The Workout Unplugged - NYTimes.com Vintage exercise machines have recently become the padded shoulders of the workout world: swept aside for a fresher look. The so-called functional-fitness trend, with workouts devised to help people perform daily activities like lifting, bending and climbing stairs, are relegating machines like leg presses and biceps curlers to second-class status on the gym floor. For proof, you need only step into the New York Sports Club at 59th Street and Park Avenue, where the new UXF Training Zone, an 800-square-foot space covered in artificial turf, commands attention. Classes in the UXF Zone - the initials stand for "ultimate fitness experience" - are held twice a week for four weeks. After that, participants are encouraged to go it alone. Instead of weight machines, stationary bikes and treadmills, the workouts rely on kettle bells and medicine balls, weighted sleds and, for those who progress far enough, 130-pound tractor tires. One recent afternoon four women and four men were in the class, including two newbies: me and Harry Alvia, who works in employee benefits for Tiffany & Company. Mr. Alvia had been taking Zumba classes with our instructor, Geri-Nikole Love, and was intrigued when she suggested the UXF Zone. "I'm just trying to keep in shape," Mr. Alvia said. Summer's coming. Our warm-up began with jumping jacks, then moved on to frog jacks (starting with hips low and hands on the floor, we leapt in the air and then did a standard jumping jack); walkouts (with legs straight, we touched our toes, walked our hands out until we were in a plank position, then reversed the sequence); and mountain climbers (running in place while in a plank position). We also did speed and agility drills, stepping quickly in and out of the rungs of a "ladder" painted on the turf. Next, Ms. Love demonstrated six exercises we'd be doing that day: "surrender," a backward lunge executed while holding a kettle bell overhead; "burpee," the old standard squat thrust; "kettle bell split catch," which requires bending over with legs apart, holding the kettle bell in one hand, then swinging it up in the air and catching it in the other hand while moving upright; "TRX rows," an upper-body exercise using bands suspended from a metal frame; "sleds," which require running in a crouch while pushing a metal sled back and forth across the floor; and "dueling ropes," which involves squatting, grabbing both ends of a heavy, four-inch-diameter rope, then moving the rope quickly up and down in a wave motion. But before we began, Ms. Love turned our attention to a blackboard on the edge of the zone, where a grid appeared with our names listed along one side. We would perform each of the six exercises as many times as possible during intervals lasting anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds. We were to keep count and call out our number when a buzzer rang to signal the end of a round. Our numbers were recorded on the board. "It's an external motivator," Ms. Love said, "so you're pushing yourself." After the first round, I proudly shouted out my number, only to discover it was 20 points below the next-lowest. After a few more rounds, I was breathless, my throat burned, and I felt as if I were slogging through mud. I also began losing count of my repetitions. Ms. Love smiled calmly, and it became clear to me that this was all part of her design. "It's cognitive too," she said. You're working the mind and the body at the same time. At least I wasn't the only one suffering. I glanced over and spied Beata Parzych, one of the group's consistently high scorers, bent over on the turf, struggling to get up. UXF, I concluded, really stands for "utter exhaustion and fatigue" zone. After a brief stretching session, class ended. Ms. Love complimented me on my form and assured me that if I kept at it, my scores would improve. I had my doubts. Mr. Alvia, though, apparently overcome by a UXF-induced endorphin high, said he'd be back. "I never thought I'd be able to do the whole thing," he said. I could keep going. Where You Can Forget About All That Complicated Equipment NEW YORK SPORTS CLUB UXF Zone classes are expected to be available at all locations in the city by year's end. Eight one-hour sessions are $199; $259 for nonmembers. Mysportsclubs.com. CRUNCH In "Circuit City" you cycle through four stations, performing one-minute exercises using equipment that includes jump ropes; BOSU ("both sides up") balls, for balance and core work; and medicine balls. "Bodyweb Circuit With TRX" is another circuit training class, using TRX (total-body resistance) straps and free weights to focus on strength, balance and cardio. Free for members; daylong guest passes available; returning guest passes start at $25. Crunch.com. THE SPORTS CENTER AT CHELSEA PIERS "Cardio Mission" is a circuit-style class with intervals incorporating static exercises like planks, in addition to high-intensity moves like squat thrusts, jumping jacks and scissor jumps. "Performax," taught by a boxer, focuses on agility, speed and explosive power moves, including rapid-fire knee raises on steps, jumping jacks and running while kicking your heels up high. Free for members; a day pass for nonmembers is $50. Chelseapiers.com/sc.