Anybody who knows me knows that I love Zumba Fitness®. Like, I'm obsesssed with Zumba classes. I love Zumba for two reasons: I love to dance, and I hate to feel like I'm working out. So when I had the opportunity to attend a new Zumba master class at a Crunch gym in Manhattan with Beto Perez, the creator and co-founder of Zumba Fitness®, I didn't think about it for a minute: Of course I was going!  Read More

My love for dancing through a workout started back in elementary school gym class when we’d get down to “The Twist,” something my friends and I still reminisce about. Lately, that love has only blossomed with Zumba and many nights dedicated to mimicking MJ’s moves (watch one attempt to do so here. So when I was given the opportunity to try a Samba class at The Ailey Extension in NYC, I jumped at it. Read More

It only takes 80 minutes a week to reach your fitness goals, according to SHAPE’s Fitness Editor-at-Large Jay Cardiello. His new 6-disc DVD set, JCORE Accelerated Body Transformation ($105; jcorebody.com), promises to help you shed pounds and firm up in just 40 days. Each disc contains a different 20-minute workout (ranging from explosive plyometrics to rejuvenating yoga) that can be done in your living room (no gear required!), even if your apartment is New York City–sized. Read More

Outdoor-loving Manhattanites, prepare to fall in love... with the new REI outpost in SoHo. The 35,000 square-foot store has three floors stocked with apparel, accessories and gear for camping, hiking, snow sports, yoga…the list goes on and on! There's even a bike-and-ski-stop near the entrance where you can drop off gear for repair. Happy Shopping! Read More