
New friendships (and romances!) have been known to flourish, too. “By coming, you know you’ll meet people who have similar interests. We’ve even had one couple come out of this,” says Pappas proudly. “They talked over brunch, and after the rest of us left, they went to a bar and hung out until 10:30 at night. They’re still together!”
Calories consumed: French toast = 740
Calories burned: 500
NET GAIN: 240
Info: $40, West Side Highway, Hudson River Park, enter at Charles Street. The last event of the year will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m. Buns n’ Biscuits resumes April 19, 2014. Visit bunsnbiscuitsnyc.eventbrite. com for more info.
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3. Yoga, Cocktails & Apps
After 60 minutes of core-strengthening at Exhale Spa’s challenging “Barre to Bar” class, have a drink, such as a Collier Fizz (right), and an appetizer, like the bacon and blue cheese-topped deviled eggs. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post At Exhale Spa’s Meatpacking District location, yoga lovers are following their favorite barre class with appetizers and cocktails from the new bar and restaurant the Chester, which shares a home with the studio at Hotel Gansevoort.
The “Barre to Bar” class begins with a 60-minute barre class that uses a bar like you find in a ballet studio for core strengthening and exhausting all the body’s muscles. After that, guests head to the bar, where they have a choice of one drink (including the Chester’s signature sweet-and-sour mint cocktail, Collier Fizz) and one appetizer from the menu, such as the bacon and blue cheese-topped deviled eggs, artichoke dip or prosciutto flatbread.
“It came from the idea that we wanted to attract a community,” explains Susan Tomback, senior director of sales and revenue. “Exhale is a lifestyle brand — it was less about just coming to class and then you leave. We understand balance of life, and we wanted to encourage guests to become friends.”
As for the calorie conundrum? “One school of thought is you’ve earned it,” she says. “The great thing about core fusion is it does work the deepest layers of your muscles, so you are increasing your resting metabolic rate, meaning you’ll continue to burn more calories even after the class is over.”
Calories consumed: “Collier Fizz,” 200 + Deviled eggs, 273 = 473
Calories burned: 400
NET GAIN: 73
Info: Exhale Spa at Hotel Gansevoort, 18 Ninth Ave. Every Wednesday starting Nov. 6. Single class is $37, plus $20 to add the bar package. For time options, visit exhalespa.com or call 212-660-6733 for more info.
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4. Biking & Wine
To gain the reward, participants must bike 45 minutes in conditions simulating the area where the wine is made. Nancy Adler Hop on your bike and embark on a rigorous yet relaxing ride through the rolling hills of Napa Valley while stopping to sample the area’s finest wines — all without leaving the island of Manhattan.
Welcome to “detox to retox,” as instructor Stefani Jackenthal says. The All-American triathlete and sommelier just launched her first “Take Flight” series at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, in which she leads cyclists through a 45-minute spin class on a route that matches the geography of a popular wine region before they imbibe selections from local vineyards.
“I was inspired by several articles I had written about cycling through various wine regions across the USA,” Jackenthal, 47, explains. “I want my guests to have fun, gain fitness and learn a little something about wine.”
Flat-screen TVs play a slideshow of photos from the region the class will be learning about that day. On Wednesday, guests pedaled their way through Napa Valley and Sonoma; future classes may include the French countryside or the vineyards of Tuscany.
“NYC is a go-go town,” Jackenthal says. “Most people sweat and dash on to the next thing on the agenda. By creating a social event, like a wine-tasting, after a sustained physical activity, it’s a chance for people to slow down, kick back, sip and chat.”
Calories consumed: 2 oz. each of five wines = 250
Calories burned: 500
NET LOSS: 250
Info: $25, 334 Amsterdam Ave., between 75th and 76th streets. Future classes will be held Feb. 6 and May 8. Visit jccmanhattan.org or call 646-505-4444 for more info.
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5. Running & Cupcakes
A 3.1-mile circuit of Astoria Park will get you three cupcakes — like s’mores, vanilla sprinkles or this red velvet. Brian Zak/NY Post Thanks to the popularity of the NYC Pizza Run, Feirman decided to expand his business with the all-new NYC Cupcake Run, which takes place Saturday morning. Runners will tackle a 3.1-mile race around Astoria Park, stopping at three checkpoints to shovel in a cupcake from Astoria’s own Sweets First Bakeshoppe & Cafe. Options include red velvet, s’mores and vanilla sprinkles.
Calories consumed: 3 cupcakes = 720 calories
Calories burned: 330
NET GAIN: 390
Info: Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. at Astoria Park. Registration is closed, but spectators are welcome. Visit nyccupcakerun. com for future runs.