Fitness centers
Apogee Fitness & Wellness
If you’re a woman with high-end health habits and you know your way around a Pilates machine (or want to learn), look no further. Apogee offers tons of group classes—everything from yoga to cardio to indoor cycling to Vbarre—as well as one-on-one training.
170 Harris Rd, Bedford Hills
(914) 244-1606; www.apogeewellness.com
The Cliffs at Valhalla
Don’t let the 13,000 square feet of climbing terrain intimidate you. The Cliffs is just as suited for beginner climbers as it is for enthusiasts—learn from staff during open climb hours (all day on weekends; Mon to Thurs from 3 to 6 pm; Fri 3 to 8 pm) or purchase the Learn to Climb Package ($99), which includes two learn-to-climb classes and one month of gear rental and unlimited climbing. For kids, there are camps, climbing teams, after-school programs, and birthday parties (they got our vote for Best Kids’ Parties in 2012). Adults can sign up for corporate team-building and family climbing clinics, among other intermediate and advanced classes.
1 Commerce St, Valhalla
(914) 328-7625; www.thecliffsclimbing.com
Equinox
The third addition to Equinox’s Westchester portfolio, the Armonk location of this upscale chain features yoga, cycling, and Pilates studios, plus luxuries that separate it from “ordinary” gyms such as sumptuous Kiehl’s bathproducts in the locker room, free sport- and bath-sized towels, and WiFi throughout the club. Popular group exercise classes include Inside Out Barre (a fusion of Pilates, yoga, isometrics, and ballet); Cardio Kickboxing; and Vinyasa Flow Yoga, but the schedule also includes standards like Core Conditioning, Body Sculpt, and Boot Camp.
99 Business Park Dr, Armonk
​(914) 219-1601 www.equinox.com/clubs/new-york/westchester/armonk
Katonah Yoga
This is not yoga for the dabbler or the faint of heart—it’s a serious workout taught by serious yogis. Around for decades, Katonah Yoga is headed by Nevine Michaan, who arguably has done more to promote yoga in the county than anyone. It’s safe to say that a majority of the teachers in the region learned their downward-facing dog, tree pose, and warrior positions from Michaan or one of her many protégés. She’s legendary for a reason: She is the best. So is her center.
39 Main St, Bedford Hills
(914) 241-2661; www.katonahyoga.com
Rudy’s Boxing
Rudy’s in Mount Kisco is known for boxing, but don’t be alarmed if you stumble into a ballroom-dancing session—or kickboxing, MMA, competitive fight training, or Jiu jitsu training, for that matter. All of these are offered at Rudy Lopez’s hardwood-floor studio. It’s an eclectic mix, not unlike Lopez, who has worked as a hairdresser (at one point, he owned three hair salons in San Francisco), an actor, and a screenwriter. Make appointments for training in advance or drop by and work out on your own time—up to you.
17 E Main St, Mount Kisco
​(914) 242-3653; www.rudysboxing.com
Saw Mill Club
The Saw Mill Club is a north county fitness haven featuring indoor and outdoor pools with a range of aquatics programs; tennis courts staffed by pros (who run adults, kids, private, and tournament programs); squash courts; an expansive fitness center that runs more than 170 group exercise classes per week including TRX, Pilates, yoga, spinning, Zumba, and kickboxing; and kids programs that range from preschool to summer camp. A Saw Mill Club East membership is available for those interested in using only the fitness facilities (workout center, indoor pools, spinning and yoga studios, basketball court, etc.).
77 Kensico Dr, Mount Kisco
(914) 241-0797; www.sawmillclub.com
The Yoga Loft at Bedford Post
Bedford Post’s sun-drenched yoga studio is perched above the Inn’s restaurant, The Barn. Workshops, daily classes (everything from Vinyasa to “gentle” to therapeutic), private lessons, and private yoga parties are offered here. But be aware that it’s not entirely walk-in friendly; The Loft advises calling ahead to reserve your mat space, and requires that you cancel at least an hour in advance of your reservation to avoid a fee.
954 Old Post Rd, Bedford
(914) 234-7800; www.bedfordpostinn.com/yoga-loft/
Spas & Salons
Beauty by Amanda Birch
When native Brit Amanda Birch lays her hands on you, it isn’t for any ordinary facial; it’s a “bespoke” experience filled with virtually every pampering treatment you can imagine: a face, neck, and shoulder massage; Reiki healing; light therapy…we could go on, but this is the part at which we usually drop off to dreamland. By the way, she’s an expert at shaping eyebrows, too.
286 Millwood Rd, Chappaqua
​(914) 218-8782; www.beautybyamandabirch.com
Bellava MedAesthetics & Plastic Surgery Center
This gorgeous spa combines medical services with decadent spa pampering in an ultra-cool space filled with furnishings by Jonathan Adler, Eames, and Phillipe Starck. The medi side, led by board-certified plastic surgeon Chang Soo Kim, offers injections, fillers, laser liposuction, hair removal, and skin resurfacing. Luxurious spa services are the soothing counterpoint. (We recommend the Shirodhara treatment, in which a warm stream of oil is poured over your forehead while two therapists attend to your head and feet—pure heaven.)
182 Rte 117 Bypass Rd, Bedford Hills
(914) 864-2140; www.bellavaspa.com
Derma Glow Spa & Boutique
Identical twins Jennifer and JoAnna Sciarrino’s spa is as cozy and inviting as a friend’s front parlor. A plush sofa takes the place of traditional pedicure stations, and, while your tootsies are soaking in the oversized white metal buckets, you’re apt to start up a conversation with the twins, other clients, or the procession of people who just pop in to say hello. Afterward, pick up some beauty products, jewelry, clothing, or accessories at the carefully curated boutique.
1 Dingle Ridge Rd, North Salem
(914) 338-7822; www.dermaglowofny.com
O2 Living
Tucked away in this funky little enclave of 18th-century buildings is O2 Living, a total-wellness center with nutritional counseling, a “live raw food” café, boutique, and spa along with yoga classes and an energized vibe. And since everything in life is connected—when you book a service at the spa, you’ll get a yoga class for free. Talk about good karma.
6 Yellow Monkey Village, 792 Rte 35, Cross River
(914) 763-6320; www.o2living.com
Oriental Foot Reflexology
We’ve all been there, literally dragging our feet as the week winds to an end. But after 30 minutes in the capable hands of a reflexologist (just $30!), you’ll feel like dancing. Just imagine how you’ll feel if you spring for the 60- or 90- minute treatment.
5 N Moger Ave, Mount Kisco
​(914) 218-8904; www.orientalfootcare.com
Paulo’s Atelier Hair Salon
There is hair color and there is hair artistry. The color pros at Paulo’s—owner Paulo Gregorio and Best of Westchester-winning colorist Kathleen Troy—can transform drab and mousy into sexy and sensational. Each has an uncanny knack of conjuring up the perfect potion to complement your complexion and style. Who knows? You may be suppressing your inner redhead or brunette.
725 Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills
(914) 666-2800; www.paulosatelier.com
Wellness Services
Amari Medical
Amari celebrated its grand opening in Bedford Hills in May 2014 with a party that included more than $5,000 in giveaway prizes. In the new space, under the direction of double-board-certified physician J. Shah—who has more than 40 years in the business—the medical and aesthetic staff offers therapies that make people look and feel younger. Services include medical weight loss plans, bioidentical hormone replacement, metabolic detox, cool sculpting, BOTOX, and other facial fillers. For those on the fence, Amari offers complimentary consultations in its spa-like facility. Prior to opening the Bedford Hills location, Amari ran an additional location, which is still open, in Scarsdale (1075 Central Ave 914-722-3000).
532 N Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills
(914) 242-3600; www.amarimedical.com
Skinny Buddha
Though “Skinny Buddha” may seem like an oxymoron, the name makes sense when you see the company’s menu of mind/body services. Elyce Jacobson, an organic chef and holistic health counselor trained in Ayurvedic nutrition, and Shaka “The K.I.N.G” Taffawa, a Golden Gloves boxer and personal trainer, founded the business. Together, they offer fitness classes and multi-week programs, private yoga lessons, detox programs and cleanses, massages, healthy take-home meals from their organic kitchen (the kitchen also does corporate catering), and meditation groups. It all works together to get mind and body humming along in harmony.
128 Radio Cir, Mount Kisco
​(914) 666-9646; www.myskinnybuddha.com
Walk-In Medical Facility
MKMG Urgent Care
One of the largest medical groups in Westchester, Mount Kisco Medical Group (MKMG) operates this care center focused on quality and convenience. Experienced and board-certified emergency-medicine physicians, internists, and family and mid-level practitioners address acute illness and injury requiring immediate attention but not serious enough to need emergency-room treatment. Non-MKMG patients, pediatric and adult, are welcome from 8 am to 7:45 pm, seven days a week. No appointments are necessary.
225 Veterans Rd, Yorktown Heights
(914) 302-8060; www.mkmg.com/services-specialties/urgent-care.php