Exercise is one of the best ways to burn off steam, stress, and calories (and keep your sanity as a parent). That’s why finding a gym with childcare is key for so many NYC moms and dads. Knowing your gym provides safe, reliable babysitting can go a long way when it comes to getting motivated and making it out of the house. Whether it’s a hard core boot camp class or stress-reducing yoga and steam room session you’re after, here’s where you can get fit while the kids have fun. Read on for our top picks of NYC gyms with daycare!
YMCA
A membership to the Y is one of the best gym deals around and the NYC branches are better than you might imagine. Besides, even a family membership costs less than top NYC gym chains. Many have pools and class schedules offer an impressive array of options, including baby-and-me classes for new moms and fun drop-ins for kid members. When you need someone to watch your kid, ages 6 months to 7 years old, drop him at Child Watch for up to two hours - it's free! Reservations are recommended and it does fill up during peak times. Visit ymca.net for locations and details by site.
Online: ymca.net
Equinox
Get a tough workout and feel pampered all at the same time. Sweat through a challenging class from one of NYC’s top fitness instructors and cool down with a chilled eucalyptus towel found in mini-fridges throughout the gyms, all while your child stays at the Kids Club. And we won't tell if you just show up for a luxurious shower - you'll love the Kiehl's products and the ability to dry your hair without worrying you hear your baby's cries. Childcare is offered for kids ages 3 months to eight years. Equinox charges $14 for an up to two-hour session. You can save by buying a 10 or 20-pack of vouchers. Find the Kids Club at several of the NYC Equinox locations including Upper East Side and Upper West Side gyms, as well as Tribeca, Brooklyn Heights, Brookfield Place and Printing House in Hudson Square. Childcare hours vary from club to club, but hours are typically 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Online: equinox.com
Bar Method Cobble Hill
Bring your tiny dancer to The Bar Method Cobble Hill where you can sculpt and get lean using your own body weight and the ballet barre. Childcare is offered for kids as young as eight weeks months, as long as they are up to date on shots, and as old as eight. The service is $15 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. classes. (Classes last 45 minutes to an hour.) Advance registration is required, and you can book and pay online.
267 Pacific St.
Cobble Hill
718-522-3350
Online: barmethod.com
Crunch
Just one Crunch gym location has childcare, and guess which one it is? If you said Park Slope, Brooklyn, you're a winner! It's affordable, too: Just $4 for the first kid, and $2 for siblings. Be sure to indulge in the on-site Rituals spa products while you're there!
Online: crunch.com
NYSC
With more locations than any other gym chain around the city, it’s not hard to find a New York Sports Club near you. But be aware, some locations do not have childcare, and hours vary from club to club, so be sure to call ahead to check with your nearest gym. That said, many NYSC locations, do offer babysitting, including several on the Upper West and East sides, downtown, in Bay Ridge and Midwood, Forest Hills, Glendale, the Bronx and Staten Island. (Search NYSC locations by babysitting service here.) NYSC babysitters, which have undergone background checks and are AED/CPR certified, are available for kids ages 3 months to 10 years old. Rates vary from location to location; some, like the 106th Street and Third Avenue location include childcare in the membership; at Cobble Hill in Brooklyn the rate is $19.99 for two hours, and at 80th and Broadway, it's $15 for two hours.
Online: newyorksportsclubs.com
LA Fitness
LA Fitness is an affordable gym (under $50 a month) with childcare as part of your membership for an additional $15 a month. Babysitting is offered for kids six months and up, with hours varying by location. (You can find hours for each listed on individual clubs' sites.) You'll find LA Fitness in Howard Beach, Queens, and in Staten Island.
Online: lafitness.com
Eastern Athletic Clubs
If your kids are as interested in being active as you are, this Brooklyn Heights club offers something for everyone from racquetball courts and a small pool for you to a Junior Academy featuring karate, basketball, ballet, volleyball, swimming and more for kids. The gym also offers no-reservation-required babysitting for kids ages 6 months to six years old. (There is a maximum of eight kids at a time, so be advised.) Childcare is open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Childcare vouchers (good for an hour-and-a-half of babysitting) are $8 for one (expiring in a month), or $60 for a ten pack, which expire in six months. (Psst! There's a spa here, too.)
Online: easternathleticclubs.com.
Club Fitness New York
Astoria's Club Fitness New York describes itself as "a 40,000-square-foot gym with state of the art equipment and enriching amenities." (They will not, however, describe their membership rate — you need to drop by in person to get that; expect to pay at least $60/month.) You get a lot for your money, including classes like spin, Boot Camp, belly dancing, pilates, boxing, Fat Burn and two kinds of yoga. The gym is home to extensive weight-training and cardio facilities, including a trippy-looking spin studio, as well as a day spa and an organic cafe. Child care — for kids ages one to 12— is included with all memberships, and is available Mon- Fri. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 -9 p.m., and Sat. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
31-11 Broadway
Astoria
718-545-0004
Online: clubfitnessny.com
Retro Fitness
With an initial New York area location in Staten Island, Retro Fitness has expanded to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond and offers childcare at its Park Slope, Flatbush (Church Ave.), and Hoboken gyms. Childcare is included with membership, the rates for which vary by location. The gym also offers classes ranging from yoga to Zumba to spin, TRX Glute Camp and more. Equipment is internet-connected and outfitted with docks for iPhones and you can even work on your tan there if that's your thing. Stop by the smoothie bar for a post-workout snack when you're done.
Online: retrofitness.com
Harbor Fitness
Harbor Fitness began in Bay Ridge nearly 30 years ago. Since then, they've expanded to locations in Park Slope, Marine Park and Mill Basin, all of three of which offer complimentary childcare seven days a week. There is a two-hour limit and children must be up to date with shots. In addition to cardiovascular equipment, strength machines, free weights and boxing, each club has recently been upgraded for HIIT turf training. For classes, take your pick from intense circuit training, barre and Pilates, to Zumba, Brooklyn Boot Camp and more. Visit their website for details on each club's offerings and membership rates.
Multiple locations in Brooklyn
Online: harborfitness.com
— Julie Seguss & Mimi O’Connor
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