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Two longtime triathletes opened this one-room fitness center on Columbus Circle in the fall of 2010, offering intense, 75-minute, boot-camp-style classes for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. The workouts begin with climbing the twelve flights of stairs in the building a number of times before beginning the circuit training of the day, which combines cardio sequences with strength training and uses props like resistance bands and sand bags. The circuits are challenging, but individuals are able to keep their own pace, allowing all fitness levels to workout simultaneously. Sessions are taught in eight-week increments, so no two classes are the same per series, and participants aren’t allowed to attend more than twice a week. Merchant, who also runs ALTA Physical Therapy in the building with his wife, explains it’s best to let the body “absorb” the workout on your off days with less-stressful activities like spinning and yoga. — Randi Eichenbaum

This is the right place for people looking for a challenging, frills-free workout.

Cons
You won’t get the intended results without committing to a full, eight-week series.