Working Out in the Citay

Whether you're into exercise or looking to get into it, there's a lot to think about for us all. You may have noticed city living isn't as unhealthy as one may at first expect it to be. After all, we do walk a lot everyday. Add to that evening activities like running from cops and the occasional hand-to-hand combat and you find yourself in a pretty sweet situation for remaining fit. But maybe you're looking to get the benefits of the urban lifestyle just mentioned without actually taking on that lifestyle. Well sure, but you just sapped the fun out of it for yourselves so don't complain if this gets dry.

The first thing to think about is what you want from exercise. There are various goals to have, and various different paths to take depending on which you pick. The most fiscally important difference being whether you need to join a gym or not. If you're looking mainly to get "fit," and by that I mean losing weight, getting leaner muscle, improving stamina, and improving cardio-vascular/circulatory health, an individually tailored mix of 'cardio' and calisthenics should do the trick.

That pretty much means you don't, strictly speaking, need a gym. You can run around the 1.5 mile Central Park reservoir track, bike the path along the Hudson River and dance the Harlem Shuffle in the streets. You can also get creative in the city's public spaces: Practice your pull-ups on street signs and scaffolding. Take advantage of jungle "gyms" to work out your upper body or do squats. Go kayaking for free in the Hudson and work out your back and arms. And do crunches and push-ups anywhere you damn well please.

However, if you wish to gain muscle mass or just want to tone your muscles you will need an assortment of weights, and possibly machines, that the majority of us can't squeeze into our tiny Manhattan apartments. And that means joining a gym. (Ladies: theres no rule that says weights aren't meant for you, too).

The YMCA and New York Sports Clubs are fine if you've got lots of cash to blow, but the cheapest gym by far is Planet Fitness (19$/month and regular deals that often make it even cheaper). The only problem with this bargain is that it's often ridiculously crowded. However, the gym has a strict "judgment free" policy so if you go there, you can be sure most people won't make fun of you when you stand near my incredible urban-toned body.

So start with some goals, that'll help with forming a routine for exercise that will get you the results you want (wow-have we heard that before). And be ready to change, add to, and take away from the routine as your work outs and goals develop. Later installments soon to come after I finish my upper body workout of scaling a building.

- Rishi