Recently I checked out The Fhitting Room, an NYC studio that’s been getting lots of buzz over the past few months. There are now two locations (soon three), the original on the UES and a new one in Flatiron. New students get a two-for-one price on classes which was perfect so I could check out both locations.
Let me start by saying I was having the best hair day of my life before heading to the studio, right??
Enough about me, I went for my first class at the new studio on West 19th street with some fellow fitness bloggers, The Fit Crasher, New York Views & Nike Shoes, Evann Clingan.
This newly opened location is extremely nice. It’s spacious, clean, bright and the equipment is all visibly brand new. There is a decent amount of space with lockers upstairs and downstairs and a couple of bathroom stalls. I’m not sure if there was an actual locker room with showers, I didn’t explore enough since I got to class only a couple of minutes before it started.
(photo cred: The Fhitting Room)
The class size was good, nothing too big, I think about 20 people. We had two instructors who traded off giving us info about the routine. We did a dynamic warmup then moved on to various intervals including kettlebells, TRX straps, dumbbells, bosu balls and body weight movements. The movements were varied and you were never doing one thing too long which made the time pass pretty quickly. The instructors kept things light and had a humorous style. I wouldn’t say they were necessarily funny but it was a fun attitude/style to their instruction. The instructors were giving very helpful instruction and form cues along the way.
(photo cred: The Fhitting Room)
By the end of class I felt like I had worked but I wasn’t dying and also didn’t really break a sweat which was kind of odd. The class didn’t have any cardio moves which is where I tend to sweat as opposed to weighted movements. Each class is different so maybe it was just this one (the second class I attended had rowing).
A couple of weeks later I visited the UES studio and it’s crazy these studios are owned by the same company. The UES location was the first so I’d guess that they were testing it out to see if people would like it, then when they saw it was a success they opened the second, much fancier studio. The UES studio is super bare bones, just a tiny entry way, one bathroom stall, a few lockers in the hallway and the studio. These classes are pricey and I feel like the UES location should be a bit cheaper since you don’t get the amenities of Chelsea.
Overall I’d give the facility in Chelsea an A+ and the workout at both locations a B. I could have used more of a challenge. I thought I was going to be sore the next day and I wasn’t. Maybe I needed to push myself harder, I’m not sure. I think this studio is awesome for HIIT beginners as the instruction is clear and helpful and having two instructors per class is unique and a nice touch. I think one of the standout features of the class is how hands-on and focused the instructors are. Especially for newbies, they were extremely helpful in teaching and correcting form.The majority of the class was pretty fit so clearly it isn’t just for beginners, they successfully cater to all levels.
Classes are $35 each and drop slightly with larger packages. If you’re really crazy, you can do an unlimited month for $550 (waaah?). The first class is buy one get one free, not a bad deal to give it a try.
Have you tried The Fhitting Room? What did you think?
