Studios in the City

Experience classical Pilates at its best in the city where it all started

By Regina Joseph

Joseph Pilates could not have picked a better location to plant the hothouse for his method's refinement than New York City. When he first opened his studio in the late 1920s, it attracted people much like Joe himself-boxers and athletes who needed a fitness center in an era before health clubs could be found on every corner. Over time, ballet dancers, celebrities and executives joined them and helped to spread both the word and the method.

New York continues to house some of the best studios and teachers in the world. In the spirit of Joe Pilates, we've reviewed many classical New York studios that adhere closely to his technique. Whether you're a native New Yorker or a visitor from afar, these neighborhood-by-neighborhood listings will help you find a great place to deepen your practice. Prices listed are current as of Summer 2005 and are for single sessions. Call to enquire about the latest rates and loyalty programs and package discounts.

UPPER EAST SIDE

Park East Pilates (1100 Madison Avenue, 212-717-8825; parkeastpilates.com)

Private sessions: $85

Former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Sharyl M. Curry opened her small but elegant and light-filled studio in 2000. Curry and teaching partner Jill Johnson-Bokelberg focus on providing clients with maximum personal attention in order to help them achieve their goals. As a result, the studio offers only one-on-one private sessions, by appointment only. Certified through both Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens, Curry feels strongly that offering semi-privates, mat classes and teacher training would only sidetrack her studio from her intended goal (although she does conduct off-site mat classes for corporate clients). "My aim is to provide a calm and clean space where clients will be comfortable and also experience the highest teaching standard," says Curry. "This is a professional space, but one that's friendly and where one can laugh."

UPPER WEST SIDE

Absolutely Pilates (200 West 72nd Street Suite 55, 212-362-4604; absolutelypilates.net)

Private sessions: $75; Duets: $50 per person

The Upper West Side, thanks to such neighbors as Lincoln Center and various performing arts schools, has always been a natural location for Pilates studios. Over the years, however, some have aged poorly and others have simply gone out of business. One newer studio addition to the neighborhood is the small, private, but fully equipped Absolutely Pilates, owned and operated by Sandra Zeuner. Zeuner traveled internationally as a dancer before she became certified as a Pilates teacher under both Romana Kryzanowska and Bob Liekens. Her studio offers privates and duet-style semi-privates by appointment only.

MIDTOWN

Power Pilates (49 West 23rd Street, 10th Floor, 212-627-5852; 521 Fifth Ave at Equinox, 212-661-9488; powerpilates.com)

Private sessions from $70-$125; Semi-privates from $45; Classes: $15-$30

These two locations have one thing that the other four New York Power Pilates facilities do not, and that is Bob Liekens. A teacher for more than 20 years, this Belgian-born former dancer worked with Romana Kryzanowska for many years, and his precise, dynamic approach to Pilates keeps both teachers and clients around the city and beyond coming back for weekly sessions. As you would expect from a teacher in such demand, scheduling a class requires patience. His appointment slots are booked months in advance. Dana Eisenstein and Carrie Clark are strong teachers at the 23rd Street location, and teach semi-privates and privates as well as a popular Tower class that incorporates the best of mat and equipment work. Most of the six locations offer classes and all offer private sessions.

Rolates (939 Eighth Avenue, Suite 207, 212-247-9603; rolates.com)

$70 per session

This studio, newly opened in April, made our list due in part to a significant distinction: It is on the site of Joseph Pilates' original studio. Operated by Roberta Rose Kirschenbaum, a New York native, professional dancer and licensed massage therapist as well as a certified Pilates instructor, the large, high-ceilinged studio inspires visitors to imagine Joseph and Clara working their clients or sitting in their converted Wunda Chairs after a hard day's work (the equipment area is thought to be where Joseph and Clara's living quarters were). Kirschenbaum has filled her studio with rarely seen archival equipment as well as pieces from a range of manufacturers. Given its proximity to both Broadway and Lincoln Center, the studio's following includes dancers from the New York City Ballet as well as singers and actors whom you'll often find practicing in the hallway.

Romana's Pilates at Drago's Gymnasium (50 West 57th Street, 6th Floor, 212-765-2166; romanaspilates.com)

Private sessions: $94; $200 for Romana Kryzanowska; $150 for Sari Mejia Santo

As one of the longest-running Pilates studios in operation, Drago's is home to the command center for Romana's Pilates, which was founded by the famed Joseph Pilates protégé Romana Kryzanowska. She was the first person to shape Joe Pilates' method into a teachable practice and workout that could be used by anyone. As a result, a Kryzanowska certification is a reliable measuring stick for teaching quality. Though Kryzanowska is now based in Texas, the octogenarian still travels to New York to administer exams for teachers-in-training. The daily teaching operations are run by Sari Mejia Santo and Daria Pace, Kryzanowska's daughter and granddaughter respectively, who maintain strict adherence to Kryzanowska's original teaching principles. Teachers around the world swear by the discipline practiced here and book appointments as often as they can, even though the space is not as sleek and modern as many newer studios.

CHELSEA

The Pilates Room (150 West 28th Street Suite 901, 212-206-1827; thepilatesroomnyc.com)

$75 per session

A relative newcomer to the Chelsea neighborhood, The Pilates Room was started in 2002 by Elizabeth Jay and Alison Thiem. Clean, bright and well-equipped, The Pilates Room is, like several of the better studios, on the small side in order to provide a more intimate experience for clients. Only private, one-on-one sessions are offered, and The Pilates Room makes an effort to ensure that beginning clients work with one instructor only for the first few weeks of training, so they can become familiar with the exercises and individual body limitations quickly and smoothly.

LOWER MANHATTAN, EAST

Core Pilates NYC (99 University Place, 9th Floor, 212-260-5464; corepilatesnyc.com)

Private sessions: $85; Semi-private sessions: $50; Mat classes: $15

After certifying through and working at Power Pilates, the three co-founders of Core, Michelle Fama, Patti Spahn and Kim Villanueva, decided to open their own boutique studio in 2002, to better service clients in a more intimate setting. While Core offers the kinds of classes that some larger Manhattan studios provide, it avoids overcrowding by keeping classes small. The variety of classes include mat, Mommy & Me, Tower and a 45-minute Liquid Lunch class that offers juice drinks after the session. Well-maintained equipment and high-ceilinged architectural details make Core an attractive place to work out. In addition, Core has a relationship with the Body Central spa located on the 5th floor of the same building, where services run the gamut from facials to massage. Unlike the smaller studios listed here, Core has started a teacher-training program, but intends to avoid studio/training center conflicts by keeping the training groups no larger than 8-10 people per seasonal session.

re:AB (33 Bleecker Street, Suite 2C, 212-420-9111; reabnyc.com)

Private sessions: $75-$90; Classes: $24

re:AB's owner, Brooke Siler, has often been called a Pilates "cover girl" due to the fact that her studio partners are recognizable fashion models, which is why you may catch a glimpse of a model here and there while working out. The studio's glam factor may be due to Siler's reputation as a strong and disciplined teacher. She has created a bright studio and inviting atmosphere studded with leafy plants. The studio boasts an unusually large range of classes in addition to equipment-based private sessions.

TRIBECA

Grasshopper Pilates (116 Franklin Street, 212-431-5225; grasshopperpilates.com)

Private sessions: $80; Semi-privates and duets: $45-$55; Classes: $20

Street-level Pilates studios are rare in Manhattan, given the expense of retail ground-floor space. One of the few is Grasshopper Pilates, a minimal, loft-like space owned and operated by former dancer Gina Papalia. Opened in 2003, Grasshopper combines Tribeca cool with the rigor of a classical equipment-based studio. Tower units line a wall, enabling small group classes as well as private and semi-private instruction. Although the pricing is on the higher side for group classes in Manhattan, offerings include mat, Tower and Magic Circle. Clients like the studio's ambiance, and given the relative dearth of studios in the neighborhood, Grasshop-per has become a popular destination.

real Pilates (177 Duane Street, 212-625-0777; pilatescenterny.com)

Private sessions: $82; Mat classes: $22

Practitioners may have already encountered real Pilates' founder Alycea Ungaro in one form or another: She's published numerous books (including Portable Pilates and The Pilates Promise) and created a Pilates "bootie," a slip-on soft shoe from Puma called the "Alycea." Her studio in Tribeca was the first in the neighborhood and it still continues to attract devotees from the vicinity and beyond. Real Pilates also has locations within the New York Health & Racquet Club in Midtown and Chelsea, where clients can take group classes and individual sessions.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

The Pilatium (139 Fulton Street, Suite 309, 212-334-3779; pilatium.com)

Private sessions: $70; Duet sessions: $45; Classes: $13-$25

Wall Street's transforming identity from a daytime commercial center into a residential enclave bodes well for The Pilatium, a studio situated near the South Street Seaport. Cleverly designed classes cater to the needs of new apartment dwellers as well as the moneyed platoons of stressed-out Wall Streeters. The Tuesday-through-Friday "Express" class is a 30-minute lunchtime session done on the mat or the Reformer. In addition, 50-minute group classes range from mat (beginner, intermediate and advanced), Tower, Reformer (both beginner and intermediate/advanced), and a Seniors class that concentrates on working deeply for older clients.

BROOKLYN

BodyTonic Pilates Gymnasium (150 5th Avenue, 718-622-2755; body-tonic.com)

Private sessions: $65; Semi-privates, booked in packages of 10: $400; Classes: $15

Leafy Park Slope's burgeoning stroller scene means lots of mothers, mothers-to-be and fathers who want some stretching and strengthening. Jennifer De Luca, a teacher and author who penned Pilates For Wimps-Total Fitness for the Partially Motivated, opened her popular and well-organized studio in 1999, making it one of the first full-service studios in Brooklyn. A team of regular instructors draws a dedicated clientele, and private instruction is balanced with thoughtful group classes. In particular, a $6 community mat class, taught by teaching apprentices, is one of the best deals in the city. Purists may turn their noses up at other class offerings like "Pilates/Yoga," but the overall vibe is friendly, the attention to detail is clear, and the space is clean, well-lit and well-maintained. Another space is due to open near the Atlantic Avenue subway stop (192 Flatbush Ave) in September.

New York-based Contributing Editor Regina Joseph scoured the city to find some of the best Pilates studios, but her own studio is also worth a look. You can take sessions with this Power Pilates-certified instructor at Super Pilates, her private studio in the West Village (by appointment only, 130 Barrow St, Suite 101; 212-727-2841; superpilates.com).