Pilates Reforming New York

This past summer, as my 79^th birthday arrived, I had the good fortune to run into a friend who extolled the benefits of Pilates classes and encouraged me to give it a try. Best of all there was a Pilates studio at 214^th St. and Broadway, close to my Riverdale apartment.
I signed up for my free introductory class with Pilates Reforming NY on July 14, 2015. Anne, the instructor, explained how the apparatus, known as a Reformer, worked as she set out to give us instruction on the various exercises. I loved the feel of working on the Reformer. Learning to master these challenging exercises brought me back to my youthful training in fencing. I was hooked.
In just a few months I’ve taken over 40 Reformer classes with Ann, David, Richie and several other instructors at all three locations. The classes are a delightful challenge. Each teacher is a little different of course. All of them are very precise in making sure that you are doing the exercises correctly, very hands on and attentive to your needs, in particular when you are a beginner.
I have been averaging three classes per week since the beginning in July. I felt the results almost immediately. I feel younger, much more energized and walk with greater spring in my step. I feel my abs for the first time in years. Within a few weeks of starting, my wife pointed out how much more wakeful I appeared.
At my age, I have been retired for many years but the precision required with these Pilates exercises reminded me so much of my time in college, learning to fence and eventually, in my 20s, representing the United States in the 1958 fencing World Championships, the 1960 Olympics and the 1963 Pan American Games.
I love taking these classes and on those rare occasions when I have had to miss a week because of family matters or travel I can’t wait to get back
I have referred one young woman acquaintance to Pilates and she tells me she is now taking several classes each week. My wife and I plan to buy a reformer to use in our winter house in FL. Pilates has changed my life.
Jim Margolis

Canceled on me at the last minute after I signed up ahead of time (the class was confirmed) and I traveled a distance and spent money to come. The instructor argued with me bc not enough people showed up. If you’re signing up through class pass don’t travel a distance to come– if the attendance is low they will send you away without blinking an eye– like they did to me. Even though that’s not in compliance with class pass.

I started pilates here over a year ago and love it. I came here on the recommendation of my doctor after a bad accident that resulted in a cervical fusion of five levels. I never thought I would be able to do pilates, let alone enjoy it. At the same time, I am getting stronger every day. The instructors are all very knowledgeable and I feel confident that I will not get injured. There are usually about ten people in a class, and I always feel that the instructors are watching everyone and making corrections when necessary. The best part about Pilates Reforming is that there are so many classes offered that it is always easy to schedule a class. I would highly recommend Pilates Reforming New York to anyone.

I love Pilates Reforming New York so much. I always thought one had to be loaded to take reformer classes and figured they were totally out of my reach. I read the great reviews about PRNY on Unilocal and signed up for their *free* introductory class. This not only helped me get over the intimidation (springs? pulleys? what?) of the machine, but was a solid class.
I am grateful they are connected to ClassPass. They also frequently have package discounts. I absolutely love the instructors I’ve had so far: Carrie S, Anne P. and Richie are AMAZING. Each one has a different style, and each workout is completely different.
I *wish* the studio had either a little more room or two less reformers. It is a cozy space, and I never know the proper etiquette maneuvering my body in a small space. The coat area and waiting bench feels like 2 – 3 feet away from the reformer machines and it can be a little nerve-​wracking not bumping into people who are finishing their class and trying to get to a machine.
That said, the space is so peaceful (lavender walls, minimal decorations) and the instruction is so phenomenal, once the class begins I melt «into the zone». I’m a big fan of PRNY and hope I can take a private with the owner, Ann T. one day.

In just one week you will be standing taller, feeling stronger and looking better — including your skin! Ann Toran standards are high and passes those standards onto you, missing no opportunity to help fine tune your position — despite the class size. Stay with her and you will get what you paid for and more. All instructors I have tried are well trained professionals. Book a private lesson once in awhile in addition to group classes. Well worth it. Carrie S. and Ann Pae are fantastic. An hour will fly by. The Upper East side location is small and intimate– allowing you to come in and get right on the reformer without a lot of bells and whistles and chatty distraction. Ok, it’s not going to win any design awards, but the equipment is top notch, very clean and you will have everything you need. I receive nothing in writing this review other than, along with their help, I was able to lose 65 pounds and get back to great health and maintain it.

I was referred by a good friend and they suggested that I take a private with Ann Toran who is the director. I booked an appointment two weeks prior and was reminded via email twice of time and instructor. 45 minutes before the time
I was scheduled for I had a phone call from the receptionist that there was a problem with the appointment and would I be able to move it up an hour, I said ok and 15 minutes later I had a call from Ann Toran who spoke to me with what sounded like a scowl and angrily told me I was never on her schedule. She was rude and condescending and told me she was too
busy to get into it and that I should reschedule. I asked to be credited, this was on a Thursday and today Monday 4 days later I have not received a credit on my card. I was told Ann had to put this thru. I was extremely disappointed and would never refer anyone to this disorganized and rude place.

I am a newbie to pilates on the reformer and decided to try through marathon training this season. I like that they have all student take the beginner class. It was educational yet combined a class within the hour. It was great to learn the basics. I was a but intimated at first as using a reformer to work out vs running hours upon hours is such a different workout.
Yes it is true it might be a bit cramped and no frills studio. Having said that it doesn’t take a way from the awesome instructors. Every class I had the instructors were different and tried various things based on the level of the classes.
I have to say after 6 classes I’m hooked and hope to continue through a marathon training.

I have a few thoughts about this place that I would like to share.
I took a class with the owner, Anne Toran. This was, besides my introductory class, the first time I had ever been to a pilates studio. I had an injury on my left side, which I was told pilates could help.
As a beginner, taking a basic class, I was under the impression that there would be an entry level that I could come into. Boy, was I mistaken. I found Anne to be a task master… she seemed impatient with me. There was no «learning time»…we were right into it from the minute the bell rang
She seemed to have a permanent scowl on her face, and every time she looked at me, there was no «welcome to this class, my studio… I’m here to help you» gaze… rather, she would bark some comments at me.
Hey! This is my first class. I took it because I read somewhere that you had an injury and were able to heal thru pilates… I’m in that boat now! Show a little humanity!
Is it possible to teach with kindness? help another to feel good about learning something new.
empowering a person to «get it»
Needless to say, I was discouraged… annoyed and talking to myself when i left the class.
I decided that since I had two more classes already purchased, that I would seek out another teacher.
Yesterday I met Anne Pae.
I walked in with a bit of trepidation, but was relieved and delighted to find a LOVELY, CARING
HUMAN BEING!
Anne Pae is an RN… she is knowledgeable, funny, and knows how to work you out to the level you need to get results. I was delighted!
My workout was tough, but it was what I needed to do. She observed me, gave me corrections in my posture, speed, etc… so that I could learn how to get better.
I left the class feeling stronger, healthier and happier than words can express.
What a difference a day makes!
Everyone seeks out those who feel right to them… this is my experience.
The moral of this story is… Anne Pae is the way to go.

If that would be possible I would give this studio 0 (ZERO) stars for their awful customer service.
I went to this studio in the end of 2014 using my Yoga passbook. This was one of the last vouchers I had. I haven’t had any problems with any other studios.
So it was my mistake that I didn’t see that I was only eligible for Intro class however I gave the voucher to the teacher. I have never tried Pilates reformer before so I had no idea what is the difference between those two classes. Not only did the teacher allow me into the class based on my voucher she also knew that it was my first class and she was helping me throughout this.
Later that day I got a phone call from the studio saying that I owe them half of the price of the class and that I can read it on my voucher. Isn’t that something that your teacher should inform you BEFORE the class?!
I was caught off guard by the phone call so I gave them my cc number. Then Yoga Passbook confirmed that the teacher should have clarified that before the class. Anyway I called back and asked the manager to call me back or I will dispute the charge. This was in December and I didn’t receive a phone call until today that only happened because they have received the letter from AMEX about dispute charges.
The manager was unprofessional and very aggressive. She called during business hours and was not cognoscente about my time and ability to talk.
I felt personally attacked and she kept saying that this is my responsibility to read a fine print which I acknowledge however this is the responsibility of the management to teach their staff about all promotions and restrictions.
Additionally there was no reason to speak to me in such a manner. Although this was a misunderstanding they could have not being cheap and call and scream at me for $ 16 outstanding balance.
If they have been more courteous I would have probably gone back to take additional classes.
If you want to be respected this is not the studio you should probably not go to this studio.

I’m definitely hooked on this place. The teachers are really great and attentive and great at working with injuries. It’s an incredible workout and after 5 classes my body feels great (and they moved me up to the mixed level classes quickly). The 4 different locations and online booking make it all very convenient. The intro class I took was pretty lacking but The packages convinced me to try again. My biggest issue is that I had a really bad interaction with one of the admin staff. Vivian has been great another staff person (Gladys?) literally scolded me for needing to cancel. I hadn’t remembered schedule but owned up to the fact that I probably had but forgot and she scolded me. told me it was impossible to reschedule (she later added it cost $ 10 which is fine!) She was really defensive, read me my time stamp and made it seem like I was trying to get out of something when I was totally fine with paying the change fee. Having been a yoga teacher for a small studio I totally get policies, but admin should be able to explain them without yelling at students who are paying good money and trying to be cooperative.

Just finished my free introductory class and I’m very pleased. I’m a ballet dancer (or at least I take a lot of ballet classes) and have been to a ton of different specialty Pilates/​Ballet Barre-​style classes throughout the city.
First of all, the studio is small but VERY CLEAN (I get grossed out by gyms/​sweaty exercise equipment) and Ann (the instructor) detailed the studio’s process for ensuring that all of the machines are properly disinfected. I especially liked the part about how they bring the straps and machine washable parts to launder. I know lots of places «spray down» the machines, but there are always things like straps that most places don’t bother to mention how/​when they clean them. Kind of thinking that they probably don’t. Gross!
Getting back to the class itself, this is the first place that actually took the time to show me how to appropriately use the machines and completely customized exercises to the people who were in the class. Ann was VERY warm, friendly and knowledgeable, and did a great job of guiding us through different the range of benefits that Pilates has to offer.
For the first time, I didn’t feel like I had to be good the first day (you know how that is, when you go to a place and everybody is awesome except you?), and I feel motivated to go again. I can really feel how this will help me with my core and balance in my ballet classes as well as general strengthening and flexibility.
Looking forward to finding times in my schedule when I can fit in a couple of classes per week!
:)

until they remove me from their email list i will continue to share the below experience. they have been warned several times.
i hadn’t planned on writing a review for this place to tell my story but tonight was the last straw. I asked to be removed from their email list SEVERAL times since they stole a class from me. It was almost a year ago when I cancelled a class to attend a fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy relief. I had thought the class was canceled but due to a glitch in their system it had not been. I noticed this when I saw i had one less class when trying to book a class. I emailed several times and the emails bounced back. I also could not get anyone on the phone. When I went to the studio i spoke to the receptionist and she said she would let me know if she could do anything and i should forward the email which bounced back. i did and her answer was this did not prove i tried to cancel the class… in other words she was calling me a liar. She even admitted they had hurricane sandy phone issues. I was done at this point and i asked to be taken off their email list. Ann. the owner supposedly said she would see what she could do and that there was a way she could see if i had signed into the system. I never heard back. I have since continued Pilates at a different studio so because of the poor customer service they lost out on a lot of money because they refused to give me my class. At this point I just want OFF OF THEIR ANNOYING EMAIL LIST. The shame of it is I really liked Richie and the location and scheduling was perfect. I certainly would have continued there but I cannot give my money to thieves.
PS.prior to this I had issues with their front desk giving me incorrect info about packages… Luckily I had in writing what I was promised or a package woukld have expired on me even though I was told it didnt start til i took the first class of the package. I had to travel that month on business which is why i could not start classes until a month after purchasing.

Finally, a Pilates studio that doesn’t make me feel out of place for being chubby and kind of broke! Yes, there are a lot of rules/​expirations but I’d have to imagine that’s how they keep the prices down a bit.
Very basic space but has everything you need. You do have to take a free intro class but they have lots of them. The intro was kind of bland, but it was really just an intro to Pilates and their policy. I’ll never complain about a free workout though. So far I’ve only taken paid classes with Richie but I’m obsessed. He makes the classes fun, plays great music, and most of all, he makes me want to try my hardest.
It also doesn’t hurt that they are 1 block from my apartment.

My pilates experiences in SF and now in NY usually involved some sort of Groupon-​like deal where I would utilize the highly discounted classes, then bounce to the next daily deal offering studio once my classes were redeemed. But I was sold enough on Pilates Reforming NY that I was willing to buy an actual package after I had completed all the classes that came with my Google deal.
The 76^th street location is the only of the 4 locations I’ve been to because it is the closest to where I live, so being in an «apartment» it definitely gets cozy, but they have 10 reformers (4 elevated — which I prefer due to a knee injury and I always manage to get) and all have always been clean and in good working order when I’ve gone.
I love that I’ve taken classes with anywhere from 2 – 6 people (lucky me, I’ve never had a full class, perhaps due to the more obscure times that I go) and I really do feel like I get a good level of personalized attention each time.
There are many different instructors, so it may take a few trips to find one (s) whose style you like. My favorites are Lenny and Richie, so I tend to go to their classes the most, and yes, there were one or two instructors who I didn’t jive with as well, so I never went back to their classes… simple as that.
I also am impressed that the instructors remember me even if it’s been a couple weeks since the last time I saw them, and will sometimes adjust how many springs they tell each of us in the class to use since they remember our various strengths/​weaknesses.
I also have never felt judged here, by the instructors or my classmates. My core is definitely on the weak side (hence the need for pilates) and I often shake more than most during some of the exercises, yet all I hear from the instructors is positive encouragement that I’m doing a great job.
I’m sad that I’m leaving NY at the end of May, because this means I have to go back to Groupon-​hopping for good pilates. but I’m glad I discovered PRNY while I was here, even if only for a few months.

I first started with Pilates Reforming NY through a Living Social deal, and it’s becoming a habit. The classes are larger than at many of the other studios I’ve been to, so yes, you get what you pay for (and I don’t really want to be paying more than $ 30 for an hours’ class, especially if I want to make it more than once a week). Most of the instructors (Kate, Richie, Karina are my favorites) are dynamic and fun, and I have found all of them to be very professional, focusing on technique and making corrections as necessary. The classes are easy to book, and the receptionists respond to your e-​mails quickly and helpfully. It’s also nice to have a studio with multiple locations (which also means more class choice) — one close to work (for weekday evenings) and another close to home (for weekends). There are also seasonal and other discounts, which are nice to have. Pilates Reforming NY is a good solid introduction to reformer pilates. Start with this one and go onto the fancier, more expensive ones after, if you still feel like it.

super tiny, but I had a great experience. The instructor really catered to the pilates experience in the class and made sure to adjust everyone based upon their needs and pilates level.
I just finished a living social 4 pack of classes here, so I’m done for now. but if I ever go back, I’d try to Sunday level 1 class (11am) at this location!

I signed up for a three class deal through Living Social — one Introductory class and two level one classes — for $ 29. The introductory class is always free, but I thought that two classes for $ 30 was a good deal, so I purchased the coupon. The fine print of the deal states that you have to use all three classes within 15 days of using the first class, which I didn’t anticipate being a problem. I went to the Intro Class with Stephanie Milewski, who was great — very concerned with ensuring proper position/​alignment while leading a good workout. However, when I tried to sign up for my second and third classes — the value of the coupon, since the introductory class is always free — they invoked a rule not listed on the coupon to tell me that I could only sign up for classes if at least one other person had signed up for the class, or I would have to pay extra for a «private lesson». Understandable, maybe — but the problem is that NONE of the level one classes at the location near me had any takers before the end of the 15 day time period the coupon was good for — meaning that I would either have to gamble on some random person signing up for a class that I schedule myself for, pay extra, or forfeit my remaining classes. When I called their front desk and explained my dilemma, I was basically told «too bad», and that I could take a walk-​in class — which absolutely did not address the issue. I had to call up Living Social for the situation to be rectified. The very helpful people at Living Social were able to get Pilates Reforming New York to extend the date of the coupon, and I hope that my next two classes (which I have already paid for!) are not difficult to schedule. It’s too bad the front desk is so unhelpful since the instructor was great! I will update if they follow through on their promises.
As a response to the comment below, Living Social absolutely did intervene on my behalf. I called Living Social and spoke with a representative from that company after I had such a difficult time with the front desk staff. The representative called up the front desk person and discussed this situation with her. At that point, Pilates Reforming New York offered an extension. I am not sure if Ann T.‘s employee neglected to tell her this information or not, but it is not appropriate to contradict me on this point.

I disagree with the previous review.
While it is a tiny pilates studio, it’s also unpretentious which has me sold immediately. I think the instructors are great. very talented and they are motivating if you are serious about your experience.
I’ve worked out with several different trainers there and they all offer something slightly different while remaining true to the pilates method. I see results immediately.
It’s also a really good value as even though I’ve purchased group class priced packages… many times it’s been me and only one other person in a class… Awesome.

I tried the 76^th street location. They have a free trial class but remember this: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. What a dirty little grungy studio. The instructor was not very motivating or fun, and did not make me want to return to this place. I walked out not feeling like I worked out at all. Maybe the 42^nd street location is a bit cleaner. I guess it is all about what instructor you get, and mine was not so great. I decided to look for another studio.
And the staff is not very friendly at all — on the phone or in person. Everyone seemed to be in a rush to get out of there. Also when I called and asked if we could add another person to the class, the receptionist told me with an attitude — «well next time you should sign up in advance and you won’t have this problem.» She could have just been pleasant, but this lady was having none of that.
Well, next time I am finding myself another pilates studio.