I've been going to Alota Pilates on and off for quite a few years. Starting at their old location…read morein one small room, I attended a variety of mat classes taught by Caryn and really enjoyed them. I have some body issues stemming from injury and flat feet (thanks dad) and caryn not only was respectful of them but also showed me how to modify certain stretches and sequences so as not to hurt myself or cause discomfort and also get the maximum stretch and strengthening. This morning I went to my first mat class (we had a private "family" class with my mom, me, our friend and her daughter) in probably 3 years and it was wonderful. Their new (well, new to me!) space is light, airy and just beautiful. Caryn is a fantastic teacher and is extremely attentive to all in her classes. I will admit, Pilates can be a bit expensive but the effect it has on your body...and really your mind, can be well worth the expense.

Here's the scoop - the reformer (which PR person came up with that name?) classes usually have 2-3…read morestudents so you really get a lot of attention from the instructor who constantly checks to make sure you're breathing right and have the right posture. Without these two things you could do a lot of Pilates and have nothing to show for it. The classes feel close to having a personal trainer - I haven't ever had one though - who gives you exercises to do at home and helps you stretch afterward. This is based entirely on my experience with Tia. You can buy 10-class packs for $300 (no credit cards). After being reformed, you can venture on to the chair and mat classes.

First time using the reformer and it was such a good experience thanks to Suzy! She is such an…read moreamazing instructor. She was great at explaining everything and so patient with us. Definitely beginner friendly class since we were all first timers. I feel like I did not get much of a workout this day but it was more of an intro to Pilates. I appreciated the backstory of Pilates, I never knew it was one man that started it all! Great studio space! It was a bit difficult to find the studio but the email instructors were helpful, luckily we were able to follow someone up.

Had my first ever reformer lesson and it was life changing! It was so fun, great stretch, and so…read moremuch easier than expected. The size of the class was great - about 6 people. There is so much that goes into the reformer, but Suzy made it easy to understand. Suzy was incredibly patience and kind. Her passion for Pilates was infectious. I learned about the history of Pilates and the stories behind the great photographs displayed.

I had to find a gym home after my favorite gym closed in St. Paul. While I don't "do yoga," the…read moreBURNOUT class here is awesome for HIIT. It's hot / heated however, so beware to those with menopausal hot flashes! Overall, great facility and 2 rooms for yoga, burnout, and different work out options.

I worked out here as a guest of a member. Online registration was very easy. Check in upon arrival…read morewas smooth. It was a Sunday at 8am and the class size allowed plenty of room to move. The workout was a HIIT version alternating between light/medium weights and cardio. 45 sec on, 15 sec recovery. I felt the right amount of sore afterwards to know I worked hard. I was able to do most activities or at least adjust to one's I could do. The instructor was energetic and motivating. Music was pumping up the class. We even had a well behaved puppy participant. The room was bright and well heated. Really great experience.

Absolutely love this studio! They offer a great variety of classes and frequently add pop-up…read moreclasses to the schedule for even more variety. I recently tried the cardio dance class and it was a lot of fun. The Yoga CircHIIT classes are my personal favorite. It's a yoga and HIIT style class in one and the instructor's are great. Just a heads-up the classes are heated, so be prepared to sweat a little extra. The studio has showers, bathrooms, and changing rooms on site. I don't mind parking on the street since there's usually quite a bit of availability, but they also have a parking lot that is free upon validation inside. They are also in ClassPass!

I've been visiting Onx+Amelia for the last year when I'm home visiting my family. I love the studio…read morebecause it's close, the staff/instructors are really friendly and there are a variety of classes. I've taken sculpt, power yoga, and HotYasa all of which have been challenging and a great workout. There is a parking lot with complimentary parking once validated. There is also a lot of retail inside, changing rooms, and lobby/lounge area. Definitely check them out if you are ever in the area.

Another stop on my tour de fitness via ClassPass this month, and this CorePower location left some…read moreto be desired. I've been to other CorePower locations in the past and enjoyed the tough workout, so thought I'd try this location in SLP. I was excited when I saw they had a parking lot, but quickly saw how tiny and full it was, leaving me searching across Excelsior for a street spot. Crossing that intersection is terrifying! I've been warmly greeted at other studios, but that was not the case on this particular day here. The instructor and other front desk worker just looked at me, and when I said it was my first time at this location, didn't give me any direction. When I asked which of the rooms the sculpt class would be in, the instructor seemed annoyed that I was asking. There is a locker room with a few showers, bathroom stalls and lockers - but note you have to bring your own lock. The CorePower ads throughout the locker room give off a corporate vibe. The room is HOT - be prepared! This class was pretty packed and already steaming up the mirrors. The Yoga Sculpt class is pretty cardio-intensive, with weights and yoga postures as well. It got so hot at one point I had to step out for a minute, and I've done quite a bit of hot yoga! The combo of cardio, weights, and humidity got to me. But I got a hardcore sweat and workout in! The instructor wasn't quite my style: she sang all of the instructions and didn't provide modifications. None of the class takers replied to her questions or call-outs, and it didn't feel like there was much community between members. Some folks left early, and there wasn't a clear system for cleaning the weights - they all just got put back on the pile. The lack of parking and welcoming spirit will probably keep me from returning to this location, sadly.

Finally a CorePower yoga branch with good shower pressure... kid you not but the membership fee is…read morenot cheap. It's more than $150/month so I really need to have better and bigger facilities for class and after class. Reena's class is a balance of body and mind being a true hot vinyasa style class. Her mandala flow poses are wonderful if you want to strengthen and practice your breathing. I haven't tried other instructor classes so I can't speak to that. This studio is small. Parking is limited but there is additional free parking across the street.

New space so I thought it'd be helpful to do a new review, especially now that I'm maybe considered…read morean OG in the class (wuhaha)! I was having a bad day at work earlier this week but went to class and was reminded why I continue to love Major Body Fitness. It is the people & because I have fun every time! It seems like Melissa & Chloe's (owner/instructors) purpose is to make every single one of us in class laugh, smile, & let loose each time! I feel re-energized, more centered, powerful, & feminine every single time. I also usually feel sore the next couple days which means I'm workin it. You'll learn a lot about different exercise moves, stretching, & even some dance moves. I honestly doubted I would ever be able to twerk but one day I shocked myself (& Melissa lol) by finally learning how & if I can, then it's within reach for everyone! About the New Space: Major Body is no longer in its stand-alone studio. All classes now take place at the Oxford Community Center. This means the instructors spend less time on building maintenance & more time in designing our classes. The building has a free and open parking lot & locker rooms that we are able to use. Note that there aren't single stall showers tho and are instead like middle school where there's a bunch of spouts in one room. The class is on the second floor. You don't need to sign in at the front desk, just go up the stairs on your right when u enter & follow the music and flashing lights. To get in the locker room, just tell the front desk ur with Major Body & they'll buzz u through the doors. Go to Major Body's website for the latest class schedule. Right now the classes are weightlifting (Major Power) on Mondays, Major Bounce on Wednesdays with a follow-up class that differs from week to week, & strength-building at 10am on Saturdays. It's super easy to sign up for class online. You can pay for classes in a bundle online too which is a better deal than paying for a single class. You should also follow Major Body on Facebook & Insta. This will be your best bet in knowing about any free classes or special events they offer once in a while. The instructors still love what they do & that feeling is infectious. If you're looking for motivation to workout while loving your body & having fun, you've got to try these classes out! Thanks Melissa & Chloe & the whole fitfam for creating this unique space! Here's to more health & healing & loving ourselves and each other in the new year!

Took the BUTI Yoga class and man was it a great work out. I'll be honest, it was intense,…read moreexhausting, and I was watching the clock the entire time. However, when it was done I had a jolt of energy. The class fused dancing (like Zumba) to Caribbean, Latin, Hip Hop and Dance music, with yoga stretches, and moves like planks and pushup to build muscle. While it may seem like a lot (to some), it all came together well and with the intense dancing, the other moves provided a bit of rest...while still working out. The instructor, who had lots of energy, had us kicking high, whining our waist, jumping...and for some of us nearly crying (feeling the burn). It was a fun, impactful class and a lovely studio that I would DEFINITELY recommend. A few things to note: -there is a parking lot attached -bring your own yoga mat, but if you forget there are rentals -bring your own water bottle...already filled as there's no drinking fountain, but they sell water -there isn't a locker room (or I didn't notice one), but if you need to change there is a bathroom -come with a positive attitude as it really help(ed) make the experience that much better -they also offer spin class (and other workouts) which I heard is fun

Thank you Studio L2 Pilates Training center! I started Pilates with Laura over 5 years ago and…read morekeep going back. Laura and her workouts at the Center have elevated my fitness level to new heights. As I get older, I am gettting more flexible and strong instead of tighter and losing strength like many of my friends complain about. Weekly Pilates have been wonderful for me both for Stress relief and health balance. Thank you Studio L2 for keeping me interested in maintaining my health by teaching me the latest great workouts so my body is always challenged!

I started at Studio L2 about a year ago. I started with the private Pilates sessions. I was…read morelooking for an instructor who was able to adapt my training routine to accommodate some physical limitations that I have. Laura was great at customizing my workouts and offering variations to work around my limitations. Since then, the studio started offering barre classes as well, that I just love. The studio is a great fit for me because of the small class sizes and personalized attention. And as a bonus, I have met many other wonderful women who attend there that have become friends and networking contacts. I highly recommend Studio L2!

I've been coming here for the last year and half and quickly realized these yoga classes are just…read moremy style. YogaQuest is an amazing, welcoming community in Uptown for the nerdily-inclined. The teachers are totally accepting of whoever comes in the door and really focus on offering yoga for all, even if you don't have the stereotypical yogi body. They offer so many options and variations for every body, and it's a great place to come in as a total yoga newb because they break down poses so well. The classes are awesome and always find a way to put a fun and hilarious spin on a typical yoga class. Tuesday nights offered narrated yoga-alongs to everything from Star Wars to Lord of the Rings to Sherlock and the list goes on and on. On Saturdays, you can even show up in your pajamas and do some yoga and then watch your favorite cartoons with a bowl of cereal. But one of the best things about YogaQuest is the sense of community you'll find there. Within a class or two, you'll notice a lot of familiar faces, and YogaQuest prides themselves on not being a quiet, contemplative studio. There are jokes and stories constantly flying, people asking questions about poses and tons of laughter throughout. In other yoga classes I've been to, it's incredibly serious and you never talk to the person doing a pose next to you, even if you see them every week. At YogaQuest you'll receive a huge welcome when you walk in the door, whether you're brand-new or you've been there the day before. And their focus on nerd wellness means they're always somebody to geek out with about your favorite fandom before, during or after class.

I've been going to YogaQuest periodically for 2 years now and everything I wrote before is still…read moretrue. PLUS, they've added more classes! (Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the bathroom pro. It's so nice to have bathrooms right outside the studio. Easy access but you don't feel like you're in the middle of class with your pants down)