Exerblast Brings Fantasy to Life for Kids

Exerblast, a children's fitness center in Tribeca, seeks to combine fitness with adventure. Exerblast has many exciting new programs coming up, including the expansion of its special needs program, the creation of a spring break fitness camp for kids, and a collaboration with Pace University students.

Exerblast, a children’s fitness center that seeks to combine fitness with adventure, bring fantasy to life and fosters teamwork and respect amongst kids. At Exerblast, “rather than having a little tiny screen in front of you, you are the game. You are your own avatar,” says founder Kate Gyllenhaal.

Upon entering the space, kids ages 5-12 are welcomed to Botania, planet of plant people, and divided into teams, each with a staff member guide. The plant people on planet Botania are sick, and the only way to save them is to generate healing energy by moving your body as much as you can. The gym is divided into zones, each of which comes with its own set of challenges, and includes a rock climbing wall, a power wheel, and a “blastdown zone” where kids are asked to stretch and rehydrate.

Exerblast is currently expanding its special needs program, instating a spring break fitness camp for kids, and collaborating with Pace University students to create an interactive website where people can log exercise and learn about nutrition. Exerblast also recently began a relationship with Story Pirates, an actors’ group that plans to help kids create their own stories with the Exerblast space as a canvas. “We hope to teach kids how to use their bodies,” Gyllenhaal says. “They are saving this imaginary planet, but they’re also helping themselves.” Exerblast also offers customized birthday parties, a preschool group, and cooking classes.