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Vital Juice

Vital Juice

Fitness

February 18, 2009

The Get-Lean Machine

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Lengthen and strengthen muscles with this one-of-a-kind workout.

We have nothing at all against Pilates and yoga, but after a while, it's a bit like, "Been there, done that..."

So we sent a tester to Kinespirit where she braved her first Gyrotonic lesson. The workout, a favorite of Julianne Moore and Madonna, combines yoga, dance, swimming and tai chi. While the elaborate Gyrotonic contraption may look daunting--medieval torture comes to mind--don't be fooled. It's actually a gentle system of circular movements. Here are three reasons to give it a whirl.  

You don't need "Dancing with the Stars" skills. Our tester, who swears she has two left feet, was easily able to get into the swing of things. The helpful Kinespirit instructor leads you through the moves first on a mat or stool, and then you graduate to the machine.

You'll use muscles you forget you had. From your tush to your triceps, you will feel the burn. The workout uses a system of pulleys and weights to stretch and strengthen your muscles. Our tester said on day two, she was sore--in a good way. 

You'll reach new heights. Gyrotonic targets your core and gets you thinking about your spine's alignment, helping to open the joints. When our tester finished her lesson, she says she felt at least an inch taller. 

A final compelling reason to get your Gyrotonic on? If you call in the next two weeks, Kinespirit is offering VJ subscribers two private sessions for the price of one! ($60 with Junior Trainer, $80 with Certified Trainer, $125 with Master Trainer)

Kinespirit (two locations), 40 E. 23rd St., 3rd Fl. (212) 228-5787, MAP, and 214 W. 85th St., (212) 787-9300, MAP