Class: Reformer/Barre Burn

Location: Santa Monica

Work-out: Reformer pilates and barre combo

Difficulty: 3.5

Next day soreness: 2.5

Duration: 60 min

Sweat Level:  Moderately Sweaty

Parking: Free street parking on side of studio, metered parking on opposite side

Amenities: Lockers, showers, swag for purchase, filtered water, free coffee and tea bar

Requirements for class: grippy socks

It’s tough competition for pilates studios in LA because there are so many to choose from. But, I have to say WOW, bravo! to Speir Pilates, the chicest pilates studio I have ever set foot in. I’m a sucker for clean, cute design and this place is absolutely gorgeous. The coffee and tea bar in the back is definitely a huge plus, but being in this studio just makes you feel good.

As for the workout, it was great. It wasn’t as intense as megaformer or supraformer pilates, but it was a good workout nonetheless. The barre combo was also a nice unique change from the norm, and the class was everything I expected it to be. In addition, because these are not megaformer pilates machines, we also got to use the jumpboard, which is a great leg and cardio workout. For those of you who’ve never used a jumpboard before, its a flat wall that attaches to the end of your reformer, allowing you to “jump” on it by lying down and pushing away from the carriage. Everything else was pretty standard pilates and barre moves. We did half the class on a mat – planks, leg lifts, abs, weighted arm exercises and barre thighs, and half on the reformer. I can’t wait to go back and try their other class formats!