A sneak peek inside Crunch’s splashy new Chelsea gym

At the end of 2012, Crunch opened its newest club on 19th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.

The Chelsea location was the third new gym in New York City for the popular fitness chain last year. But it was the first one that Crunch built from the ground up in close to a decade (the other two were takeovers of other gyms). So Crunch, which is known for its playful and quirky classes, paid serious attention to design.

The result? A club that retains many of the brand’s signature details, like super bright colors and exposed silver piping, with a slightly more open, modern, and upscale feel. We stopped in to take a tour. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

All Photos: Lisa Elaine Held for Well+Good

The open reception area is surprisingly spacious for a Crunch gym. In addition to elbow room, expect lots of exposed brick, some of which is colorfully painted with silly fitness slogans (see first slide), and low, modern furniture that faces a small retail area. An open staircase forms the spine of the club, connecting its three floors.

The gym is stocked with cardio equipment, like Precor treadmills, Stairmaster Stepmills, and Octane Pro Cross trainers (the last of which is unique to this location). On the ground floor, machines are lined up in front of a brick wall with a projected rainbow of lights that change colors periodically. Color therapy?

We were kind of wowed by the spacious group fitness studio, which is one of the biggest we’ve ever seen at a Crunch gym. Its walls are purple and orange, and the wood floor is still super shiny. And trippy fluorescent lights should add even more funk to classes like Jillian Michaels Bodyshred, Zumba Sentao, and Gospel Aerobics.

On the second floor, another long row of cardio equipment is in place to prevent treadmill lines. And since all of the machines face the windows, you can get some vitamin D and people-watch as you sprint.

The second floor weight area is loaded with machines. There’s a large free weight area, a personal training section, and a separate, decent-sized area for stretching and other mat work. (That’s a good idea, since we’re not fans of holding plank where others are holding weights.)

On the basement level, the spin studio is set with bright blue walls, a “Live to Ride” mural, and 40 Spinner Pro by Star Trac  bikes. It’s one of Crunch’s only locations that features an elevated instructor platform in front. You’ll also find the women’s locker room on this level (men’s is on the first floor), stocked with Bliss products and the widest lockers ever. (Finally! A locker that will actually fit ALL of our bags.)

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