Pages 1 | 2
Fitness
 

Aqua Mom
Ritz Plaza, 235 W. 48th St., near Broadway
212-744-6622
aquamom.com
It’s the things (like maintaining a pool temperature of 83-86 degrees and limiting classes to ten that have kept these aquatic-aerobic classes ($265 for eight weeks) so popular for four years. Expect sports-specific activities, a little bit of dance, strength training, swim drills, and breathing relaxation.

Baby Om
For class locations, call 212-615-6935
Babyom.com
Sarah Perron and Laura Staton are tow yoga-loving mothers who crafted a regimen for expecting and postpartum moms. Classes come in three categories: Prenatal Om (for all stages of pregnancy), Baby Om (for moms and their little one), and Mommy Om (moms only). Classes are 75 minutes ($15-$17 for drop-ins; $70-$75 for five classes).

Be Yoga
160 E. 56th St., near Third Ave., twelfth fl., and other locations
212-935-9642
beyoga.com
If you’re looking for a more personal approach, schedule a one-on-one session ($20 per session) at this midtown studio or a private session at your home (starting at $100 per session).

Postnatal Trainer
 
David Kirsch at Madison Square Club
210 Fifth Ave., near 25th St.
212-683-1836
Did you see Hedi Klum four months after she gave birth? Then what more proof do you need? During very private sessions at the very posh Madison Square Club, seasoned trainer David Kirsch blasts baby fat with plie toe squats, sumo lunges, and shadow boxing; $275 an hour.

Body by Baby
344 E. 14th St.
212-780-0800, ext. 236
Prenatal yoga classes here focus on alleviating tension in your developing body, while postnatal classes are a great way for baby and mommy to work out together. In the aerobic Body by Baby class, babies 6 weeks to 7 months take part in exercises like kissing crunches and pony rides, while Mommy/Baby Yoga class is set in a padded playroom so babies are free to crawl around while moms strengthen and reshape their bodies. Look for aquatic prenatal classes this fall. Sessions last eight weeks and cost $165 for nonmembers.

Chelsea Piers Sports Center
Pier 60, 23rd St. and Hudson River
212-336-6500
chelseapiers.com
The gigantic athletic center with the spectacular views offers Pregnancy Through Pilates for both pre- and postnatal women. Prenatal classes use the Reformer to work on strengthening your core areas, while the postnatal classes focus on mat work that targets the hips, thighs, buttocks, and abs ($90 for members; $105 for nonmembers). If yoga is more your style, check out the Mommy 2 Be Yoga class, which uses all modified poses (no fee for members; $50 for nonmembers).

Core Pilates NYC
99 University Pl., at 12th St. ninth fl.
212-260-5464
core-pilates.com
Expecting mothers get one-on-one instruction and a 10 percent discount on all prenatal Pilates classes here. Postnatal classes are taught in either group, private, or semi-private sessions. Babies 6 to 18 months are welcome to join their moms in a mat class. A package of ten prenatal classes costs $607 after the discount; postnatal, $675.

Cynthia Adams
646-327-4244
Yoga guru Cynthia Adams teaches one-on-one sessions in the comfort (and privacy) of your home. She informs you which poses you should be doing during each trimester, and the benefits of each. For instance, she’ll let you know when inversions are a no-no and when hip-openers are the way to go. Postnatal sessions focus on restoring the body to its pre-pregnancy form. Sessions cost $80 to $100.

Equinox
1633 Broadway, at 50th St.
212-541-7000
Exclusively at Equinox’s 50th Street location, Restorative Yoga Classes offer a gentle, relaxing, and rejuvenating cycle through yoga postures, making it a perfect workout for pre- and postnatal women. You’ll improve your posture and restore balance to your body, not to mention relieve quite a bit of stress.

Exhale Spa
980 Madison Ave., near 77th St.
150 Central Park South, near Sixth Ave.
212-249-3000
exhalespa.com
There are no specific pre- or postnatal classes here, but the instructors are highly attentive to each woman’s need. The Core Fusion class combines Pilates, yoga, core conditioning, and orthopedic stretching into an extremely gentle workout. Single sessions cost $30.

Homebodies
1841 Broadway, at 60th St., Ste. 510B
212-586-7160
homebodies.com
Getting to the gym is often the biggest challenge for new moms. Homebodies has the answer: After an initial assessment ($150), a trainer will come to your home with a customized workout (yoga, weigh training, or Pilates). One-hour sessions are $100.

Jivamukti Yoga
404 Lafayette St., near 4th St.
212-353-0214
853 Lexington Ave., near 64th St.
212-396-4200
jivemuktiyoga.com
The city’s yoga mecca has an exceptional range of prenatal and family classes. The prenatal sessions ($17 for one class; $80 for a five-class pack) center on breathing and strengthening. Once Junior arrives, make the transition to the Baby and Me class (for babies 6 weeks to 1 year old).

 
1 | 2  
 
From the Fall 2004 edition of the New York Family Guide
   
   
Advertiser