Fit at the Met

Love art? Want to lose weight? Then head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for ‘museum workouts’ – created by Maira Kalman, an illustrator and writer, along with the Monica Bill Barnes & Company innovative dance team.

Kalman leads the band of 15 art enthusiasts and fitness fanatics around the galleries. She chooses an artwork to stop at, then uses her recorded voice as a narrative, mixed with Motown and disco music.

Everyone wears trainers; some of the women wear sequins and tulle. They proceed to ‘fast-walk’ for two miles through halls and rooms crammed with art treasures.

Art areas are protected by security rules, to stop runners knocking over Greek vases. Among things to see on your art-jog are a Henry VIII suit of armour, a staircase from the Chicago Stock Exchange and the glass ceiling in the Charles Engelhard Court.

The session of squats, jumping jacks, pliés and arm motions, which takes place before the museum opens, lasts for around an hour. Performances – as they are known – run until December, Thursday to Sunday. www.metmuseum.org Susan Teltser-schwarz