Westchester Gyms and Fitness

South Beach Boxing is a fighter-friendly gym that has hosted boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali and extends its exercise expertise to guests of all fitness levels with more than 50 weekly classes. Led by owner Jolie Glassman, a team of 12 pro fighters helps students pummel New Year's resolutions during one-hour workouts and private lessons, teaching them that "you don't have to be a fighter to train like one." Fists and feet collide with dozens of heavy blue bags suspended from the ceiling in pro-level boxing, boxing aerobics, sparring, muay thai, jujitsu, and mixed-martial-arts classes. Meanwhile, muscles strain against cycles, kettlebells, and functional training machines during R.I.T.E. fitness workouts, which emphasize ever-changing exercise routines.

CrossFit 4U declares itself a CrossFit boutique, in which students of all fitness levels can explore functional movements with personalized attention in an upscale training space. Within the brightly lit studio flecked by vibrant fitness equipment, the passionate instructors push clients through exercises that draw from actions relevant to real life.

The strenuous workouts prime bodies for everyday activities such as climbing stairs, yard work, and lifting heavy objects, such as newborn rhinos. Patrons hoist brightly colored weights and toss medicine balls, and they stimulate major muscle groups with pushups and squats. Each class introduces a new Workout of the Day, which burns calories and swells strength levels at an intense but scalable pace. To supplement CrossFit choreography, staff members also dispense nutrition tips for more wholesome eating plans to enhance workout results.

A contemporary fitness program popularized by celebrities such as Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Goo Jumps classes find students strapping into shock-reducing Kangoo Jumps shoes for a high-energy, low-impact cardio workout. Rebounding elliptical frames beneath the shoes' soles ease contact between joints and the ground as exercisers run, do squats, or throw temper tantrums because their clothes have gotten too big for them. The reduction of trauma to the joints and muscles can facilitate exercise regimes for those suffering from arthritis, sports injuries, and other physically restrictive conditions and also may help correct posture and promote better balance.

All American Crossfit co-owner Oscar Castillo is a firefighter, but even though his job is physically demanding, he says it doesn't compare to CrossFit. “What we do at work—it's hard, but it's not as hard as CrossFit,” he says.

But that's not to say the workouts are only for the physically fit—Oscar and his partner can vary the weight and intensity of each exercise for students of any fitness level. The constantly changing workouts combine elements of weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio to appeal to those who tire of traditional gym routines. Students swing kettlebells, climb ropes, and perfect their Olympic medal acceptance speeches while holding themselves up on gymnastic rings. “It's constantly varied,” Oscar says. “It doesn't get boring.”

As they challenge their bodies with each day's workout, members can draw inspiration from an assortment of colorful flags representing professions such as firefighting, police work, and the military, as well as causes including the fight against breast cancer.

A dull thud shakes the padded floor as Bruno Garcia drops a barbell after demonstrating squat thrusters to his student. All around him trainers bellow motivation, and the air is damp with the sweat of men and women of all ages powering through the workout of the day. This scenario plays out daily for Bruno and his team of trainers, each of whom holds at least a CrossFit Level 1 trainer certification and listens to a soundtrack of workout grunts on a loop before bed.

The trainers introduce exercisers to CrossFit gradually. They start by teaching On Ramp fundamentals classes and then roll out the workout of the day, which typically includes a nonstop sequence of exercises such as sprints, lunges, and pull-ups. Aside from the daily workout, the trainers oversee a specialized CrossFit Football program, which was created with guidance from an actual professional football veteran.

The instructors of Palmetto Bay CrossFit only teach one fitness class. That's because their inclusive sessions combine several forms of exercise into one comprehensive workout that strengthens the entire body. Each class melds strength training and gymnastics exercises with cardio and coordination techniques that nurture bodies, and the general structure of classes ensures that students of all fitness levels can take part. Additionally, each class incorporates sports-like competitions between students as a way to build camaraderie and get rid of any trophies lying around. Classes are further bolstered with nutritional guidelines.