If you like variety, Essex Pilates offers mat, ball, tower and reformer classes. Instructor and…read moreowner, Vicki Tobia, is STOTT certified and demonstrates a strong knowledge of classic Pilates exercises. The choices were so intriguing that, although my intention was to compare mat classes, I opted for a reformer class. It proved to be a nice change; the exercises were not unfamiliar, but the mechanism was different. Classes: mat and reformer (variety of levels), ball, tower and jumpboard reformer Atmosphere: Clean, colorful. Tucked off Main Street in Essex, like a toy store with lots of fun machines and colorful balls. Price: Mat and Ball $20 per class with discount for multiple classes.

I took a duet with Celeste, who is a phenomenal teacher. She instructs using a great rhythm and has…read morea lot of energy! The studio is beautiful, as well!

I have been working out at Personal Fitness for the past 10 months and am amazed at the results…read more I am fitter now than I was 20 years ago and stronger than I have ever been. Kevin, the owner, is extremely knowledgable, motivating, extremely concerned with safely helping you reach your fitness goals and funny too! I should mention that when I started working out there, I was suffering from intense shoulder pain but with Kevin's careful strengthening I am now pain free. If you want to change your life for the better, consider Personal Fitness Solutions.

From the owner: Personal Fitness Solutions is a semi-private personal fitness studio that will help you achieve…read moreyour fitness goals. Unlimited personal training is our most popular program. Stop paying high prices for a couple of sessions a week. Work out with a trainer 2x a week or 6x a week, it's all the same price. Classes available on Saturdays. Studio is open Monday thru Saturday by appointment only. We are convenient to Middletown, Killingworth, Haddam, East Haddam, Cromwell. Don't take your fitness and health for granted.

I have taken classes with Marlene; and, I can confirm that she is an excellent teacher who is…read morededicated to Pilates and helping her students.

Pilates for Life is Pilates in its purist form. Marlene Powers not only owns and runs the studio,…read morebut teaches every class. Group lessons are taught on a mat, while machines are used for privates. Marlene continues to train with Joseph Pilates protégé Romana Kryzanowska and her dedication to True Pilates is exemplified by the constant tweaking of her techniques. Her knowledge of the positions and the body and her ability to get you to "go deeper" into your core, not to mention her devotion to her students, is unmatched. When I leave Marlene's class, my stomach is flatter and I stand taller--what's better?!? Classes: Mat - All Levels, Privates, Barrel Classes Atmosphere: Clean, bright, soothing Price: $19/per lesson. 15% discount for two or more sessions. (Full disclosure: Heidi has been going to Marlene for years and has never felt the inclination to wander).

Rose Fitness's Manhattan PT here! My client and I did a HIIT workout with uno cards today. Every…read morecard I picked up she had to do that colors workout with the reps matching number on the card. We had a blast burning through the deck three times!

One thing I really like about this bootcamp is that I am free to modify any exercise that might be…read moretoo difficult for me right now. The leader suggests easier versions of each exercise to make sure I don't overdo it.

Although I try to behave like an adult most of the time, occasionally I have the urge to throw…read morethings (usually precipitated by a technological malfunction). So, I was intrigued by this new gym: the opportunity to get your aggressions out and get fit at the same time. Ever on the lookout for a fresh way to multitask, I thought I'd give it a go. The army of boxing bags pictured on the website intimidated me, so I decided to start with the not-so-scary Boot Camp. Designed to target every muscle group and give you a good cardio kick, I found it a welcome change from 40 dull minutes on the Stairmaster. What I liked best? Stacy. She's happy to adjust an exercise to accomodate various injuries and she cheers you on just when you think you don't have one last pushup in you. Next time I'll take Boxing Conditioning and then I'll get to wear these fun "wraps" (above), too.

I went to Squared Circle Studio for 3 years until I moved away from the area. It's an incredibly…read moresupportive environment, and I can say that it really changed my life. Cindy and Stacy have created a wonderful institution where people of all fitness levels can come to improve and learn to enjoy living in their bodies. All of the instructors are fantastic, truly inspiring and great teachers. I can't recommend it enough.