FitnessFitness Tips

Where to Work Out: Flatiron District

New York's Flatiron District (or Fitness District!) has become the center of the city’s boutique fitness explosion. Here's where to get your sweat on.

Published Dec 4, 2013

Written by 

Lisa Elaine Held
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Presented by Athleta

In the past few years, New York City’s Flatiron District has established itself as the center of the city’s boutique fitness explosion. Which is why we’ve also dubbed it the Fitness District. (Hey, if realtors can make up neighborhoods like “NoMad,” we’ll do what we want.)

So that you don’t get overwhelmed by the myriad of options—we’ve mapped out the neighborhood’s scene (technically 18th Street to 30th Street, and Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue)—from Pilates and barre to cycling and CrossFit.

Just be careful not to stop at Eataly every time you visit.

300X250_flatiron_Sponsored_11Dec13305 FITNESSNamed for Miami’s area code, this dance-party workout channels that city’s hot, hot, hot club scene in its classes, which are packed with recent college grads and young professionals sweating while shakin’ it. $24 per class, Stepping Out Studios, 37 W. 26th St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves., 9th floor, www.305fitness.com

BIKRAM YOGA NYCThe heat is always on at the city’s original Bikram studio, which now has four locations in Manhattan. Sequences follow Bikram’s original format, and sweat, as you’d imagine, is abundant. $25 per class, 182 Fifth Ave., between 22nd and 23rd Sts., www.bikramyoganyc.com

BODY CONCEPTIONSFormer Tracy Anderson star and Flybarre director Mahri Relin melded her dance and barre expertise to create classes that involve both booty shaking and pulsing—to the beat. $35 per class,Stepping Out Studios, 37 W. 26th St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves., 9th floor, www.bodyconceptions.com

BROOKLYN BRIDGE BOOT CAMPWhen Ariane Hundt isn’t commanding push-ups and lunges on the bridge itself, she hosts her kick-butt Slim & Strong body transformation program at this indoor space. You’ll do just as many lunges and resistance band work, if not more. Rates vary, Stepping Out Studios, 37 W. 26th St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves., 9th floor, www.brooklynbridgebootcamp.com

CHAISEFITNESSThis boutique studio is home to a unique cardio-sculpting method that uses a tricked-out, modern version of the Pilates Wunda Chair and overhead bungee-like bands for simultaneous upper-body toning. $33 per class, 40 E. 23rd St., between Park and Madison, 3rd floor, www.chaisefitness.com

CROSSFIT NYC: THE BLACK BOXIf hard-core Mount Olympus-like challenges in a short period of time is your style, The Black Box is this neighborhood’s place to go power lift—and go Paleo. $25 per class, 25 W. 26th St., between Broadway and Sixth Ave., 3rd floor, www.crossfitnyc.com

EQUINOX 19th STEquinox has the facilities of a big-box gym and the kick-butt classes of a boutique studio. This location also has a cafe that serves juices, smoothies, and snacks. Rates vary, 897 Broadway, between 19th and 20th Sts., www.equinox.com

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305 Fitness—a Miami-style dance party in the Flatiron

THE FHITTING ROOM *Coming soon!This Upper East Side boutique fitness fave focused on High Intensity Interval Training will open a 4,000-square-foot two-level location in April or May of 2014. Price TBD, 31 W. 19th St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves, www.fhittingroom.com

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FLYWHEELThis is the athletic, numbers-oriented spin scene giant’s flagship location and is also the home of Flybarre, the brand’s athletic take on barre fitness. $32 per class, 39 W. 21st St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves., www.flywheelsports.com

GRAMERCY PILATESPilates is offered in small group reformer or tower classes or in private sessions at this small studio and neighborhood fave. It’s also home to Gyrotonic classes. $35 per class, 39 E. 20th St., between Park and Broadway, www.gramercypilatesfitness.com

LAUGHING LOTUSDana Flynn’s vibrant, colorful yoga studio hosts high-energy flow classes with lots of rhythm. It also has a yoga dance hall with a glitter bar. 636 Sixth Ave., 3rd floor, (Entrance is on 19th St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves.), www.nyc.laughinglotus.com

MADISON SQUARE CLUBBehind this state-of-the-art club is celeb trainer David Kirsch. So in addition to the elite trainers he hires, you may also spot Heidi Klum and Victoria’s Secret models in the elevator. $100–$120 per session with $250 initiation fee (rates for sessions with Kirsch are upon request) 210 Fifth Ave., between 25th and 26th Sts., www.davidkirschwellness.com

THE MOVEMENT FITNESS*Coming soon!When it opens later this winter, this studio will be the first to offer classes in yoga, barre, and High Intensity Interval Training, and proceeds from every class go to charity. Prices TBD,32 W. 18th St., between Fifth and Sixth Ave., www.themovementfitness.com

NEW YORK HEALTH & RACQUET CLUBSwimmers will love the 55-foot pool, plus the jacuzzi, sun deck, sauna, steam room, and, oh yeah…workout equipment and classes. A branch of Terri, a vegan to-go cafe and juice bar, is also based here. Rates vary, 60 E. 23rd St., between Park and Madison, www.nyhrc.com

OM FACTORYYou’ll get off the ground and upside down at this popular yoga studio known for in-the-air classes like Aerial Silks, Aerial Vinyasa, and AcroYoga. $20 per class, 873 Broadway, at 18th St., www.omfactorynyc.com

PEAK PERFORMANCEThis boutique loft gym is owned by elite trainer Joe Dowdell, who employs top-notch trainers for its celeb and civilian clients. It stocks some great equipment, from old-school sleds to a Jacob’s Ladder. $150 per session, 54 W. 21st St., between Park and Broadway, 8th floor, www.peakperformancenyc.com

SOULCYCLE 19TH STREETThe boutique spin brand that started it all just opened its second Flatiron studio (today, in fact!). Classes include soul-searching motivation, lots of bike dancing, and handlebar push-ups. This brand-new 5,000-square-foot location includes 63 bikes. $34 per class, 8 W. 19th St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves., www.soul-cycle.com

SOULCYCLE UNION SQUAREJake Gyllenhaal is a regular at this location, which the brand calls “Union Square.” It was the first in the area until packed classes prompted the opening of the 19th Street studio. $34 per class, 12 E. 18th St., between Broadway and Fifth Ave., www.soul-cycle.com

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SWERVE FITNESSYou’ll pedal in a pack at this new team-based cycling studio, which also includes a smoothie bar that stocks juices from Liquiteria. $30 per class, 30 W. 18th St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves., www.swervefitness.com

UPLIFTThis women-only boutique gym has kick-butt classes, personal training, monthly memberships for daily use, and super-fun events like “Workout and Wine.” $32 per class, 24 W. 23rd St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves., 2nd floor, www.upliftstudios.com

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Food

The Making of an Internet-Famous Fruit: How Sumo Citrus Has Captured Hearts, Tastebuds, and a Devoted Following

photo of growers transporting many sumo citrus for review
Photo: Sumo Citrus® & W+G Creative
Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With 

Sumo Citrus

Written by 

Maeve McCormick

Confession time: I love citrus—zesty limes squeezed on my tacos, fresh-squeezed orange juice on slow Sunday mornings, and the invigorating scent of grapefruit candles when I need to unwind. But when it comes to eating whole citrus fruits? Historically, not my thing. The mess of peeling, the sticky fingers, the rogue juice dribbling down my wrists—for me, most citrus has never been worth the (literal) squeeze.

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Then, one day, my roommate came home from the store with an oversized citrus I didn’t recognize. She told me I had to try a piece, while effortlessly peeling it in one smooth motion—no mess, no struggle. I skeptically accepted a slice, wondering what the big deal was. 

To my surprise, the experience was completely sticky-fingers-free. And the taste? Unlike any citrus I’d had before—enormously sweet, impossibly juicy, and balanced with just a hint of tang. That was my first bite of Sumo Citrus®—and now, I understand why The Office actress Jenna Fischer planted a Sumo Citrus tree in her yard, John Mayer peeled it on TikTok, and it has its very own merch (kind of eyeing that beanie, TBH).

So, what’s earned Sumo Citrus this devoted following? Sumo is taking the sweetness on the road for you to experience it yourself with the Tastemonial Tour—and it’s making a special stop at House of Good during our Ultimate Citrus Experience pop-up from February 21 to 23. Stop by for the hype if you're in Los Angeles, and read on to find out how this one-of-a-kind fruit became a seasonal fruit fixation.

sumo citrus with purple sticker

Find Sumo Citrus Near You

Sumo Citrus wasn’t just plucked from a tree one day and marketed as the next big thing—it’s the result of decades of careful cultivation, according to Sunnia Gull, AC Food’s vice president of marketing. First developed in Japan in the 1970s, it was naturally bred to combine the best traits of different citrus varieties—including the sweetness of mandarins, the juiciness of navel oranges, and the easy-to-peel skin of a satsuma.

Despite its popularity, growing Sumo Citrus is no easy feat. It takes years of expertise to perfect, and California’s Central Valley is the only place in the United States where it’s grown. Even then, farmers face unpredictable weather challenges, which means every piece of fruit that makes it to the store is a result of careful tending and patience.

The first thing you notice about Sumo Citrus is its size—it’s the largest variety of mandarins. The second? Its signature Top Knot®, a bump on top of the fruit that serves as an easier way to peel it. The skin practically lifts off, revealing plump, seedless segments that don’t leave your hands coated in juice and stubborn pith. 

Every Sumo Citrus is guaranteed to be incredibly sweet, thanks to each being measured on the “brix meter,” to ensure it meets sky-high sweetness standards before hitting shelves, Gull says. For those who prefer their fruit without surprise sour bites, it’s a game-changer.

Beyond its chef’s-kiss flavor and finally-I-don’t-need-a-wet-wipe convenience, Sumo Citrus packs a *serious* nutritional punch. Each fruit contains 163 percent of your daily vitamin C, along with fiber, potassium, and a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has antioxidant benefits. Whether you’re looking for immunity support, a gut-friendly snack, or a natural energy source, it fits the bill. Bonus: It’s the kind of snack I can toss in my bag and eat in two minutes flat—way better than the sad granola bar that’s been in my purse for the past three months.

And while Sumo Citrus is made to eat straight out of the peel, fans have gotten creative with how they use it. The fruit’s sweetness and juiciness make it an ideal addition to everything from bright citrus salads to zesty cocktails and refreshing desserts. Its bold flavor also complements savory dishes—think citrus-glazed salmon or a tangy dressing for roasted vegetables.

All of that creativity may be a result of the fact that Sumo Citrus is here for a good time, but not a long time. Unlike standard grocery store oranges that are available year-round, Sumo Citrus has a limited growing season, running only from January to April. This short window has created an almost cult-like following, with fans stocking up as soon as they see the signature purple sticker in stores. 

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I get it—now that I’ve experienced Sumo, I fully understand the impulse to grab them while they last. The anticipation is almost part of the appeal: Like cherry blossom season or holiday peppermint mochas, Sumo’s fleeting availability makes it even more special. And when the season ends? People (me) are already counting down the days until its return. Conclusion: Do yourself a favor and grab a few before they disappear for the year. Because once you’ve had a taste of this juicy citrus, there’s no going back.

Psst: Want a taste ASAP? The Sumo Tastemonial Tour is rolling into Belmont Park in San Diego from February 28 to March 1, Boreal Ski Resort in Tahoe from March 7 to 8, Craig Ranch Regional Park in Las Vegas from March 10 to 11, and La Encantada in Tuscon from March 14 to 15—or stop by House of Good in Venice Beach for the Ultimate Citrus Experience from February 21 to 23.

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