Tried And Tested: Popular Workout (And Recovery) Classes In NYC

 From toning to high intensity to stretching, these popular fitness classes in NYC are bound to get your heart pumping.

Popular group fitness classes are making a return. Get your athletic shoes and gears on for these heart-pumping, muscle-building classes.

F45 Training

Created in Australia, the F45 workouts combine elements of high- intensity interval training (HIIT), circuit training, and functional training. Each day of the week focuses on different goals - from Cardio to Resistance to a Hybrid of both. I attended a 60-minute Hybrid class on Saturday, featuring a mix of cardio and resistance training that put the strength and endurance through the ultimate challenge. After a warm up, the trainers take you through step by step demonstration of all the exercises. After that, it's a go time! The workout is intense, but you'd be surprised how quickly the time passes when you are having fun.

SLT Tread

The famous SLT class, which ties together cardio, strength training, and the most challenging elements of Pilates, has launched a new concept called SLT Tread. SLT Tread incorporates more intense cardio to the traditional class by adding 25 minutes on the Woodway treadmill with fast-paced intervals that will surely leave you breathless. The class starts with a quick introduction to get you accustomed to the Megaformer, then moves to the treadmill for a full body experience.

Stretch*d

Never underestimate the importance of stretching. Assisted stretching is the ultimate way to get a deep stretch -- safely and effectively. The expert Stretch*rs at Stretch*d takes you through a customized stretch experience using dynamic stretch methods to gently build your flexibility and range of motion and all the while, chill you out. In addition to the one-on-one assisted stretch sessions, you can also try other recovery services like Get Puls*d featuring compression boots to boost circulation, flush out toxins, and speed up lymphatic drainage.

Top Tips For Healthy And Delicious Home Baking

 Here are some ingredients and substitutions you can make to create delicious baked goods that are also healthy.

Oh, the weather outside is (still) frightful, but these homemade treats are so delightful! Crank up the heat (on your oven) for these tasty baked goods using healthy ingredients.

Garbanzo Bean Spread - Banzo Butter

Banzo Butter is the newest plant-based healthy spread for just about anything, from bagels, breads and overnight oats to cookies, crackers and rice cakes. Banzo Butter spreads offer a unique take on classic nut butter, with a taste and texture similar to your favorite nut butters, but made from beans. In addition to healthy fats, plant-based protein and fiber, Banzo Butter spreads are vegan, gluten-free, and top-14 allergen-free.

Vanilla Extract - vnlla Extract Co.

Vanilla extract is at the core of delicious baked goods. The products from vnlla Extract Co. helps you to unleash your creativity. The Pure Vanilla Extract starts with Bourbon vanilla beans grown and harvested by its partner farmers in Madagascar, who carefully hand-pollinate each vanilla orchid. Then it is extracted and bottled in the U.S. to capture the essence of each and every bean.

Cookies and Cake Mixes - Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R.

For those who want to eat wholesome, gut-friendly, delicious food, you don’t have to tough it out - eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Without grains, eggs, dairy or nuts, Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R cookie and cake mixes will bring you joy while supporting you in your health journey. G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R stands for Grain-free, Additive-free, Nightshade-free, Gluten-free, Soy and Legume-free, Tree-nut and Seed-free, Egg and Dairy-free, and Refined Sugar-free. Cake mixes include Choconot Fudge and Cinnawin Spice, and Cookie Mixes include Oatmeal Schmoatmeal, 'Cut-Out' Sugar Cookie, and Caro'Bout Fudge Cookie.

Raw Organic Coconut Oil - Dignity Coconuts

Next time you grab a bottle of coconut oil, stop and think about how it’s sourced. You want to enjoy the benefits of this incredible superfood, yet at what cost? Reach for raw coconut oil from Dignity Coconuts and know that each jar is made with principle and respect for those that have worked hard to bottle up this much-used item that continues to grow in popularity. Each jar of its premium coconut oil has an actual signature by one of the proud workers. The brand exists to help communities overcome cycles of poverty and copra-slavery, a cycle of predatory loans and depressed prices which leads to sex trafficking. They do this by making the purest and delicious virgin coconut oil using a proprietary centrifuge extracted process, creating a genuinely raw product.

Cashew Butter - Once Again Nut Butter

Once Again Cashew Butter makes it possible for your plant-based baked goods to be fluffy, light, and delicious. When you experiment baking with cashew butter, you will be surprised that recipes that don’t include eggs or any oil at all, can work so wonderfully. Like other plant-based nut butters, cashew butter comes with a variety of health benefits. Slightly lower in fat than other nut butters, cashew butter is one of the best sources for monounsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, and magnesium. These nutrients benefit your metabolism, your sugar and cholesterol control, your bone health, and blood pressure.

Greek Yogurt - Oikos

Greek yogurt is the perfect substitution for butter or oil in healthy baking. Once you crack the code on Greek yogurt recipe swaps, you’ll never look at dairy the same way again. This stuff can literally do anything. Oikos yogurts have more of what you want, less of what you don't - 0 percent fat, 0 grams of added sugar, and 0 artificial sweeteners.Plus protein and deliciousness to help you reach your potential.

Baking Mixes - The Vegan Knife

The Vegan Knife was formed to help those who suffer from food allergies and those that enjoy a vegan lifestyle. Try baking this delicious cinnamon sugar donuts using the donut mix. Just add non-dairy milk, oil, and vanilla to this gluten free blend of cinnamon and nutmeg to create a perfectly moist donut that will have you dancing for joy.