15 crazy places to work out in NYC

VITAL Brooklyn opened its 24-hour bouldering gym inside a former warehouse in Williamsburg this summer, bringing 45,000 square feet of tread walls, tension, kilter and campus climbing, hang boards, slacklines, and even other fitness equipment, from cardio machines and aerial silks to a yoga studio and more. There's a fully decked-out cycling studio with a great sound system, fitness classes, weight machines, full programs with instructors for those who want to do yoga, aerial silks or other types of exercise. But the real jewel in this climbing crown is the rooftop. VITAL has made its rooftop weatherized and turfed so members can climb on it year-round, relax in a rooftop sauna (opening when state regulations allow it) and even grab a bite to eat from its café by Jason Baron, the co-owner of Lower East Side restaurant Bonnie Vee. It's its own independent eatery called Refuge and sells healthy meals like salads and wraps, but also calorie-packed comfort food like pizza and hamburgers. 

After a two-year shutdown, those famous free yoga classes that take over Bryant Park's lawn every summer are officially coming back. Starting June 16 through August 18, yogis will get to downward dog on the park's lawn every Wednesday beginning at 6pm for an hour.  The courses are completely free to attend but registration is required. Given the popularity of the sessions and the 500-person cap (on a first-come, first-served basis), we suggest you hop on the registration train as soon as possible. 

A few yoga instructors have their sessions on the sand at some of NYC's beaches. There's nothing like flowing your way through the evening with the sound of waves and smell of salty sea air. These calming and connecting classes can be found at Rockaway Beach 32nd Street by Osun Yoga, Orchard Beach by Taja OSo Fierce and at Coney Island beach by One Love Wellness. 

Imagine getting your zen on to the sunset on the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Now you can at Edge, which has partnered with Equinox Hudson Yards for "sky-high" yoga. Starting Thursday, May 6, Equinox’s signature morning yoga class will take place on Edge’s 100th-floor outdoor sky deck, which has a glass floor (not for the faint of heart). If you're already an Equinox member, you'll also have access to a members-only class on Wednesdays. After each class, attendees will have special access to Edge's viewing areas, which if you haven't seen, gives a 360-degree view of the city thanks to angled glass walls and outdoor skyline steps. Check edgenyc.com to see when the next public class is.

Daybreaker's popular morning party at rooftop nightclub Harbor (621 West 46th Street) begins with an hour of sing-along yoga, followed by a two-hour dance party with DJs, performance artists and yummy breakfast snacks and drinks. So not only will you get in a good workout before work, you'll be at a nightclub in the morning not because you stayed too long.

IronStrength NYC has been holding summer workouts (strength and dance) at public plazas across NYC. We're more likely to pass through these places rather than get a workout in them. These classes turn otherwise passive spaces into unique outdoor gyms. The next dates are Thursday, August 19, 6:30pm at Bryant Park’s Fifth Avenue Terrace, in front of the NYC Public Library with Spencer the Dancing Machine; and Monday, September 28, at 6pm at Herald Square Plaza in front of Macy’s. 

You can join a group run, learn a new yoga flow, or try out HIIT classes for free at Hudson River Park's numerous piers that jut out into the Hudson River, which is a pretty cool way to get your sweat on. 

High-Intensity Interval Training led by lululemon: Mondays at Pier 26 at N Moore St.

Yoga led by lululemon: Tuesdays at Pier 64 at W 24 St. 

High-Intensity Interval Training led by lululemon: Wednesdays at Pier 46 at Charles St. 

Run Club led by lululemon: Thursdays at Pier 40 at Houston St.

Tai Chi Led by Laughing Dragon Tai Chi Chuan: Fridays at Pier 84 at W 44 St. 

Pilates led by Chelsea Piers Fitness: Saturdays at Pier 62 at W 22 St.

You can get a complete body and mind workout right on the water at Brookfield Place. As you are guided through movements and holds, you'll be able to look out over the Hudson River and gain inspiration from the beautiful view. You can find the full schedule of outdoor fitness classes at BFPL here.

The DUMBO Archway has held live music, performances and flea markets across the years, but it is also a place where you can get a workout. Gleason's Gym offers a free basics of boxing (for all levels) class under the archway. It might be loud, but at least it's covered in case of rain, right?

Rooftop Reds has a great rooftop (hence the name) and is known for growing its own vineyard up there, but did you know you can also do yoga there? It teamed up with YO BK to host nighttime power yoga (all-level Vinyasa flow) sessions under the full moon! It's $50 for the 75-minute session and you get one bottle of wine to-go (your choice of Rooftop Reds Dry Rosé, White Blend, Chardonnay, or our red blend Sweater Weather.) It happens once a month—August 3, September 2, and October 1, at 8:30 pm and participants are welcome to stay on the rooftop until 11:30pm and have a glass of wine before or after the class.

Get one of the best views in the entire city while you sweat, stretch and strengthen your body with the bodyART method. Set to amazing music and deep house rhythms, you will be preventing injuries, reducing joint pain, and ensuring longterm sustainable health, organizers of this class say. Even better, you do this surrounded by sweeping NYC views in the gorgeous Vale garden, among the trees and natural environment.