I started Pilates with a student of Lolita San Miguel's so I have some experience with excellent…read morePilates teachers....We love Paula and the studio, relaxed atmosphere, without the sectarian feel. Definitely one of the better Pilates studios in the Boston area, there are so many teachers who took apparently a 2 months crash course in Pilates and know very little..... Not here: Teachers are knowledgeable and they have the super cool Gyrotonic equipment! I like to have flexibility when working out and do not always want to do the exact same reformer or mat routine. My body is very thankful!

I've practiced Pilates at Upward Spiral Studio for ~3 years and I'm really grateful for the…read moreexperience. Amy guided me from the fundamentals and helped me develop much better body awareness--alignment, control, and understanding what my body needs instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all workout. She's especially good at making smart adjustments on the spot (modifications, cues, and small changes that make a big difference). The vibe is friendly and professional, scheduling has been smooth, and the space is clean and comfortable. If you're looking for Pilates that's thoughtful, sustainable, and tailored to your body, I'd strongly recommend this studio.

As a fellow physical therapist, I've had a hard time finding other PTs who not only were pilates…read moreteachers, but also incorporated breathwork into their training. Allie was exceptional and very knowledgeable and so thrilled I had a chance to take a private pilates reformer class with her! The very first thing she does is train breathwork with each movement and her cuing is simple, direct and super easy to follow. It was a sweaty yet fun 50 minutes of an intense full body reformer workout and I finished the session feeling invigorated and rejuvenated! Allie was meticulous with taking COVID precautions as we were the only ones in the studio and she was very diligent with sanitizing before and after. Not only is it bright and airy and a welcoming environment, her personality is so energetic and friendly! Will definitely go back for more reformer sessions and highly recommend her!!

I love Pilates Rx! I did the 3 month movement program before my wedding and it was SO worth it. Not…read moreonly are the instructors all incredible and the facilities are immaculate, I looked AMAZING on my wedding day thanks to all the hard work I put it with the Pilates Rx team. I highly recommend!

I had my new client introduction with Celia. When I expressed discomfort about providing an…read moreexcessive amount of personal information, she insisted. Later, she apologized, saying she understood I didn't want to share details "because ICE is snatching people off the streets." That comment was offensive and inappropriate, it felt like racial profiling. Having an accent or not being white does not mean I'm undocumented. I simply didn't want to provide unnecessary personal information.

TL;DR: I used to hate working out, but I now go to Pilates 3 days/week and have lost ~15 in 4…read moremonths. I love Pilates & this Pilates studio in particular. Diane owns the studio, and Amanda, Cilla, and Kate are the instructors. All of them are amazingly kind and supportive for any newbies looking to try Pilates. They're all STOTT trained, and they all love the work they do and really care about helping you advance. I had tried Pilates a few times before, and I hadn't been able to find a place in Boston that I liked. (I have tried two other studios in the area and left feeling miserable.) But all of the instructors here are so patient and helpful, taking time to talk with me and understand what I am trying to get out of these sessions, and I have seen a dramatic change in my body since I started in October. My upper back doesn't hurt any more; my leggings are loose; my body is stronger; my energy is up; and my mood is better. Before you can take any group classes, you have to do the intro private sessions (I think to make sure you don't injure yourself...which was, at least for me, so very possible lol). I started with once a week then progressed up to three times a week when I noticed how great I was feeling. I have continued with a mix of private and group classes, and I love it. I can not recommend FitLab enough. In fact, I recommend FitLab to everyone in my life--friends, colleagues, everyone lol. It has really changed my body, health, and life.

THE GOOD: The…read moreteachers are mostly excellent (detailed, patient, and mindful of student's varying levels). The front desk staff is mostly helpful, cheerful, and welcoming. The studio is conveniently located near the Porter Square T stop and has plenty of nearby parking, making transportation easy. And, importantly, it's a judgement-free zone. If you need to modify your practice or take unscheduled breaks in class, no one will bat an eye. In fact, teachers encourage it. All great things. THE NOT SO GOOD: My first time at the studio, no one helped orient me to the space. I found myself asking dozens of questions, gradually annoying the front desk staff. I wish someone recognized I was new to Down Under and provided a brief tour. Down Under also seems to disregard the comfort of its students. Recently, the water fountain and upstairs bathroom in the studio were out of service. Only the basement bathroom had running water. For a hot yoga studio, providing access to water seems essential. But, during the water shutdown, the only option was to go to the basement and fill up your water bottle from the bathroom tap (which only dribbled lukewarm water). Worst of all, the water issue lasted for several days. The whole experience wasn't just inconvenient, it also felt callous of Down Under to not provide a basic thing like hydration. They could have offered bottled water (even for a fee) or put up a temporary water station with one of those large Gatorade jugs. But, no: the only option was lukewarm tap water from the dank basement bathroom. Every day I went to class, there were at least 2-3 students waiting impatiently (often dripping in sweat since the studio is regularly heated to 105 degrees) before and after practice. The Porter Square location is also just janky. I've heard staff describe it as "old school" or "vintage." These are euphemisms for what it really is: an aging space lacking amenities. I've been to the more modern and amenity-filled Down Under studios in Harvard Square and Central Square. Changing rooms, tiled private showers, pilates rooms, etc. exist at these other locations. In Porter Square? You'll have to change clothes in a curtained off area that barely provides privacy. I've had someone walk in on me while changing twice. More annoying is the fact that the changing rooms in the studio are often pitch dark. Since they are in the corner, little daylight reaches them and staff do not turn on the corner lights before or after class. So, you're stuck changing in the dark. With all the investments made in other studios, you'd think Down Under could upgrade basic things in Porter Square like changing spaces with latched doors. Nope. Yet another example of the studio's disregard of students' comfort. Still, I retain my monthly membership. Why? Well, I was initially drawn in when I read Down Under's website which proudly proclaims it is "America's Best Yoga, Pilates, and Fitness." I disagree. It's not America's best. It's just the least worst option in Cambridge.

This is my favorite yoga studio in the entire Boston area. I couldn't believe how spacious the…read morepractice space is!!! The teachers are so experienced and there is a lot to choose from, mostly Hot Power flows! So wonderful to feel that heat! The staff are so supportive and friendly and check in was very smooth.

Helena is an amazing Pilates instructor, and the hands-down best masseuse I've ever had. After…read moreworking with her weekly for almost two years (whoa, time flew) she would still find new ways and methods of exercise. My regular practice with her was a big contributor to my physical and mental well being during some stressful periods that I was not otherwise taking good care of myself. I did duets with her as well as individual classes, and some of her workshops. Helena is kind, funny, and honest. There aren't many people I can start my day with at 7 AM, but she is one. She pushes you to stretch your limits but also encourages you to listen to your body, and watches your body and listens to you. She invests in her equipment and is constantly taking trainings and lessons with other instructors to improve and bring the best back to her clients. She does trigger point massage, which brings the pain and the results. You know that feeling after you chop off several inches of your hair, and your head feels like and you know you look amazing? MY WHOLE BODY FELT THAT WAY. It's uncomfortable but effective. Honestly, I can't say enough good things about Helena, both personally and professionally. I would be a lifelong client if not for a cross-country move.

Helena is incredibly knowledgeable, creative and supportive. Therefore, each session is tailored…read moreto you just as you are at that moment, to help you become the person you can be. I look forward to every session, knowing I will feel stronger and more functionally able. Helena challenges me and, with skill and encouragement, she helps me get stronger, more flexible, more agile, more self-confident in movement. This is very important to me, as a 71-year old, with 2 total knee replacements and a spinal chord injury, who has lots of bad habits from years of obesity and underuse in my relatively recent past. I live in Los Angeles, but am regularly in Cambridge where my new grandson and his parents live. I was blest to work with Helena for 6 weeks straight around when he was born. Now I can't wait to work with Helena whenever I am in town, she is amazing -- and has made a huge difference in my life.

Amazing fun workout with supportive instructors and lots of variety. I'm hooked! I think I'm…read morestronger now than I was in my 20's. Certainly more well rounded.

Finally made it to the 100 Club! And they rewarded me with special sticky socks! Woohoo!…read more I love PB Harvard Square. This studio, in particular, is open and bright. I have taken classes with Amanda, Michelle, Hilary, Angela, Liliana, Steph, Julien, Nada, Olivia, and Khrystyna. They are all very good instructors! Some instructors give more hands-on corrections than others, which is totally fine because some days I just won't want to work as hard. The classes are costly. If you are a Harvard affiliate, the MAC/HEM also offers barre (under group fitness) classes for a much more affordable membership price. The link can be found here, https://recreation.gocrimson.com/fitness/schedules The Harvard Barre classes are less intense and slower-paced when compared with Pure Barre. I went there for a year but ultimately started looking for specialty barre studios. I went to a class at Harvard Barre & Soul, the pace was good, but the studio was too stuffy/small to me. I also took an Intro class at The Bar Method. I didn't like how the music was more in the background, and the instructor calls out your name over the mic to give corrections. I also went to a Barre3 class but felt more like a yoga + cardio class than a barre exercise. I have to say after 100 classes, there are some movements and forms that I am still trying to get used to. There are a couple of positions that I absolutely do not like (e.g., flat back chair pose) and try to cheat my way through. If you want to get a good idea of what to expect at Pure Barre, check out its Foundation class on YouTube. If you are new, just know that you will be sore everywhere on your body for 2 -3 days after your first barre class, the key is to go back and get used to the routine and exercise. Even though I have taken the Harvard Barre classes, it still took me about 3 or 4 sessions to fully get familiar with what to expect at the class here. I normally wear sticky stocks because it is highly recommended. I have also seen other people wearing normal socks and they seem to be okay. There is no shower here (though I don't typically sweat too much after Barre classic, Barre Empower is a different story!), and only one changing room with one unisex bathroom. I also like the Harvard Square studio better because it is comparably less crowded than its Boston location. There are classes here with 20+ people say for a weekend morning, but other lunchtime classes are usually around 5-10 people. I'd highly recommend this location if this is convenient to you!

The class was awesome! Challenging in a way that really pushed me. I wish there were showers, but…read moreotherwise the studio was nice and clean!

Took class here on my travel pass this week with Lydia. The class was practically empty through no…read morefault of Lydia's/the studio's. I will say the studio itself is in kinda weird location and it wasn't the most pleasant walk, but that's where my complaints end. Lydia was so nice and was a great instructor. Her choice of music was bomb and she did an excellent job with hands on corrections for newer students. She made sure that everyone had the correct form as opposed to just calling out instructions. The studio itself is gorgeous - personally I prefer the ones that have two rows of megaformers which this one does. The machines were in great condition (granted this is a newer studio). I woke up the next morning so sore, which is a good indicator to me of a challenging class. Obviously not local to the Boston area but if I were I'd be happy with this as my home studio.

Caryn's a great instructor, the facility is neat and clean, and there's plenty of parking…read more Bravo to you, Beyond Fitness. Bravo.

This is an update for a previous review. They have since gotten new mats, and they are super…read morecomfortable. I'm very impressed with their responsiveness, and I could tell that they really cared about their business and clients.

Good classes and instructors and staff are really nice. The rooms aren't very clean. The bathrooms…read moreare so gross! The same stall in the women's room has been out of order in months and the toilet paper stands are often broken. They have two locations. The one in kendall square is a lot less busy.

Great gym, but they will scam you when you try to cancel! Fill out a form to cancel my gym…read moremembership since I was moving away from gym. They said it never went through. Refused to give me a refund even when I contacted the same day I was charged. Don't leave the gym until you have proof you cancelled or they will rip you off. Horrible experience, why can't they just play nice with customers. I always recommended this gym to locals but I guess that wouldn't help anymore. Had to go to credit card company to dispute charges.