Keeping fit on the road: New York City

by Allison Neves

People in the know, aka medico and fitness gurus, say that individuals should partake in 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity at least five times a week in order to maintain a good state of health. Beyond that many people have personal fitness goals (such as losing ten pounds by a reunion or running their first marathon) that have committed them to an ironclad workout regime. So, what happens when life throws a curve ball like a business trip or family vacation in the middle of all of your hard work? While it may be difficult to maintain your current fitness program while at home, it may be near impossible to establish a temporary and yet effective one when you are on the road. The best advice is to have a fitness game plan prior to your trip. That’s right. I said it…. a game plan, people! While your schedule may be out of the norm, filled with company meetings, family activities and prior obligations, its important to map out some fitness time, that while may not mirror your exact routine at home, will help keep you and your goals on track and eliminate the chance of you falling victim to the “no workout woes.”  Besides if you have somewhat of a regular workout schedule set up while you’re away, it will make the transition “back to your regularly scheduled program” that much easier. Good point, right? I thought so.

But, creating this plan takes research…. And sweet Stairmaster, who has time for that? So I’ve done my own due diligence in the attempt to best reduce your time in the Google-sphere and provide you with some great fitness resources in major U.S. cities. Now doesn’t that pump (add clap) you up??? Sorry, it had to be said.

Below is a list of fitness resources in New York City but stayed tuned for Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco…

List of gyms in NYC:

24Hour Fitness
Crunch
Equinox
Gold’s Gym
YMCA           

Special hotel programs:

Hilton Garden Inn is big on helping guests keep up healthy habits on the road.  In fact, “Eat Well” and “Stay Fit” are two of their five main promises to guests.

At HGI, there are complimentary fitness centers on-property in each hotel (no gym membership required or worry about transferring membership to where you’re visiting) and they offer complimentary exercise kits called Stay Fit Kits® that can be used in the privacy of your hotel room.

They also have a commitment to stocking their Pavilion Pantry with healthy food options including Lean Cuisines, energy bars and more.  They recently released a new breakfast menu from “Top Chef” star & professional athlete Chris Jacobson featuring energy-packed superfoods – such as leeks, sweet potatoes and whole grain breads – that are fit for an athlete preparing for competition.

The Lowell Hotel has unveiled a host of innovative healthful living options for its sophisticated travellers.  From an in-room yoga program and Pilates instruction in the hotel’s fitness center to a new organic Health Menu available around the clock, guests of this Upper East Side Manhattan luxury landmark have a full complement of unique healthy lifestyle choices at their disposal to maintain their daily wellness routine when travelling. Visit www.lowellhotel.com

Finding a personal trainer on the road

During my visit to New York I was fortunate enough to work out with three great trainers: Sara Dimmick, Nikki Fitness and Mary Tedesco.

Sara Dimmick

Sara says, “Before working out with an out-of-town trainer, make sure you fill out a health history and consent form as well as speak to the trainer on the phone say they can get a sense of your fitness level and types of workouts you are currently doing.”

Indoor and outdoor sessions available? Indoors at a gym located in Midtown, outdoors in Central Park or West Side Highway Bike Path/Park. Sara will come to your hotel gym in Manhattan or if you Summer in the Hamptons, Sara can meet you at a gym location in Wainscott. She also offers to go to private residences.
Sara specializes in strength training, weight loss, triathlon coaching (Swim/Bike/Run Technique and program design), pre/post natal, outdoor workouts, as well as older adult exercise

She has certifications in NSCA - CSCS (National Strength and Conditioning Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), NASM - CPT (National Academy of Sports Medicine - Certified Personal Trainer), ACE - CPT (American Council on Exercise - Certified Personal Trainer), USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach and Pre/Post Natal Fitness from Maternal Fitness

Items of interest: Celebrity client - Hannah Storm, current host on ESPN's Sport Center, formerly from CBS Early Show. Sara has completed 15 triathlons including Escape from Alcatraz in San Francisco and is the featured fitness expert on New York’s WCBS News

Cost per session: $125
Contact info: sara@physeq.com or 917-744-6627
Payment options: Cash or Check only
Book your session at least 24 hours in advance.

Nikki Fitness

Nikki says, “My workouts combine upper body, lower body and abdominal moves all in one, and depending on a client's goals, I include cardio intervals. I designed a no-equipment workout that works all opposing muscle groups and gives you a total hour and a half workout in half that time.”

Indoor and outdoor sessions available? Outdoor in Central Park or indoor at Crunch Gym, if you are a member. She also has a partnership with On the Avenue Hotel at 77th and Broadway on the upper west side. If you stay there, Nikki can be your running partner and tour guide through Central Park or you can ask for her booty-kicking, multi-tasking, muscle and cardio interval training.
Nikki specializes in multitasking workouts that combine toning exercises with cardio intervals for a 2-3 hour workout in just one hour.
She has certifications in group exercise instruction, personal training and pre-natal fitness.
Items of interest: A line of DVD’s (The Military Wife and Destination Wedding Workout) available on Amazon and on her website. She also just wrapped up filming for her NikkiFitTravel DVD, the no equipment workout for working out on the road.

Cost per session: $100
Contact info: nikki@nikkifitness.com
Payment options: Cash only
Book your session 2 weeks in advance.

Mary Tedesco

Mary says, “Exercise helps reinvigorate you for a full day of meetings. It also helps to combat jet lag and it’s a great way to work off those "on the road" meals. It should be the first appointment you put in your Blackberry or Planner...if you do this you will feel more powerful and refreshed all day long!" 

Indoor and outdoor sessions available? Indoors or outdoors rain or shine.

Mary specializes in interval and conditioning training with a combination of weight training, Pilates and Yoga all mixed in!

She has certifications as an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer and a NASM candidate

Items of interest:  Martha Stewart’s personal trainer. Has done fitness television work on The Martha Stewart Show and Fitness Radio on Sirius XM Radio.  Mary owns her own fitness studio in Cross River, NY in Westchester County called Body Fit Personal Training.  She has three exercise DVDs available:  The College Girl Workout, The Body Fit Travel Kit (sold w/ DVD and bands using the MARV handle) and The Power Core Workout (sold w/ a two pound soft medicine ball). 
Mary also likes to give back. She has raised over $200,000 hiking different mountains such as Longs Peak in Colorado at 13,500 feet. for cancer research.

Cost per session: $225 to come to you, $110 if you go to her studio.
Contact information: 914-763-1204 or e-mail her at bodyfit4@optonline.net
Payment options:  Check, cash or credit
Book your session 3-4 weeks in advance.

Featured product: Created by fitness globetrotters, Kari Eide and Lissa Mueller, The Fit Traveler is the smallest, most effective workout kit for the business or leisure traveler. It includes a practical, fully-illustrated guide, travel diet tips, and a free medium resistance exercise band!

The program is simple to use and versatile enough for any level of strength and ability. The use of resistance bands allows resistance in multiple directions and improves strength, flexibility, range of motion and cooperation of muscle groups.

Each kit is compact, weighing only 8 ounces and has a storage compartment for the exercise band. It fits perfectly in a purse, briefcase, or even a coat pocket!

Tip: Checkout Active.com for a calendar of local fitness activities such as 5 and 10K runs, during your stay. All events are listed by month and state. Community fun runs and races provide a unique way to see interesting areas of the city that you might have missed out on during your visit. Often times your participation will help raise funds for a local charity or cause. It’s a great way to get fit while giving back!

Hilton Garden Inn - www.hgi.com
Nikki Fitness - www.nikkifitness.com
Sara Dimmick - www.physeq.com
Mary Tedesco Fitness - www.marytedescofitness.com
The Fit Traveller - www.thefitnessboutique.com