Pure Pilates is a wonderful studio. The trainers are professional and motivating. I have been…read moretraining with Melissa for about a year and a half, and it's hard to explain just how much of a difference it has made in my life. If you've never tried pilates, this is a great place to start, and if you're a pilates veteran, you'll still be able to be challenged at this studio. The prices are also really reasonable.

From the owner: Pilates on the reformer dramatically transforms the way your body looks and feels without building…read moreexcess bulk. Experience increased muscle tone and flexibility, improve your body awareness and posture, correct muscle imbalances, and get flatter abs and a longer, leaner muscle structure. Pure Pilates offer both private and group reformer workouts in a private and comfortable setting. The studio has 5 state-of-the-art Allegro Reformers, Reformer Towers, Exo Chairs and other Pilates and Reformer accessories. These reformers are very user-friendly and accommodate ALL fitness levels, even students that are brand new to pilates! As a new client, we invite you to join us for a one-on-one session to meet our trainers, learn proper technique and form, and experience pilates on the reformer. The personal attention that you receive from these workouts will help us determine the best fitness plan for your pilates training. Try Pilates today and feel longer, leaner & stronger!

I'm so lucky to have found Rachel. Her understanding of how the body works is astounding. She…read morecombines her knowledge with a friendly, warm approach to teaching. Every class is thoughtfully prepared. Every private lesson I make new discoveries and improve my movement. As a ballet dancer and teacher, I've noticed that I have greater range of motion, and greater EASE of motion for at least 24 hours after Rachel's classes. This is true even when I take class with Rachel via Zoom! I also find that private lessons give me a greater understanding of what my body needs, and when I apply these learning to group classes I'm able to get MORE out of the group classes. This is true whether I'm taking Rachel's group class, or someone else's class--pilates, yoga, or ballet!

Great post-partum exercise sessions (with my 2-month-old baby)!…read more After two kids, I'm out-of-shape, overweight, and have abs of jello -- so I arranged 6 private sessions with Rachel, where I bring my baby. The first session, per my request, she helped build me a core-strengthening routine that I can do on my own when I have a few minutes (without any special equipment). I just finished my 2nd lesson -- using the "reformer" pilates machine -- to do more specific exercises, and it felt great. I really like Rachel's hands-on approach. She physically lays-on hands to guide me through an exercise; to show how I'm using more/different muscles than I should be; and to physically hold one part of my body still so I can work specifically on another part. This is terrific for me since I don't have great body awareness -- and in large yoga classes I never know if I'm doing things correctly. I've heard Rachel's also good with more advanced folks & dancers, but I can only speak to her abilities with novices like me. How did it work with the baby? Today, my 2mo old needed to nurse right on arrival. While I fed him, Rachel used her Alexander Technique training to work with my posture, and by placing her hands on my head, neck, shoulders and back (while I was nursing), she was able to improve my posture to a more lengthened, upright, and comfortable position -- without any conscious effort on my part. Next, while I changed his diaper, Rachel pointed out how the disorganized and flexible movements of an infant differ from adult's organized but more limited motion -- so I didn't even feel that this was wasted time. Then, my babe watched us for a while, but when he wanted attention, Rachel held and bounced him while I continued with my exercises. When she needed to demonstrate something, we would pass the babe back and forth -- worked great. How does this compare to a "mama and baby yoga" class? I like those too, but didn't feel like I was getting the needed attention to properly strengthen my core muscles & pelvic floor. I think of these private lessons as an investment.

Classes were leveled, well explained and made me feel great. Knee arthritis pain improved.read more

Fantastic instructors, good variety in the classes! I have been to barre in the past, but I was new…read moreto Barre3, they were super welcoming to newbies, you have the option of hands-on help and the instructor makes a conscious effort to be in a central place to demonstrate all exercises/flows. Will be continuing to take classes!

As a woman of a certain age returning to Pilates after a number of years, I am striving to keep up…read morewith level 1!!! That said, I am happy to be back and feel like my body is much happier. This is my first group experience. I'm pleasantly surprised. There is a lot of good equipment at each compact student station. The instructors seem knowledgeable and will correct or assist when needed. Also it appears to be very neat and clean, albeit under low lights. Go try it

Club Pilates is located on Beacon Street, near Coolidge Corner in Brookline. I was excited to try…read moreout this through my class pass trial, but unfortunately will not be returning. I came about 20 minutes early to check out the place and settle in. I signed a waiver at the front desk and put my belongings into a cubby and watched the ending of the previous class. There are 12 reformers in the studio with mats and lots of equipment to use. There is soft music playing in the background, but it's mostly just the instructors voice giving out directions of breathing and moving from section to section. I would have be extremely lost if I didn't have prior pilates knowledge. This class is at a very slow pace, I didn't feel like I got any workout of it. I should've kept my sweater on cause I was pretty cold throughout class. We started with some footwork, used the ball, black box, and the mat for planks. There is a water fountain and a bathroom in the back of the studio. Overall, compared to other boutique fitness studios, I was not impressed with the service and quality of the class.

I have been coming to this gym for 15+ years…read more It's clean, no waiting on machines, staff is very friendly and helpful and the overall atmosphere is pleasant and nice! I enjoy going there The personal trainers are fantastic. I was meeting weekly with Andy before he left. Very knowledgeable and patient. I am looking forward now to working with Tom,

Not allowed to stop in for a workout unless accompanied by a member. I would have paid for a one…read moreday pass, but no. Oh well!

Not sure why there are 2 listings for Smartbody Movement, but I'll post here too…read more.. I wish I could give Smartbody 6 stars!!! I've only worked with Iwalani, but she is a truly wonderful teacher. I love gyrotonics, and to my knowledge this is the only studio in the Brookline area. It's suitable for all ages and the classes are small (no more than 5 or 6 people, usually) so everyone gets personalized instruction. Iwalani is really good at modifying the exercises for each student as necessary. Try it, you'll love it!

I've been taking Gyrotonic lessons with Iwalani and Pilates with Anne for a few months now. As a…read morevocalist, I've noticed an EXTREME increase in my lung capacity. I've also had major improvements with shoulder and back pain. Gyrotonic is great! It's like swimming out of water... Really nice teachers too!

Amazing fun workout with supportive instructors and lots of variety. I'm hooked! I think I'm…read morestronger now than I was in my 20's. Certainly more well rounded.

Finally made it to the 100 Club! And they rewarded me with special sticky socks! Woohoo!…read more I love PB Harvard Square. This studio, in particular, is open and bright. I have taken classes with Amanda, Michelle, Hilary, Angela, Liliana, Steph, Julien, Nada, Olivia, and Khrystyna. They are all very good instructors! Some instructors give more hands-on corrections than others, which is totally fine because some days I just won't want to work as hard. The classes are costly. If you are a Harvard affiliate, the MAC/HEM also offers barre (under group fitness) classes for a much more affordable membership price. The link can be found here, https://recreation.gocrimson.com/fitness/schedules The Harvard Barre classes are less intense and slower-paced when compared with Pure Barre. I went there for a year but ultimately started looking for specialty barre studios. I went to a class at Harvard Barre & Soul, the pace was good, but the studio was too stuffy/small to me. I also took an Intro class at The Bar Method. I didn't like how the music was more in the background, and the instructor calls out your name over the mic to give corrections. I also went to a Barre3 class but felt more like a yoga + cardio class than a barre exercise. I have to say after 100 classes, there are some movements and forms that I am still trying to get used to. There are a couple of positions that I absolutely do not like (e.g., flat back chair pose) and try to cheat my way through. If you want to get a good idea of what to expect at Pure Barre, check out its Foundation class on YouTube. If you are new, just know that you will be sore everywhere on your body for 2 -3 days after your first barre class, the key is to go back and get used to the routine and exercise. Even though I have taken the Harvard Barre classes, it still took me about 3 or 4 sessions to fully get familiar with what to expect at the class here. I normally wear sticky stocks because it is highly recommended. I have also seen other people wearing normal socks and they seem to be okay. There is no shower here (though I don't typically sweat too much after Barre classic, Barre Empower is a different story!), and only one changing room with one unisex bathroom. I also like the Harvard Square studio better because it is comparably less crowded than its Boston location. There are classes here with 20+ people say for a weekend morning, but other lunchtime classes are usually around 5-10 people. I'd highly recommend this location if this is convenient to you!

Breath in Cambridge is a warm, welcoming yoga studio with incredibly supportive, knowledgeable…read moreinstructors. Tyvinh stands out for a calm, positive presence, clear guidance, and thoughtful adjustments that help every student feel seen, safe, and encouraged throughout class. Love him !

My favorite studio! Everyone is so nice and I always have a blast. Love how energetic and fun the…read moreinstructors are!!!

I did hundreds of Pure Barre classes a decade ago in Los Angeles, prior to my wedding. Three kids…read morelater, I was staying in Boston for a month and went regularly to the brand new beautiful studio on Harvard St. Amelia and the rest of the team are incredible instructors. She knows just the right corrections. I found Pure Barre to be more effective for me than Pilates reformer for rebuilding my core and achieving lean muscles. In addition, there is a really lovely community at the classes. Many are affliated with the Longwood medical center. I will definitely be back every time I am in town.

I've taken a couple classes here it's always a great workout! Aimee is my fav, 10/10 instructor…read morealways helpful and inspiring

This is a great gym located on the Boston University campus (off the B-line). It pretty much has…read moreany type of equipment that a top-notch gym would have and is laid out to help accommodate spacing when it is super busy. Lots of cardio machines, strength machines, free weights, bands, and all that jazz. They have courts for squash and basketball, an indoor track, an indoor pool, and have fitness classes. Like any gym it gets busy at peak times, especially since it is a campus gym so lots of students. There are different membership options depending on if you're a student, faculty, or alumni. There are also guest passes and options for a day pass or seasonal pass (like winter break or summer). The membership is a bit pricey, but it is a quality gym and not that extreme compared to boutique gym prices (yikes!).

I enrolled my child (12+) in the Swim Club Senior Group at Boston University's Fitness and…read moreRecreation Center on 08/20/2024. The program was scheduled to run from 09/09/2024 to 12/12/2024, four times a week for two hours each session. However, the experience has been incredibly frustrating. Nowhere on their website or in the receipt was it mentioned that parents are required to stay during the whole program (two hour each day, four days/week). We only found out after the program had already started through an email, and my son was even denied entry to his class until I managed to arrive by taxi! It turns out this requirement is buried in a 33-page handbook that wasn't given to us during checkout or mentioned clearly beforehand. To make matters worse, I teach in the evenings and simply can't meet this last-minute obligation. I reached out to the business to ask for either a solution or a refund for the remainder of the program, but I've received zero response. While my child enjoys the actual swimming program, I am extremely disappointed with how this business is handling things. A little transparency and better communication would go a long way.