Hello, New York City!

Good Morning from the Big Apple!

Yesterday was jam packed with excitement as I made my way from Detroit to New York City. I am here with a few fellow bloggers and FitFluential Ambassadors (thanks to Reebok!) to cover a launch party later this morning. Just another standard Wednesday, right? (!!!)

After an eventful morning of travel, I arrived at the JFK airport mid-afternoon. Julie was scheduled to arrive just a few minutes later, so I grabbed us an afternoon pick-me-up from Starbucks and before I knew it we were in a cab and on our way to the Reebok FitHub on Fitfh Avenue!

Reebok FitHub Fifth Avenue Tour

Luggage in hand, we quickly made our way into the store and both noted the bright and active feel of the store right away.

How cute and fun is their yoga line?

As we walked up to the front counter, we were greeted with enthusiastic smiles from employees and Reebok Fitness Ambassadors Michele and Darren.

I had never been to a FitHub before, so I was excited to learn about all of the different activities like dance classes, events, and workouts that happen right here in the store.

While waiting for Gina to arrive, we kept busy chatting with Michele about what makes this retail store unique. With a quick look around, it all became obvious. The ground is made up of gym flooring, there are ropes and rings hanging about, and the store is filled with weights and kettlebells.

Near the wall of shoes, there are boxes placed specifically for people to test out real CrossFit moves on. In order to figure out exactly what shoe fits your type of workout the best, why not test out how they feel right there?

Makes sense.

The end of our tour took us down to what seemed like an underground secret workout society. Just downstairs, we entered the Reebok CrossFit Box that screamed amazingness.

With upbeat music blaring, CrossFitters ran by us sweaty and “in the zone” during their WODs. We were all tempted to jump right in! Alternatively, we just took photos of the box and I shared that was my first visit to a real CrossFit box.

I’m pretty sure the words “this makes me want to lift really heavy things” even came out of my mouth. Maybe one day I actually will visit a box in my area! (Maybe.)

Core Fusion Barre at Exhale Spa

About 5:30 p.m., we gathered our belongings and took a cab over to 77th and Madison to Exhale Spa Upper East Side.

While the spa offers plenty of pampering treatments that could have kept us occupied, we were there to take a barre class from Kat Steers. There was also a gorgeous yoga studio and adorable lobby filled with boutique-like items like fitness apparel, candles and jewelry.

Everything smelled so good!

All dressed and ready to go in our Reebok True Studio Slippers, we entered the barre studio for a Core Fusion class.

(A full review of these slippers will be coming soon.)

The class was filled to the rim and Kat made sure to introduce herself and learn our names. The style of this barre class was very similar to what I am used to and included the expected tucking, lifting, holding, shaking, and burning I normally get out of them.

Although I just took one in Orlando two weeks ago, you would have thought it had been years with how bad I was shaking! The class definitely gave me a challenge and I have a feeling I will be be sore for at least a few days as a result.

(Gina, Julie, Me)

With rumbling bellies, we made our way to our hotel by foot and actually got stopped at a stand still for a good fifteen minutes. Apparently President Obama is in town and just so happened to be exiting someone’s private residence. I’m pretty confident we kept the NYPD entertained with a series of questions as we waited for the security to clear and the sidewalks to open back up again.

Finally, just shy of 9 p.m., our hotel was in sight!

The Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel in New York City is nothing short of a dream. I have only been to NY a handful of times, and remember passing by the gorgeous building thinking it would be amazing to stay there one day.

Thanks to an awesome partnership between Reebok and Fairmont, one day is currently today and tomorrow!

I have never had the opportunity to stay in a hotel quite this enchanting.

The beauty and elegance of this legendary stay is obvious, but all three of us couldn’t get over how good it smelled too. Every single flower in the hotel is fresh and replaced weekly, and there are a lot of them.

As I walked into my hotel room, I became instantly impressed. Gorgeous, no?

On the bed was a hand picked Reebok outfit waiting for me, as part of the Fairmont Fit Program which I will explain in another post coming up!

While deciding what we wanted to do about dinner, I noticed this alluring fruit basket and hand written welcome note that made me feel extremely welcomed.

Also, at least a third of that entire bowl was gone in about two minutes after snapping this photo.

Still in fitness apparel, we made our way down to the lobby and ended up grabbing a bite at the The Plaza Food Hall on the bottom level. It was perfectly casual enough for us to feel comfortably dressed, but still served food worthy of a 5-star restaurant.

All of us wanting everything, we put in an order for lobster guacamole to split as an appetizer.

I also ordered a shrimp and spinach tortellini (made with homemade noodles!) for my main entree.

The portions were perfect, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t go to bed feeling wonderful. I am already having the best time and am bursting with excitement over today’s itinerary!

I’ll be sure to check back in when I can with more NYC adventures!