The best fitness gear shops in New York

For the truly style-obsessed, the average gym shorts and tanks won’t cut it for a workout. At this depot of the high-performance sports brand, you can find athletic gear that references vintage Adidas styles, as well as designer collaboration lines. Choose from logo hoodies ($75) and canvas gym bags ($40). There’s also a huge selection of footwear, like neon running sneakers ($130) and even the brand’s classic three-stripe low-tops ($60).

Part of Gap's growing empire of clothing brands, this shop carries women’s clothing and accessories for nearly any workout routine. The earthy store, styled with rustic wood tables and wicker baskets, is organized by sport. But we’re impressed by the running and gym section, which is filled with colorful athletic wear, such as featherweight track jackets ($98) and SPF 50 training tees ($46).

Neatly organized to outfit runners, cyclists and swimmers alike, this depot offers NuMetrex heart-rate-sensing sports bras ($50), Craft Prozero’s insulating, second-skin-like shirts ($50) and BOB Revolution strollers ($359) for those overextended parents who run their kids around the park. Beginning joggers, half-marathoners and triathletes can also enroll in training sessions ($145–$445).

Weekend warriors suit up to conquer the running path at this sneaker company’s midtown outpost. Pluck frill-free shoes ($70) to cushion your stride along with quick-drying zip-neck tops ($29 and up).

This 9,000-square-foot, bi-level spot is dedicated to cardio enthusiasts and is the first of its kind in NYC. There are tons of free extras for workout fiends: If you’re looking for some electronic juice mid-run, stop by to recharge your iPod and nab a digital gait analysis on an iPad. New products include Nike+ polyurethane watches ($149) that track your run and heart rate, and long-distance-friendly colorful kicks ($110). Ladies can improve their workout wardrobes with breathable racerback sports bras ($40), formfitting tanks ($42) and low-rise shorts ($35). We especially dig that you can drop off old sneakers for donation, and they’ll be recycled into sport courts and new Nike shoes.

The home to this outdoor sports equipment store is an enormous, 12,000-square-foot outpost featuring two floors of everything you could ever need for hiking, camping, cycling, climbing, paddle sports and more. A top-notch Puma GWS sleeping bag from Western Mountaineering ($740) will keep you warm in temperatures up to –25’F, and a Jet Boil stove ($100) enables you to boil water in 90 seconds. If you’re not planning a getaway to the wild anytime soon, pick up a Kryptonite New York Chain ($85) for your bike–its 12-millimeter, six-sided links are designed specifically for the crime-filled streets of New York City.

Been hiding from the cold so long you’ve forgotten what the sky looks like? Get outside already. Paragon fulfills all outdoor sporting-good needs, from the unusual (badminton, kayaking) to the everyday (they carry a slew of gym gear, plus essentials like sunglasses). Besides the Parks Department, Paragon is the only store in the city where you can purchase permits to use public tennis courts.

This Seattle import, which opened its first New York location in December 2011, has virtually everything you need for an outdoor adventure. On the first floor of the tri-level space, snowboards ($299–$700), ski equipment ($230–$1200) and all manner of bicycles ($239–$2,999) greet you at the door. Upon further exploration, you’ll find swimwear such as Pearl Izumi triathlon swimsuits ($101) and Aqua Sphere goggles ($28), plus running, yoga and cycling gear. The large back room holds a plethora of camping and hiking equipment, with tents ($100–$800), sleeping bags ($60–$420), compasses including the Suunto Leader ($34) and backpacks such as REI’s lightweight hiking pack ($189).

When a hike across town is just not enough, head to Tent and Trails, a three-story adventure-sports emporium in Tribeca that’ll get you amped for a trip to the sticks. The helpful staff is made up of experienced hikers, rock climbers and campers, and the store stocks everything from basic tents and North Face gear to medical kits and water-treatment products for more hard-core trekkers.

You don’t have to be a Fame-hungry dancer to don the Lycra goodies from this brand for hoofers. Its leotards (from $18), cozy leg warmers ($15–$45) and cropped pants ($30–$45) are ideal for both prima donnas and Pilates devotees. Don’t forget to hit the Broadway outlet for discounted basics.

This cozy Nolita boutique is outfitted with sleek wood floors and stocked with body-inspired knitwear, dance clothes and workout goods that keep you en pointe both on and off the ballet bar.

Most people don’t consider dance to be a sport, but then those people probably aren’t taking into consideration the calf muscles ballerinas develop from walking on-point in toe shoes. Gyrating athletes of all stripes flock to this shop for its huge selection of leotards, stretchy tanks, leggings and shoes, much of which also makes great gear for yoga and working out.

This flagship features designer Yumiko Takeshima’s ready-to-wear and handmade dance line. Pop into the shop, where bright colored leotards are the main attraction. Though you can customize your own fabric and style online, the boutique carries an array of one-pieces featuring many embellishments like mesh sleeves, in many colors.