Welcome to Work Out New York, where the trainers are brands and identities with matching egos. The reason we are all here is Holly Rilinger, who is referred to as the best, awesomest trainer in New York by several of her peers in the show’s premiere episode. An out lesbian, Holly woos the women of NYC into her spin classes at FlyWheel and is also a personal trainer. She’s single, too, because she has no time to date anyone, especially a straight New York housewife. (Although, this is Bravo, so….)
Also on the show is Layla, who loves to wear underwear as pants.
“I know guys check me out; I know girls check me out. So I definitely need someone who is confidence and secure enough to deal with all of that,” Layla says. Layla is in love with herself, and possibly her boyfriend, Jay. They’ve been together for four months and Layla who is “definitely known for her sexuality” (self-professed) is incensed her boyfriend is upset that they aren’t seeing each other more than one a day on this particular day. (He might be a lesbian.)
Elsewhere in NYC, we meet Holly’s protege, Noah, who calls her “the wizard behind the curtain.” No one has anything bad to say about Holly. She’s the real deal.
Later, Holly meets up with some of the other trainers at a gym in Hell’s Kitchen, and I’m wondering if this is anywhere near where Trish first learned Krav Maga. (Jessica Jones joke, anyone?) We meet Courtney, a gay male trainer who has known Holly for more than 12 years. Courtney says Holly is so good at her job, she has “no time to get any kind of va-jay-jay.”
Holly said she’s the complete opposite of a drill sergeant in her training. “I preach joy,” she says, encouraging her client with things like, “You can do it, girl.” Meanwhile, Layla is sitting on top of her male client, screaming at him.
A new trainer, Joe, comes in, who Courtney says is is sexually ambiguous and overly interested in fashion. “I’m always on shine. I don’t know who’s watching,” he tells Holly of his fashion-forward gym attire. But Courtney and Layla make fun of his outfit and the way he trains.
“I think Courtney gets off throwing shade, but shade to me is an indicator you’re doing well,” Joe says to the camera. “No one looks at the bum on the street and starts throwing shade at him because he’s not doing anything.” OK, Joe. I see why you are on this show. Best of luck to you!
Holly points out everyone was a newbie at some point, and that Courtney and Layla hazing Joe is probably a little immature. She didn’t say it as bluntly; she mostly stands off to the side giving disapproving mom looks.
Layla’s BF Jay comes by to say hey and Courtney notices he introduces himself to all the straight guys in the gym. They flirt by fighting and have a conversation about jealousy that leaves me bored and wondering what Layla is interested in besides having people want her because she’s the only one who doesn’t really have anything to say about her career or helping people or, you know, fitness.
We meet another trainer, Lena, who wants to win competitions–the kind where you put on a bikini, a spray tan and some heels. Courtney is her mentor, and he calls her “Latina thug misses.” Lena lives with her parents and eats eggs, spinach, and asparagus. She doesn’t want to “throw money away with rent,” and her dad (who thinks the asparagus is too expensive) wants her to save for her wedding. “Wedding?” she says. “What, are you out of your mind?” So Lena is single, ready to mingle, but doesn’t want that ringle. (Sorry.)
Later on, the trainers go out together in a well-lit space with couches available for everyone as only happens in reality television. “In our group of friends, Holly is the mama bear,” Courtney says. “Or you could say, the glue that keeps us together.” Layla shows up declaring “the party just arrived,” showing off her crop top and tight skirt by saying, “Hi Jay, this is all for you.” Lena and another trainer, Lindsey, get a feel on that booty just because.
Joe arrives, twirling on command and showing off his drop crotch pants. He explains why he loves fashion (he sees it as art) but the rest of the trainers don’t seem to understand, which is odd considering I feel like a lot of them are concerned about how they look and what they wear and how they present themselves, but I guess they just aren’t interested in experimenting or taking chances in the way that Joe does. But is it really that weird if he wanted to wear a dress and go to an Alexander Wang show? These trainers are still New Yorkers. I’m so confused by their lack of interest, but it’s really about Joe; it’s more about money. Everyone is perplexed by how he has the money to support his fashion habit when he’s so new to training and still building a clientele.
The next day (?) Noah meets with a prospective client who is currently Miss USA and training for Miss Universe. He tells her everything he would do to help her get pageant ready. He wants to make out with her face. The only way I’ll care about this is if she turns out to be interested in Holly and they become a lesbian power couple.
Lena comes to take Holly’s class at FlyWheel (her first spin class ever), ready to learn from the best. The women come filing in, saying hello while Courtney explains to the camera why her class is so popular. “The Holly-ites or the woman who are straight but they want a little taste. They stalk her, they text her. Holly is like the Pied Piper of New York housewives. I mean, I kind of want to tap that ass.”
Throughout the class, the women beam at Holly, who is sweating and giving them encouragement from the front of the room. Lena survives.
At the end, Holly stands by the door, with women kissing her on the way out. “No kisses on the lips,” Lena says to the camera. She doesn’t want that part of Holly’s career. Holly, who prides herself on being strong and approachable, offers any help she can give to Lena. She’s single, ladies!
Layla is walking around her apartment making cereal in her underwear when her mom and sister stop by. Her mom, Mama Love, was also a trainer, so it runs in the family. Mama Love also gave Layla her first vibrator at 14. “She is my role model,” Layla says, noting her mom also used to take cards that said “Good for one free fuck” to hand out to men she met in Central Park. That’s how she met Layla’s dad.
“You’re still finding herself. You’re such a baby emotionally,” Mama Love says, not convinced that Jealous Jay is going to stick around forever. (Seriously, this is all Layla has been talking about with anyone. Except for maybe what Joe’s deal is.)
So about that. One of Courtney’s friends fills him in: Joe is a go-go dancer. “Here’s my surprised face,” Courtney says when he tells Layla the news.
Later that night, Layla is out with Lindsey (another trainer whose leg is injured but refuses to stop wearing heels) and Lena when the go go dancing comes up. Lindsey is non-plussed. She says “You go, Glenn Coco,” and she means it. She likes Joe. She might even LIKE like him. And she invited him to meet them out, so when he comes by and starts listing off all the fashion he owns (zzzzz) Lena says, “Let me ask you a question: How do you afford all these clothes?” When he says it’s because of his fitness brand, Layla takes him to task. He’s too new and she’s been doing this for years, as have most of the other trainers.
“She’s severely distasteful,” Joe says, and he leaves in a cab, ready to go home to his closet full of clothes.
So, that was our introduction to the group of fitness professionals of Work Out New York. Next week, Holly tries to go on a date. Hopefully they don’t mind her kissing the Holly-ites on the lips.
