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Asphalt Green
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Active Life Swimming Pools Active Life Recreation Centers Gyms, Swimming Pools, Recreation Centers [Edit]
1750 York Ave(between 91st St & 92nd St)
New York, NY 10128
Neighborhoods: Yorkville, Upper East Side
(212) 369-8890
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5:30 am - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
26 reviews for Asphalt Green
26 reviews in English
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Review from Danielle M.
East Northport, NY
2/9/2012
I have not stopped talking about the Antigravity class since I took it. I loved every minute of it. Doing yoga with a hammock while overlooking the bridge was definitely a bonus that made the class even more special for me.
I have recommended the class to so many people, and I would certainly go back to see what else they have to offer. -
Review from Brian S.
3/13/2012 7 Check-ins Here
This place is one of the great things about living on the UES/Yorkville!
Outside of Asphalt Green is a new, well-maintained park which is great for toddlers and children. It has tons of space, a sandbox, and plenty of things for them to do.
We have signed our children up for swim classes as well as baseball classes, and all of our experiences here have been great. The facilities are wonderful ( I believe the pool is one of the only Olympic-sized pools in Manhattan) and the instructors are great. They have a large outdoor field for soccer and other sports. Everything is very organized here.
They also have a gym available for membership (though I don't belong). I've heard good things from others, though. -
Review from merisa t.
2/2/2012
As a currently injured runner recovering from surgery, the pool at Asphalt Green has become my salvation, so the $100 monthly fee is absolutely worth it (I mean, what would YOU pay for deliverance from sin?!). The pool is huge and super clean, and though the number of lanes open varies by time, the hours are quite good - 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. In general, swimmers know their speed and join the appropriate lane (Fast, Medium, Slow) and there is a cast of regulars, so it only takes a few visits to get to know them and their speeds. On certain mornings (T, Tr, F, Sat, Sun), the 50M section, open from 5:30 to 8 a.m., allows for almost seamless circle swimming, though maintaining a consistent speed can get a little difficult on days when the pool is sectioned into two parts (25 Yards and 20 Yards). Just get comfortable being passed, or kicking it into high gear and doing some passing on your own.
The members' locker rooms are pretty solid - very clean, with a sauna and steam room, and hairdryers so you can look pretty when you're done. I've taken a few Spinning classes here too (no, I have not and will not try SoulCycle or Flywheel, because - $35, no thank you). The instructors are very nice, the price is great (free for regular Spin or $5 Super Spin for members; $15 for non-members), it is an excellent workout, and the classes are decent-sized, but not crazy-crowded, so you don't feel like you are fighting for your life to get a bike before the workout even starts.
I don't have a Fitness Membership (solely Swim), but I've peeked into the Fitness Center and they have a TON of machines, almost all overlooking the East River. I also like that they have a cafe. I think it has food. I know it has Gatorade, which is a blessing pre- or post-workout.
Overall, Asphalt Green is a beautiful space with some fantastic facilities - not a bad place to tone. -
Review from Sunil G.
4/12/2012 7 Check-ins Here
The best pool in the city without a shadow of a doubt. The olympic pool is such a pleasure to swim in that I have been unable to train in another pool since i started going there through some guest passes I received, even though I'm a member of another pool! I can cycle there and they have some bike storage. I have to say its not a fancy pants equinox in the weight room area and the spin class doesn't require clip in shoes but everything is functional and clean. Staff are great too.
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Review from Dutch D.
Manhattan, NY
4/14/2012
I recently took a Spin class here for the first time with my Dad - who's never spinned before - and it was great (he might tell you otherwise . . .)
The bikes are Spinner NXT bikes - top of the line with RPM monitors on them. They have cages for your feet or clips (if you have shoes). You also have the option to take the cages off if you're clipping in (it really makes a difference).
The instructor we had was named Izabella - she was great! Very energetic and really did a variety of things in the class (sprints, hills, etc.).
The class was an hour long - so if it's your first time spinning I would suggest taking a shorter class - as the look on my Dad's face was - uh - flushed (and ready to kill).
My only complaint would be the sign up process and the fact that the teacher didn't ride along with us (she did do a great job with my dad though). The sign-up process was very complicated - first we had to purchase the class, then they weren't showing up, then we had to reserve them on a different site - very complicated!
Great Class! -
Review from Ben R.
New York, NY
1/12/2012 8 Check-ins Here
Great pool and programs.
Especially the kids program -
Review from Natalie M.
Brooklyn, NY
1/5/2012
The best pool in NYC, and the only one at which I've swam and not gotten sick afterwards. A real-deal Olympic pool, crystal-clear water, perfect temp. Having gotten used to the facilities at city rec centers, I would even call Asphalt Green luxurious, what with their steam room, sauna, and towel service. If only it weren't such a grueling hike from the subway, I'd be there every day.
A few gripes:
1 - Lifeguards should help to enforce the pool rules (which are all posted on Asphalt Green's website). I always see people doggy paddling and swimming side-by-side instead of circling in the fast lanes. This is practically the only place in the city for serious, strong swimmers to work out - can't we have 25 meters of real estate that's truly reserved for us? I don't want to be a jerk about it.
2 - Get some hand paddles!!! -
Review from Phil H.
7/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a wonderful place to get your inside and outside workouts in. It always pains me to hear when people from out of state think we have no places for our kids to stay healthy and fit at. Asphalt Green is a terrific example of an overall health and fitness facility targeted towards adults, kids, and families. As it is only a few blocks from me I have dropped in on occasion to peruse the grounds and gym.
- Super clean Olympic sized pool
- Multiple swimming classes offered from kids to adults
- Excellently maintained outdoor soccer field
- Large gym with state of the art weight / cardio machines and free weights
- Specialty fitness training
- Many fitness and sports programs for kids
- Indoor basketball court
- Spinning and other classes offered
- Clean locker rooms
- Steam room and sauna / members only locker room
- Never seems too crowded
- Multiple membership tiers to choose from
The hours are not bad -
Monday through Friday: 5:30am - 9:45pm
Saturday and Sunday: 8:00am - 7:45pm
Weekends can be a bit hectic as the pool and soccer field is commandeered by parents with their kids taking classes. There seems like hundreds of them here. Also, no one will talk to you over the phone or by email about membership rates. You have to set up an appointment with a salesperson to come in and discuss it., but that is a minor complaint as it is worth it to drop in and take a tour. Can be a bit pricey but you get a lot here for your membership.Listed in: I lift the weights, and I put…
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Review from Hannah C.
Manhattan, NY
1/30/2011
I am only a member because as a coach my school pays for my membership. While I love having access to a gym, Asphalt Green is just ok.
First complaint is that is it so difficult to get information about membership. There are no pamphlets and they wont ball park a price for you. You have to meet with a membership consultant who tries to push the place on you all before giving a price.
Other complaints include, classes are not offered very often unless you want spin classes. I would like more variety and of the 5-6 classes I have taken they seem to cater to older or less fit clientele. Also, I would think there would be classes offered at all times of day but on weekends there are only morning classes. I am also interested in water classes but the only water class not designed for pregnant or elderly is early in the morning or on Sunday. As a teacher I have to be at work before the morning class ends so that wont work. There are evening classes water classes but I don't have arthritis.
So, now a positive. The pool is large, clean, and well laid out. While they claim to have a 50 meter pool. In reality the 50 meter pool is only available during certain times and during all other times the pool is split into two 25 meter/yard pools, 8 lanes on each side. Some people complain of the cold water temp but as a lap swimmer it is perfect. If you want to play around in the water the temperature is too cold. if you want a workout, the temperature is great.
The weight and cardio areas of the gym are never crowded and they are clean. There is a locker room for members and for non-members. The non-member locker room can get rather crowded but the member locker room is normally pretty empty.
This is an ok gym. I have paid the $100+ membership fees at other gyms and received much better facilities, classes, and things like free towel service. -
Review from Nicholas C.
New York, NY
6/9/2011
Time flies! I've been with AG for more than a year now. What got me started in the first place? They have a 50M pool!! If that ain't enough, they have some of the nicest people around apart from the reception area which somehow they always seem not to notice me when I go through the gantry where I swipe in. I think it's the invisible force-field they had installed there that kind of blurred their vision on most stuff.
Anyway, I've signed up for the Gold membership which includes the pool and gym membership. And I'm with their Masters swimming team as well. The gym is nicely equipped and clean. The few times that I was there, it's quiet and no wait whatsoever to use the machines. As for the pool, it's not crowded and it's clean and they just gotten some new tiles. Go there if you want a good swim. Just a word of advice, try to avoid the weekend when the place is swarmed with "thousands" of kids taking classes. -
Review from Asma m.
New York, NY
3/3/2011
I started Asphalt Green with one ambition to join the US Masters Swim team.At first,I could barely make 100 yards non stop.Now,I swim 3 sets of 300 yards with 30 seconds break.My 100 yards speed has gone from 2;15 mins to 1;40 min.
Coach Keller is very motivational and inspiring and encourages me to persevere and become a better swimmer everyday.
I love swimming .With the help of AGUA masters swim team coaches ,I am able to get better at it...
I highly recommend Asphalt Green to anyone looking for a more structured way of reaching one's fitness goals -
Review from Jia J.
8/5/2010
***REVIEW FOR POOL***
Oddly enough for a city that never sleeps, this is the only aquatic facility that opens early enough (5:30 a.m.) so that grown-ups who actually have serious jobs can have a proper swim before work. Also, as other reviewers can attest, this is also one of the only indoor Olympic sized pools in all five boroughs. And the pool is sweet for sure. Crystal clean, humungous, and possessing what looks like a creepy sea cave hollowed out behind the wall of the 16-foot deep end...even the water, when swallowed by accident, tastes delicious. Even the shallow end was too deep for me to touch bottom without pushing down, ensuring that I took zero breaks.
Despite all this, here are the reasons why I am pretty sure that I will not go here again (in chronological order):
1. I had to go in person to pick up my swim pass; I don't see why they couldn't just leave me one at the desk as they did at the 92Y, since it was out of my way and particularly inconvenient that day
2. The center is right on the edge of the East River at the end of East 91st Street, and therefore inaccesible by public transportation. That means at least five street blocks in addition to FIVE AVENUE BLOCKS of walking to the nearest subway stop. Don't get me wrong, it's a good warm-up and a pretty mellow journey (but this means no cabs to be seen, either, even if you have the cash to sprinkle). However, the hike is okay only if you have an extra 45 minutes or so to tag onto your workout.
3. The people at the front lobby either ignore you or stare blankly at you when you greet them and/or ask questions...it's like they're from a different planet
4. Guests get to use a locker room with mini-lockers - no better or cleaner than that of NYC's public pools - apparently the sauna, steamroom, and shampoo are for members only. Hey, I'm all for treating members well, but denying prospective members of the full offerings seems to miss the point. You don't even get towels here, but they DO rent them for one dollar bill. WTF? SELL the craphouse towels for a dollar, then! I'm sure guests steal them all the time out of spite, then use them as rags to clean their floors. Luckily, I had my own towel.
5. Not one of the five lifeguards knew how many lengths it takes to swim a mile in a 50-meter pool. Yeah, I know, I should have done the calculations myself beforehand if I'm so serious about swimming. Then again, I'm not a trained lifeguard who works at the same pool every single day.
One dude said it was 66 lengths in a 25-meter pool, and so used a CALCULATOR to deduce that this translated into 33 lengths in the Olympic. Still suspicious, I added a few extra laps per mile to overcompensate for any error. Sure enough, a different guy shouted me out of the pool in the middle of my swim (I thought I'd done something terribly wrong all alone in my empty, narrow lane), but he was just informing me that it's actually 36 lengths for a mile, and sorry about the mistake. Good thing I'd already been swimming that much, or this would have been information that would have really been a LOT MORE USEFUL TO ME YESTERDAY!!!
While I was swimming, though, I wondered why it was taking me sooooo much longer than usual to get there. Now that I've calculated the EXACT distances, I can say with certainty that it's only 32.1870 lengths for a mile, folks. Know when you go.
6. I'm expected to show up on Sunday for a mandatory "consultation" about membership, even if I already know that all I want is a pool membership so that I can strictly swim. Rates are not published anywhere, and the staff is tight-lipped about even ballpark figures. It's too bad...if the information had just been presented in a straightforward way, I might have been able to evaluate whether or not it was worth it for me to join (even after all the griping). Now, I just don't have the time to solve the caper of membership rates.
Bottom line: sometimes, size really doesn't matter - or not enough, anyway. I've gotten fuzzier feelings flailing around in a soup of socioeconomically diverse, terrible swimmers at Lasker Pool, where it takes only 14 round trips for a mile. The question remains about what to do when summer's over...Listed in: SWIMMING
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Review from Jen S.
8/6/2010
Signed up with this gym recently - got the 'gold' membership (otherwise known as 'swim & gym'). So far, I LOVE it.
The pool is very clean and the water is a very comfortable temperature, and the staff has been very helpful in identifying the best times that would work for me to swim laps, since I''m a little timid about it, not having swam laps since high school, and not being particularly fast or coordinated.
At 5:30am the gym is quiet and I can get on any machine I want, without a wait (that is not an invitation for all you people to show up at 5:30am - I like the quiet!) and it is rare at any time of day that there is more than a few minutes wait for strength training or cardio equipment.
The staft - from membership to trainers - are very friendly and helpful - none of that stuck up attitude that some health clubs have. And it's a pretty diverse crowd and NOT a meat-market. I've yet to see a muscle head or a gym bunny, thank the good lord above. I just want to work out, I don't want to watch a bunch of preening involving spandex.
The locker rooms are nice - clean and utlitiarian. Nothing fancy schmancy, although shampoo/conditioner/body wash are provided in each shower stall, and there are stations where you can make yourself presentable after a workout or a swim, including hair dryers, hair gel/hair spray. Handy, if you don't want to to drag a big bag of stuff with you.
I haven't tried any of the classes yet, but I'm hoping to. What I was able to view when checking out the club before joining, it didn't look like the classes were overcrowded.
It's not cheap - but I feel like I'm getting my money's worth, and it's within what I budgeted. Plus I really love the not-for-profit aspect. -
Review from Yunji L.
4/1/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I love asphalt green mostly because it's right next to my place. it is so convinient to have a gym right next door. i hear people playing soccer and kids having fun at day camp on the field.
they have a beautiful olympic size pool. usually not crowded. members locker room with free towel, shower and a small steam room.
they are also known for their triathelon program. i see people in cycling shorts in and out of this place in the wee hours of dawn.
there's always a spot on the treadmills. they also use the technogym key system. it's like a usb device for your workouts. it tells you which equipment to do next at what weight, how many reps, etc. i like it because i am sort of a tech-junkie.
they are starting an anti-gravity yoga class this month and i will definitely try it out. looks very cool.
they close early at 9:45pm which is why i took off one star. i wish they would be open till 11pm at least.Listed in: gems of UES
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Review from Charlie R.
Tenafly, NJ
1/13/2006
The kind of bigtime athletic training facility New York deserves.
Multi-level Fitness Center featuring state-of-the-art equipment
Regulation AstroTurf field for team sports
Steam & Sauna
Two gymnasiums
Indoor & Outdoor running track
Indoor and Outdoor basketball courts
Snack / Juice Bar
Two outdoor parks
Rooftop Terrace overlooking the East River
Oh yeah, they have also have a pool ...
Swim, and not just 10 strokes and turn in a 20 yd bunny pool built in 1933 --- this is a gen-uu-inne 50 meter Olympic-sized pool, with plenty of room and times available to work on something other than turns and crowd avoidance.
Who says you can't tri-train in the City? -
Review from Jill D.
New York, NY
8/5/2011
I live for this pool. Having grown up as a competitive swimmer, one of the saddest things for me was moving to a city that I didn't think had an Olympic-sized pool. This place is IT. It's worth living in uptown Manhattan just for this---in fact, the boyfriend and I factored in this pool while looking for our first apartment together. The pool is massive, deep, 8 lanes, super clean, and the facilities themselves are new and clean. Great staff too. And the people in it are always ones who are concerned about their yardage and workout, and not there to flex muscles. Great atmosphere.
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Review from jim s.
New York, NY
6/27/2011
This place is nice for families and kids, who can sometimes get in the way if you are just going by yourself. The main attraction is the huge pool, which is one of the largest in NYC. If you're a swimmer, this is definitely the place to be, despite the somewhat far removed location. If you don't live in the immediate area, then you have to take the subway and a bus to get there. I had a "gym only" membership, which I enjoyed while I was there. The gym has two floors, one mainly for cardio and the other for lifting weights. The rooms for classes are a bit small in my opinion, but the classes never really get filled. I only gave it three stars because of the price and the location: somewhat expensive and a bit out of the way.
The other thing to consider is that it's a non-profit, so they have to have community oriented events, which is fine, I guess, but sometimes it's nice to just have the place empty and not full of people running around for a soccer game, and there are A LOT of soccer games/kickball games/events for nearby school kids. The demographic is much older and family oriented, as opposed to other gyms on the Upper East Side. Total opposite of David Barton and a little more mature than NYSC. -
Review from Julia C.
New York, NY
3/31/2008
Hate housewives and soccer moms swimming two abreast in front of you and taking up the equivalent of three lanes as they gossip about Oprah's Big Give and try to keep their hair from getting wet? Asphalt Green is the place for you!
I've been a swimmer for 26 years and this is the best pool I've ever been a member of. It's HUGE, and they usually divide it up into two 25-metre pools. All of it is divided into lap lanes - no housewives here, it's for serious swimmers. The hours are great, and my only complaint is that they tend to give over too many lanes to swim club and school groups, leaving the members 4 or 5 to a lane. It's a good idea to go when you know they'll have all 8 lanes devoted to members. I've also noticed they lack a pool manager to make sure school groups aren't using lanes that aren't designated for them.
They renovated last year and the member locker rooms are lovely, complete with new sauna and steam room, and they provide shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel which is very convenient. They also have an outdoor 25-metre pool in the summer.
The gym is terrific, and they have a solid schedule and range of fitness classes.
The best part is it's a non-profit, so you know your member dollars will go into improving the facilities.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from ohnj a.
San Diego, CA
8/27/2007
Four stars for the competition pool, best in class in NYC, member lockers are nice, towel service, sauna. Three things would be great if they were added- jacuzzi, an outdoors 50 meter pool, and a regular floating goal master's water polo league. Recently upgraded air purification system. Hands down beats 91st street Y nearby and although Chelsea Piers has a nicer view, this is a nicer pool- kept at competition temps and for a lot less monthly fee. The best I have seen in NYC. I haven't gotten any annoying phone calls, only the NYC Ballet does that trying to convince me to get season tickets...
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Review from Kat H.
New York, NY
1/13/2009
I recently switched gym memberships (used to be at Manhattan Plaza Health Club over in Hell's Kitchen) and I love this place. The fee is a bit steeper -- $100/mo. for the pool membership, but in my opinion, the price is well worth what you get. The pool is impeccably kept, with plenty of lanes. It's 50m in the early mronings, and split into 2 25meters most of the day. Unfortuanetly, a lot of the lanes are allocated to school/community events, but I've never felt crowded. Also, at most other places, you don't find people who can swim competently taking up a lot of the lanes, whereas I find the quality of swimmers here more consistent and conducive to circling. (Not to say that the atmosphere is intimidating at all--quite the opposite in fact)
The facilities are also very well maintained -- don't assume non profit means inner city YMCA conditions. The member lockers are always in pristine condition, and there's towel service. The only downside is that it's a bit of a hike from the 86th stop. The M86 bus takes you right to the center, but it can be a pain in the ass to wait for it in the winter when its cold. -
Review from Kat B.
New York, NY
11/28/2006
It's a great gym! The staff is friendly, if not a bit annoying. They call every once in awhile when you don't come to the gym...how can I help it that it's been 60 degrees all fall?! They've got these cool machines that help you track your weight lifting. They've got plenty of treadmills and ellipticals. Their pool is awesome! Plus, the outdoor one isn't so bad either. Beautiful views of the East River as well. Can't beat it!
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Review from Pinky And The B.
Manhattan, NY
3/18/2010
This is in my opinion the cleanest health club in the city.
Not only that, I once took swimming lessons from a Russian swim coach here . There was also a swim coach who at the time was training for the Olympics.
I thought I was a good swimmer until I went here. I learned more and could probably represent NY in the Olympics now myself. Okay maybe not but close.
I was able to get guest passes for friends as often as I wanted to and even took out of town guests.
They offer all kinds of memberships.
They even teach a Water babies class.
I do not live or work near there any more so I am not a member any more. But I have to say it was worth the money because it was always clean, never crowded and the only true Olympic sized swimming pool in Manhattan.
Olympic sized pools are 50 meters. Others claim to be but have been disputed only Ashphalt Green has rights to those claims as far as I know.
Year after year it gets voted the best swimming pool in the city.
It's best features though are the cleanliness and lack of crowds found at most other work out facilities in New York city.
Also this is a serious place for swimming and training not for picks ups. That to me is the biggest plus. -
Review from Lauren B.
New York, NY
6/4/2009
Great swimming facilities. I'm very disappointed to learn that they will not be continuing the free Community Swim program on Sundays. Also, they will not have the outdoor 25M pool this year.
Still, its a great place, just pretty pricey (annual membership around $1,000) -
Review from Orange H.
New York, NY
5/18/2009
Decently priced, good classes, good place to train for some competitive sports. The best part though is the pool - biggest pool in Manhattan. Now forget I told you so that way I don't have to share a lane.
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Review from Brittany L.
New York, NY
5/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
great place to work out. the pool is incredible. the best pool in nyc hands down. the gym is never crowded. my only complaint is the touch screen tred mills. they have made me run too fast too long sometimes because i dont have the right touch.
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Review from Ricky F.
Washington, DC
4/23/2008
Went swimming in April on a Sunday. I paid the $35 day fee. Unfortunately, I shivered in the cold pool. I braved the water and two days later came down with a horrible cold. I don't expect a warm pool, just a comfortable temp. In the locker room, I could barely fit my clothes in the 1/3-size lockers. The overall facility lacked any color. The aesthetic offered cinder-block walls and plastic floors. I tried to make the most of the $35 fee by using the work-out room. But I almost froze to death there as well. Evidently, a company (or ummm a "non-profit") can save money by turning off the heat in the building and the pool.
