Sweat at The Met! FEMAIL writer is put through her paces while testing quirky new 'museum workout' that lets fitness fanatics combine culture and cardio 

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The hallowed surroundings of The Met normally compel visitors to carefully walk around the New York gallery in hushed tones as they absorb its exhibits.

But a new performance work is trying to change the way people experience art by inviting them to jog, power-walk and stretch their way around the museum to the beat of disco and Motown hits.

The Museum Workout is led by two sequin-clad dancers, choreographer Monica Bill Barnes and dance partner Anna Bass, and takes place early in the morning before the gallery opens to the public.

Multitasking: New York's latest fitness trend, the 'museum workout', led by Monica Bill Barnes and Anna Bass, pictured at The Met, combines exercise and art

Unusual: Participants are encouraged to jog, power-walk and stretch their way around the New York museum to the beat of disco and Motown hits

Experience: FEMAIL reporter Miranda Bryant, pictured in front of Augustus Saint Gaudens's golden Diana sculpture, fourth from right, tested the workout

Participants are taken to 14 different exhibits during the 45-minute workout and are encouraged to continue moving throughout the duration. 

The project, created by dance company Monica Bill Barnes & Company and writer and illustrator Maira Kalman, has only been going for a few days but it is already such a hit among New Yorkers that it has already sold out. 

FEMAIL tested the experience, which takes visitors on a sweat-breaking route around Kalman's 14 favorite Met exhibits and covers two miles, accompanied by songs including Bee Gees hits Stayin' Alive and More Than A Woman and Lionel Richie's Easy Like Sunday Morning.

Beginning with a staccato jog, which later turned into a fast power-walk, we were led to exhibits including King Henry VIII’s field armor, Antonio Canova's Perseus with the Head of Medusa and John Singer Sargent's painting Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau).

With the group sufficiently tired, slightly breathless and sweating, the workout ended with us lying on the floor in front of Augustus Saint Gaudens's golden Diana sculpture.

Before being guided back to the education center to gather our possessions, participants were offered coffee and snacks including bread, figs, nuts and satsumas and given hand-drawn 'keep moving' postcards by Kalman. 

Whistlestop: Guided by two sequin-clad dancers, visitors are led to 14 different exhibits chosen by writer and illustrator Maira Kalman

Sell-out: The performance work has only been going for a few days but is already a huge hit with New Yorkers

The workout was exhilarating and euphoric leaving me feeling stretched and activated for the day ahead. 

Getting to experience The Met without the usual crowds felt like an honor in itself and while marching around the gallery came surprisingly naturally. I especially enjoyed walking around the arms and armor section with my fists in the air.

It was only when we encountered other tour groups - who were walking around at 'normal' pace - and were met with laughs that we were reminded of how ridiculous we looked.

The project, which has been in the making for two years, was commissioned by MetLiveArts with the aim of altering the way people behave in museums and helping visitors to develop an emotional connection to art. 

Barnes said although people tend to move quietly and formally through museums that it is not necessarily the best way to consume art.

'Is standing quietly in front of a painting really the best way to experience art? I don’t believe that it is.

Habit-changing: Barnes said although people tend to move quietly and formally through museums that it is not necessarily the best way to consume art

Regular: Kalman, whose voice is also featured on the workout soundtrack, said she spends 'hours' walking around museums - especially The Met

'The workout is advocating for a re-examination of how we exist in museums. And obviously, all the music is great because let’s be honest, working out is hard work,' she said. 

Kalman, whose voice is also featured on the workout soundtrack, said she spends 'hours' walking around museums - especially The Met. 

She added: 'We do not usually balance on one leg while looking at a painting. But the intense concentration that it takes is appealing and heroic.'

Limor Tomer, general manager of MetLiveArts at The Met, said the experience has a 'meditative' effect.

'There is something so powerful about apprehending a painting with your heart beat elevated and your body in motion. 

'It’s incredibly meditative and individual, but at the same time there is a beautiful sense of community as you explore the spaces throughout The Met with your group,' she said.