If you’re feeling intimidated about starting out the new year with a serious workout routine, it’s only because you haven’t met Thomas Olesen. The energetic Copenhagen native in charge of 555TEN’s fitness offerings understands what keeps people away from the gym, and he’s made it his mission to remove those barriers. We had the chance to sit down with Thomas during a rare quiet moment to find out how 555TEN residents can benefit from their new fitness center and programmed wellness classes.

Q & A:

What types of fitness amenities can 555TEN residents expect?
555TEN has multiple fitness offerings, including a main gym with state-of-the-art equipment and spectacular views, a separate functional training space, a class studio, and a saltwater lap pool.

What is your role in the fitness program at 555TEN, and what is your primary goal for residents?
In addition to overseeing a fitness facility that’s efficient, easy to navigate, and fun to be in, the key is including everyone. My goal is to make beginners feel every bit as comfortable in the gym as seasoned athletes.

What first brought you to the field of fitness, and what special insights do you have?
When I was a child in Denmark, my grandmother insisted that I take ballroom dancing lessons, and though I was reluctant, the experience gave me the insight that exercise is social. For most people, being part of a group or having a workout buddy is the most important factor in determining whether they stick to a regimen.

What makes the fitness program at 555TEN special? What sets it apart?
The fitness offerings at 555TEN are designed to meet the needs of busy professionals and to keep them motivated, with personal training services, one-on-one nutrition coaching, and classes that range from yoga to CrossFit, strength training, and cardio.

What advice do you have for beginning exercisers?
I have very practical advice for beginners: start at a steady pace and don’t rush it. The thrill of lifting heavy weights can sometimes get new exercisers in trouble, so I stress the importance of mastering good form, using appropriate weights, and heeding the advice of trainers, who will be available to help residents get acclimated to new workouts safely—and ensure they both enjoy themselves and see results.

What do you look for when hiring staff for fitness centers in luxury buildings like 555TEN?
When hiring fitness professionals, I look specifically for a solid customer service background and a warm, engaging personality, on top of the requisite certification and expertise in exercise and nutrition. The result is a team of enthusiastic trainers who can create a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere and double as workout buddies while keeping residents on track with their fitness goals.

What are your recommendations for 555TEN residents who enjoy exercising outdoors?
As a relatively new New Yorker who moved to the city in January 2016, I don’t take the city’s amazing resources for granted. My favorite workouts include long runs along the Hudson, playing tennis, and simply walking around New York and people-watching.

What is the most important thing for 555TEN residents to remember about fitness?
I believe in the power of motivation, and my general enthusiasm for fitness extends to everyday life and people’s personal workouts. When I happen to see someone running along the river, I’ll shout “good job!” because I know they’re working hard, and every runner can use an unsolicited high-five once in a while. It’s important to keep a positive attitude. The more you work out and the more you participate, the better your life will be.

It’s no secret that Hell’s Kitchen has grown into a vibrant haven of art and culture. With new luxury rentals like 555TEN rising among the collections of galleries and restaurants, Midtown West’s star continues to rise. The neighborhood’s thriving art Aendless inspiration for decorating their new homes at 555TEN.

Jadite Galleries | 413 West 50th Street

For over 30 years, Jadite has been a mainstay in New York City’s contemporary art scene and a beacon in Hell’s Kitchen. The gallery exhibits work by artists from around the world, spanning a vast array of styles, mediums, and approaches—which makes each visit a singular experience. Currently, Jadite is running a Small is Great exhibition of an eclectic group of artists. Jadite helped build Hell’s Kitchen into what it is today and is primed to continue its own success into the next three decades.

Fountain House Gallery | 702 Ninth Avenue

The Fountain House has been providing NYC residents with a remarkable service since way back in 1948. The organization works with people living with mental illness and, in addition to many other services, teaches them how to foster their talents. The Fountain House Gallery, which features the work of Fountain House members, has been in operation since 2000. Not only are the pieces engaging, visceral, and quite often beautiful, but the mechanism that supports these artists is extraordinary and well worth supporting. In 2014, Fountain House received the distinguished Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize for their dedication to serving the community.

Sean Kelly Gallery | 475 Tenth Avenue

For 20 years and counting, the Sean Kelly Gallery has been a space known for celebrating the avant-garde and the experimental. From the beginning, Marina Abramovic, perhaps the most well-known performance and conceptual artist on the planet, has exhibited her work here, alongside other established figures such as David Claerbout, Joseph Kosuth, Los Carpinteros, and Julião Sarmento. For those with a penchant for the unconventional, Sean Kelly is a must-visit.

Triton Gallery | 630 Ninth Avenue, #808

While the Triton Gallery isn’t an art gallery in a traditional sense, it is, as its website boasts, the “only gallery in the world exclusively dedicated to theatrical art and posters.” Featuring the world’s largest selection of theatrical posters, this place is a treasure trove for theater buffs. If you’re looking for a window card from a short run show that nobody remembers, they’ll have it. If you’re riding the Hamilton wave and looking for art to reflect that, they’ll have something to pique your interest. If you enjoy the theater, go to Triton and simply look around. You won’t be disappointed.

Mud, Sweat & Tears Pottery | 654 Tenth Avenue

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, right up the block from the Midtown West apartments at 555TEN sits Mud, Sweat & Tears Pottery, a public studio that offers an assortment of classes and events. It’s a charming and rustic space; the materials are top-notch; the teachers are gracious and knowledgeable; and when it’s all said and done, you leave with a handmade piece of pottery. Classes range from beginner to advanced, and you can spend additional time in the studio working on your own projects over the weekend.

For a perfect weekend, look no further than the blocks surrounding the Hell’s Kitchen rentals at 555TEN. Living at the heart of Manhattan in a neighborhood deeply rooted in the city’s past (and present!) puts some of NYC’s best dining, shopping, and cultural institutions at your doorstep.

Wake up to a Saturday breakfast with friends at Friedman’s, where you can start the weekend with New York classics that have a locavore, gluten–free twist like pastrami hash or a “nova benny,” a hot plate of sunnyside-up eggs served with smoked salmon. Celebrating the best of New York, old and new, one of Friedman’s signature omelets is made with pastrami and the classic fixings of caramelized onions and mustard. Wash it down with an Earl’s 75 cocktail: gin infused with Earl Grey tea and honey, combined with lemon and blanc de blancs.

After breakfast, check out the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, touted by Time Out New York as “one of the most rummage-worthy markets in Manhattan.” Time Out recommends a visit to Store with No Walls, where you can find vintage pieces by designers like Oscar de la Renta or a one-of-a-kind leopard-print clutch that could be the perfect throwback fashion statement for your night on the town—or in the neighborhood.

Hell’s Kitchen is also the home of one of the most stylish clothing stores from Tokyo. Nowhere else but at Nepenthes can you find the Samu jacket in black velveteen, a garment cut with the elegant lines of a Samurai’s robe and made with a material worthy of a 19^th-century urban dandy like Oscar Wilde. Nepenthes also features its own label, Engineered Garments, which has a line for women called “FWK.”

Round out your afternoon with a visit to the Sean Kelly Gallery, where you can currently check out the work of Jose Davila, one of Mexico’s most up-and-coming young artists. Then head to the Westside Theater, housed in what was once a 19^th-century Baptist Church, to catch Cagney, a musical directed by and starring Robert Creighton, who the New York Times says was “born for the role.”

Stepping out of the theater on a Saturday evening, as Hell’s Kitchen denizens know, means the night has just begun. This is the perfect time to grab dinner at 44 & X: enjoy their decadent Maine lobster tacos, served with charred tomato salsa, avocado relish, cilantro, and herb salad, before moving on to drinks with friends at local hot spot Tanner Smith’s, a 1920s-style speakeasy with a carefully curated cocktail list.

In Hell’s Kitchen, the opportunities for exploration are endless. Day seamlessly fades into night, and nights tend to evolve and revolve around the energy of this vibrant neighborhood. Moving into 555TEN is just the beginning.

Living in New York City means you’re living in the cultural center of the world. Each neighborhood within Manhattan is a microcosm of activity, and the new luxury rentals at 555TEN are located in the heart of dynamic Hell’s Kitchen, which offers countless cultural, culinary, and recreational options to explore day and night. After seeing a Broadway show, make a stop at Danji to sample small Korean plates, or sip on a glass of Sancerre at Aria Hell’s Kitchen. Just west of 555TEN in Hudson River Park, you can take an after-work run or a weekend bike ride along the beautifully landscaped waterfront. But with all the amenities available at your new apartment in one of the ultimate Midtown Manhattan rental buildings, you may prefer to stay in and enjoy the luxuries available to you right at home.

The extraordinary attention to detail is evident throughout 555TEN. Unlike other rental properties in Manhattan, these apartments offer residents the option of customization: choose the color scheme (sunrise/light or sunset/dark) of the floor as well as the kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities that you prefer. Once you’re settled into your specialized residence, you’ll be greeted each day by the soaring ceilings in the lobby and the 24-hour doorman and concierge, who can lend a hand with anything from snagging theater tickets to scheduling a dog walking appointment with the on-site pet care, brought to you by the same service provider utilized by The Ritz-Carlton and Mandarin Oriental. You can also indulge your four-legged friends at the covered outdoor dog park in the building, available for off-leash play rain or shine.

For an invigorating start to the day—or a restful post-work pause—take a dip in the indoor saltwater lap pool, or stretch and bond with friends over asanas in the yoga studio. Pop your workout gear into your in-home washer and dryer, so it will be fresh for your morning run in the on-site cardio fitness center. While your guests are sure to be impressed by the building’s bowling alley and app-controlled building services, the most stunning feature at 555TEN is the view. Get a fresh perspective on Midtown as you watch the sun dip behind the shimmering Hudson River while you laze on the sundeck or take a break between laps in the rooftop pool.

No matter what time of day, 555TEN is your home for luxury and leisure.

Rising over Hell’s Kitchen with views of the Hudson River, the luxury apartment rentals at 555TEN place their residents in a city where countless cultures can be experienced in the midst of Midtown West. This fall, residents of 555TEN can celebrate their own New York City version of the traditional Oktoberfest. In fact, with so many German beers and specialties in or near Hell’s Kitchen, you can enjoy Oktoberfest well into the winter—or any time of year—without having to fly to Germany.

Start the weekend at Hallo Berlin, one of New York Magazine’s favorite German restaurants in the city, where the atmosphere couldn’t be more authentic. Grab a leather seat near the bar in the dining room that’s decked out in the colors of the German flag, or come with friends and take over one of the large tables in the back garden—and feast on founders Rolf and Bernadette Babiel’s signature wienerwurst, bratwurst, knockwurst, and bockwurst, all served with the full range of appropriate accompaniments: red cabbage, sauerkraut, onions, and mustard.

Make Valhalla another stop on your Oktoberfest tour of Hell’s Kitchen to sample what’s on tap at what Thrillist named one of the best beer bars in New York City; according to Thrillist writer Chris McClellan, he’s “never been to Valhalla and not geeked out with” another customer. With 48 beers on tap, this really is a beer lover’s heaven, where the spirit of Oktoberfest will encourage you to try each of the Oktoberfest-appropriate brews, including the Abita Oktoberfest, Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen, and the Bell’s Oktoberfest, which the menu describes as having “herbal hop aromas” that will transport you to the Black Forest.

Another local, not-to-be-missed Oktoberfest destination is the Times Square Oktoberfest, coming October 30th, which will feature arts, crafts, and food all day from 10 am to 6 pm. Although this may be one of the last local events of the “official” month of Oktoberfest, it does not have to signal an end to the festivities.

Move a little farther south to neighboring Chelsea, and you can end the night back at the river at the Standard Hotel Biergarten, where Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner serves sausages and beer underneath the High Line. For a truly decadent Oktoberfest finale, you can reserve a special table called a “Stammtisch” that allows you and your friends to get your own beer from three of its built-in taps.

Throwing your own Hell’s Kitchen Oktoberfest is a great way to enjoy not only German culture, but the diversity and excitement of NYC. Residents of 555TEN will have no excuse not to say “hallo” and celebrate, German-style.