A little snow never hurt nobody, so I ventured out into the blizzard because #turkeybod.

As you guys know, I’m always on the hunt for the best studios in NYC. After a morning hitting the heavy bags on one snowy AF morning in midtown, I think it’s safe to say I can add NEO U to the ever-growing list! The studio just opened this month and not only is it brand spankin’ new, but it gives off major vibes. It’s absolutely massive and has an open, bright warehouse feel. Most of the walls are decked out with amazing wall art, and my favorite wall is in the long hallway on the first floor (yes, there are two floors!) which has a huge graffiti-like mural that’s NYC- themed. Actually, it’s a toss-up between the wall with the graffiti and another wall with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt which says “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Amen to that.

There are TONS of class options at NEO U, so this studio is definitely a one-stop shop that will suit all of your fitness needs. Whether you want to hit the boxing bag, breathe in down dog, dance it out, or crank out some HIIT,  NEO U will definitely push you to your limits! They even have CrossFit. Who knew one gym could ever house so many activities under one roof? I took NEO Strike with the most bad ass boxing babe in the game, Gabriella Machuca. I met Gabby earlier this week when I took her new class, “The Ring” at Project By Equinox (thanks, Kate, for hooking it up with the invite!!) Gabby and Rachel Oyama (also a total boss!!) co-teach the class as a power-house dynamic duo, and I highly recommend putting that on your radar as well! Boxing is one of my favorite workouts and “The Ring” made me realize how much I missed throwing on some gloves and pushing myself into overdrive. Naturally, I was stoked to get to try yet another boxing class in ONE WEEK!

NEO Strike is the perfect class for boxing aficionados and those who just box for fitness fun. First, we started with a cardio warm up, which consisted of rounds of different cardio moves like jumping jacks, high knees, mummy kicks, and squat jumps. We also pumped out some planks and push-ups before doing some shadowboxing and moving onto the bags. I loved the combinations that Gabby had us throwing. They started small, but eventually as the rounds progressed, we added on. By the end, we were throwing 8 or so punches mixed with defensive slips and rolls. It was AWESOME. I love a boxing class that’s challenging as hell, but practical. When things get too complex, it’s hard to follow along and I end up spending more time standing around trying to remember what punch comes next! After the rounds, we did a quick burnout round with LOTS of quick punches and squat jumps before some strength training stations. It was a jam-packed class, that’s for sure.

The best part of the class was Gabby’s attitude. She’s the most ENCOURAGING instructor I’ve ever taken and she wants you to get the most out of every second of the workout. She’ll make sure your form is on point and that you’re challenging yourself as much as possible, all while telling you that you’re a freakin’ QUEEN. I absolutely love it. The enthusiasm is amazing and addicting!

Between the gorgeous studio and the workout, NEO U is amaze. I will definitely be back and I’m looking forward to trying some of the other classes they offer! Hopefully, it won’t be snowing next time 😉