Cate Cox (pictured above)
Travel adviser, West Village
What’s the workout scene in the West Village right now?
Pilates is definitely very hot.
First impressions of this class?
I’m not going to lie: I am a traditional Pilates and yoga girl, and when I saw the ski poles, at first I was like, Oh my God, what have I gotten myself into here? But it is one of the best workouts I’ve ever done.
Why do you think Pilates and sculpt classes are so popular?
I see a lot of information on TikTok and Instagram that’s anti–HIIT workout and more about strength training, getting your steps in, and how, especially for women, that’s better for your hormones and lowering adrenaline and stress. And New Yorkers are good at being stressed out.
Bianca Day
Marketer and events producer, Greenpoint
Gabrielle Savary
Fitness coach, Canarsie
What kind of feedback do you get from first-time students in your class?
That it’s hard. They’re a little shocked with how much of a full-body workout it is. That’s music to my ears.
Jessica Clavin
Designer, Bay Ridge
Abigail Olshavsky
Marketing manager and fitness instructor, Park Slope
What’s something folks might not know about being a group fitness instructor?
People don’t realize the playlist takes the longest. You’re trying to find music that fits the vibe of the moves. When you’re halfway through class, everyone’s kind of over it. That’s where I put a lot of those ’90s and early-aughts songs.
Brenna Connolly
Marketing manager, Park Slope
Masen Fridkin
Merchandiser, West Village
Laura Grasso
Assistant costume designer, Clinton Hill
Paris Colopy
Account manager, Williamsburg
Any New Year’s resolutions?
I’m not clear on my big-picture resolutions yet, but I’m making activity bucket lists of things I want to do in the year. One is to walk the length of Manhattan, starting in Inwood and walking down to the Battery, all on Broadway.
Lizzie Grubman
Marketing analyst, Chelsea
Margot Schumacher
Ski instructor and tech founder, Crown Heights
Alex Cooley
Fitness instructor, Chelsea
Do you ski?
I don’t. My friends took me to Telluride, and I had never had a ski lesson in my life. I was waiting for the ski lift to stop, and they let me know that it does not stop; you just have to get off. So the next day, I stayed at the lodge. I had a beer and read my Kindle.
Carly Rosenthal
Financial-services sales executive, Greenwich Village
Hannah Ginsky
Vice-president of strategy, Greenwich Village
Penelope Hinds
Actress, Harlem
Is there a crossover between workout classes and acting?
A lot of people I know did musical theater and acted in college but didn’t continue acting and went to teach group fitness instead. I think it’s a great way to get that acting bug out. People have almost different personas on the mic.
Nicoline Roth
CEO of Nrthrn Strong, Flatiron District
Rachel Brown
Economic strategist, Williamsburg
Evan Schaad
Sports psychologist and ops director, Greenpoint
You mentioned you’ve run a lot of races.
I’ve run eight marathons. I have one drink and I’ll sign up for a race. For my first Ironman, I woke up with a thousand-dollar charge on my credit card and was like, Damn, I had a good night out. And then I looked, and the charge was to ironman.com.
Shira Lev
Engineer, Tel Aviv, Israel
Photographs by Frankie Alduino
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If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the January 12, 2026, issue of
New York Magazine.
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If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the January 12, 2026, issue of
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