TRIBECA — A new boutique gym in TriBeCa promises to add some pep to your step this summer with cardio classes on self-propelled treadmills.
The recently opened Superstar Gym, which uses custom-made European equipment in a 4,000-square-foot space at 452 Washington St., is bringing what owner Joe DiAngelo said is one of of the more popular trends in Italian fitness to TriBeCa: the Fitwalker, a specialized treadmill that requires no electricity to work.
The Fitwalker machines, powered by exercisers' movement, are specifically designed for group workouts, said DiAngelo, whose family manufactures the unique treadmill and offers the classes in more than 150 locations across Europe.
Like indoor cycling classes, but without the bike, Fitwalker classes use upbeat music — and instructors — to get your heart pumping while walking — and sometimes kicking, skipping or jumping — at various paces and resistance levels on the inclined treadmill, said DiAngelo, a former junior European swim champion.
"It's really an incredible workout that's good for the whole body — and it's fun, there's more variety than spinning," DiAngelo said. "This is something that all ages can do — the entire family."
The gym, which opened last week, is offering free demonstrations of the Fitwalker classes through Sunday.
DiAngelo said he'll offer a variety of workout classes on the treadmill, some with moves that are more dance-based, like an aerobics class constantly on the go, and others that are more "hardcore," he said, featuring squats, twists and intense inclines.
Starting next week, the group classes will cost $30 each, with discounts for purchases of 10 or more at once.
The gym also features a host of unique workout equipment — all manufactured by DiAngelo and designed by an Italian trainer who works with professional and Olympic athletes, DiAngelo said.
The Canali System brand of equipment is meant to optimize strength and endurance without injury, said DiAngelo. All the workout machines only use a person's own force and body weight as resistance. There are no weights attached to the equipment, like in traditional gyms.
Membership for the gym costs $100 a month, with personal training sessions starting at $75.
"We're here to get people, of all ages, into the best shape," DiAngelo said, "but in different way, a way that we think is better for your body."
