Indoor Surfing Class Latest Workout Craze

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Surf's up...in chilly New York City?

A new fitness class popping up on surfboards isn't just about the physical workout - it can also give people a mental escape from the cold.

As CBS 2's Andrea Grymes reported, SurfSet allows students to hang 10 when they're nowhere near the ocean.

The squats, lunges and push-ups are done on a surfboard sitting on air-filled discs that simulate waves. The unstable surface intensifies core training.

"All exercise is based from the core, everything that we do comes from our center," class instructor Jennifer Frankel said.

Cardio exercises are done on and off the board to rev up the students' heart rate.

"It's a seriously intense workout and they really need to all of a sudden bring their A game," said Frankel.

Surfing experience isn't needed, but students say endurance and balance are key.

"I didn't think it would be quite as intense as it was," said one participant.

"There's cardio, everything," another SurfSet student said.

Frankel said she tries to help her students escape and get into shape in time for beach season.

There are currently classes in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and several towns in New Jersey. Click here for more information.

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