Roam149

Roam149, a revolutionary NYC gym, surrounds its members in a virtual-reality environment and perfect weather as they run or hike on unique VR treadmills that can replicate any terrain, whether it’s a hilly forest trail or the course of the Boston Marathon. The gym’s patented XPRience treadmills, designed by mechanical/robotics engineer Sid Raman, allow users to run over instantly varying terrain while visuals of the course fill large interactive screens in the treadmills’ VersaFit Pods. Purified HEPA-filtered air circulates through the pod, and the speeds are controlled by hand gestures rather than pushed buttons. Located in fashionable Chelsea on West 27th Street, Roam149 offers group-run classes, private coached sessions, training plans for races, and expert instruction in yoga, weight work, and general fitness. The opportunities for both tough training and fun exploration are endless, and the variations in foot placement and stride type also lead to improved strength, coordination, and flexibility.