Though its first studio opened on the Upper West Side in 2004, Uptown Pilates now has three other locations: Upper East Side, Sag Harbor, and its newest in Greenwich Village on Sixth Avenue. The four studios share a few common denominators: they are spic-and-span clean, well-run, with well-trained instructors who are committed to helping students improve their strength and flexibility through proper form and alignment using the Authentic Pilates Method™. 

Classes Offered: Reformer, Tower and Mat Pilates classes from beginner to advanced levels (Please note: Reformer Classes are in WV and UWS studios only.) 

Why You Should Check It Out: Convenient locations, amazing instructors, beautiful, clean studios...need we say more? 

What Makes Pilates Such an Effective Workout? Perhaps more than any other workout out there these days, Pilates is rooted in a long, strong history that dates back to the early 1900s. The method takes its name from German-born Joseph Pilates, who was interned during World War I, and began rigging springs to hospitals beds. Fast-forward to the late 1920’s, and Pilates (the inventor) emigrated to the United States where his method was embraced by George Balanchine the ballet community. Today, the method has countless practioners who swear by its unique capacity to increase strength, coordination, balance, and agility. As many devotees will tell you, Pilates is as much of a lifestyle as it is a method of exercise. 

How Long ‘Til You Notice a Difference? To quote Joseph Pilates: “In ten sessions you’ll feel the difference, in twenty sessions you’ll see the difference, and in thirty sessions you’ll have a whole new body.”

Advice for first­-timers: It’s okay if you don’t sweat! You may not be engaging in a heart-thumping cardio routine, but your muscles are still lengthening and toning in ways that you will notice after you’re off the mat or machine.