Brooklyn Bodyburn

HOLY SHIT THIS WAS HARD.
Let me tell you I have done some pretty tough workouts (Barry’s bootcamp, tone house) this is the Alpha top dog. Think your fit? Humble yourself partner you’re in for a ride, Literally. The entire class is done on a large moving reformer.
I was dripping in sweat 5 minutes into the class which is big for me because it usually takes me a while to work up a sweat.
When was the last time you did a slow and controlled lunge with isometric holds? EXACTLY! My ass was on fire. This is challenging and target muscles you didn’t know where there.
If your in the reps and sets world step out the box and try your luck here. Hands down hardest class I have ever taken, I live an hour and a half away and I would travel to Brooklyn for this! Enough said.

By far the hardest workout out there– I do everything from Barry’s Bootcamp to hot yoga and this is one of my favorites. I’m always sore for a minimum of two days afterwards

This was my first time at Brooklyn Bodyburn, and this class is as hard as it is to actually get into the class (fellow ClassPassers, tell me your secrets!). The class lives up to its hype, and I can definitely believe that body transformations are possible if you stick to BBB.
The studio: Like other reviewers noted, it is hot. I don’t know if this is to add to your perceived or actual exertion, but the heat is noticeable. There are about 8 or so MegaReformers. There is a bathroom, a towel rack, lockless lockers, and a water fountain. The front desk was nice and professional with mints, assorted hair ties, and not too much chatter. I checked in quickly, and headed to the class.
The class: I took Sunday Fun Beats. The playlist was all reggae (a special request) and I loved it. My instructor, Kelly, switched myself and two other newbies around so that we would have seasoned BBB’ers on either side of us — good idea! About 5 minutes into class, I was already watching sweat rivets from both my armpits down to my wrist. About 10 minutes in, I was thinking, «Okay, people weren’t lying. This is actually hard. Why did I sign up for this again?» About 15 minutes in, Kelly came and corrected my form, and my face was actually contorted from feeling the burn in my outer thigh. 20 minutes in, Kelly took what I thought were lamps (actually body bars) and stood them next to our MegaReformer, and I was shaking while in a lunge position — whew! I sweat, I struggled, and I took more breaks than I ever have in another class. I do HIIT and strength training 3x a week, boxing 2x a week, and Pilates 4x, but this class still kicked my butt. The MegaReformer is excellent, and this class does NOT let you slack off on effort when using it. You will sweat, you will burn, you will shake. I love that BBB goes beyond those isometric movements in Barre, that it incorporates core and body alignment like Pilates, and the resistance involved is a great compliment to strength training.
I will definitely return!

Wow are these classes hard. HARD. I’m in shape, or so I thought — I was shaking and sweating and taking breaks pretty often. Naturally, I hated it so much I loved it! I was new to the Megaformer and found it and some of the moves confusing/​intimidating, but there is a learning curve. You probably won’t feel totally confident for a few classes-​I didn’t-but don’t worry, it’s not a judgey place. All the instructors are great, but my personal faves are Marcus and Jason. In another review, someone mentioned that the instructors didn’t explain certain moves or accomodate new people. I can see that happening in the evenings, maybe, when the classes are packed with regulars and go at, somehow, and even quicker pace, but my instructors have always helped my when I’m like, wha? and when I’m like, yes, I got this! but am actually doing the totally wrong thing. If you can, try to start with a class in the late morning or afternoon; the attendence is lower and you’ll get even more person attention. My one complaint, as another reviewer noted, was that it can get HOT.

My first megaformer class was in Williamsburg and I instantly fell in double love. I’ve been at SLT since because it’s logistically easier, but decided to check out cobble hill because it’s less expensive.
Well… I’m not in double love. Or even really single love.
SLT takes inventory of the room and sets the workout accordingly always offering easier or harder modifications. BBB just throws everyone in an undoable deep end with zero flexibility on their program, and barks at you for not keeping up.
I have a 6 pack, can run a 7 minute mile, bench close to 100lbs, and squat double that. I thrive on high intensity workouts, but 10 minutes in at cobble hill I’m just annoyed. I understand being conditioned for one type of workout doesn’t mean I’m going to be at the same level with another so I expect to struggle.
That said I don’t expect to pay $ 35 simply to feed some militant diva’s ego. Maybe BBB-​CH is trying to carve a super hard core niche in New York’s competitive fitness industry, but when only three people in a packed class are doing the moves and the rest of us are staring at you like «huh?», you might want to remember they paid you to actually instruct, and get the condescension in check.
Am I sure I will see an extra ab muscle in the morning? Yeah, probably.
But it’s also stressful and not that much fun.
Also be VERY careful about any phone or email correspondence with them. I emailed inquiring about classes and BOOM they charged my card (I had it on mindbody from when Barry’s used to use it) and replied with a receipt.

Holy hell. If you want to get your money worth for an insane workout– this is it. I am feeling muscles in my thighs and abs that I never knew existed.

Similar to what everyone has said it is a challenging class. Its hard but you get results. It tests your endurance. I LOVE this workout eventhough my body is shaking and aching during class and afterward. BUT you see results. I take 3 to 4 classes a week. All the instructors are great but I have my preferences. As for modifications you can always ask your instructor for them. I have lower back issues and I always ask for them.

The workout is definitely hard, but newbies in my experience have always been welcomed, as well as given much needed attention.
IMPORTANT — Go at your own healthy pace. No one is setting the expectation except for yourself.
The BURN has me returning and returning and returning. You will improve if you stay with it and eventually you learn the «language» of the positions.
I have enjoyed every instructor and definitely feel that they have your best interest in mind.
I am delighted they are on Class Pass, but they are also the one studio who I would consider paying additional class fees to attend more regularly — THAT is how good the work out is for your strength.
Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Give it what you’ve got, Girl! (And Gent!)

I walked into the studio curious and anxious. Marcus was extremely friendly and answered all of my questions. He even suggested I pop in to watch a class to get a kind of vibe of what to expect. I saw, I liked, I came in for class the next day.
I was extremely nervous to start. I’m out of shape, but I learn quickly and I do like to challenge my body in new ways. Amanda showed me and another newbie the machine and said to look at our neighbors if we get lost. The class was super challenging and the time flew. I did what every newbie is probably afraid of and nearly fell off the machine! I got right back up and kept going. No one cares about how silly you may feel like you look as a beginner because everyone is in their own zone.
The routine was insanely challenging for me. I had to stop at times and I wasn’t the only one. There are no breaks (not even for water!). Everyone of us was sweating profusely by the end of the class. The music was great (and at an appropriate level). I could hear and understand the instructor with no problem as well as follow the modifications as given. It was an AWESOME class!
I’m sore all over and know I got a great and challenging workout in. I WILL be back with all my out of shape overweight self. I can totally imagine how this will change my body and I’m looking forward to it!

Amazing class with Dara. Unfortunately I had to jet early for an appointment – but tbh I’m not sure how I would’ve made it through to the end of that killer class. Definitely coming back soon.

i can imagine that people would become devoted to this very difficult workout — but newbies should beware. After reading the reviews, I called before taking a class to ask if i would be out of my league at brooklyn body burn. i am quite fit (barre and pilates 5 – 6 days per week, spin classes, tons of walking) — but i’m not anywhere near my 20’s or 30’s and the reviews had me really concerned. i was told i’d be fine and there would be adjustments made for those of us who were new.
well — i wasn’t fine. there were two new students, me and a woman who was much younger (but who didn’t seem as fit as i am). at no time did the instructor offer accommodations for new people nor did she provide any additional guidance to help new people set up the machines or understand the movements. i’ve done pilates reformer for years, so i know those machines, but these are quite different. both the machines and the moves done on them require an education which was barely offered by the instructor.
i’m told i had the wrong instructor for a new person (i think it was actually the owner of the studio) and that while the classes are challenging, they can be worthwhile if you stick to it. however, after my first experience, i won’t be going back. if you decide to give this a shot, check out who your instructor is. if not, your first experience may be your last.

Ugh. What a humbling workout. I thought I was fairly fit from working out 5−6x a week, but BBB shattered that belief within the first few minutes.
I woke up today feeling sore all over, particularly in my glutes and lower abs. The megaformer is a beastly device that lets you add on resistance. Honestly, as many reviews have warned, the first class kind of sucks — in the sense that YOU/​I suck — and can’t perform most of the moves without stopping.
They staggered newbies with regulars so we could look around and emulate, but I was still quite confused. It’s a small class and the instructor helped adjust our form, but it was still laughably difficult at times. Even the simplest of moves on the megaformer (like lunging) is hard. It’s all about doing very slow, steady movements and isolating muscle groups. And it’s also a mental workout since you have to constantly switch footing and grip. I can see it being dangerous if you mess up your form, though!
Was it a killer workout? Yes. Did I love it? Eh… hard to say. I’m sure if I came back more often, I would get better and maybe even enjoy it. It’s certainly the most masochistic workout I’ve done thus far.

This is has to be the hardest workout I have ever done! You will struggle, you will fight and you will definitely sweat but most importantly, you will leave there feeling like a stronger you and wanting to go back for more.

I’m a personal trainer and a dancer. I’m active on a daily basis and this is the best burn I’ve ever received in a group class! The exercises on the MegaFormer are low impact, slow and done with breath and control. Every muscle group was working, shaking and totally fatigued. The sweat was dripping and the instructor was amazing. I took class with Amanda and she was great at giving a quick, clear, rundown of the machine and made sure all the newbies were keeping up. She was also very good at giving alignment corrections and making sure all the exercises were being performed properly. I highly recommended this workout.

This place lives up to its name. It’s indeed in Brooklyn and boy does my body burn. I consider myself to be an extremely fit person considering the fact I do Tone House and Barry’s Bootcamp regularly, but this was a different kind of animal. They focus on slow intense movement that leave your whole body shaking and sweating before the end of class. It may be hard to follow at first, but just tell them that your new and they’ll take special care of you. I highly recommend Amanda for your first because she is very easy to understand and will help you correct your form.

Let me preface: The Total Body workout is unforgiving. It’s really tough and I don’t recommend doing it when hungover or extremely tired. My abs are usually shot within the first five minutes from endless planks, pikes, and army crawls, and the leg series is so tough that I’m literally shaking in front of the mirror. But, all that said, it delivers results. My legs have never been stronger (stairs are nuthin’ no more) and I can now hold planks like nobody’s business. The instructors are also really friendly and will give you helpful modifications if you have an injury, although the modifications are sometimes harder than the regular moves.
My only gripe is the single restroom with no showers or additional changing rooms. Otherwise the space and amenities are nice… There’s a water refilling station (BYO bottle), Malin + Goetz hand soap & lotion, lockers with built-​in combination locks, hair elastics, tampons, mints, and towels.

One of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. My whole body kills in funny places for a week after. Something about being on that machine makes you feel like you HAVE to keep going and push, and I feel myself getting stronger in other activities because of that.
Only complaint: place is always already steaming when you get there (that’s fine. you’ll be drenched soon anyway.) but I wish the instructors would be mindful of their mic volume. It can be really hard to hear them over the music.

I have mixed feelings about BK Bodyburn. I have been six times (bought the intro class and then the discounted 5-​class pack) and I will not be returning. I am glad I gave it a fair shot but here are my thoughts:
PROS
— it works. I definitely lost weight and see muscle definition in my abs
— It’s convenient for me (across the street from my apartment)
CONS
— There are almost no options for modifying any of the exercises. I would rather do a modified version to get through the exercise rather than do one rep and take a break
— I feel that the instructors push you with adding too much resistance before you get your form right. This is dangerous because it could lead to injuries
— The vibe tends to be screaming, in your face. Some people like that, but it’s not for me. I appreciate a more supportive atmosphere.
— Classes are way to expensive. The intro deals are expensive, but I was willing to pay for them. Full price classes and the class packs are ridiculous.
Overall, it depends on what you are looking for. I like to do a workout that makes me feel good and allows a bit of a release. BK Bodyburn does not offer that. If you are ok with paying a lot of $$$ and like the screaming in-​your-​face vibe, then this is for you. In my last class, the instructor actually gave me a «talking to» after class because she was unhappy that I was doing a modified form of one of the exercises. I told her that I didn’t feel comfortable doing the regular form because I was worried about getting injured. I felt like I was in middle school gym class.
I do not recommend.

Brooklyn Bodyburn has made me strong… super strong and in a great way! I go to bootcamp, barre, pilates, yoga, etc; but nothing gets me sweating (and sometimes cursing) like Brooklyn Bodyburn.
The studio is clean, well maintained, and welcoming. The instructors are tough, attentive, and really really pay attention to make sure everyone is in proper alignment.
I have seen major changes in my body in just a few sessions.
I can’t recommend this place enough!

A solid 5 star review for the location on Court Street. I’m going to just say this is the most difficult 50 minutes you may ever have. I mean it. I’ve done it 5 times now, and every single time I think «there’s no way I’m going to get through this», but you DO. Well, not everyone. At almost every class, one person has stopped midway through. I totally understand why this happens, but I wish they would just find a way to get through it, because almost every time, we only have 5 minutes left anyway.
The instructors are great. It’s not «cultish» at all. Just straightforward, no-​nonense, and effective.