Plank Pilates Studio

This place is great for beginners or new students.
I’m almost 40 and began doing Pilates here with a truly limited knowledge of the subject and a sense of balance to match.
The studio is well maintained has a nice ambiance. However, all that’s been covered. I’m here to talk about how awesome their beginner tower instructors are. They do a great job of helping ensure you use the correct form and choosing exercises to help you understand basic Pilates movements.
They also encourage questions and do a great job of helping you to isolate and find muscle groups. (As a total newbie I really appreciated this.) I’d recommend this place to anyone beginning Pilates or who is interested in moving from mat to tower/​reformer but has been scared to make the switch.

Great studio for many reasons. First the studio is beautiful and feels more like a spa than a gym. There is an upstairs (where classes are held), and downstairs (changing/​relaxing area). There are lots of wonderful touches to the studio, such as the lemon cucumber water, hot and cold lavender mint towels, and exposed brick/​beams.
Now to the instructors and the classes. Honestly, it varies. For tower, Kristen and Shauna are the best. I enjoy Sky’s classes too. They challenge the students, know when to be basic and know when to take it to the next level. The best pilates instructors are those who know how to modify a class based on the abilities and requests, as opposed to just forcing a set standard plan. There are some other instructors there who take five sentences to get you to a downward dog position, and you think that at best you walked out of the class with some basic stretching. The 360 classes are great, but again instructor specific. The 360 class concept is great — it incorporates cardio with a lot of core pilates movements. It’s full body and comprehensive. Shauna is the best in terms of structuring challenging classes, and if you think you can’t finish, all you have to do is look up because she’s doing them with you! That’s really inspirational in those moments where you question yourself. Kristen’s classes are typically great too, but inconsistent in terms of level of intensity. Can’t go wrong with those two ladies!

I visited for my first class and was astounded by how long the woman who runs the studio could go without cracking a hint of a smile. She’s rude and condescending; probably over her job. And that’s all fine but when her attitude started to sour my day then we had a problem especially when you run a business based on the ‘health of body and mind’ model.
The woman in question was visibly annoyed when she learned I hadn’t taken a pilates class before. She went on about how difficult the class was and how I needed to be in shape to manage.
Save yourself the time and aggravation and visit ANY of the other overpriced studios where you’ll be treated WAY better.

First, the obvious. The space, the scent, the ambiance is spectacular. I have felt as though I was in a spacious closet in a billionaire’s yacht nodding into dreamland while child monks made dried flower arrangements all around me.
Second, I think all of us know at least one person who was injured from irresponsible pilates instruction and because of that I think it is so important to seriously LOOK and OBSERVE the instruction process. Really it just makes sense.
I have a very dear friend who was a rising star in the fire arts community whose career was pretty much put on hold from two broken ankles he received while training with an unqualified instructor. Ever since that tragic accident I have been vigilant in researching my instructors and I can tell you, hand to god, these instructors are some very knowledgeable and qualified individuals. They are very experienced and most importantly SAFE. They will push you to your limit but not beyond and certainly will not request that you do things which are too extreme or anatomically impossible or dangerous.
There are sometimes deals through GILT and there is free cucumber water provided, which is a nice touch.

Plank Pilates is fantastic and I can’t wait to go back. The space is beautiful and spa-​like, the teachers and students warm and welcoming (Tammy was a great instructor!), and the classes challenging and invigorating. I had taken Pilates mat classes at Equinox on a regular basis, but it was easy to get into the groove of using the Tower. I got a great work out, but left also feeling completely relaxed — I really can’t recommend it enough.

Plank Pilates is great; the studio is intimate which allows instructors to give you individualized attention. Prices are somewhat reasonable which is a good thing. The mason jars of water with cucumber and lavender scents are a nice touch. I look forward to going again

I really love this place. In fact, I might be addicted to it! I’ve done nine classes over the last couple of months, and I’m pleased with my experiences and my results. I’ve dabbled in mat Pilates in the past, but I’d always been a little too nervous to try an equipment class. Enter one Mexican vacation smackdab between Christmas and New Years, and you’ll try pretty much anything to not make a fool of your out-​of-​shape self on the beach.
I bought a Gilt package for six classes and started immediately. I like the online scheduling system. I dislike having to call anywhere to schedule an appointment, so I’ve found it very easy to use. The studio is small, but quite lovely. After only a couple of visits, I felt completely comfortable in the surroundings. I’ve found that all of the instructors (as well as the class participants) are very friendly, which has been a pleasant surprise.
It was pretty easy to get the gist of the Tower and accompanying exercises, so I only took one Beginner course before moving up to the open level course. With the Plank 360, I jumped right in. That was NOT such a good idea. I was debilitatingly (def not a word, but it’s true) sore for an entire week. I’ve since taken the Beginner 360, and it is a much better fit for me, i.e. I could function afterward. I’ve taken classes with Kara, Purvi, Danielle, & Shauna, and enjoyed them all.
Overall, I can feel that my body is stronger — particularly my core and arms. My tummy is definitely flatter, which is never a bad thing.

How do I love Plank Pilates? Let me count the ways…
1) The space is small, but beautiful. Its like being in a spa with all the rich, dark wood and the smell of lavender pervading. There is both an upstairs (for to do the Pilates in) and a downstairs (for changing, relaxing, also where the «front» desk is).
2) The workouts are the bomb. These ladies know their Pilates! I’d never taken a Pilates class before Plank and was a little wary of getting into some kind of Tae Bo jazzercize routine, but the Tower and 360 classes are legitimate workouts that you’ll have a great time doing and feel better afterward for having done it. Classes cap at 5 persons because there are only 5 Pilates machines.
3) The instructors and owners are talented, wonderful people.
4) Lavender soaked towels for after your work out, plus cold cucumber water always on hand!
Plank is easy to access, closer to the F train but easy to walk to from the B/​D train, and definitely worth a visit. They also do Run Clubs when the weather is nice, $ 5 (which goes to charity) and a great, no-​pressure run!

If I could give it zero stars, I would. Terrible follow up and ZERO customer service!!! I bought some mat classes on sale with a 1 month deadline for use which is totally fine. However, they made these classes only available at 5pm Monday, then 2 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, no classes on the weekend. I have emailed the director 4 times, emailed the info email address 2 times, called 3 times. NO RESPONSE. I am simply trying to be able to use my classes, which were prepaid, or get a refund. Obviously this is a ploy to make it impossible to take the classes which were prepaid. Lame. Will never go back because of the terrible customer service, plus they weren’t that good to begin with.

I recently moved to the LES and began my search for a Pilates studio nearby my apartment. Plank studio came up in all of my Google searches with many positive reviews, so I figured why not try it out? The place is awesome, it is small but still feels spacious, clean and spa-​ish. There is a waiting area downstairs that is tranquil where you can sip on cucumber/​lemon water and put a nice warm or cold eucalyptus smelling towel on your forehead as a refresher. The class consisted of myself another girl and the instructor, which was awesome (semi-​private)! The teacher was so nice and helpful, I really enjoyed the class and becoming familiar with the «tower.» This is also an awesome deal $ 25 for a 60 min. intimate tower class in NYC!

I love Plank!
I was a bit hesitant to write such a positive review because I don’t want classes to fill up too fast… right now I am able to secure spots every time I log onto the site.
The instructors are amazing! I love Kara and Danielle! The instructors are really good about giving very specific instructions on articulation of the Pilates moves. They are also good about correcting you when you are doing something wrong which is very helpful, especially if you are a beginner like I am.
The space is beautiful, clean and peaceful, exactly where you would want to be after a long, hectic day of work in NYC :)
So far I have only taken Tower classes but I just signed up for a private session and Plank360 class, so excited!

This is a very cute and clean studio. I had Kara and she was a very attentive and gave helpful feedback during the class. I think the classes are no larger than 6, so it’s intimate. It’s conveniently located near the 2^nd Ave train station. I love the exposed brick walls, they offer refrigerated water with slices of ‘cukes and lemon, and private dressing room. I look forward to my next class.

This is my studio and it always will be. You simply can’t go wrong with it.
Classes: studio has 5 towers and one reformer (reformer is used in privates). Group classes (yeah, 5 people maximum — could you really call this a group class?) are $ 25 each, $ 20 if in a package. They include Tower class, 360 Pilates (tower + intense cardio), and Stretch Refresh class. There are two levels: Beginner and everyone else. Instructors are superb and very friendly. My advice would be to try different instructors and see who you like the best. Or go to different ones all the time to experience variety of approach and style.
Studio: space is beautiful. It’s decorated with wood and has soft lighting. It has this intimate «spa-​like» feeling. It’s relaxing. There is generous changing space downstairs and nice spacious and very clean bathroom. You get lemon/​cucumber water before or during the class, and you also get hot and cool towels after the workout.
Scheduling: Online scheduling makes it very easy. Or you can call.
To summarize: you will get a great workout in a friendly luxurious environment.
Enjoy!

«You get what you pay for» does not apply at Plank. Their rates are the most reasonable in the city yet the quality of instruction, ambience and décor are amazing.
There are great little touches everywhere in the studio. Complimentary water in glass mason jars with slices of cucumber and lemon, hot or cold towels scented with lavender to freshen up before or after your workout, good quality elastic hairbands in the restroom in case you forgot yours at home, cloth towels to dry your hands. The studio is very clean and very beautiful. It’s even a pleasure to look at the ceiling when lying on your back doing leg springs!
I can’t recommend this studio enough. Whether you have been doing Pilates for years or you are new to Pilates, this studio is fantastic!

I signed up for the beginner package (2 private classes + 2 group classes) after telling the owner on the phone that I was a guy and had been intimated in my first Pilates attempt in an all-​bendy female class at the gym. He assured me this studio was all about accessibility and he was right.
Jennifer my private instructor was super welcoming, patient, and put me through a really good workout that left me feeling invigorated and stretched (and not at all like «just stretching» — you WILL feel it).
The «group» classes are at most five people, so that’s also pretty awesome.
The studio itself is gorgeous. Clean equipment, really cool industrial Swedish vibe, lounge area downstairs where people were actually talking to each other after their class about the neighborhood, their days, etc., plus they give you a little jar of cucumber water to drink during your session.
Great deal even if it wasn’t as nice and friendly as it is, and I will be back a lot.

I was thrilled to find out Plank Pilates Studio had open in the LES. The place is extremely clean and Scandinavian chic like the photos on Unilocal and the instructors are highly experienced, personable, and considerate (if you have injuries, the instructor will remember during your class and let you know whether the exercise is safe for you to do!)
They also have lavender and eucalyptus soaked hot/​cold towels to use and water jars filled with cucumber and lemon slices to sip on after your workout which is super refreshing after all that belly scooping!
The other great thing is that their classes are small and easy to schedule on their website, they offer private or tower class (max.5 ppl) sessions with a range of times to pick from. Overall Plank Pilates Studio is a great place for newbies and experienced Pilates enthusiasts to work on their core and look great :)

I was extremely apprehensive about doing Pilates, but my physical therapist recommended I try it out to help strengthen my legs, stomach, and lower back. I tried out a couple of places, and Plank is definitely the best by far. Their instructors actually care, and aren’t just going through the motions like so many of the larger studios. Prices at Plank are far better then the average, and all of the equipment is brand new. I’m no expert, but the staff seems extremely knowledgeable, and most of all they made me feel comfortable. I definitely recommend Plank Pilates.