My Thoughts on ClassPass

When I moved back to New York City last month, the team at ClassPass was kind enough to send me an email welcoming me home with a complimentary two week ClassPass membership. As you guys know, one of the things I missed most while living in Geneva was access to fitness classes. I love the inspiration, motivation and energy of group fitness classes as well as the benefit of learning from the instructors.

ClassPass launched in New York City right before our move and therefore this was my first time experiencing the site and their application. Now it is available in over 30 cities across the United States, Canada and England! You can even upgrade your membership so you can workout in different cities, perfect for someone who travels a lot.

During the two week time period I was able to squeeze in eight classes which allowed me to experience a number of different studios all across Manhattan. In order to help you guys learn more about ClassPass, in case you’ve never tried it, I summed up my thoughts below. As always, I’m happy to answer any questions you have if you leave a comment or send me an email!

Price: In NYC, the monthly membership is $125. Whether this is expensive or a deal is a very personal decision, however many boutique fitness studios in NYC are $25-35 per class. Based on this, if you go to five classes per month on ClassPass or an average of one per week, the membership pays out.  Considering that this cost gives you access to over 500 studios, it is seen by many, including myself, to be a great deal.

Studios: With over 500 studios participating in ClassPass NYC, it is a great way to discover studios which you may not have otherwise visited. Using their app or website, you can easily find classes in your area or sort them based on time,  type of class or even amenities in case you need a shower to use before heading to work.  They are frequently adding new studios to their roster. In fact, during my two week trial I received two separate emails advertising new boutique partnerships.

newstudios

Booking: Students are allowed to book at a single studio up to three times within a one month period. This motivations students to try new studios while also helping studio partners manage the number of students. You can book classes one week in advance. However, many of the popular studios or instructors often book as quickly as a Soul Cycle class. Therefore, many participants actually set a calendar invite reminding them to sign up for their favorite classes a week in advance. In fact, this is the only way I was able to get a spot in my favorite Uplift Fitness (Sculpt Fusion) class and Flywheel instructor’s  (Kara B) class. I will say, their app and website are both user-friendly, which makes signing up that much easier!

classpass

But what happens if my schedule changes? The good news is that ClassPass allows you to cancel your class up to 12 hours in advance. If you cancel within the 12-hour window you will be charged $15 and that will count as a visit to the studio. If you don’t cancel, you’re charged $20.

So what about places like FlyWheel which has multiple locations? The 3 class limit is for the entire brand, not each location. Therefore you can’t go to each FlyWheel location (Lincoln, Flatiron, etc) 3 times in a month. Instead you’re allowed to go to a total of 3 FlyWheel classes in a month, regardless the locations you choose.

More than just classes! In New York City and Boston, you can now register for local running races on ClassPass! It’s a great way to discover new, local races that you may otherwise miss.

It’s even more fun with friends! One of my favorite things about ClassPass is that it enables you to easily work out with friends. Whereas many gyms, such as Equinox, make it nearly impossible for you to bring guests into the gym to join in a workout class, ClassPass makes it easy to workout with friends. You can save money and book classes through ClassPass while your friends can meet you at the same studio or also register via ClassPass.

But it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. What didn’t you like? Honestly, I found it pretty hard to find things I didn’t like about ClassPass.  The biggest thing that annoyed me with ClassPass is that popular studios fill up VERY quickly AND studios don’t necessarily offer their full schedule or all their locations. For example, there was a class during a peak time at one of my favorite studios which wasn’t offered via ClassPass and Fhitting Room, which Bo and I both love, only has one of their studios on ClassPass. Unfortunately, the studio that is on ClassPass, their Upper East location, isn’t convenient for us.

y7 yoga

Where did I work out during the two week trial? Uplift (2 times), Y7 Yoga (2 times), Overthrow Underground Boxing (1 time), SkyTing Yoga (1 time), FlyWheel (2 times)

Did I join? As of now, I haven’t joined ClassPass due to our move. This month we have so much going on that I don’t have times to take a lot of classes. Whereas last month I was taking 2-3 classes per week on top of my running, this month I have averaged one strength class and one yoga class per week. Since Bo and I love Fhitting Room Flatiron’s location so much, we bought a package to the studio since we can split the package. Honestly, if I found out tomorrow that Fhitting Room Flatiron joined ClassPass there is a great chance I’d take the leap. (Updated: As of September 23rd, 2015, I have joined ClassPass!)

How about you? Have you tried ClassPass? Did you love it? 

*I am a ClassPass affiliate and thereefore this post includes ClassPass affiliate links. However, as always, all thoughts and views are my own! 

Share Button
Follow:

A 3-Course Meal for $12.50

Since moving back to NYC, Bo and I have done a better than expected job avoiding the Seamless trap. Seamless is the food delivery service of choice for many New Yorkers, and while convenient, it isn’t exactly cheap nor healthy. Don’t get me wrong, there are, of course, some healthy and inexpensive options on Seamless, but often Bo and I tend to over-order which causes us to waste money on food we don’t need.

So far, it seems like Wednesday nights are when we find ourselves yearning for Seamless or another easy option. Our Wednesday runs tend to be a bit longer which means we don’t get home until 8 pm. We’ve made our way through our weekend produce haul, and we’ve eaten our way through leftovers.

kitchensurfing 1

That’s where the crew at Kitchensurfing, a brand new NYC start-up can come to the rescue! Their goal is to bring healthy, delicious, chef-prepared meals into the comfort of your home. Imagine opening the door to a chef, complete with their ingredients and tools, and then sitting down to dinner just 30 minutes later.

Chef

Last night we had the pleasure of experiencing Kitchensurfing first hand, and it’s safe to say this is a game changer. This service, offered Monday through Friday, is the perfect option when you just haven’t had time to shop for ingredients and don’t have the energy to cook.  For $25 per person, a private chef will prepare, cook and serve you fresh three-course meal and clean up the kitchen in just 30 minutes. Keep in mind that this means that you get to enjoy three courses for $25; a good deal in New York City.

Each day there are four menu options including a gluten free, nut free, vegetarian and healthy options.  They are posted on the website a week in advance so people can choose their favorite dishes before ordering.  Today’s menu options include Cuban-style skirt steak, miso-marinated chicken, salmon en papillote, and handmade pappardelle. Don’t each of those sound delicious? Even better, you can read the user reviews associated with each menu choice to help ensure you choose one that you’ll love!

Kitchen surfing

Last night Bo and I were able to relax on the couch and catch up while our personal chef whipped up dinner in the kitchen. Our menu included lamb meatballs with garlic tzatziki and Mediterranean couscous. It was such a nice change and delight to have someone do everything for us from preparation to cleanup. The aromas coming from the kitchen were a sign that the meal was going to be just as delicious as we’d hoped.


IMG_3119
IMG_3123

We couldn’t stop raving about the meal to each other and our friends. Just minutes after finishing our meal we both were texting friends, telling them how wonderful the service was and that they needed to try it one night. This would also be a great option if you wanted to have friends over for a small dinner party but didn’t have time to worry about the details.

Since I consider each of my readers friends, I want you to experience Kitchensurfing for yourself! You can get $25 of your first meal by using the code healthyhappier. This means that you and your friend or significant other can enjoy a three-course meal together for only $25 or $12.50 per person. That’s unheard of in New York City!

Share Button
Follow:

Zeel Massage On Demand

Happy Friday! How was your week?

Bo and I are currently en route to Cincinnati where we are spending the weekend with our good friends Ryan and Amy who recently moved there from Seattle. You may remember that we visited them out in Seattle late last Summer.

IMG_4519IMG_4546

Our weekend plans include celebrating, running in a small 5k race, touring the area, and relaxing together. I have traveled to Cincinnati at least 20 times over the past 7 years since joining Procter & Gamble so it amazes me that some how Bo has never been before!

Bo and I decided it was time for us to each take a break this week and thank our bodies with deep tissue massages. Normally we both love Equinox massages but unfortunately our work schedules didn’t allow for that this week.

Luckily, a new to me service, Zeel Massage on Demand, was able to help!

image

Zeel is a website and phone app which allows you to book a same- day, in –home massage with a few clicks! As you can see above, you just choose your preferred massage type, masseuse gender, duration, and then provide any specifications such as reason for the massage or special requests.

A few Zeel On Demand highlights:

  • All our therapists are vetted and licensed.
  • Top-quality massages in the privacy of your own home, on your schedule.
  • Book and get massage the same day, no need to book ahead.
  • Zeel confirms appointments within 15 minutes and can send a massage therapist to you in as little as an hour.
  • Choose 60 or 90 minute massages, relaxing Swedish or invigorating deep tissue massages, and a male or female therapist.
  • Requests can be made between 8 am and 10 pm 7 days a week.

Within minutes of hopping on the site I was able to easily book a massage for both Bo and myself.  After booking the massage I received a text message confirming the time, my address, the exact cost including tip and tax, along with the massage therapists name. If interested you can even click on their name to see their credentials!

Bo and I both had an amazing experience with Zeel! Our therapists (Ivan Ivanov and Prisila Jacobs) were both very professional, arrived five minutes ahead of time to set up their table, and focused the deep tissue techniques on the areas that needed it most! For those of you who are wondering, the price for a 60 minute massage ($159.25 in Manhattan and $147 in Brooklyn,Queens, or Bronx) is about the same that we paid at Equinox considering that it includes gratuity and taxes! In addition, we were able to take advantage of a first time special code for $50 off!

Do you want to give Zeel Massage on Demand a try? Use the promotion code BEAR50 to get $50 off your first 60 or 90 minute massage!

Have you ever had an in-house massage? Thoughts?

Share Button
Follow: