Rock the Reformer

Best place ever for Pilates! All the instructors are amazing (some of my favs Cyndi, Eden, Carin & Ulrick). Great education, strengthening, empowerment, it’s life changing! Years of sciatic pain disappeared after starting a regular Pilates routine, thank you!

Can’t say enough good things about this place! The instructors are fantastic! After trying various fitness «fads» I’m really glad I found Pilates. Not only do I get a great workout in, but my posture and back pain has also improved. I also like that there is more than one studios and there are many classes at all hours of the day and weekend to fit my busy schedule. Would definitely recommend this place!

Love Potomac Pilates! It is so much fun and you don’t feel like you are working out. It is the good type of sore. I already see a difference after a week!

I love pilates in General, and of course potomac pilates in my opinion is one of the best Studios. You guys made it fun and easy to get in shape. Thanks

Three Years of Stretching and Strengthening!
When I was 45, (now 68) a doctor told me I wouldn’t be able to walk at 65 due to back issues. I started exercising right away to avoid that and found Pilates the best for strengthing the core and relieving the back. Love it!
I can do things I hadn’t done for two decades.
The $ 15.00 happy hour fee makes my back and body happy and improved my balance.
No teachers are perfect but some of the leaders at Potomac Pilats come close to that and all care about you and your health.

If you want an amazing full body workout try it out

My new very favorite place to work out. Terrific teachers, clean facilities, and the workout is changing my body. Very pleased!

I bought the Gilt City voucher and what a waste. I wish I could give this place a half a star. When you walk in to the door, the teacher in no way acknowledges you or even asks if anyone is new. They didn’t even ask my name, so I guess I could have not even signed up for the class. The teacher did not care that I was new to Pilates or that I had injuries. She was just barking out the next move we were to do. She didn’t care that people were lost and didn’t know what to do. I at one point was sitting there looking around trying to understand what to do. The teacher looked at me and then just walked to the other end of the studio.
After the class, I got a survey from Potomac Pilates and I took the time to fill it out. I let them know all my concerns and issues. When I submitted the survey, it said they would contact me about my concerns. Nope, it’s been 3 weeks. No one has contacted. Yet, they display on their website the good survey feedback. I even tweeted the studio and asked if they read the surveys, they ignored my tweet. But they respond to people’s positive tweets.
I then decided to give it a try again. I actually tried 2 more teachers and I even spoke up about being new and having injuries. Yet, little care or concern or was shown. I finally gave up and have not tried anymore classes. What a waste of over $ 100. I contacted Gilt City and they said they can’t do anything.
And all these people saying that it’s so great that they keep the classes small, I have talked to 8 coworkers and friends and all studio’s keep the classes 10 and below. Potomac classes are larger than most of the studio’s that my friends and coworkers talked about. So I don’t see how people can praise them for this item. Their classes seem to be larger than most studios.
I would highly recommend you looking for a different Pilates studio. I actually started at a new one based on a recommendation from a friend and it’s a thousand times better than Potomac Pilates. The studios’ are nicer, the teachers are great, and the management of the company is so helpful.

As with any review site, you’re going to get people who just had a bad experience or are very particular, but I don’t understand the bad reviews. I am a young person who is notorious among friends for never working out, hating to sweat and not willing to take the time to follow any sort of exercise routine. The Shops at Wisconsin opened literally down the street for me and there was a Gilt deal so I figured I would try a Pilates class. From then on I was hooked. Since then I have been going for 3 months and have had a variety of teachers. Some are definitely more attentive and personalized (Lindsey D. Is awesome.) but all have been friendly, helpful when asked for help, and happy to give you a great workout in a supportive and clean environment. What more can you ask for. Can’t speak for every teacher or location, but all my experiences have been positive with a variety (probably 8) of different teachers. Definitely give it a shot.

I am actually reviewing the one on MacArthur Blvd, which just opened recently. I am not very experienced in pilates, the only classes I ever took before were in LA and it was pilates SPX, which I know understand is like trying to run a marathon when you just figured out how to put on sneakers. I am a big yoga person and as a rule resent any other form of exercise as not being yoga. I signed up for the introductory special of $ 99 unlimited for a month. I have gone 5 times (I still have 2 weeks left), I really like it and i feel like it’s making me much stronger. I have had three different teachers – Cyndi, Reina & someone whose name I can’t remember. They were all really nice. Unlike the classes I took in LA where the teachers made me feel like a spaz for not knowing how to use the equipment (ok, i was spaz but they didn’t have to be mean about it, it was an «all levels» class!), the teachers here are really patient and take the time to help you. Anyway, this place is clean and nice with new equipment, pretty easy parking, great teachers and it’s a mile from my house. I have nothing bad to say.

BALLET BARRE + INSTRUCTOR CATHERINE = She will make you hot!
I’ve taken a few classes at Potomac Pilates, but felt compelled to give Catherine a very positive review.
Set to a fun and contemporary soundtrack, Catherine’s Ballet Barre class will make you sweaty and happy!
She has a very cool tone, very even-​mannered… which is very re-​assuring – especially when your legs feel like jello-​o!
She’s a cool chick. Take her class.

Had my first class here and was not sure what to expect. I signed up for Barre I (for beginners). I had no idea how out of shape I am.
My instructor was Valerie. She is a terrific and patient, as well as encouraging teacher.
Pros:
(1) Classes are kept small. There were literally 4 women (including myself) in my class. The maximum allowed is 8, which I am happy about.
(2) There is a nice mixture of age groups and ability levels. Valerie was very knowledgeable and was able to alter the exercises based on skill level.
(3) Everyone in my class was friendly and encouraging. No snobs and no one in there showing off exercise outfits. The clients were there clearly to exercise. No show.
(4) EASY parking! One of the reasons I have avoided going to any classes in DC or Bethesda is because I have no desire to fight the traffic and parking issues. This class was located at a tennis club with plenty of parking.
(5) I was able to buy my ballet slippers for the barre class right there. Likewise I purchased the toe socks that I needed.
Cons:
I wish that there were more beginners classes offered at a variety of times. For me, 4:00 classes would be great. But then again, I guess I won’t be a beginner forever.
I have signed up for unlimited classes for this month. During this time, I’ll try out both Pilates and Barre classes and will go from there.

I have been taking pilates and barre classes at Potomac Pilates for a few months now. I have had ongoing back problems from an injury a few years ago, and since doing this i feel much stronger with a lot less pain. The space and classes are small, but every class has a limit of 8 students, this keeps it from getting too crowded. The equipment and facility are always clean and organized. I like that there are multiple instructors, because each has their own teaching style and this helps keep the workouts varied. All of the instructors are proficient, but you will find some who concentrate more on helping you with your form and technique. I think some people like the extra help (i do!) and some dont, so there is a class for everyone.

This studio and it’s instructors are fabulous. Challenging workouts that are consistently switched up to take you to the next level. I disagree with Nik about form correction. These instructors are very focused on proper form while keeping the class very challenging.

This is the Pilates studio to go to… there is no other. I live in Bethesda and called around and even though Potomac Pilates is 7 miles away, they are worth every bit of the distance; which is not that far.
Balance is the only other one I found that offers equipment classes and they are waaaay too expensive and they dont even have the best trainers. Potomac Pilates has the best trainers, all the equipment, easy website scheduling and more!
They offer classes with hands on instruction and help for level 1 all the way to level 3 where you are comfortable with the moves and know what to do so you dont need hand holding.
Melissa and Cyndi are the best! I have not worked out with any other instructors but I am certain they are all amazing!

Please don’t waste your money here. Go give it to another deserving small business. Not this place
Good: located in a relaxing nook, clean
Bad: Everything else. Instructors don’t do anything. You pay decent money and they do not correct your form. They just shout stuff. Occasionally they demonstrated the movements but mostly just rapidly Shouted the movements. When they did demonstrate they would continue to preform the entire workout instead of checking form or teaching the class. The place has mirrors (generally these can be used for visual feedback) but you can’t see yourself or your movement when the super tall instructor is working out infront of you blocking your entire view.
The instructors are not well trained. I asked what muscles/​where I should feel the exercise, they did not know. I asked other questions just to make sure I was doing it right. I wanted to know why I should only use 1 – 2 lbs weights. They gave some bogus answer, overall they did not have a clue about muscle physiology. They were inept about modifying workouts for various levels, beginner to advanced. Everything was relatively the same for everyone even though some older women were struggling and I did not even break a sweat.
I have tried both the pilates and barre classes there. The pilates was slightly better but not much.