Kicking off a sporty but otherwise quiet weekend, I had signed up for aqua cycling in TriBeCa. When I saw the address, I was a little surprised that I had not noticed the place before, given it was located in the same street I lived on for the past year. But I soon found out that this place only recently opened, which also explained why they are participating in classivity. I can see this being a new trend in the city and soon enough it'll be very difficult to get a spot with them.
But let's start from the beginning - just like the other two studios, this one was very clean and neat, truly a botique fitness studio - you didn't have to bring anything but a bathing suit. They provide towels, lockers and shoes are 2 bucks to rent them - pretty awkward underwater shoes but at least no clips (don't like the clips, couldn't get out when I tried soul cycle).
So after rinsing off quickly you enter the water that isn't too cold but also not very warm - you are supposed to work out after all. The most interesting moment was getting on the bike - for some reason I expected it to be easier to cycle under water than on land but it wasn't. It was a strange feeling of a different kind of resistance but especially when you are speeding up, it's not easier than regular spinning. There were only about 5 or 6 of us - so a small class, all women. Apparently they don't do mixed classes - a little old-fashioned if you ask me but they also just have one locker room...
Starting off we soon noticed that this was not only a leg workout but she also made us use our arms a fair bit. Stroking through the water, stretching and even boxing, doing all kinds of weird things on the bike. At some point we were splashing the water so hard that I got water under my contact lenses and couldn't really see anymore. But I have to say the arm movement makes it less monotonous and helps pass the time more quickly, of course the loud music is also fun. I might have been a little de-hydrated (sounds funny in the water but you sure don't want to drink that), so I kept on getting some minor cramps in my feet- maybe it was also that I am not used to cycling under water. Still, I have to say I'd like to go back but most likely this will be another one of these unaffordable classes - yep, just checked their website and 40 USD per class is a little insane, given there is a pool in my building that I can use as well. But still, definitely a worthwhile experience and a recommendable workout. In contrast to some of the other spinning classes in the city (e.g. soul cycle), you don't burn yourself out so much but are still challenged sufficiently- good combination. The trainer gave me some tips because of my cramps and was really helpful too. Fun times! Just checking on their website now I noticed that there are 10 reasons for aqua cycling listed here and among them - Europeans love it! So funny how New Yorkers love to stress that they are different but want to be European so badly... :-) Apparently Munich already offers it, so this not a new business idea to bring back to Germany I guess...
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