Hilliard Studio Method

I signed up for Class Pass in May of 2015 as a way to diversify my workout schedule without breaking the bank & could honestly not be more pleased with the affordability and quality of participating studios. Hilliard Studio Method is one of the studios I’ve wanted to try since signing up for Class Pass, but have managed to talk myself out of signing up because I’ve been super intimidated.
I was intimidated because, through word of mouth, and a few Unilocal reviews, I heard that the classes were super hard and the instructors/​other class participants were unfriendly and perhaps a little snobby. While the class was extremely challenging, I found the instructor and other participants to be friendly and welcoming.
The only issue I had was keeping up, the class was very full and at several points in the class I could not see what the instructor was doing. I’ll definitely return to Hilliard Studio Method again soon because I want to be as long and lean as the instructors… next time, I’ll place my mat closer to the instructor!
Don’t let the Myers Park address scare you away… I felt perfectly at home in my Target workout attire!

Hilliard Studio Method (HSM) is by far the best full body workout that I’ve ever tried. Additionally, the classes are incredibly dynamic in that they’re intense but they’re also always evolving and changing which keeps it from ever getting boring. Attending HSM regularly for 5 months has changed the tone of my body immensely and helped me recover from a running injury. I practiced ballet for 14 years and HSM is also one of the few barre classes that I’ve been to around charlotte that actually gets into properly aligned ballet positions — and the teachers will help you get into position if you’re having trouble; tons of focus on form and alignment (not just going through the motions). It’s amazing. I’m moving to the west coast in a few weeks and I genuinely think HSM will be what I miss most about charlotte. Definitely a must if you enjoy barre/​pilates (or a thorough but amazing workout in general).

I was bored with Pure Barre and this studio is getting a lot of buzz so I checked it out. I wanted to like it, I really did.
Ugh. I’ve trained at PB and other barre studios for years. If you’re a beginner or larger woman, it’s a very intimidating place. The classes are EXTREMELY difficult and large so you get very little instructor attention. I’m in good shape but these workout left me stiff and sore for DAYS. There is not enough stretching and the weights are far too heavy. The goal for me is to tone and lift; not to look like I’m ready for the women’s WWF.
On my way out, I noticed that the studio is offering consultation services for diet and sleep habits for $ 600. What makes Liz Hilliard qualified to advise me about nutrition and sleep habits? What are her credentials?
The new space, which ironically shares the same parking lot as Pure Barre, looks nice, and would have been very convenient for me. Most of the clients are young, very affluent and decked out, which is fine, but I prefer a studio that’s a lot more low-​key. I left the sorority house in college.
For the money and experience, there are better options in town. I’m willing to drive a little further for an intimate workout and a better atmosphere.

New instructor Meg is also amazing! This place keeps getting better and better!