I have been seeing taking Pilates instructionsnfrom Angela Gifford for eight years. I had been…read moreskeptical of or unimpressed with Pilates previously, but when I learned that Angela got the full training in New York I decided to give it a try. I've been intending to write this review ever since as with each year I am more impressed with Angela's knowledge and care.

An update... It is important to know that Angela and Lucero…read morestudied under the true Masters under Joseph Pilates. Don't be fooled by any old place with "Pilates" in its name. Make sure that the teachers are properly trained and understand what to do and WHY. Angela and Lucero of Pilates Works do. And THAT is what makes the place so special. Another plus: the studio is intimate and quiet.

I'm rather new to Pilates. Just had my 8th lesson with Creta. I was pretty skeptical when I…read morestarted. I love movement and being physically active and wasn't sure what Pilates could really add to my arsenal. I have practiced yoga for many years, am very in tune with my body, and love sports and physical activity of all kinds. Boy was I wrong. Over the last 8 weeks I have learned how to move my body in a totally new way and use muscles that were under utilized and weak. I can feel my strength and understanding of my body grow with every lesson with Creta. If that was all I was getting out of Pilates with Creta that would be enough. But it isn't. Creta is an amazing instructor. She gives me positive feedback about my body and my movement and I never feel self conscious or embarrassed about what I am able to do or not able to do. She is a fantastic teacher and a truly sweet and wonderful person. I highly recommend her and I look forward to Pilates every week.

As a designer I spend a lot of time behind the computer. I absolutely love pilates because it helps…read moreme with my posture. Once in a while I still take group classes, but I came to realize that my body needs individual attention. Creta's PRIVATE PILATES sessions achieve what I need: I get to exercise all of the muscles and it helps me to maintain both a strong core and increase flexibility. Creta is very good at spotting my individual trouble areas and directs the work to resolve them. Besides the individual attention for every muscle, Pilates sessions with Creta are never the same. I am the kind of a person who enjoys dynamic and varied exercises, so I am always excited to discover what awaits me at my next work out date with Creta. I have been her client for two years now, and plan on remaining one.

Ladies, don't let the term "bootcamp" deter you from trying this type of workout. I am in the…read moresouthbeach group and was directed to it from fellow yelpers. VyAyr (although admittedly I continue to struggle with spelling it) consists of an amazing group of devoted, funny, and knowledgeable instructors. The routines are by no means "routine," so you can always expect a whole body workout, which keeps you guessing. Yet, you can go at your own pace to ensure you do as much as you are presently fit for. VyAyr puts the ASS (all shapes and sizes) in class. So if you are hesitant because you lack athletic skills or have fallen so far off the wagon the dust has settled since you last saw it round the corner of your hips, this is the class that can help you buy a ticket to the health train. Besides, who rides in wagons anyways- I mean if our ancestors could have chosen to take a train or a car instead of covered wagon to cross the states... Also, a note on something VyAyr does which I find so great- they take an initial body assesment prior to each camp. This short, private, office-type meeting with your instructor puts your current size and your goals into quanitifable measures. They take weight (yeah yeah, ugh), measurements (bust, waist, hips thighs, legs, arms, calves), and calipers (body fat percentage) and create and excel sheet for you. This small detail is actually what has personally motivated me to start eating healthier and limit alcohol intake, because for me, seeing positive results is incentive to assume a more comprehensive lifestyle change. The one hour classes in Soutbeach are at 6am and 7am, and at Crissy field at 5:30 and 6:30am. Free classes if you need a test drive, but consider just committing to it. The price for the whole four week camps are 200 for 3 days a week, 260 for 4 days a week and 300 for 5 days a week. Cheaper than dinner for two at Epic Roasthouse. Crap, now I'm hungry.

Yeah like Kristi needs another glowing review....but here's mine:…read more I found this boot camp on Yelp (THANKS YELPERS!) and I was definitely against it...but after reading the reviews, I thought I'd give it a shot. Waking up early is not my thing, working out is not my thing, but I go and I do it and I'm done for the day. I don't even go regularly - I have skipped a few sessions - and I lost a size already in six weeks. Seriously. I like to say Kristi motivates with shame and humiliation but really it's sarcasm and humor. She never shames, even today when my body fat composition was twice what it should be, I did not feel like she was secretly judging me from inside her mini triathlete body. Rather, I felt motivated to sign up for my third session. DAMN YOU KRISTI!

I wrote the following testimonial for Sgt. E and Maya, and wanted to share it with the Yelp…read morecommunity. A little background on myself -- I'm 30 years old and have always been a fit person, and have worked with many trainers and tried many methods. I have been working for four years as a full time pedicab driver, but the job takes an enormous toll on the body, including low energy and muscle imbalances. I also had a bad case of appendicitis that nearly killed me, and my digestion has never been the same. Sgt E and Maya were able to address both my body balancing issues (which other trainers didn't even UNDERSTAND let alone have the ability to CORRECT) and my digestion issues (which stumped my medical doctor). They devised a diet and fitness program that totally changed my life, and most importantly created the SUPPORT that I needed to actually SUCCEED. They were able to do for me, what no one else could. These guys are amazing -- check them out! Sgt. E & Maya, Thank you for bringing Fitness to my Life -- Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul! Your lessons have helped to heal my body in ways I didn't even know needed healing. These changes have been miraculous to behold - like giving water to a dying plant and watching it come to life again. You have changed the way I feel about and communicate with my body. Really, you have given me a brand new body that is vibrant, strong, beautiful, and healthy! I didn't think I needed a trainer, because I have always been on top of my health and fitness, and have been training for over 10 years. I even did bodybuilding training and had a body whose exterior was sculpted and strong. But I never had good health until I started training with you. Now I now view my progress like this: (I drew a chart here showing my previous fitness education and training, which included the Men's Health Diet plan, Crossfit, a college trainer, power lifting, counting calories, counting macros, a 24hr Fitness Trainer, the Schwazenegger Method, and MobilityWOD .. all programs that I had tried in the past, with very minimal progress, but always doing "okay" ... I drew a flat line of success, then an upward explosion of progress after I adapted to Sgt E's method of holistic integration.) It was a lot of trial and error, a lot of up and down, but nothing much ever changed until I started Fitness for the Heart. The improvements in my mood, energy, sleep, hydration, stress, and bowel movements have been exponential. My whole relationship with my body and the way I communicate with it has changed. It was like I was reaching blindly in the dark, and suddenly I have a light to guide me. You gave me the secret language of communicating with my body, and I can ask it to grow, heal, change, and adapt at my will. I can't thank you enough for introducing this lifestyle to me, and paving the way as a guide, mentor, teacher, coach, and friend on my journey. Maya - the first time I tasted your food, I knew my life was going to change. I can't explain it, but the food put me into a state of euphoria that went beyond the taste. It was like stepping into a new world, entering a new reality. What I thought was food, didn't seem like food anymore. Even when I try to deny the truth hold onto my bad old habits, my body rebels. It only wants REAL food, the kind of food you introduced me to! The kind of food that energizes, heals, and nurtures. Sgt E - the passion and energy you bring to your lessons is unmatched. Your energy is infectious, it overflows and spills out everywhere and you share it everywhere you go. You gave me many, many free lessons before I was even a paying client, and as I saw those lessons improving my life, I had to learn more. The transition to becoming a client was seamless, and I really feel differently about your training service that any other I ever tried - I feel like part of a family, part of a team. My own spirit is coming out and getting stronger. Sometimes I feel like I'm being shot out of a cannon, I have so much energy and love to spare, and I'm starting to share it with other people, and it's coming back to me in big ways! It's all building in a virtuous cycle that is sometimes overwhelming me with joy. Fitness for the Heart has even improved my relationship, helped me manage my stress, and helped me get in touch with my spirituality. Every aspect of my life has been improved, and I feel born again. It feels like I'm breathing for the first time, eating for the first time, and moving for the first time! I'm alive!! Thank you from the body of my very fit Heart. With love and gratitude, John

I tried Shehabeddin's group classes, and gave him a glowing review a few months ago. Afterwards, I…read moredecided to sign up for personal training with him. For reasons that I will not mention here, I decided he was not the right trainer for me, and pursued other options elsewhere, which gave amazing results. I now want the remainder of my downpayment back, and he refuses to refund it, motivating that it's been too long since I paid him originally, and the money is spent. We did not have a written contract, therefore personal training sessions could not have "expired". If you decide to pay him upfront for future sessions (no discount given on his "packages" if you do), make sure you sign a written contract that stipulates the terms of the agreement you have with him. I am utterly disappointed.

Tingzin Ellis is a superb pilates instructor who is particularly adept at assessing and addressing…read moreindividual needs. She is gentle, firm, confident, and personable. Her sense of humor makes working with her fun, and her knowledge of anatomy makes her especially able to identify problem areas. She is ready to listen to her clients in a way that allows her to pair her own observations with my description of any problem or pain so that it feels as if we are working together towards healing. She is both compassionate and skilled, a truly great teacher.

I have been doing Pilates rehab sessions at Studio 20. My body's response: I am stronger with…read moreincreased stability and my core is strengthening. The studio is welcoming, spacious, clean, and uplifting. And, there is always street parking. If you've tried it all, like me, without achieving the results you desire consider giving Caitlin and here team a visit. I work with Caitlin and Islay. My body has changed dramatically. I walk properly, pain levels have decreased, and my body is getting stronger with each session. I have a core! Their positivity is contagious.

Sonya is not only an extraordinary Pilates teacher, but also a brilliant physiologist. She can…read morealways identify why my body is misaligned or why my knee (ankle, shoulder, you name it) is painful. Every session she focuses on what you indicate as well as what she sees. I prefer instructors like Sonya who pay attention to the details so you learn the right practice as you grow your Pilates skills. Sonya is friendly, but firm enough to help you get past laziness or fear. Our sessions are positive, focused and really effective.

I started with Sonya in 2011 and she quickly helped me get my posture ready for my first knee…read more More than 8 years later I treasure the way she continues to keep all the parts working well. As a professional ballet dancer she gets how to figure out what to work on. her style is gentle but effective. I highly recommend Sonya

"Let's be real, most people dread working out. But with Aleks as my personal trainer for the last…read moreyear, I've actually started to look forward to it. It's like she has a superpower for making workouts challenging but not miserable. Her personalized remote sessions have helped me boost my strength and get toned, and she's even given me some nutrition suggestions. She's so accommodating and attentive that I'm pretty sure she's a miracle worker Honestly, I can't rave about her enough. She's the best! Love her

Training with Aleks has been such a great experience! Her new gym is spotless, private, and super…read moreconvenient...the kind of space that makes you actually want to show up. She somehow manages to push me just the right amount -- the "I kind of want to hate this but I actually love it" kind of challenge. She really knows her stuff and brings this perfect mix of expertise, encouragement, and humor that keeps me coming back (even when my muscles are still talking to me from the last session). Highly recommend checking out her gym if you're looking for a motivating, welcoming place to build strength and confidence!

I've been attending Bianca's classes for over a year now and her classes are always challenging and…read morefun. Bianca is knowledgeable and experienced. She keeps a positive attitude and a keen sense of humor. She's a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to work with especially during those rough Monday mornings. Bianca values your time and makes sure that you get the most out of your hour...even to the very last minute! The studio is well equipped with TRX, kettle bells, dumbbells, mats, Stroops battle ropes, etc. Her workouts are fast-paced but she focuses on technique to avoid injury and get the best results. I highly recommend Bianca. She's extremely personable and enthusiastic. Did I also mention that she's in amazing shape? Which validates her expertise and discipline.

My all time favorite fitness class! So good I force myself out of bed to go to Monday morning 7am…read moreclass. What helps is each class is different and you're never doing one move for too long so it stays interesting. She mixes of the exercises every week so sometimes it's a mix of Trx and weights, sometimes battle ropes, sometimes ladders, etc. I wish she could do more classes and times during the week in sf but glad I can take it once a week!