Sky Athletic Club

For 15 years, Sky Athletic Club has shepherded members to physical fitness inside a 20,000-square-foot workout sanctuary free from muscle-obsessed fanatics or intimidating drill sergeants. The gym's mission of accessible-to-all fitness earned it the 2011 Best Boot Camp on Long Island award from the Long Island Press. More than 40 certified personal trainers coach members on two floors of studios and exercise equipment, and visitors from across the age and ability spectrum scout through a schedule of more than 80 classes per week.

A ladies-only area accommodates feminine frames with a weight room and floor space for mat work, and an extensive Pilates program perches members aboard Reformer machines that get cores more tightly wound than a stressed-out slinky in a private studio. Patrons augment their weight-hoisting routines with pampering spa services, getting chi realigned by a certified acupuncturist or working out tension with a chair massage. Complimentary childcare and free steamy beverages from the lounge and café evince the club's hospitable mission.