I had never taken a fitness class before trying out Bold, and definitely wouldn't consider myself a gym-goer. After my first session, I couldn't get home fast enough to book the next!! I've only taken a few classes (so far), and already I've noticed an improvement in my overall balance, coordination, and endurance! Coming from someone plagued by clumsiness, the balance benefits in general have been a game changer. After each class, I walk away feeling stronger, healthier... even happier! It just gives me that awesome energy boost along with the full-body exhaustion that comes from a great workout. Did I mention how great Kate is?!? She's a wonderful instructor, motivator, and overall great person - I feel like I can power through anything! Even those last 20 seconds of holding a super deep lunge... Love Lagree! Love Bold! You've got a serious fan right here. read more

While I'm happy it's here and some of the instruction is good enough to get a solid workout in, it just doesn't compare to several other studios I frequent. It's still worth the investment and seems to service the community here pretty well. For this area it's probably the best around. Nothing better than Lagree! read more

I love Lagree fitness, and the classes and teachers at Bold are the best around. As you can see from the other five star reviews preceding mine, Bold is where its at. Bold was the first studio where I ever tried Lagree and I've been hooked since. In fact I drive there from the North Bay when I can because the caliber of the workout is incredible, and the Megaformers are nice and new, and the classes are 50 minutes compared to the typical 40 for most Lagree studios. My husband makes fun of me for driving all that way and crossing a bridge, but I don't see him complaining about my peachy booty either! I can typically only go on the weekends, so haven't tried all of the instructors, but love Kate, Alex, Taylor, and Daniele's classes. They all have the cuing and cadence down, and are great with form corrections and alignment. Once you go regularly, you'll get the moves down and remember the quirky names (Twisted bear, catfish, and mega sexy back to name a few) but it doesn't really get easier because when you do them properly and slowly, they'll work your slow-twitch muscles to fatigue, which is when your body starts changing. You'll sweat, you'll twitch, you'll feel the burn, and guaranteed you will get addicted and come back for more. read more

During the 3 months that my husband and I lived in Emeryville, this was one place we knew we were going to miss when we moved deeper into East Bay. We both are avid gym rats so before we did a trial class, we didn't think a pilates class was going to be that difficult. Bold proved us wrong over and over again! Unlike regular pilates, you're using a megaformer machine and you're going very slow. The slower you move, the more resistance you're constantly pushing against rather than using momentum. Your heart rate is up the entire 50 minutes as the only "break" you have is transitioning into different moves. In other words, it is HARD. And not only is this an incredible abs, glutes, and legs toning workout, you're working out all those tiny little muscles that you never knew how to work out (hello inner thighs!). The bonus thing is that this workout essentially sculpts your glam muscles :) My husband and I were talking about how even though we've been going 1-2x/week for the last 2.5 months, why this isn't getting any easier. I'm suspecting that when when it gets "easier", you just end up moving slower to make it even harder so it never really gets easier. They have random pricing specials so it's a good opportunity to snag those. Also, reserve your spots in class at least the day before you plan on going. I've seen a number of completely full classes in the evenings before. And lastly, go a bit early to find street parking (it's not hard to find but sometimes you need to circle around a few times). Classes start promptly on time so you don't want to be THAT person coming in all late! read more

I love this studio! I was looking for a low impact workout class that would still kick my butt and this is definitely it. I tried it with a friend for the first time and immediately bought a class pack right after. The classes are always very hard and I always leave feeling like I worked not just legs but arms and especially abs! I've also taken classes with various instructors and each one is equally amazing. Would highly recommend to everyone! read more

This studio is so lovely. I had never tried a Lagree method / megaformer class before, and oh my goodness is it a workout! At the end of it, you will feel like you've worked out your core harder than ever. But the workout is low-impact so it's nicer on your joints than many other types of exercise. They don't have too many beginner classes on the schedule, but the instructors are all willing to help newbies so if you are new you can take their regular MegaBold class. They will give you a short introduction to the equipment beforehand so make sure to get there early. All of the instructors I've had have been awesome. In particular Cat Yee pays a lot of attention to form and will help you perform all the moves correctly. The one downside to this studio is that it's quite expensive. But considering the lovely neighborhood, I'm sure they're paying a lot in rent and the classes are capped at 10 students per session, so you do get a lot of personal attention. Overall would definitely recommend! read more

Bold - The megaformer equipment - Gyms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love this place! Always a great workout and always challenging. Plus, all the instructors are amazing !!!

I absolutely love Bold studio. Kate, the owner, is so responsive to questions, phone calls, and emails and does a great job with managing the studio. Also, there are enough classes throughout the day that I can do before work or after, which I really appreciate! To me, Karen is the best instructor - she is so positive and exudes amazing energy for the entire class. She really focuses on form and slowing down which is the whole idea! Also, the team at Bold creates a nice community that feels really welcoming. I really love the community that Bold studio built and love the workout!!! read more

Absolutely love this place. Been coming here for years, always clean always a wonderful class and feels really great to support women.

Great lagree studio in a great location. The instructors are full of energy and always friendly and motivating. Classes last 50 minutes and they make use of every single minute. The only thing I've noticed is that lately the studio is not as clean as it used to be... I guess the studio is just super occupied all day, which on the other hand speaks for their popularity. Be prepared to sweat and to have a great fitness experience! read more

So appreciative of finding Bold. I've never sweat as much as this during a workout. The instructors are wonderful- welcoming, helpful, and push you beyond what you think you can do. The music is upbeat and helps me have fun. The transitions are quick so you're never in a position too long (though your muscles are quivering!). There are also people of all ages here so don't worry- you'll fit in :) Wonderful experience- so excited to continue working out here. read more

I have been hooked on Lagree lately and especially Bold! I have tried several other lagree studios in the Bay Area and this is by far my favorite one. The studio itself is bright, not too cramped, but still feels intimate. The instructors are also so welcoming, helpful, and sweet! I have taken classes with Amanda, Alex, and Kate...they are all awesome! The workout is fast-paced as there are no breaks but the instructors are great about providing verbal feedback and giving personal form adjustments throughout class. Each move challenges multiple muscle groups at the same time but is also low impact on the joints. I just love how every single class is different so it keeps your body guessing and keeps boredom at bay. In summary, you will definitely get an intense, muscle shaking, 50 minute workout...so if that's the kind of workout you are looking for, you will not be disappointed! read more

I love love love this studio! I live in the neighborhood and like to mix up my workouts. Coming to Bold studios as a novice, I can say for certainty that Lagree is extremely effective and challenging! As is typical for a guy, I am used to quick twitch, high intensity, or resistance training exercises. The classes taught at Bold give me a different kind of workout that I could not accomplish on my own. I have noticed positive changes in my core strength and lower body since working out at Bold. The instructor's are on point and make the class challenging and fun. I would be open to taking anyone's class, but Lucy is my favorite instructor so far. She teaches either Thursday or Friday evening, and always puts together a challenging class to go along with an upbeat, banging playlist. I would recommend Bold studios to anyone who wants to have a positive impact on their fitness. Don't be shy, everyone is so nice here! Feel the burn! read more

This is hands-down my favorite Lagree class in the Oakland/Berkeley area! I've tried 3 other studios and Bold is the one I find myself going to the most! I love how it is 50 minutes long vs 40/45 minutes at other studios. I usually try to take classes with Kate as I love her enthusiasm and the effort she takes to ensure you have the correct form for the various poses. The studio is a bit cramped as others have mentioned. With that said, I've never found myself hitting my neighbor though I sometimes get a nice view of their booty. Like how there's a changing area and a bathroom. The bathroom is very clean and whatever air freshener they use in there smells great! Can't wait for my next lagree class @ Bold! read more

I recently came across this Lagree studio while looking for Pilates reformer classes, in Berkeley. I found Böld on yelp, and the great reviews piqued my curiosity. I did the 3 class newbie deal and did all three in 5 days. After the first class I decided I wanted to do this workout every other day because I could tell right away it makes you STRONG. Every class (I've taken 5 or 6 now) kicks my ASS, and I've been doing Pilates & yoga & cycling & swimming for years. But Lagree is a slow tempo/fast paced low or no impact workout that makes you feel completely shredded every time. It's so hard! But because you switch exercises every couple of minutes, you don't get totally burnt out on one move. It's similar to Pilates reformer, but instead of light spring tension you use very heavy spring tension, and instead of 10 reps of each move you do very slow reps for a certain length of time. Bold is a nice studio, if small. Natural light, clean, and doesn't hit you over the head with merchandising. Instructors are friendly and keep you on your toes. The only downsides for me are: it is a bit pricier than any Other group fitness classes I've been to, and for me it feels a bit noisy with pop music & the instructors wearing mics. I think I'd prefer no mics, and either no music or something a bit less frenetic. In any case, I'm sold on it. Got my sister sold in it now too. She said her legs were still shaking the next day. read more

I love Bold! I had to stop running and my usual workout routine due to a hip injury and found bold when my doctor advised that I try Pilates. The slow movements bring your focus directly into the muscles you're working like I've never felt before! The low impact aspect of it makes it great for allowing injuries to heal but I always am so sore the next day! read more

I got a great 6am workout this morning at Bold with Kate via ClassPass. Parking was extremely easy at that time as there are meters (not yet accepting money) directly in front of the studio. The entrance and check in is on the first floor but everything else is up a flight of stairs on the second floor. There are 10 brand new Megaformers on the second level. Kate's class was challenging and quite different from the other Lagree classes I've taken before. Today, we did not do any pulses or holds but we slowed down most moves to 8 counts. Even at 6am, 8 of the 10 machines were in use and Kate came around to make sure everyone was doing the exercises correctly. My only issue with this studio is the physical space limitation. Simply stated, it is just too small and the shape of the space is awkward for some machines. There is very little space between the handlebars of two adjacent machines. Instead of walking around the machine on the floor, I often had to crawl on the carriage to get to the other side. We didn't do any moves like swimmer but I wonder if my arms would have interfered with a neighbors' had we done it. Not only are the machines way too close, they are not staggered so everyone's shoulders and arms would presumably be aligned and if I were to swing out my arms to a T position, I'd probably be too close to someone else. 6 of the machines face a full-length mirror so try to get there early to claim one of these machines. Machine 7 is awkwardly placed in front a large window and if the lighting is right, I suppose you can use the window as a mirror. Machines 8-10 are also in front of a mirror, but you can only see your lower body in the mirror. Behind all the machines are windows and thus there are no mirrors there at all. I really like using mirrors to help me check my form but it's certainly not a requirement for the workout to feel awesome. read more

Kate runs a beautiful studio, with great instructors. I have tried 3 (Kate, Katherine & Meghan) so far & all were challenging, with perfectly timed cuing & modifications when I needed it. Lagree is a killer workout, I loved being pushed, but I also love that they correct my form. This is the perfect compliment to my indoor cycling workouts, its mindful and hard. Great job Kate & crew!! read more

Love this gym. I've been to almost 10 classes and walk out stronger each time. The classes are HARD, and the instructors do a great job of making sure everyone is doing the right form. That last part is critical, I honestly feel better coming out of Bold than when I went in (even if I am sore for a couple of days). I feel that it helps improve my posture, my core, and my overall alignment. While being an incredibly tough workout to boot. read more

Every class I've taken at Bold, albeit having different instructors, has been great! The class is challenging and moves at a good pace. Challenges your whole body in all sorts of areas. I don't live close to the studio and yet book a class every time I am in the area. read more

This review is long overdue! Bold is amazing. The owner, Kate, and the instructors here are wonderful. Although I have taken classes almost everyday for the past two years here, I consistently get a great workout. No joke. Everyone is very friendly and the studio is super clean. I've already brought a few friends here because of how great the bold team is :) read more

This up date is long overdue For the last 5 months since I first wrote the first review, I have been spending 3-4 nights a week at Bold getting a great work out. Kate has built an army of fun, supportive and challenging instructors to teach the classes. I love the later times at night, but the most popular classes are the ones early morning (not my cup of tea, or coffee actually). All the different Lagree moves isolate specific muscles, and in 50 minutes you get a full body work out with resistance and cardio. I enjoy doing slow deliberate moves--even the ones that feel impossible! The class goes by quickly with the variety of moves, and there are always some that I can do well and some I modify and have to work up too. I try and make it to class four times a week, and even though my muscles do feel sore, my body really craves coming back for more. When I first started, I could see a difference in just a few weeks, now that I have been doing it for a a while I am stronger than I have ever been,stand taller, have more energy and feel amazing. **** I love Lagree! its an intense 50 minute workout that builds muscle while you sweat. The studio is beautiful and the bathroom in stocked with thoughtful items like gum and hair bands that you might have forgotten. Kate is a great instructor and really helps everyone of all fitness levels get the most out of their workout. read more

Challenging and fun workout! I've been to 5 classes and am hooked. The workout is hard - it's like their sign says - pilates on steroids. I especially appreciate how motivating the instructors are - they recognize the class is tough and talk you through each pose and push you to hold it to the very end. Highly recommend! read more

From the airy studio, small class sizes, and passionate instructors, everything about Bold studios is wonderful. In only having been a few times, I can already see the studio creates a community for its students and I feel welcome each time I go. Best of all, I know every time I leave class I've challenged my body to be a little stronger and my fitness level to be a little higher. An incredible workout all the way around! read more

Wow! Beautiful studio! The place is clean, bright and welcoming. The instructors are clear. Each one is great; there are no weak links. As for the workout.... Prepare to be challenged. Lagree Pilates is a little different than standard Pilates. I happen to love both for different reasons. The Lagree crowd tends to be younger....and fairly fit to start with; think runners, Barre and yoga types. The heart rate stays elevated with almost zero transition time between exercises and the weights are heavy. Your muscles will be worked to just short of failure. My gluteus begs me to stop each time I go, but I am persevering and I am safely obtaining stronger hamstrings and lifting my seat at the same time. If your workout is getting stale, Lagree Pilates may be just thing to pump it up.... and Bold is an excellent, beautiful, welcoming studio and a top of the pinnacle place to start!! read more

I love this studio and the instructors! I had never heard of the Lagree method before and it is now like my favorite type of workout. I get bored pretty easily with workouts but I have been to BOLD about 6 times now and I cannot get enough. It's incredibly hard every time, but I am already seeing my body tone up. I have never received such quick results. BOLD studios is the only place i love to work out now. read more

I've been meaning to come to Bold for a year now, and I'm so glad I finally stepped into the studio for my first class last month. I went 15 minutes early, as instructed for my first class, and Kate immediately greeted me with a smile and asked me about my prior experiences with lagree/megaformer machines (which was 0). She quickly explained through the machine, how it works, and that I didn't need to worry if I didn't remember anything because she'd keep a closer eye on me during class. All throughout class, Kate was constantly motivating everyone to push harder and she would always come check up on how I was doing. I do prefer some instructors over others, but everyone is incredibly challenging and encouraging. I've had a few more classes since my first one and I love it here. Definitely going to be a daily visit studio! read more

This is a great exercise studio. I enjoy exercising but I had never taken a Lagree style class before and wasn't sure what to expect. The classes at Bold provide a challenging but fun workout. I've only taken a few classes but I feel like they've made a difference. There's an emphasis on and attention to posture and form that I really appreciate. I am looking forward to continuing to take classes here! read more

I've gone to 7 classes at Bold over the past 6 months. The workout is incredibly challenging but can also be adjusted to meet you where you're at. I walk out of the workout feeling like I've worked every single muscle in my body and am sore for days. The classes aren't cheap but there's an intro offer if you want to try a few classes to see what you think. read more

I tried their class with a friend who goes regularly and loved it! Hard workout but it made me feel like I used muscles I don't normally use. I do boot camp 5 times a week and if I lived closer, I would add Bold classes regularly. I took the class with Bibi and she's just the right motivator and teacher. read more

As I was scrolling through my Mindbody app this morning, I noticed that today marked the day of my 18th class. I was actually in denial for the next several minutes, glancing through my class history over & over, counting & re-counting my visits to Bold. How could it be possible that I still shake and quiver through each class, even though I've taken so many sessions already? That's the magic of lagree. A little background about myself: I come from the land of pancake butts and flabby arms--your model cardio bunny. As a recent college graduate, I ran club cross-country, and while I did attend a few other studio classes, they were (no surprise) cardio-related. I was also a "stress runner." I ran every day, with or without sleep, food, warming up, or cooling down. As a result, I was constantly in & out of physical therapy for knee injuries. However, being the stubborn-headed, runners' high junkie that I was, I still didn't cut down my mileage or adequately strengthen my legs until my PT took me off running completely. This discouraged me so much that I cut out all physical activity from my routine and decided to accept my fate as a couch potato. I first discovered Bold when Kate was invited to become a lululemon Ambassador. From the get-go, she was so sweet and down to earth. I had never heard of lagree before, and when I Google'd it, the machines looked intimidating. However, my friends & coworkers around me raved about the classes, which finally convinced me to give Bold a whirl. I went into my first class with absolutely no idea of what was going on. So, for all y'all lagree newbies like me... Definitely arrive several minutes early before your first session for a quick rundown of the machine, but don't worry if you don't catch everything! The instructors are all extremely patient and knowledgeable and will guide you towards the correct form. They also describe each move in detail before the transitions, but if you still feel confused, look around, try your best, and wait for the instructor to correct you. If you're doing everything right (yes, you can go even slower--I believe in you!!!), it will burn. Like, a lot. You will tremble. You will shake. You will be pushed to your comfortably uncomfortable zone and you will feel amazing afterwards. It's a low-impact, 50-minute full-body workout and your only break will be during your brief transitions. However, you are always encouraged to listen to your body if something doesn't feel right. For instance, every instructor will start off by asking if anyone has any injuries, and they always provide modifications for each move, whether you're looking for something with more or less intensity. At Bold, you're pushed to challenge yourself, without judgement. The class will breeze right through, and hopefully afterwards, you'll find yourself addicted--just like me. :) It is very clear that Bold was designed with a lot of thought, love, and passion in mind. It is not just a fitness studio, but a warm community. Every instructor has such a beautiful and fun personality, and you'll notice that each student leaves in a much happier mood. The studio is intimate, and there are no more than 10 or so machines, but this allows the instructors to really focus in on you. There is a cubby for you to store your belongings, a water filtration system, changing room, and bathroom (no shower). The bathroom also has hair-ties, tampons, and gum, in case you arrive in a rush and forgot to bring your own. The studio itself is very clean and bright, and the decor is minimalist but so aesthetically pleasing. So to conclude my excessively long review, yes--18 classes later, Bold still kicks my butt! In fact, if you visit frequently, you'll notice instructors take one another's classes, and they will still tremble. However, I can feel myself getting stronger and leaner, and Bold has become a daily highlight for me. Kate, along with all the other instructors at Bold, should feel incredibly proud of themselves for creating such an amazing and welcoming studio! Seriously--take a class at Bold! read more

The Lagree method is the most effective workout around! I never knew I had obliques until I started using the Megaformer :p Bold has a lovely, sunny studio and great instructors. Parking can be a little tricky on College Ave., so budget a few extra minutes. read more

I love bold! I always feel empowered to try my best, the instructor I've had make exercising fun. Classes are challenging, but I fee very good during and after class. I've brought three friends to join me, and they have the same review as I do, we all love bold! Thank you guys! read more

Obsessed with this place. I saw definite changes in my body by the end of the first month, especially my core and legs. When I went to my first class, looking around, I was like, "I don't belong here - these people are sooo fit!" But now, I'm one of them! The people at Bold are fit because they've been coming to Bold, not because you have to be that way before you start. The classes are small, so you can be sure the instructor is keeping an eye on your form the entire time (this also keeps me motivated to really work the whole time, since I know somebody will care if I slack!). The vibe is upbeat, but not too intimidating for an introvert like me - my instructors know my name and notice my progress, but give me space to do my own thing. It's okay to mess up/fall over/shake/fail/pour sweat. It's okay not to wear Lululemon/not to have your hair all cute. Instructors are always willing to answer your questions, always check if anyone has injuries, and want you to get max benefit from every class. I started coming here in the process of recovering from having major surgery after getting hit by a car. I was more out of shape than I've ever been in my life from spending so long bedridden. Within months, I'm proud of my strength, happy with my body, and comfortable in my new little community at Bold. It doesn't get better than that! read more

I've been loving taking Megaformer classes Bold, especially classes with Karen Hayes! The small class size, upbeat music and energetic instruction have kept me coming back in addition to the class times that range from 6 am to 7:15 pm. There are always modifications available if you have an injury or aren't feeling the strongest that day, but the time flies by even though you're working hard for the full 50 minutes. Although I live about 15 minutes away in West Oakland, I enjoy making the trip to Bold a few times a month, and book using a combination of Classpass, Zenrez, and the studio's own website (they frequently offer specials). read more

I have attended five classes so far and I am so hooked! The time flies because the instructors are able to bring in a fun yet empowering element into the flow of the session. The space is so comforting and you instantly feel like family from the start. I hella appreciate their early AM classes so by the time that you come out of the studio you feel ready to conquer the day! :) read more

I love this studio! The teachers are so helpful and motivational, and the schedule provides lots of early morning and evening class times for those of us who work or are in school. read more

Bold is currently my favorite workout. The instructors are really welcoming & helpful. Classes are challenging, and I'm working muscles I didn't even know I had! I'm new to Lagree, and the instructors take time to make sure my alignment is correct & offer modifications as needed. I cannot explain how amazing I feel after each class. read more

First time doing Pilates reformer classes and I felt so comfortable right away. I tried Bold out first through ClassPass then signed on for their introductory offers through the studio. All of the instructors are also super helpful and kind. This is hands down the hardest workout class I have ever taken but I love it. You get a good stretch but also build strength and stamina. I am hooked! read more

I am obsessed with Bold. In an effort to get in shape for my wedding and also switch up my workout routine a bit, I decided to brave Lagree since a number of friends had told me about it. After lifting weights for 2 years, I had absolutely gotten stronger, but wasn't seeing the tone or definition in my body I was looking for. Now, after 4 months, I'm very glad I added Bold to the routine, as I'm starting to see the changes I wanted. The studio is great and I especially love Kate as an instructor. She encourages and pushes you through the whole class so you get in your best workout. Thanks, Kate!! read more