Along with the buzz of city tourists, bustling shoppers and theater enthusiasts, the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City also plays host to an array of dance studios, health venues and outdoor recreation for the busy New Yorker in search of convenient, creative fitness options. To experience New York and squeeze in a health regimen at the same time, boost your daily routine by night skating in Times Square, climbing indoor caves at Chelsea Piers or cooking up some ethnic organic dishes in a culinary class.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Climb your way out of that 9-to-5 Midtown stress with an indoor rock climbing class. The 10,000-square-foot rock climbing wall at the Chelsea Piers Sports Center presents a challenge for climbers of all levels. If you prefer a smaller rock scale to conquer, the Manhattan Plaza Health Club has a 5,000-square-foot climbing gym with over 60 climbing routes. Both venues offer beginner classes and first-time passes for nonmembers.
Salsa Dancing
Experience the pulse of New York's cultural diversity with the Latin beat and movement of salsa dance. NYSalsa101.com touts the dance as a smart way to relieve stress, release toxins, burn up to 420 calories per hour and boost your social life. Midtown dance venues such as Pearl Studios offer beginner classes starting at $20. Free group orientation classes offered by Paul Pellicoro's DanceSport studio offer a complimentary sample of the dance experience and information about private lessons, workshops, special events and dance parties.
Action Sports
Mix your love for music and martial arts in a cardio-kickboxing session at one of the two midtown Crunch fitness studios. Kickboxing at Crunch jump starts your heart with drills set to fast-paced dance music to heighten your cardio and your mood. For a more intense cardio experience, the Afro-Brazilian art form capoeira blends music, dance and martial arts moves to elevate your heart rate and improve body coordination and muscular endurance. Hone your acrobatic skills at the Arte Capoeira Center with one-on-one private sessions.
Rollerblading
Perusing the city on wheels trumps a walking tour. Grab your rollerblades and explore Midtown on a night skating tour with friends. Skate along bike lanes running on 6th Avenue up to 42nd Street or on 8th Avenue up to 57th Street, and enjoy a fly-by view of New York's city traffic, Times Square billboards and mega plasma screens, and street performers. For a more confined and controlled skating space, visit the Pier 62 Skate Park at Chelsea Piers, where admission is free.
Culinary Courses
Learn about healthy eating at a public cooking course offered by the National Gourmet Institute. Specialty courses like healthy vegan and gluten-free Japanese cooking will open up your palate and keep you food and calorie conscious. Public classes range from baking vegan cupcakes to preparing foods that aid in the healing of inflammatory diseases. If your schedule permits, embark on a Natural Gourmet market tour to New York's Union Square Farmer's Market for some food shopping.
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