Hop on a Citi Bike to explore SoHo, sweat it out at AARMY, or people watch at Washington Square Park — this is what to do in Manhattan according to Akin Akman.
Akin Akman, the Co-Founder and CEO of lifestyle brand and elite fitness academy AARMY isn’t just content with saddling up to coach 45 hours a week and sometimes, even starting at 6 am. He’s been famed for creating the “perfect training method for any athlete” and climbing Mount Everest on foot before going to work the next day. But having been a lululemon Global Ambassador for over 3 years now, Akman’s next climb is his second World Tour of which his final pit stop is Singapore. Specifically, at Glow Festival which happens to mark the 10th year anniversary of lululemon and is held till the 21st of July.
“Channeling all my years of training, I’ve created an authentic and empowering fitness experience that merges mental conditioning and physical skill-building to train bodies and minds,” Akman explains. “The goal is to make people come alive and empower them to pursue the things they dream of at the highest level.”
But before you position yourself to gear up (Akin Akman himself will be hosting a series of AARMY boot camps and participating in a panel discussion), here is his guide to Manhattan for you to bookmark the next or first time you hit up the Big Apple of which he has been living in for the past 9 years. “What I love most about it is the incredible energy. There’s this palpable sense that anything is possible here. The city’s vibrancy and constant buzz of activity are truly inspiring and invigorating.”
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What to do in Manhattan, according to Akin Akman:
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I really enjoy hanging out in NoHo. It’s a historic neighbourhood with independent boutiques, off-Broadway theatres and charming architecture, offering many cool spots to hang out. I love its vibrant scene and inspiring vibe.
A quintessential Manhattanite activity is to hop on a Citi Bike to explore Central Park and visit unique boutiques and galleries around SoHo. These places truly capture the contrasting vibes of Manhattan that make the city so appealing.
The first place I’d take visitors to is AARMY on Bleecker and Broadway. This is where I spend a lot of my time, coaching 45 hours a week of cycling and boot camp. I reckon the best way to start the day is to sweat it out through high-intensity cardio, circuit weightlifting and stretching.
While I typically prefer to cook at home, there are a few spots I love visiting. The Polo Bar is a favourite because of its charming interior and elegant ambience—and importantly, it serves up comforting, delicious food! My go-to choices from its eclectic menu are usually the burger or the Dover Sole.
I also enjoy dining at Vic’s, Sant Ambroeus, Sadelle’s, and Gemma for brunch. My go-to dishes include chicken paillard, salmon, and omelettes.
I don’t frequent bars often, but when I do, I like going to Atla. Their margaritas are fantastic, and it’s a great spot to relax and enjoy a well-crafted drink.
I enjoy going to museums, and antiquing, as well as exploring plant and home decor shops. During the summer, I also love doing outdoor sports such as volleyball and tennis, soaking up the sun and staying active. To balance it all out, I visit Remedy Place for rejuvenating ice baths and saunas. The activities are all essential for my overall well-being.
This has got to be SoHo lululemon, conveniently close to AARMY. This amazing store spans over four stories, offering a breadth of technical products, innovative designs, and community connections all under one roof. In fact, the third floor is a dedicated community venue where guests come together to create conversations, connect, and spark curiosity. It’s definitely worth checking out!
I coach all day long, so it’s easy for me to hop into the store and grab any new clothes. Given that I’m always on the move, lululemon is a wardrobe staple for its versatility and comfort. I also love their casual wear! My team often ‘borrows’ my socks, so it’s nice to be able to run in and grab more!
The best place to people-watch in Manhattan is Washington Square Park. It’s a vibrant melting pot where you can observe people from all walks of life—artists, musicians, students, and families. There’s always something fascinating happening at the square.
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This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore
