At Your Best is my new slogan for 2009. At the beginning of the year, most people are very eager to reinvent themselves – they want to try a new diet, look for a new job, take new classes, learn new skills – just be better. I am all for self-improvement as long as it is in alignment with who you are. Don’t become a vegan just to lose weight, or quit your job to become a singer. Everything should be done in moderation – dream big and create action steps to achieve those goals. Most folks have made a health and/or fitness resolution, however, this year it will be easier to keep. Bed Stuy offers new fitness opportunities so you can improve and maintain your physique all year round. For January, I will focus on places to check out if you are looking to get fit in ’09.
• Obviously there is the YMCA, which offers great classes like spinning, yoga, pilates, and swimming. They have a slew of cardio machines so and a separate weight room in the back of the building. They have a basketball court upstairs and an indoor track (the track is smallish .. I think 12-15 laps equal a mile). Speaking of running—during the warmer months they have an outdoor running class for beginners and advanced students.
Teachers are smart and the gym floor staff is helpful. My main gripe is the front desk… sometimes they forget they are in the customer service business. Overall, it is a great bang for your buck…with membership being 35-55 bucks a month you can’t lose.
• Yoga – there are a couple of places in our neighborhood to help us increase our flexibility. There doesn’t seem to be a yoga studio in south Bed Stuy area since Sweethome Yoga Studio closed. As soon as one does open I will be there with bells on, till then I will trek to one of these studios:
o Golden Om Yoga — 778 Lafayette Avenue – offers classes Sunday thru Thursday in the evening.
o Yin Yang Yoga — 748 Myrtle Avenue – offers classes every day in the morning and evening. Yin Yang also offers workshops and Yoga retreats.
Getting fit in ’09 doesn’t have to break the bank. Bed Stuy has 1 free & 1 dirt cheap program that can help you achieve the J-Lo rump.
• Shape Up New York – kicks off at the Family Dynamics Center on January 13, 2008. They offer spin, boot camp, and aerobics classes Tuesday through Thursday. The classes are free! You just have to sign up and you are able to go to the classes at any time. They also have a weight room. Now, I have never been to this facility so I am guessing it is kind of bare bones but I will give an update after my first class. The schedule is Boot Camp (T,TH 6:30-8:30), Cardio/Spin (T, W, TH 6:30-8:30), and Aerobics (W 6:30-8:30).
Family Dynamics Center
272 Mac Donough Street Room 101
Brooklyn, NY 11233
718.453.7004
• African Jazzercise Class @Von King Recreation Center – The class is free after you pay the yearly $50 membership to the Rec Center (that works out to be $0.96 a class). This class is Saturday from 10:00 -12:00 pm.
Von King Recreation Center
670 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn New York 11216
718.965.6567
Next week… can you eat healthy in Bed Stuy??
These are great resources. I was only familiar with The Y and one of the yoga studios.
There is also the Karate School across from PS44
on Throop Ave. near Madison St.Great way to get in shape and learn how to protect yourself
This is such a coincidence because I just scanned the Shape Up NY flyer and was about to email you guys. I have been going on and off for a few months. Yes, it is bare bones, and the cardio equipment isn’t the best, but it is free! I have had nothing but good experiences there.