Wow, the number of free workout events hosted in New York City never ceases to amaze me! While most people often focus on how expensive boutique fitness classes are in the city, there is also the complete opposite offered on what seems like an almost daily basis.
Thursday night, I joined my friends Zoe and Sashea at New Balance’s Flagship location for Girls Night Out, their version of happy hour.
These evening happy hour events take place a few times per year, each time featuring a great workout, speakers, great swag, and a fun after party including photo booths, drinks and light bites. Their site features a sign up option which allows people to RSVP for the event, allowing New Balance to cap the number of women who attend each event depending on the venue or workout’s space constrictions. Not based in NYC? Don’t worry, you can still get in on the fun in the future! On Thursday night over 30 cities hosted Girls Night Out events ranging from Durham, North Carolina to Los Angeles.
The check in process was fast and included a cute swag bag and tank top which we were asked to wear for the evening’s workout. The check in process only took a minute and I was happy to see that they also offered bag check for those people coming straight from work. While people were arriving, New Balance and local partner Juice Generation offered guests fresh coconut water, green juices and bar samples to enjoy while mingling and checking out the latest Fall gear.
At 7pm the hostess greeted everyone and explained that we had two options: a fun run or a strength training workout with fitness expert Hollie Perkins. Those doing the strength workout quickly walked a few blocks to a larger space which could accommodate 100 women for a strength training workout.
Hollie’s energy lit up the room as she greeted our group and prepared us for the workout which would be a mix of cardio and resistance band strength training. She provided tips for making each exercise harder or easier depending on ability and demonstrated each move on the stage so everyone could easily follow along. For the next 40 minutes we lunged, jumped and pumped our muscles until the room was a sweaty mess. Her playlist was so spot on that many of us broke into a dance or busted out a few moves more than once.
After the workout New Balance welcomed us back to the store for cocktails and food, including a delicious green tea vodka cocktail.
If you’re in one of the many cities where New Balance hosts Girls Night Out, I encourage you to grab a few girlfriends and make a date for their next event. While they fill up quickly, they are a fun and free way to break a sweat and enjoy a healthier happy hour. Follow either the corporate New Balance handle or your local New Balance store on social media to get updates on their next event.
