M Gym

Although I have taken yoga classes before, this is my first experience with Iyengar Yoga and the first time I truly feel that I am doing the poses correctly. Norma Colon at MonQi Fitness is an exceptional teacher. She has an excellent understanding of the body and is able to tailor and modify her instruction to address all fitness levels. Her seemingly limitless knowledge of posture variations keeps her class routines fresh and just challenging enough. Pros: wonderful, relaxed atmosphere Cons: yoga class can get a bit crowded more

One of the greatest classes at Monqi is the Iyengar Yoga class taught at several convenient times during the week by Norma Colon. She is a sensitive and caring teacher who somehow picks up on your particular needs and takes care to address them, and then gives you tips you can take away. I've been taking classes with her since Monqi opened and have brought several friends in. One friend tells me I ""saved her life"" by recommending Norma's class. You've never had a Yoga teacher like this. more

As someone new to yoga, I've gotten completely hooked after taking Iyengar yoga with Norma Colon at MonQi. Her classes allow you to work at your own pace and level, and challenge you as you improve and achieve poses. She is quick to help you and offer suggestions to make sure that you are having the best yoga experience possible. -Meghan more

Monqi Fitness is the place to go for great Iyengar Yoga classes. Taught by Norma Colon, the classes are challenging yet so rewarding. Norma is a wonderful instructor, always quick with additional suggestions of ways to make a particular pose work better for you. Monqi Fitness has a wonderful yoga facilitiy with all the props needed for Iyengar. I highly recommend it. Pros: Beautiful facility, good instructors, friendly owner and staff. more

Such nice friendly people and knowledgeable professional staff. Wide array of jamming classes, Personal Training, Massage, Clothes Boutique, Fresh Clean Space. Classes with Jeff , Antione and Renourd are amazing, and work you out thoroughly. Plus they are caring and respectful hunks. I appreciate the pay as you go concept- nice to know I can leave town without having to lose money on a membership I can't use. If there ever is an issue, like temperature in the studio, they work to get it fixed because the people at Monqui care, and show that in their actions. Pros: Space, not croweded, pay as you go more

I have been a member of many gyms, but have never made full or even reasonable use of them and have never enjoyed going to them until I signed up with MonQi. Now I go four days a week, every week. Pros: great staff and atmosphere more

Best find in NYC. I finally found a place where I can work out without being watched. The equipment is new and well maintained. The space on all 3 floors is spacious and airy. The staff is professional and friendly. It's really a terrific neighborhood place where one can work out on their own, take a variety of classes at times that suit you, work with a professional, personal trainer for that extra help when we feel we need it, or just call and arrange for a massage. Monqifitness really succeeds in accomodating everyone's desires for the perfect gym. All classes are posted on the internet for convenience. The pay as you go, no contract is definitely a great benefit. You have nothing to lose when you're a Monqi member. Just show up....Lyn and her team do all the rest. The energy is amazing at Monqifitness. It's comfortable, fun and no pressure...just pleasure. Pros: Small Classes, Clean Environment, Friendly Professional Staff more

I started working out at MonQi about two years ago. After countless memberships at NYSC, Equinox, and the gyms in the full-service buildings that I lived in, I can honestly say that Monqi is just a comfortable, non-gimmicky, straightforward fitness center. The membership requirements are incredibly flexible so you can adjust your workout routine to your needs. There are months where I consistently take 5 classes a week and there are times where I show up at most once a week. Given the various payment rates, I am not financially punished for having a life outside of the gym. You can also adjust your fitness regime by alternating between cardio and stretching classes to avoid boredom and plateauing. Pros: Yoga with Meg, Kickboxing, Ballet with Laura, Cardio with Lyn, Boxing, Pinot (the puppy) Cons: Most of my favorite classes are only once a week more

I love working out. I've been to gym's all over the city and Monqi Fitness is definetly my favorite. There is no BS and they have a five star staff that are very helpful. The gym has everything you need and the classes are different and fun. Pros: no initation fee for the gym and no commitment more

I have a monthly membership at another gym but take advantage of additional classes (Yoga with Mikey, pilates with Shwee) and personal training at Monqi. The attention and the experience of the instructors if far superior to that of the larger gyms in NYC. You do not feel like a number or that your trainer is waiting for their next client - they are dedicated and involved. The variety of classes is also unique to a smaller gym; however the fact that it is smaller just means there is more time for the instructor to make sure you are catching on to the routine or doing your squats properly...no cheating here! Pros: Location, Instructors, Attention Cons: Not enough time with Lyn's dog :) more

Monqi is just the perfect spot to workout, I love their classes and everybody is very nice specially the owner Lyn and her little dog Pinot :) more

I discovered MonQI in May, 2004 when it had been open about a month. I walked by its sign on the sidewalk and visited it a few days later. At that time, they occupied two floors of the building, but the end of 2006, they added a third floor. Having never taken any sort of classes before, I decided to try a few classes and was hooked. My favorite class (of many I take) is Shwee Chou's ""Pilates Plus"" on Saturday mornings at 10:30. She is very knowledgeable and caring with a good sense of humor. The class members range from beginner to intermediate and she is patient with those who are just starting. I go to her for private one hour session once a week. After three years, I feel better than ever, and though I am naturally skinny, have kept toned, trim, and comfortable. Every few weeks, I go to Tom, a trained chiropractor who ""aligns"" me, as I am a bit off-center - though just about everyone is. I have sent a friend to Tom who has totally transformed him. The entire staff is wonderful, and the owner, Lyn Liao has a darling dachshund (Pinot) who is very friendly too. Cannot recommend this place enough - you will leave smiling. Pros: Small classes, expert staff, clean areas, great personal trainers, sunny location Cons: Can't think of any more

Finding a gym can be such a pain; for a while I was at one of the bigger Gyms and it just got to be so overwhelming. What with over crowding, or feeling like someone was watching me and competing with me, I was never able to get a decent work out. None of this ever happens at MonQi. It's simple. I go in, I work out, I go home. If I have any questions, about promos or equipment for instance, the staff is happy to answer me; I mean that, they are genuinely happy to help me, not just 'rolling their eyes tolerant, and only helping me because it's a -job-'. Pros: Small Classes, Great Rates, Fantastic Staff, Lovely Facilities, Comfortable & Low Key more

This place ROCKS! Nothing better than a ""pay as you go"" system. The classes are phenomenal. My favorite class is Total Body Tune Up, usually on Sunday's. Meg Carlough is a fantastic yoga teacher, unpretentious and thorough. Schwee Chou teaches a challenging pilates class. The atmosphere and staff are extremeley charming and helpful. I feel like the owner, Lyn, a dancer/personal trainer really got it right, she knows what people want and need. I didn't think I would ever find a deal on the UES, BUT I FOUND IT! Pros: Small classes, Pay as You Go, Friendly Staff, Great Instructors Cons: Small Shower area more

Unlike other UES fitness centers, Monqi offers a unique blend of classes & does not define it's self as being a just GYM. Monqi is an experience. You will find that mixing yoga, self defense & dance (just to name a few) is a sure fire way of getting your body into shape. Not only does Monqi kick butt (check out Awesome Abs & Butt Blast) but it offers a family friendly atmosphere with no gimmicks. Affordable & worth it! Pros: staff, affordable more

I love this place. It's a totally cool concept- you don't have to pay a monthly membership fee- you just pay for the classes that you take, and you can buy packs of classes at a discount. They also have a seperate area with equipment for personal trainers. I've been doing both- take classes a couple of times a week, and then I supplement that with some extra attention from a trainer every week or so. But the classes are relatively small so it's like getting a personal training session anyway. It's a much better value than the way I used to do it at one of those big name gyms nearby. Every month they have special discounts on things like massages or nutrition counseling- plus free classes. That's right FREE. What's not to like? Pros: cool staff, good atmosphere, new equipment more