Fit for All

The post New Year’s gym workout can be a drag for so many reasons.

Gym regulars have to share their equipment with a barrage of newbies eager to make good on their resolutions. Newbies, meanwhile, have to suffer embittered looks from the self-satisfied regulars who greedily want to monopolize the treadmill. It’s no wonder so few people stick to their weight loss goals past February. 

But while keeping a gym schedule is difficult, the right class can make it manageable, and fortunately, Park Slope is full of some pretty interesting (and downright bizarre) options to suit any personality.

For the Indecisive

Not sure what kind of workout you’re in the market for? No problem. offers a 55-minute studio sampler class on Wednesday mornings. Participants try 8-minute snippets from the gym’s most popular classes, including yoga, pilates, spinning and total body conditioning. It’s a great introduction to exercise and is perfect for novices.

For the Wannabe UFC Champion

Ten-year Park Slope veteran lets you get out your aggression with the ultimate brawler class: Fight Club. This is for those looking to get into serious shape. The instructor has a black belt in Tae Kwan Do and leads a packed room through squats, push-ups and various types of sparring three times a week. The class is popular because it works (we counted 50 people when we stopped in ourselves). Definitely call to reserve a spot.

For the Snazzy Stretcher

Hip-hop yoga may seem, well, a contradiction in terms, but that hasn’t stopped S Clubs on Union Street from giving it a whirl. The result? Surprisingly relaxing. The focus isn’t on yoga so much as dance, though even this isn’t too challenging. It’s also amazing how much common ground the two disciplines share. Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.

For Foul Mouths

Looking to get your ass walloped? The appropriately titled Kick Ass Class at should do the trick. A mix of cardio and weight training, alternating at break speed, is practically guaranteed to get you the body you want. All you have to do is show up.

For the Boys in Blue

Want the body of a marine? Then get in line with CrossFit, the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide. Training is intense, and there is no mercy, but at least you’ll be guaranteed a killer body by the end of the day.

For Wee Ones

You’re never too young for yoga, or so feel the folks at , who are introducing two new yoga classes in February: Baby and me (for new moms and their tots) and kids yoga. Start the New Year – and a new life – with some serious stretching.

For Folks with Two Left Feet

While gaga was developed by an Israeli choreographer, the new Gaga/People classes on offer at are specifically for non-dancers. The hour long classes are very casual; comfortable clothing is encouraged and the focus is on encouraging participants to discover their strength, stamina, flexibility – all the dance attributes they never knew they possessed.