Sal Anthony’s Movement Salon

Last week I took an open level pilates machine class with John and it was definitely a bit intense for me, but I really liked it. I had never done pilates before. I was talking to my friend before class so I didn’t even realize when John had walked in and started. I felt like I’d been so rude, but John was so nice to me anyway.
He gave instructions and because I didn’t know anything about the machines or pilates, I was looking over at the more experienced girl next to me and following her to make sure I was doing it correctly. I guess I was following along pretty well because when John came to adjust my machine, I mentioned that it was my first time and he said that it had looked like I had done it before. Phew! I really liked the exercises he gave on the reformer and was able to handle that well. When we got to the cadillac, I really started struggling and John told me what to do so I wouldn’t strain my neck and back; he was very nice about it. I loved the magician exercise he had us do and thought that was really fun. The next couple of days I was so sore so I knew it had been a great workout and realized how weak my core is! I came back and took a beginner class to try to build up to taking another one of John’s classes, and to learn the basics, but his was just so much fun that I think I’ll just try taking more classes with him anyway, especially because it seems there are more open level classes offered than beginner classes. I like the studio and how there are cubby’s to put your stuff into in the room you are working in and that you spray down the machines after you use them.

Sometimes it is like a factory because so many classes are going on at once, but over all the teachers are knowledge and helpful. The intense classes are a great challenge.

Ever since Sylvia left, this place just isn’t the same — the class optionality is still there, but what good are a lot of options if the instructors are only ok. Pilates is too expensive to go to if you aren’t guaranteed a workout and the quality of instructors here is just all over the map. So glad that Sylvia moved just a few blocks away to BK Pilates! Now I can consistently keep getting my butt kicked by the best instructor I’ve ever had.

Just tried to take a class here 30 minutes ago for the first time through Classpass. There was a glitch in my Classpass registration, and it turned out I never successfully registered for the class. Let’s just say the front desk staff didn’t seem to want my business. They were not helpful or accommodating in helping me get into a class, but simply said that the system didn’t allow me to take a class if I hadn’t signed up before the deadline. I understand that the studio is busy before class start times and that it can be stressful at the front desk managing all the check-​ins. But if you want new business, this is not the way to do it (especially with two people working the front desk). Too bad I won’t return to see how the actual classes are!

Came here through ClassPass as well as their other affiliated studios a handful of times and had mediocre experiences at best. What turned me off the most was the instructor’s lack of energy and I professionalism. Whether it was their attire (sneakers and once even jeans!) or their decision to not demonstrate anything leaving most of the class confused, as a person with more than 5 years of experience in Pilates, this was a disappointing.
The biggest turn off however, is their insistence on using these white, fluffy rings for different hand, armpit, and feet positions. I’m not a huge germaphobe but if you’re asking me to put my hands into the same ring that the person next to me just put their bare foot into, I’m going to refuse. It’s unsanitary as they can only be sanitized by being laundered, which they clearly aren’t based on the black residue that has built up on the rings interior.
Thanks, but no thanks.

This is a review from someone who doesn’t do Pilates regularly, and who came to Sal’s through Classpass, so maybe my expectations aren’t aligned to those of a Pilates devotee. But I found the Pilates/​Cadillac workout at Sal’s to be not very challenging and rather boring. The instructor I had was named Yuko and she was great– very hands on and gave lots of pointers on form. She also switched things up a lot so rarely were we doing the same thing for too long. But as someone who is in good shape and pretty flexible, I found the class felt like an hour of stretching and relaxing rather than an actual workout. And if that is the goal of a Pilates class then so be it, but doing that on funky machines with no music, in silence, was excruciatingly boring for me. If I just wanted to lay around and stretch, I’d take a nap at home! There was also another older male working with someone one on one during our whole class, talking the entire time, which I found really distracting (considering we were pulsing on our toes and moving or arms around in complete silence).
I also did not like that the machines were wiped down with shared hand towels. Cut the towels in half and give each of us a clean towel to wipe down the machines with!

I haven’t been back in almost 2 years and it’s mostly because my favorite instructors have left or have new teaching schedules. After re-​reading all the latest reviews, I decided to give Nwando a try, and she only teaches the Pilates Intense course.
In hindsight, that was not a good move. I thought, mistakenly, that having done some Pilates in the past, I’d be up for it. But I was lost. It felt like an amazing workout, but it didn’t have the slow, deliberate movements that I was used to. But hey, if you’re up for the challenge, this might just be your cup of tea.
I returned to try a regular level class and ended up liking Slyvia. She’s still really hard, but it was less intense (in a good way). Alas, Slyvia has left! Perhaps the quest for a reformer studio continues…
Oh, but the upstairs studio space is really nice — it’s brightly lit and there are newer machines. A big improvement from before.

This salon used to be quite good with flexible hours and strong instructors. Unfortunately, the best instructors left for various reasons and the place has fallen off. The equipment is all a bit run down as is the studio.

I found Sal’s Movement on Classpass because it is right next to my apartment. I have been doing Pilates consistently for about 3 months and go to Sal’s all the time. I really like Maci’s class on Tuesday’s and I also go to Nwando’s and Yuko’s classes. They are all very intense and focused on giving you a great work out.

Now that my favorite instructor of years is no longer there, Sylvia, whom I have a relationship with in the studio and who knows me outside as well… Who has known me from healthy and fit to now fighting an autoimmune issue and works harder than ever to see nothing change, I was worried I would have nowhere to turn.
As always though, Sylvia pointed me in the right direction to Nofar when she left, a tough as nails, kick your butt with good form and pilates technique instructor. At the Movement Salon, the instructor matters… so I am so sad Sylvia is not there to torture me in the best way, but Nofar is. That said– her classes fill up faster than lightning now that there is only one of her kind, so there is a different feel to the environment. Sylvia is greatly missed, and you can feel it in the walls. There are other great instructors I have been told– some more bootcamp, some very classical, but Nofar and Sylvia have a creative tough but personal touch that I, and many other, really like. We miss you Sylvia!
Nofars class Saturday was fun, went fast, was challenging, and she does not take prisoners. Since Sylvia’s not there, the 8 cadillacs were empty, so we basically had a nice quiet room to ourselves with mostly able to do reformer work (My fav!) It is very interesting to see her regulars versus Sylvia’s regulars, how similar yet different they are.
Update: I will be a Nofar convert for my 3 classpass visits at Sal Anthony, and see Sylvia at BK pilates now as well– so I get to have them both. After 3 classes with Nofar I have to say, wow! Always different and unique, pushes you hard and I am always sore afterwards. Sylvia was right!

Such a wonderful studio! I’ve never taken Pilates using the reformer machine and now I’m hooked! Also had the best instructor ever, Nwando! She is by far the most motivating and lovely instructor to have! Take her class!

I’ve been working out at Sal Anthony’s for 3 years. Love the stained glass and atmosphere of the studio. Most of the teachers are wonderful. Stand outs for me include: No-​far, Nowanda, Christine, Cassandra, Stephany Dzul and Javier Dzul who will give you the best work out you’ve ever had. He is so amazing, that I get a private with him once a week.
I like that it is a family owned business, and love the convenience/​location. I also like that they have hourly classes from early in the morning until evening.

Unpretentious, welcoming and diverse. If you are a classpass addict like me, or just looking to get into better shape, definitely give this a go. My instructor Sylvia was incredible. The workout was challenging and she offered modifications and encouragement throughout the entire hour. I will be back!

This is one of my favorite studios I’ve found so far through ClassPass. I’ve been going at least once a week for the last month and I plan to continue. There are so many class times offered so it works well with any schedule. The front desk staff are friendly and welcoming of new people and all workouts have been fantastic! I feel challenged and encouraged.
Tip for newbies: If you’re new to pilates or the equipment I would recommend just doing the regular machine classes and not the beginner ones. In my opinion there is nothing unique about the beginner one. In fact the instructors of the regular classes are better about welcoming and providing good guidance/​feedback to new students as compared to the beginner class. Had I taken the beginner class as my first class I may have not returned (hence the reason I docked one star).

Sal Anthony was the first NYC reformer pilates studio I visited when I moved to NYC and it did not disappoint. The variety and number of teachers here is the most that I’ve seen in local pilates studios within this city. Unfortunately two of the teachers that I favorited the most do not seem to be on the current or recent teacher roster anymore… so in that case… yes I still recommend this place haha!
Classes are usually set with first half hour either at the cadillac/​reformer then you switch to the other equipment for the second half of class (LOVE this format). A lot of classes around the city only provides an hour of reformer, an hour of tower, etc., but Sal Anthony’s gives you a pretty good pilates package for the hour you spend.
This studio is pretty big, as in there are a lot of rooms – next door, upstairs, you name it. On top of that, there are always students taking classes no matter what time the hour. Their equipment may be getting a bit used and creaky, but that also means it’s been utilized by a lot of students :) Come and try reformer pilates, it’ll be worth the experience.

Ok. This isn’t really a true 5 star review, but it’s a 5 star review nonetheless.
This place is east village before it gentrified in its truest form. They are tending bee-​hives on the roof. They told me so. I loved being there and say they deserve 5 stars just for being who they are.
Advertising they have showers is kind of a lie (thus the not really true 5 star review). There is one stall somewhere in the basement, and the studio is more like 3 studios between two floors. So for all intents and purposes, no, there are no showers.
Class was more towards the great end of the good-​great spectrum, but not excellent. Instruction seemed a little lazy and I was never quite sure of how many of anything we did… BUT… There was a jump board sequence on the reformer that was little kid on a playground fun, and some Cadillac work that let me get my cirque du soleil on.

I came across this on ClassPass, and I really like this place. The inside is groovy and has a lot of character. It’s also huge! I can get into classes whenever my schedule allows, which is a huge bonus for me.
I took a class with Nwando, and she is now my favorite Pilates instructor I have ever had (8 years of Pilates). She was focused, nice, attentive, and just so good! I took her «Intense» class, and it was just what I needed. Her exercises were challenging, but absolutely doable. My muscles feel weak and sore, but I have so much flexibility and movement still! Not that ceased up stuff feeling you can sometimes get.
Check this place out, and try for Nwando!

I loved this place, but imagine my surprise when I go to book a class today and see that the prices have been raised by 20% with zero warning. The salon emails its members about all kinds of things– such as events they are holding that they would like you to come to. It would’ve been common courtesy to warn members of a large price change. I most likely would’ve bought a ten pack or something beforehand. As it stands now you save only a measly $ 1 per class by purchasing in advance like that. I’m sorry but this leaves absolutely no incentive to do so. I also noticed that the prices for a 3 month membership were raised by $ 50. I think that’s insane. Anyway… it was already a little splurge to treat myself to a class. Now unfortunately I will be able to do so much less often.

I’m relatively new to this studio, having only taken 4 or 5 classes so far. Still, I’ve taken classes at 6 different studios in the past four months and I feel like it compares well. Here’s what I like:
– Lots of classes every day, all day long. That means whenever you have time in your day for a class, be it morning, afternoon, or evening, you can find something that works for your schedule.
– A variety of teachers. Seems to me like the more teachers you try, the more you’ll learn.
– I’ve found a very nice balance here of challenging, fast paced classes that are still form-​focused and safe. The teachers seem well educated and genuinely interested in your well being. I feel pushed out of my comfort zone without being pushed into the injury zone :)

I almost don’t want to review Sal Anthony’s because I don’t want it to become too crowded, but I rely on Unilocal a lot for reviews and believe in reciprocity.
I’ve been visiting Sal Anthony’s regularly for the last 8 months and can’t recommend it enough. There are a variety of instructors to fit your personal style/​needs; with a multitude of classes daily, you really can’t go wrong. Highly recommend Cassandra, both Erins, Sylvia and Nofar.
The studio relies on a fundamental philosophy that pilates should be for everyone. This translates to classes and personal sessions that are an excellent value for your investment. The studio has a quirky, unpretentious vibe that is both welcoming and hard to find in Manhattan. There’s also a studio cat, Kitty, which makes the place seem more like you’re doing pilates at a friend’s house.
As much as I love this place, I will say the machines are starting to show a little bit of wear; I hope they will continue to be maintained.