No Hibernating!

About the author: A certified health and wellness coach, Marissa Vicario is the founder of Tribeca-based Marissa’s Well-being and Health (MWAH!). She works with clients one-on-one and in groups to help them set—and achieve—goals for a happier, healthier, more balanced life.

Freezing temperatures, snow, and rain do little to motivate one to persevere with an exercise program—most people would rather curl up under a warm blanket with a movie and comfort food. If you feel yourself lacking the initiative to exercise and longing for warmer weather, resist the temptation to hibernate with these five simple tips:

1. Do what you love. Choose an activity you enjoy or something you are passionate about. Studies show we are more likely to keep with an exercise program if it doesn’t feel like a chore.

2. Set realistic goals. Assess your priorities and commitments and then decide what you want to do and/or when you want to do it. It can be as simple as going to the gym three days per week or maybe something more challenging like running a marathon in November. Setting goals creates intention which leads to action.

3. Schedule it in. I often encourage clients to schedule exercise into their calendar. When you’ve committed to something by putting it on your calendar, chances are you’ll do it.

4. Buddy up. Stay motivated with a friend or partner who has the same goals so you can be accountable to each other.

5. Mix it up. Aim for variety in your workouts to prevent boredom. If you’re someone who likes to listen to music while you exercise, change up your playlists.

1-courtesy-alycea-ungaros-real-pilates3-courtesy-alycea-ungaros-real-pilates4-courtesy-alycea-ungaros-real-pilatesThere are a range of options in Tribeca for adding excitement to your workouts.

Yoga Yoga studios are plentiful in Tribeca. Kula Yoga Project (28 Warren) and New Field Yoga (27 Cliff) offer traditional vinyasa style practices that connect movement to breath with a flowing sequence of postures. Shri Yoga (443 Greenwich) features Anusara yoga, which focuses on alignment and is characterized by its spiritual and ethical teachings.

Pilates The Pilates method teaches awareness of breath, alignment of the spine, and core strength. Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates (177 Duane) has classes for every level from group mat classes to individual reformer classes and pre-natal workshops; the photos above show what kind of stuff participants get up to. Body & Mind Builders (78 Reade) takes a holistic approach to family health and wellness with group and private mat classes for adults and a selection of yoga and dance classes for children.

Spinning Soul Cycle (103 Warren) recently opened its flagship location in Tribeca. Classes at this urban indoor spinning studio not only challenge your body with a heart-pumping cardio workout and upper body and core work, they’re also designed to inspire your mind. Unique to the Tribeca location is a new band studio where riders participate in SoulCycle Bands classes challenging the entire body with resistance bands that hang from the ceiling above each bike.

Running/Walking/Cycling While Tribecans may be miles away from Central Park, they have their choice of the scenic paths on either the West Side Highway or East River. Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge by foot or bike also makes for an exhilarating workout.

Group Fitness Many enjoy group fitness classes for the motivation, consistency, and structure they provide. Group fitness classes like Jazzercise, Downtown Dance and Boot Camp are available at Tribeca Health and Fitness (107 Chambers). From sculpting, yoga, studio cycling and more, Equinox Tribeca (54 Murray) holds more than 75 group fitness classes each week.

 

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