3 Options For Working Out Near Gracie Mansion, Just In Case The Mayor Is Looking

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — One of the perks of New York City is that no matter where you live, you'll never have to travel too far for any basic goods or services. But it's unclear if the city's mayor knows.

Bill de Blasio was slammed last week for urging New Yorkers to "change their own habits to start protecting the earth," but refusing to stop being driven to his Park Slope gym, insisting that taking his own advice would be nothing more than "cheap symbolism."

The mayor did not give in to the criticism, starting this week with an 11-mile drive from Gracie Mansion to the Brooklyn YMCA on Ninth Street.

City Hall officials have consistently dismissed furor over de Blasio's workout routine as irrelevant and have chastised publications for covering the gas-guzzling trips to the gym as examples of the declining state of journalism. The mayor is not a normal New Yorker, City Hall insists, he needs a security detail for his protection and to get places quickly.

If only there were some way to completely bury the story while only making a minor and temporary sacrifice.

On an unrelated note: here are the three best places to work out within walking distance of Gracie Mansion. Just in case you live in the area.

The great outdoors:

Gracie Mansion is located in a truly beautiful part of New York City. With the mansion grounds right next to Carl Schurz Park and the East River Esplanade, the area is perfect if your gym routine consists mostly of cardio exercises such as the elliptical, jogging and biking.

Big chain gyms:

Have an attachment to workout machines and big-name fitness chains? If you live in or near Gracie Mansion, there's no need to worry.

Gym chains such as New York Sports Clubs (Third Avenue and East 91st Street), Equinox (Third Avenue and East 85th or 92nd streets), Asphalt Green (York Avenue and East 91st Street) and Crunch (Third Avenue and East 81st Street) all have locations within one mile of Gracie Mansion. Sadly there's no YMCA on the Upper East Side, but any of these gyms should offer the same standard machines as the YMCA.

A boutique:

Want to spice up your workout routine? There are a lot of gyms near Gracie Mansion offering specialized — and more private — workouts and classes.

Love the environment? More than 50 percent of the cardio equipment at Synergy Fitness Club (Second Avenue and East 93rd Street) is self-powered and all of the equipment is Energy Star rated.

Need to let off some steam? Check out CKO Kickboxing on First Avenue and East 84th Street. Just imagine you're going toe-to-toe with President Donald Trump or a pesky reporter asking off-topic questions and you'll get a great, and fun, workout.

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