Fitness Classes in Union City

At the age of 14, Contra Mestre Andre was introduced to the sport of capoeira—the ancient Brazilian martial-art form—in his homeland of Brazil. After traveling to the states, Andre began showcasing capoeira's explosive kicks and effortless backflips for Sony, Red Bull, and Fashion Institute of Technology events. Andre also gained experience as an Equinox trainer, obtained a black belt in jujitsu, and was a mixed-martial-arts fighter in the 2008 Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Now, Andre’s career has come full circle as he shares his love for capoeira in Nago Academy’s spacious studio. He and his team of supportive trainers help students meet diverse fitness goals by offering five different types of classes, including cardio kickboxing and fitness. Zumba sessions fuse upbeat tunes with Latin dance moves for a sweat-inducing cardio workout, whereas a Zone Fitness class kicks choreography up a notch by adding kettlebells with resistance training. During capoeira sessions, two people in the center of a circle pantomime the movements of one-on-one combat by exchanging rhythmic kicks, full-powered spins, and up-to-date insurance information.

Ken Gibson has devoted two decades of his life to mastering martial arts, and as the founder of Harlem Holistic Center, he now runs a platform that allows him to pass along his skills to the next generation and share his reviews of the Karate Kid films. He and a team of health experts lend their specific know-how to all-around wellness options available at the center, which include chiropractic services, acupuncture, massages, and child and adult fitness classes. Most kids’ classes focus on age-appropriate versions of martial-arts moves, but some foray into other disciplines such as ballet and creative dance. Meanwhile, adults don workout gear or an invisibility cloak for yoga, kickboxing, or boot camp.

Any good gym blurs the line between exercise and fun. But at BK Cycle, one might confuse working out with going to a club. Live DJs spin during all classes, which take place from early morning to late evening. As the beats echo throughout the room, enthusiastic teachers pump up students to pedal faster and harder on their stationary bikes. The exuberant exercise gives an intense cardiovascular workout and helps burn calories more effectively than throwing a Big Mac into a bonfire. After classes, students can shower and change in full-service locker rooms.

Bryan “The Brooklyn Bad Ass” Ortiz of Brooklyn Bad Ass Fitness dons many hats—the headband of a certified personal trainer, the cushioned headgear of a boxing instructor, and the top hat of a fitness-book author. Dedicated to a no-nonsense approach to fitness, Bryan conducts morning and evening weekday boot camps that whip up to 20 students into shape with intense interval training, eschewing monotonous fitness routines such as treadmill running or elephant lifting. To complete lifestyle changes, Bryan outfits guests with meal plans, customizing diets to match energy requirements. Bryan’s Wedding Body boot camp, personal-training sessions, and weight-loss challenges can all be customized to suit guests’ specific fitness goals.

On a hot night in a Miami nightclub, two Brown-educated students – Sadie Kurzban and her best friend Brielle – wondered aloud why nobody looked like they were having as much fun sweating at the gym. The duo joined forces and created 305 Fitness–a place where fitness and fun live happily under one roof. They created a fun-focused workout that combined the thumping beats and flashing lights of the nightlife with dancing designed to burn calories and tone muscles. Now, workout studios exist in three cities, still helmed by Sadie. She teaches Hip-hop- and Latin-based dance classes, as well as sculpting classes designed to build long and lean muscle.