The Met Opens Early for High Culture Fitness Classes

If you’ve ever been frustrated by the crowds at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, MetLiveArts is offering a way to gain access before the doors open. But there’s a catch: You have to be willing to break a sweat while appreciating some world-class art. As The New York Times reports, "The Museum Workout" takes participants on a two-mile aerobic tour of the institution over the course of 45 minutes.

The class is the brainchild of Monica Bill Barnes & Company, a local dance troupe known for its unconventional performance pieces. Once the workout commences at 8:45 a.m., the group follows a set route led by Monica Bill Barnes and her dance partner Anna Bass, both of whom sport sneakers and sequined dresses. Author and illustrator Maira Kalman provides pre-recorded narration over a mix of disco and Motown music to keep the blood pumping.

While the session includes plenty of time for art-gazing, it doesn’t skimp on the workout. The tour is packed with nonstop, jazzercise-inspired movement, which makes it quite a different experience from your typical trip to the Met. Fortunately, participants are rewarded with a table of snacks and coffee at the end of the route. The class runs Thursday to Sunday from now until February 12, with tickets starting at $35.

[h/t The New York Times]