M Dance & Fitness

After being a regular at all the hip gyms and workout studios, I’m sorry, this place is really a second tier fitness joke. Instructor started the class late by taking 10 mins to put on her shoes and sure she remembered to end it on time. People in the class were not fit and never exercised. Too much talking in the dance class and just ended up throwing my arms around for a total of 15 mins. I could have done that by walking down 8^th avenue. Thank god I have class pass and did not throw away 30 dollars on this. Instructor tried but it was really sad to be in an uninspiring environment. If you exercise regularly or knows how to do the basic dance moves, this is not the place for you. If this is the first time you have decided to exercise since winter 2015, maybe. Even that, it is just sadder to be sounded by people just like you. There are just different tiers of fitness studios out there. This one is far from getting a good position in the market.

Update: Misty, the owner, came across my Unilocal review and was kind enough to reach out directly, email me, and offer me another class. I really appreciated that bc it shows she cares about her clients. While I didn’t take her up on her offer bc I still stand by my beliefs that this class wasn’t challenging enough, I DO think this could work for others looking for a more low impact class.
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I found M Dance through classpass and it was referred to me by a friend – so I was excited to try when there’s a personal reference!
I arrived at Cap21 (where the class I signed up for was being held for the day.) I signed up for the Hip Hop dance class because it sounded super fun. I asked the lady at the front desk where the M Dance class was and she sent me to one of the rooms. I got to the room and waited for class to begin.
The teacher started saying some things by the door. It wasn’t til halfway through that I realized she was calling roll. Nobody was saying «here» or anything so I didn’t know it was happening. Then at the end of naming everyone’s names she started the class.
She asked if anyone was new and I raised my hand. She mustn’t have seen so then she pressed play on her iPod and class began. And then it wasn’t until halfway through did I realize I was in the WRONG class. Apparently, M dance has a 4 in 1 class at the same time as the hip hop class and the 4 in 1 class was the class I was in. I was SUPER bummed bc at no point was the teacher clear about roll call or class. She wasn’t speaking up! Or if she was, I absolutely missed it –but the whole room was quiet so I have no idea how that would happen. And the front desk never asked me if it was one class or the other. So at that point, I figured I would stay and at least workout.
The whole class was very mediocre. It was definitely a zumba class for older folks or people who do not work out regularly. I didn’t break a sweat at all. This class is good for someone looking for a very low impact workout that’s not challenging. Maybe if you’re recovering from an injury?
Still really bummed about the lack of organization –maybe if front desk, roll call and intro of the class were all very clear, I would’ve been in a better class and in my right class!
Not to mention, class pass and M dance charged me for my «missed class.» So I’m still working on getting a refund for that even though I don’t think it was my fault.
I wanted to like this place, I really did!

These classes are fun and entertaining. The instructors do a great job of keeping the class energized and providing different routines from week to week. I came through class pass, but was looking at their rates and think it’s a little on the high side for not having a general gym, changing room, or shower at all their locations. Still would come back for the classes while on Class Pass.

Good looking studio on the inside but disappointed in the dance cardio /​hiit class I did Saturday at 11. Pretty much a bunch of hamstring curls and a few grapevines and squats. Not at all challenging, only sweated because the room was not. just mediocre music. The teacher was cute and nice and in shape but perhaps caters her class to less active people. Won’t return to the class but would be curious to try their others.

I have been coming to M Dance since May 2015 and have found the students and instructors to be such a welcoming bunch! The class availability and locations are very convenient — this Brooklynite is happy to head to Manhattan for M Dance class. I really like the Bollywood class — the instructor, Natasha, is very energetic (and patient with beginners like me). FUN! Another perk I enjoy about M Dance is that the owner makes sure students get to know each other through monthly mixer events. We just had a potluck dinner before Thanksgiving. The community atmosphere keeps me coming back for more fun!

I’ve never stuck to any form of workout more than a week! I get bored very easily or end up taking up really hard workout classes (cross fit!!), quitting and then feeling guilty about not going back. This place is AWESOME! I went simply because I saw my best friend lose a lot of weight doing zumba! Best decision ever!
I started with Diana’s hi5-​HIIT class! Strenuous (in a fun way), great music, great motivator! I’ve also done the hip hop and zumba classes which are really fun! Very welcoming environment and the instructors stress not to «compete» with anyone! Just have fun dancing :)
I’ve gone back close to 10 times already, lost a few pounds and look forward to rushing to class everyday :) I highly recommend this for anyone looking to try something fun (and sustainable in the long term in terms of working out) to kick start/​change their exercise routine!

I am entering the last year of a Clinical Psychology PhD program and I work with both forensic and other severe clinical populations. The work is exhausting and the last five years has been some kind of hell for both my mind and body. However, I love to dance and I do behavioral and mindfulness-​based therapy (dance is a great mindfulness exercise!). So, I was trying to find something to motivate myself to workout every day after long sleep-​deprived mentally exhausting days when I want to crawl home and watch mindless television. MDANCE was the answer! I invited my sister along to try it out with me. Both of us found MDance to be the most fun we had working out in a long time. I REALLY look forward to class. I have mostly taken/​am taking ballet & barre, hip hop cardio, Hi5 and HIIT. I have only been taking classes for approx. 4 months, but already feel I have grown both physically and mentally stronger.
I was always good at different types of Latin dancing, being Latina and growing up in a «dance-​party-​all-​the-​time-​family,» …so I tried to formally dance in classes for most my childhood. Over time, I found the classes to be judgmental and cliquey and quit in adolescence. That experience made me really scared to try a dance school for fitness, especially because a) I had not worked out much except some running in the last few years, and b) am known to be too «in-​my-​head,» a clutz, unbalanced etc. MDance immediately erased all my fears. The instructors are nonjudgmental, super knowledgeable (seriously helpful knowledge), gregarious, comical/​dorky (as a nerdy dork, I love all these things). They are also positively reinforcing and frequently engage in real-​time coaching (things behavioral therapists know are super important!). Also, the classes are a serious workout. They are so fun, you do not realize it. I have sweat just as much and felt just as sore from some of these classes as I did in hard-​core strength and conditioning classes in the past (sans the misery). The instructors really pull for high-​energy and encourage you to give your all. My favorite instructors thus far are Diana, Victoria, and Misty, but I honestly have not had a bad experience with any of them. Megan is also super fun and high-​energy. Even the website and scheduling are a breeze, and Misty is quick to respond and always helpful. I am grateful to MDance for making working out fun again, and giving me a new mindfulness exercise… it’s the best for keeping your mind present and leaving the rest of the day behind!

i love love love m dance. if you ever wonder oh my god, i am afraid to go to new class.
don’t be — the instructors, the people who comes here are honestly so friendly!
the classes are mostly at pearl studio or dany studio in midtown.
i have tried most of their classes and teachers
dance cardio combo– it’s a 20 mins of zumba, 20 mins of hip hop and 20 mins of kickboxing.
i honestly think that’s you kinda get the feel of everything. so this is a must try.
abs
bollyclicks cardio– this is a new class ! and its fun! we use 2 drum sticks as prop with bollywood songs so it’s really fun and get a good workouts on arms
absolute throwback — it’s like zumba focus on abs but the songs are like 90’s which is cool.
hi5 dance cardio — it’s a hiit combine with dance we doing hiit for 5 minutes then we dance for 1 – 2 songs — its the most hardest class they offered in my opinions.
all the instructors are very sweet. my favorite is victoria hand downs

Been to several classes. Easy to register, and all of the instructors are nice and welcoming. My favorite classes are the kickboxing ones with Natasha or the Hiphop burlesque ones with Alet because they play good songs with easy-​to-​follow beats (important for people who aren’t very rhythmic like me!) I like that they have Saturday afternoon class and Sunday classes because it’s my only time off from work to make it to class, I just wish they had more Sunday classes because the Sunday morning one usually is waitlist only these days. Anyway, if you want to sweat and have fun at the same time, I recommend m dance and fitness!

SO MUCH FUN! I highly recommend these classes. The instructors are great and there are so many class choices. You’ll definitely find the right class (es) for you!

I love M Dance! The coaches are happy, inspiring, energetic, and never ever demeaning. My personal favorite teachers are Sabatino, Victoria, and Megan, though I’m sure they’re all great.
The classes are great for all levels – beginners too. The coaches do a great job of breaking down the moves, and I love how a lot of the classes blend kickboxing and zumba and various dance moves together. It makes the classes unique and fun.
My only complaint would be that I wish they offered classes in Brooklyn. But either way, the classes are so great that I’ll continue to commute out to the city to take them!

I’m going to be brutally honest and admit that I am generally a lazy person. I don’t like ‘working out’, never owned a gym membership, etc. The only exercise I ever really did and enjoyed before was walking, biking and doing basic pilates/​yoga at home i.e. not very difficult stuff. I’m getting a little soft in my older age though, and know that I need more cardio/​aerobic exercise to stay fit, stress-​free and healthy, and to keep my cholesterol down.
I finally decided it was time to try something new that I might actually enjoy and get excited for — and thanks to a random Groupon Purchase, I think I have finally found it!
M Dance & Fitness is a great company offering up many types of classes at a rotating roster of studios, mostly around the Midtown/Hell’s Kitchen area. They’ve got Zumba, Cardio, Kickboxing, Ballet & Barre, etc. etc. and seem to be adding new classes/​options every week.
I’ve so far tried 3 different classes: Be Ballet Buff, Cardio/​Dance Combo, and the Better Buns Kickboxing, and I’ve enjoyed them all! I’m am definitely going to continue taking these classes, as the workout I got was top notch and actually quite FUN which is kind of an insane thought for me. I actually got up on a Sunday morning and did a Kickboxing class and LOVED IT. I never thought I would type/​think those words.
The instructors are encouraging and fired up, and the other students are always friendly and definitely keep the vibe judgement free (which I’m thankful for, being such a formal-​exercise newbie).
If you’re considering trying a class, I really urge you to. As someone who wasn’t sure about the experience, I can confirm I’ve enjoyed the experience and look forward to these classes for fun, exercise and to de-​stress. All 3 classes gave me enough of a workout that I felt invigorated afterwards, muscles aching and asking for more.

Such a great company! I have loved every instructor so far, they all have such great energy and positivity! They make you feel so welcome and comfortable, while giving you a great workout, while having fun! Victoria is my favorite– she is a hoot! I have such a great time in her classes I forget that I’m working out and I’m laughing and smiling the whole time. The cardio dance fusion class I took tonight was a great class. Be prepared to sweat! The first 20 mins are Latin dancing, the next 20 are kickboxing and the last 20 are hip hop.
They run a great company and make it very clear which classes are held at which studios in the city (they rent out spaces at multiple studios). I recommend using the mindbody connect app.

I adore M Dance Fitness and make it my primary fitness pursuit in the colder months. Mista, Natasha… everyone is friendly and upbeat.
Like most exercise companies this one bounces between a handful of regular studios, so there are locations around the city. The value is very good if you buy the one month unlimited.
Do Zumba-​toning once you’ve completed the zumba toning training. It made my arms look leaner and more toned than they did when I was 17. Which is awesome.

I feel bad writing a lukewarm review because the teachers are super nice and friendly and the owner is great (I really love that she sends out a warning on cancellation-​VERY considerate and unusual)… and I will be forthright and say I am biased as I live in East Village and these classes are a serious trek for me… I also found Red Bean to be rather creepy and depressing… But even with the classes… I just don’t get it. What am I missing here?
I went to both a core and a kickboxing class and was very underwhelmed. The instructors were bubbly and happy, but I didn’t get much of a work out. I was a bit confused. Especially with kickboxing which usually kicks my butt I felt like it was only moderate cardio. I exercise a lot but am no crazy in shape person and I felt it was really just not enough of a workout for me. I was bored:(
The core class says mat RECOMMENDED which made me think when I forgot mine I didn’t need to go back home… I then found myself doing crunches on the floor-​trying to use my jacket as padding… not ok for the back. I think it needs to say mat REQUIRED or maybe even have them offer to rent?
I’ll try one more class-​and I’ll be the first to re-​review but this just simply was not a workout for me. Sorry!

I LOVE M Dance & Fitness! I bought a GroupOn for this place, and I’ve been very satisfied with the quality of the classes/​instructors. So far I tried the Pilates and Kickboxing class. I like the moderate intensity of the workout. The class schedule is flexible — they have a lot of different classes/​locations so depending on where you are in the city you can find a location/​time that suits you best. Most of the classes are in the evenings.
I can’t wait to try more classes!

Still going to MD&F 3 yrs later!
The new teachers are excellent and Misty has added a variety of new classes & more time options.
One of the more affordable workouts in this city & the enthusiasm and positivity of the instructors can’t be beat!

I love taking classes here. Fun work out, the classes are a great size

I took the ABSolute Hip Hop class with Diana. She was super friendly, energetic, encouraging & didn’t judge at all. She made the class fun. You’re not really learning a lot of dance move here. She just goes through songs & you basically follow along. Each song will have different movements. I was sweaty afterwards, but felt great because I had a good workout. This makes working out more fun!

When my favorite Zumba instructor, Daniela, also stopped teaching Zumba classes on weekends, I was devastated. I was forced to look for an easier way to stay fit.
Courtesy of Unilocal,I found M Dance & Fitness. 30 days unlimited for $ 125. Purchase and registration of classes can be made online. I really like the number and variety of locations for their Zumba classes. There is at least 1 Zumba class per day.
After making the rounds of several instructors, I found one that I personally like — Sabatino. The dancing is great… but his enthusiasm is very infectious. YES!
Enjoy!