I spent a lot of time during the month of November visiting many of the personal training gyms around New York City that welcome independent trainers.  In fact, as I now run my finger down the list my count reaches twenty drop ins.  More remarkable than that is the the fact that there are still more for me to see before the end of the year.   And still more to be discovered.  It is amazing to think how the number of training gyms has grown in the last five years.  Alas, while these fitness spaces are scattered throughout New York City, a large concentration are on the Upper East Side.

From the 60’s to the 80’s, there is a variety of Gyms welcoming independent personal trainers.   I was lucky enough on this day to find a parking space on East 92nd Street between Madison and Park Avenues.  (It’s the small victories, like free street parking, that can make a big difference in the day.) This was perfect since it was near my last stop for the day, Core Fitness, at 86th and Madison.

I made my first stop if the day at Exceed Fitness on Third Avenue and 83rd.  A quick hello to Catherine, the manager, and a visit to the trainer’s lounge on the lower floor then off to my first of the two Remorca Fitness locations. (I love when places have a trainer’s lounge or break area.) Today would be my first visit to the second floor of Remorca Fitness on 74th Street.  I was very impressed.  I met Giray and caught a glimpse of a well equipped, intimate training space.  In between, I made my first visit to Madison Independent Training Gym, also in 74th street.  Boaz could not have been more welcoming.  It was a long anticipated meeting.  The space is welcoming for almost any type of client and training style.

Next it was into the flagship Remorca Fitness location in East 64th Street.  Dennis has areas for some hardcore power lifting, as well as equipment for physical therapy and even a massage room.  I also got a chance to spend some time talking to Dennis.  If you want to learn a little about the
history of personal training in New York City, talk to the studio owners.  They all have an insider’s view.

Finally, I was onto my last stop, Core Fitness, where Michael Margulies had so graciously offered to host the NeighborhoodTrainer Meetup event for some Manhattan personal trainers.  Core has a lot of unique equipment for some serious strength training and even boasts a cryotherapy chamber.  I was joined by Andy Lopez of Kettlebell Kitchen and Bryan Daddio of TurboStrapp.  We were to out on an engaging event for all attendees.

On this particular day, I was able to visit 5 different gyms for personal trainers, while still passing by others I had visited on previous days.  Stay tuned, I will tell you about those days soon.