PHYSIQA

This place is fantastic! I tried out two classes (barre and mat physique) on a groupon and was so impressed by the instructors and uniqueness of the classes. The barre class may have been the best workout I’ve ever had and the mat physique class was a good complement to strengthen and stretch out after. I will definitely be coming back to this sweet, cozy, down to earth studio.

I cannot say enough good things about this studio! I have taken Barre and Pilates in the past at different locations but nothing compares to Physiqa. I was blown away by how the instructors took the time to work with me, ensuring that I got the most out of my workout. Be prepared to work, laugh, sweat, and get stronger!

Second time to come here for the class, the instructor Tam is great but the lady who checks people in for the class is rude and obnoxious.

I love this studio. It is by FAR the best barre workout around. Annabel is hilarious and I love taking class from her because I will be laughing the whole time. Honestly you must come here, the workout is far and beyond when comparing to bar method, dailey method, pop physique, pure barre (yes I have tried them all!).
Additionally they offer a fantastic foam rolling class. I walk out of there feeling amazing and Maggie is just so sweet and knowledgeable about the body.

This studio is great. The instructors and especially Maggie Dill are very professional and challenging. If you want a good work out with a variety of classes to choose from then don’t hesitate to get a membership!

PHYSIQA is an intimate Pilates, Barre, Posture Studio in Oakland. It’s a wonderful place that founder Annabel Castaldo has created. The group of women teachers at PHYSIQA are wonderful, caring, generous, amazing and talented instructors in their own right; plus, they all are personally trained by Annabel who is some what of a Pilates Goddess. One of my favorite teachers is Tamatha (Tam) Hauskens who brings her own practice of dance and yoga into her classes. She is highly skilled and talented with the softest touch and loveliest personality; she makes every class so much fun, challenging and positive. I appreciate how she spends time with individuals and corrects their form in the most soft, gentle way. I’m very fond of Sarah Young as well who teaches Posture IQ. She has a gentle touch and makes people feel so much more at ease with themselves and body. She gave my Dad and I a private lesson and it was truly amazing. Whitney Diaz teaches Xbarre, Barrelates and Mat Physiqa and is my new favorite. I’m not the only one, we all love her and are so impressed and proud of how much she has learned in such a short time. Not only is she the strongest person I know (was in the Marine Core) she has the sweetest, cutest personality and has developed into an awesome, super knowledgable confident, fun and well trained Pilates teacher. I have learned so much from Whit and all the ladies, including Maggie who is an expert at the form roller. While I appreciate the whole team at PHYSIQA, Annabelle is the CORE maestro, the ‘Bella Virtuoso’ of Physiqa who we all have learned so much from. She notices every person’s alignment, posture and form; spends time and customizes corrections in detail and has a quick, often raw, clever and truly Italian tough yet sweet personality.

When I first joined the studio, every student there said to me that being part of PHYSIQA had changed their life. In my case — PHYSIQA SAVED my life.
I came to my first class at PHYSIQA after a complicated heart surgery. It was more then a year ago. I was depressed and totally out of shape. I was not sure that I will be able to do any exercises.
My instructor was Annabel Castaldo. And everything instantly «CLICKED». She did not treat me as a cripple, she did not give me any slack. But she was constantly watching me during the class, giving me specific instructions. Since that day, I am «hooked». I attend classes at PHYSIQA at least three times a week. I feel GREAT!!!
I take classes with other instructors as well. Every teacher at the studio is very professional and attentive. Thank you PHYSIQA! Thank you to Sarah D, Sarah Y, Tamatha, Maggie… Thank you Annabel! And Happy Thanksgiving!
Julia Kirillova

I like PHYSIQA’s small, sunlit space on Piedmont Avenue. I’ve been twice to XBarre here and definitely think this is a class I could be happy taking on a regular basis. XBarre is 35-​minutes long and incorporates HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) with barre work. One of the XBarre classes I attended used weights, the other didn’t but both definitely helped me work up a sweat whilst having a decent amount of fun too. I also really like that they switch things up a bunch so you never get bored during XBarre.
Now that I’ve found one class I really like at PHYSIQA I’m excited to see what their Barrelates class is all about.
I’ve taken my first couple of classes here via ClassPass but if you buy in bulk (30 class pack) you can get the per class price down to $ 17. I’m strongly considering it!

PHYSIQA Inner & Outer Fitness studio has been my source of balance, joy and health wrapped in intelligent, creative, stimulating varied workout for over 10years. With Annabel and her attentive, competent and knowledgeable teachers I always come out of classes rejuvenated, with informed awareness of my body, feeling a healthy balance of exhaustion and lightness of being.
Thank you all for your tireless enthusiasm, perseverance and creativity.
With great respect and gratitude,
Lucie Barbeau, Pilates practitioner, Mind/​Body Health Integration Specialist.

I have worked out at gyms/​pilates/​yoga studio’s for most of my adult life. I came to PHYSIQA after rehabbing from «another» back injury. (work related) After two classes at PHYSIQA I was hooked. I can always count on the class being challenging and safe!
Annabel is tireless in making the workout creative and making it work for whatever level you are at. She is always the instructor, always searching for the best way to make it work for the individual.
I stand taller, I am stronger, I have a new recognition of correct posture and how I move in the world.
I have been a client for a year and a half, and I continue to look forward to each class–
(and I attend 3 – 4 classes a week)
I love this studio!
Thank you PHYSIQA!

This is flat out, by far, the best Pilates or exercise studio that I have ever found!!!
I started going to Physiqa with an eight class groupon special almost a year ago. If you are looking for an easy class where you can get away with half ass-​ing your way through, this is not your place, however. The classes are intense, you will definitely FEEL the burn, perhaps even to the point when you feel like you just can’t go on at times. But this goes away, and after the first few weeks, you begin to feel muscles and body connections that you never knew you had or even existed. I am finally now coming to the point where i have lost some weight and not only am i noticing small changes in my toning, but other people are starting to notice a change in my body.
I have even cancelled my gym membership in favor of Barrelates. The class offerings are diverse, and the instructors are the most dedicated group of ladies out there. All of the teachers are both supremely passionate and knowledgeable about the body and how to take care of it. They are genuinely concerned with each student’s individual issues and care enough to take the time to address everyones strengths and weaknesses.
The classes here are also perfectly varied: Barrelates gives you an intense heart rate raising and glutes-​burning standing barre workout, with an arms sequence as well. Mat physiqe is a great class too, done on a floor mat, where you get to really hone in and work on toning your abdominals, upper back, and legs with floor sequences. The two classes perfectly complement each other, and the best part is that no class is EVER the same! i have never been exposed to so many creative and new ways to work out!
I encourage all of my friends to go to Barrelates, honestly I cannot recommend this place enough! Thank you Annabel, Maggie, Sara, Tam and Whitney!

I’ve working one-​on-​one with Anabel since I moved to the West Coast and I feel truly blessed to have found Be Physique. Anabel is a true professional and knowledgeable in her field. I’ve also taken classes including Barrelates and Mat Physique which really work those difficult areas. Ladies you know what I am referring. You want results, than take classes or privates at Be Physique!
Stacey M.

I greatly enjoy this spot! I started attending classes in June and fell in love. Annabelle pulled me in after months of encouraging and I finally gave it a shot. I was a bit intimidated at first. Everyone was so fit! I was working out regularly but not really seeing results after having a baby in December of 2012, I knew I needed something more. The coaches are very encouraging and conscientious of their clients’ needs. In 3 months I have really seen a difference, I am more aware of Sabrina! I have lost a total of 2 inches and 3lbs and I feel fantastic. The classes are easy to get into the flow and the coaches have great personalities. People of all shapes and ages attend as well. So far it has been all women which makes it very calming and you can focus without being paranoid. You are allowed to go at your own pace with individual modification provided, but why slow down?!? I love Annabelle she is fun, spicy and knows the human body very well. All the teachers are great though. So far I have attended Matt physique, Baralattes (spell check), Assess and activate and Torch. Torch is my go to! It is «Pilates on crack» just great great fun with a pleasing soreness afterwards. I encourage all to attend! You won’t be disappointed.

I was a student at PHYSIQA (f/​k/​a BePhysique) from February until August of this year. I just moved back to the Midwest, but couldn’t go without leaving a review for this great studio.
As other reviewers have noted, Annabel is an expert on the human body, and she really takes the time to study each of her students’ postural issues and body types. What’s amazing to me is that she is able to keep track of everyone’s various quirks and call out adjustments/​advice accordingly during her classes.
I have seen major changes in my body after just 6 months of regular attendance at Mat Physique, Barrelates, and Torch. I stand taller, my spine is straighter, I feel much more toned and strong, and I’m more knowledgeable about my anatomy and the why/​how of my body mechanics.
Annabel and all the teachers at PHYSIQA are warm, fun, and truly care about their students. Class times are convenient and parking is free on several surrounding side streets. The studio offers some new client discounts, and after that, there’s a convenient monthly auto-​pay option for unlimited classes (look out for the 24 hour cancellation policy!). PHYSIQA is worth every penny. Go!

Physiqa has completely changed my perspective on what a workout class should entail. It is a unique blend of strengthening sequences that flow and focus on building and maintaining a strong foundation. I also like that the routines are always changing and that keeps my body feeling challenged and stronger than ever.
I have been taking the barrelates class taught by Maggie D. and have been thrilled with the results. She is knowledgable about the body and its anatomy allowing her to create unique sequences that are complimentary to each muscle group. She is also incredibly kind and motivating which make the classes fly by. By the end of Maggie’s class I truly feel as though I am walking taller and I feel a greater sense of awareness of my body position and alignment.
As a distance runner with chronic injuries, I can say that these classes have offered tremendous relief and I plan to make it part of my weekly routine.

I love Physiqa! I found this studio through a Groupon deal and have been coming here for over a year. After finishing my deal, I immediately dropped my gym membership and signed up for classes at Physiqa.
Some background: I am a tall, klutzy gal who lacks balance (I once broke my foot while walking barefoot down some stairs to do laundry). I am so much more aware of my body than I was when I first joined the studio. I have taken other barre and Pilates classes but nothing has given me the body awareness, definition and challenge like the classes and instructors at Physiqa.
Finding the studio has been a godsend. I stand taller. I have much more balance. My body is incredibly toned. I sometimes catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realize I’m the girl with the toned back, legs and arms. It is all thanks to this studio. I wish I had found Annabel and Physiqa years ago.
Annabel is extremely knowledgable in her field and can easily pinpoint where you might need adjustments. She is funny, passionate about her field and constantly changes routines so your muscles do not become complacent.
The studio has recently added more classes to the schedule, which makes me really happy. They offer Barrelates, Mat Physique, XBarre, Torch (a Tabata style class) or Assess and Activate (focusing on form).
What I also like is that I am «buying local» by supporting Physiqa.

Reason for visit: Bought a deal for three classes — I only went to one…
First time? Yes.
The instructor here needs a lesson in manners and customer service. I bought a deal with a few friends because we were in the market to become pilates studio members. I arrived at the studio a few minutes before class. The door was locked so I knocked; someone opened it and she has a look on her face like «What are you doing here?» –um, it’s a pilates studio and I’m here for class. No hi. Just look. Awkward silence. I tell her I’m signed up for class and ask if I can come in; she is hesitant to let me in. This is strange…
During class, she looked at me, then at my friend and rudely remarked «This is a socks class. Next time, bring socks». That’s the first I’ve heard you had to wear socks to pilates, but even still, she didn’t have to be snarky about it. She repeated the comment a couple of more times in class to my friend. We get it, lady! There were a few other irritating remarks throughout the night and some better than thou comments…
Anyway, I usually do not rant in my reviews but this experience was so off putting that my friends and I decided it was better to waste our money by not claiming the last two classes in our pass than have to deal with the instructor and her attitude. At the time, they only had two instructors. The other lady could have been nicer, but we didn’t want to risk it. There are so many other great pilates instructors out there!

I came to Be Physique for my first ever pilates class a few weeks ago and have been going twice a week since. I am not an exercise enthusiast by any means, but I really love the barrelates and pilates mat classes taught by Annabel. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the human body, and it is clear that it’s more important to her that we are healthy and holding our bodies correctly than it is that we want to look more toned — because she knows that if we are using our muscles and bones properly we will undoubtedly be able to change the way our bodies look. She makes a big effort to make sure we understand our natural physiology, which I really appreciate.
Anyway — big thumbs up for Be Physique!
i only wish they would offer more classes per week
(and maybe a student-​priced package deal)
all in all — i’m definitely going to continue at Be Physique.

A friend insisted on me going here because I have a spine condition. It took me a while before I finally decided to go. I meet annabel and she has changed my life! I hated working out and she has really made me enjoy coming. She is funny, disciplined and aware of everyones aliments and she remembers names. I feel like it is so important to remember those things because you feel so included and not lost when she adjusts your body to make sure your doing the exercises correctly. I always felt lost in other studios and I didn’t even know if teachers knew i existed.
This studio is clean and the other teachers are fabulous as well.
As long as Annabel is teaching I will be there!!!
Thank you Annabel you mean so much to me.

3 months in, taking classes 5 days a week I have seen a huge change.
Much stronger overall, lost 2 pant sizes, better posture and overall body awareness. The ah ha moment hit when I could do 3 plank series in a row without dropping. I could barely handle 1 when I started.
I truly look forward to each class. Annabel and the ladies are always mixing up the routines and intensity.
I can’t wait to see what hard work pays off in the next three months.