In a city that never stops moving, fitness in New York City has always been less about trends and more about survival. From pre-dawn runs along the Hudson River to packed boutique studios in SoHo, New Yorkers have long chased efficient, results-driven workouts. Now, a new entrant, born from the bruising world of professional wrestling, is carving out space in the city’s ever-evolving wellness culture: Pure Plank.
The product, created by now-AEW and WWE veterans Adam Copeland and Jay Reso, is deceptively simple. At its core is a reimagined planking board designed to make one of fitness’s most fundamental exercises more accessible, more comfortable and, perhaps most importantly for busy urbanites, more effective in less time.
The idea traces back to a deeply personal moment… Copeland, now in his 50s, realized his conditioning had slipped after struggling with everyday tasks like climbing stairs while carrying his children. That wake-up call, shared with longtime friend Reso, led them to rediscover planking, a foundational exercise known for building core strength. But they quickly encountered a problem: traditional planking is uncomfortable, difficult to sustain and often discouraging for beginners.
Their solution became Pure Plank, a device designed to redefine core training by addressing those pain points. Featuring a cushioned base to reduce joint pressure, ergonomic handles for stability and proper positioning, and a digital timer paired with a companion app, the system aims to remove barriers that often prevent people from sticking with a routine.
That accessibility has resonated in a place like New York, where space is limited and time is currency. Unlike bulky gym equipment, Pure Plank is compact, something that can slide under a bed in a Brooklyn walk-up or sit unobtrusively in a Midtown apartment. In a city where a 500-square-foot studio can cost more than a suburban mortgage, that matters.
The company’s growing visibility in New York was underscored last year when Copeland and Reso appeared on Fox & Friends, demonstrating the product live and inviting hosts to try it themselves. The segment, filmed right here in New York City, showcased both the simplicity of the exercise and the broader appeal of the device: a workout that looks deceptively easy but delivers immediate feedback.
That demonstration helped introduce Pure Plank to a broader audience at a time when home fitness continues to evolve. While the pandemic era fueled demand for connected bikes and high-tech mirrors, the current wave is shifting toward hybrid simplicity, tools that combine low-tech usability with smart features. Pure Plank fits neatly into that niche.
Its presence in NY has also extended beyond television and into everyday use. At the Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square, the Pure Plank board is now used daily in the hotel’s gym space, offering both travelers and locals a chance to incorporate the system into their routines. In a neighborhood defined by constant motion and global visitors, its inclusion reflects how quickly the product is integrating into mainstream fitness environments.
According to the founders, the response has exceeded expectations. Users ranging from elite athletes to everyday individuals have reported improvements in core strength, posture and overall fitness. Some have even cited relief from chronic back discomfort after incorporating the device into short daily routines.
That range of users reflects a broader shift in New York’s fitness landscape. High-intensity, all-or-nothing workouts are giving way to sustainable routines that emphasize consistency over extremes. In Central Park, more runners are mixing in bodyweight exercises. In apartment buildings, residents are swapping large machines for minimalist tools that deliver maximum efficiency. And across the boroughs, there is a growing emphasis on longevity, staying strong and mobile well into later decades of life.
There is also a cultural element at play. Fitness in New York has always been tied to identity, whether it’s the marathon runner logging miles before sunrise or the office worker squeezing in a lunchtime class. Products like Pure Plank tap into that mindset by offering a sense of control. In a city defined by unpredictability, the ability to carve out a few minutes for a focused, effective workout can feel like a small but meaningful victory. As the wellness industry continues to innovate, the success of Pure Plank suggests that the next wave may not be about reinventing exercise entirely but refining it, making proven movements more accessible, more comfortable and more consistent.
In that sense, the journey from the wrestling ring to a NY living room feels less surprising than inevitable. After all, in New York, reinvention isn’t just a trend. It’s a way of life! If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!
