EM Barre 101 is more ballet moves than what I am accustom to. Barre3 & Physique 57 and Pure barre…read moreis what I was expecting or some variation to that. Nice space, but no a/c today... a very humid day. No cardio. Basically, coordination and a few balance moves with many plies. Let early. I suppose if you are used to this type of barre class it would be fine, but this was not want I had expected.

Love taking class here. This place is perfect for those who used to dance back in the day and still…read moremiss it! If you have taken a lot of dance in your youth, it can be tough to find the right fit amidst the whole ballet-fitness craze. There are a lot of adult beginner ballet classes out there (Extension Room actually offers some, so does the National Ballet School adult program, Dance Teq, City Dance Corps, InStudio) but if you have already done a lot of ballet before, the pace can be a bit slow/basic. Then there are intermediate ballet classes at serious ballet studios, but if you aren't dancing regularly anymore, it can be intimidating or too hard! Or the other students will all be really young! Finally, there are barre fitness studios like barre3, barreworks, barre beautiful, etc., which I enjoy for the workout, but they are not that "dance-y" if you are craving that. They are more like fitness classes that use the barre as a tool, but there isn't much choreography and most moves are done with feet in parallel, as opposed to proper ballet positions. Enter the Extension Room -- the barre 101 class is like a legit ballet barre but with weights for an added upper body challenge (think plies, tendus, degages, adage, grand battements in the same sequence one would expect from an "real" ballet class) and the allegro boot camp made me feel like I was really dancing for the first time in ages! I talked with some of the other students and many were like me, people who had studied dance recreationally and were looking for a way to keep dancing in an accessible and fun environment. It helps that all the instructors are/were dancers, often at major ballet/contemporary companies. Watching them demonstrate with beautiful technique is inspiring and they have good eyes for form and give useful corrections. I do think it would be really helpful to have some dance background for these classes, even though they are supposed to be for anyone. That being said, if you have no dance background at all, the barre 101 class is a good place to start (slower pace, barre helps with balance). I found the allegro bootcamp quite challenging (in a good way), and I think it would be hard to keep up for those less familiar with common ballet steps. It is also way harder to do certain steps without the support of the barre! I haven't tried their yoga, mat pilates, or bosu ball classes yet but it looks like there's quite a bit of variety in their schedule. Facilities are stunning and make it a pleasure to come here. High ceiling, chandeliers, nice sprung floors, etc. It's not a surprise that the space can be rented our for parties/weddings/corporate functions... I also like that they provide mats and weights, plus there are energy balls and juices/smoothies available for purchase. The change rooms have showers and small lockers. The location is a bit random, but actually easy to reach by the 504 streetcar and there is free street parking in the area too. Plus, for Yelper bonus points, it is in close proximity to a number of good snack/coffee spots like Roselle, Tandem Coffee, and Odin;) Very important!!

So 4 weeks, 8 classes and lots of fun! Absolutely loved my…read moreinstructor, Tara. She was fun, encouraging and full of energy. No two classes were the same-circuits, plyometrics, boxing...we never knew what was coming next. The only thing you could count on was working harder than you would if she wasn't there. The class was mixed ability and there were always variations. I think pretty much any level could participate. There was always a fun atmosphere and people tended to cheer each other on. I'd love to have kept going but the cost is just way too high. Tonight was the last class of the month and as we left people were split into "I'm coming back" and "I'd love to come back but I can't afford it". I think every single person would have renewed if the pricing was more reasonable. Class and instructor quality? 5 stars, bonus star for making me do burpees without whining and :-) Bringing your own dumbbells :-( Guilt over the price -2 Overall 4ish.

Head Chick" Amanda takes our measurements and weight (ugh!) and helps us set personal fitness goals…read morein the first class. The women-only classes are supportive and exercises are all adjustable based on individual levels. That doesn't mean it's easy. This is still bootcamp, after all, you pansies. We flow through cardio drills, strength training and yoga stretching to a soundtrack of dance-pop. Programs run in downtown parks and last 4 weeks...... I'm sticking with these chicks for the whole month!

Came for a reformers pilates and was hooked!…read more I was greeted by Christina, one of the owners of the studio and she gave me a quick tour of the place, letting me know of all the other workout classes they also offer. The upstairs is where the reformer pilates takes place and is the newer part of the studio. The studio is clean and super welcoming. They have spin, barre classes, mat pilates and reformer pilates. I made my way upstairs where the room was beautifully lit from all the big windows. The workout itself was a 5/5, as it worked me hard! Loved Christina's energy in motivating the class and fixing people's forms if they were off. The music choice was also very good and upbeat. Reformers pilates level 2 is definitely a tough one that will get your body shaking in ways you didn't know it could. I left the class feeling super energized and happy. I can't wait to come back again and again! Would highly recommend this studio for all!

This studio is truly one of the best I've ever been to! I absolutely loved the reformer Pilates…read moreclass with Melanie--she's amazing and so attentive to everyone. The studio has such cozy, welcoming vibes and feels like a big upgrade compared to others I've tried. Melanie's class was thoughtfully structured, engaging, and an incredible workout. Highly recommend!

I started taking the Body Blast and Boxfit classes at this studio back in September and I'm super…read morehappy with the experience. I've even signed up for their 6 Week Fitness Challenge that starts tomorrow. I'm pretty active on my own, but find it's easy as we head into winter to opt for the couch over the run outside. So, signing up for classes provides a little extra incentive for me to keep active. From my first visit at Cornerstone I felt comfortable, a key feeling for me when I'm working out. The owner, Lauren Cook, took time to explain pricing, the best deals, and introductory offers. Although I don't have kids, I noticed that the schedule's built to accommodate kids classes at the same time adults are working out. Supporting local community businesses is important to me and Lauren took the time to explain why she opened and what impact she hopes it has on the community. All a positive for me. I take body blast with Nick Robinson on Thursdays. It's a mix of functional exercises to build cardio and some strength training. The classes are small, so it's more like a personalized workout with a trainer rather than a class at say Goodlife. The max we've had so far in class is 4 people, so there's no hiding. The upside, is that after I injured myself running, he was able to give me modified exercises during the class at no additional cost and it didn't prevent me from going. This was awesome! The Boxfit class on Sundays is the best workout I've ever had. If you're looking for a cardio workout this is it. It's an hour and divided amongst skipping, jogging, aerobics, box jumping, and punching the bag so you never get bored. You work on 3 minute rounds with 30 second breaks the whole time. Jared is funny and makes sure everyone is working hard throughout the class. As for costs, I pay per session and find it reasonably priced. It's more expensive than Goodlife, but I feel more accountable given the smaller class sizes. And you can't beat the individual attention you're getting from a certified instructors/trainers without paying for one-on-one sessions. I've not taken any of the adult dance classes they offer, but I've ventured into both Yoga and Pilates now and continue to be impressed by the staff they have.

My kids have been taking dance classes at Cornerstone since shortly after it opened and I always…read morerecommend it to anyone looking for breakdancing, hip hop and contemporary/modern dance style classes, and it's also a great place for really little kids to get into dance for the first time. My daughter in particular has learned so much and been able to really explore her creativity, plus has boosted her self esteem. Wonderful staff, very caring and thoughtful, and overall a great vibe in the studio. Delighted to see how the studio has evolved and grown over the years.

Any place that can get me to enjoy exercising deserves a medal. I knew my 100th review had to go…read moreto something special, so after a mere moment's consideration, I decided it would have to be Cirque Ability. I signed up for Beginner's Acrobatics with about 6 weeks left in the session, and from the first class I loved it. Each class has a maximum of six students per instructor, which is a great ratio. And for something so specialized and with such small classes, the price is great - only about $15 per class. The main draw for me though is that it's fun, and it's a great workout that's over before you know it. The hour goes by so quickly, because you enjoy what you're doing, rather than running on a treadmill watching the minutes tick by. It's also rewarding because you can easily measure the difference between where you were at the beginning and where you are now. The first time I felt like my cartwheel didn't look like a drunken four year old was an amazing feeling. As was the first time I managed to balance on just my head and my hands. Heather is a great instructor and she really helps by breaking down each move. Sure, I can't do a handstand yet, but I'm working on building the muscle, balance and confidence to ensure that I'll probably be able to in the winter session. All in all, they're a great workout class that I just love and I can't wait for the winter session to begin!

I love Cirque-ability! Cirque-ability is an amazing fitness studio focusing on circus training,…read moreacrobatics, and gymnastics. All ages are welcome and there are various skill level classes. The group classes are very small and one on one personal coaching is always provided. The environment and atmosphere is very welcoming and friendly. There is a strong sense of community in this west end studio. The converted loft space is awesome. Heather is a wonderful coach. She is friendly, patience, driven and is an excellent motivator. Circus class involves training on one of the following appartuses: hoop, silks or trapeze. These classes are so much fun and offer a great alternative to the same old work out routine at the gym. They are very fun, challenging, help to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance. Drop in for a break dance class or for partner acro, or a silks lesson=), or have a birthday party there! I am so thankful that this studio exists! fly through the air with the greatest of ease! But make um understand its westside foe life Thanks so much for your time, Cheers, Jenna

I like Area Fitness because you aren't tied into any contracts, you can choose if you want a…read moremembership for the classes or for just the equipment or both. I've taken the spin class as well as the yoga class and I enjoyed both. I also come with my trainer and just pay her drop in fee, if I go in before 5pm it's not busy which is great. The prices are also very reasonable and it's a great location for me! The only downside is if you buy the 10 class pass, it's just stored in their computer so it's a bit hard to remember how many you've used without them checking in their system.

I had an amazing experience doing personal training sessions at Area Fitness. Connie was so helpful…read moreand friendly, she set me up with one of her studio's trainers, Stephanie Belding. Stephanie was really understanding of an existing injury and my chronic leg pain issues, she designed bodyweight-focused workouts that didn't leave me feeling worse or confused of how I could do them on my own. Also a very sincere and funny lady to work with, which is great when you're feeling intimidated by a new fitness routine! I would highly recommend Area Fitness to anyone seeking a new gym or workout. Awesome location and I always enjoyed the music in the studio.

I recently tried out the 2 week promotion (unlimited classes) for $89. I enjoyed it so much, I…read moreattended 11 classes over 14 days. I couldnt believe how slow, subtle and concentrated movements could make me feel so strong in so litte time. The excercises were intentional, activating muscles that I would normally never think to work out let alone use. Fahreen was a great instructor, paying close attention to our form and correcting it in an unintimidating environment (even for a newb like myself). The cleanliness of the studio was top notch. The mediterranean theme decor was inspiring. The Merrithew equipment, likely one of the best of its kind. I had a very enjoyable experience at Trivara Pilates and definatlely plan to visit again!

Visited a new Pilates studio in Toronto. The moment you walk in, the interior/decor is…read morebreathtaking! The most clean, beautiful, peaceful, and serene studio I've been to. I did their foundational class which is perfect for beginners. They have 8 reformer machines, so the instructor is able to spend time with each person (correct their form as needed). My instructor was Simona - she was great! I love how she teaches her class to be intentional and controlled with movements/breaths. She also goes around correcting forms, is encouraging, and motivating. Will definitely be back when I'm in the area!

Today I attended my first dance class with Beyography. Our instructor Liana Lewis was amazing! So…read morepositive and inspiring. The choreography to Formation was tricky, but I enjoyed it completely. I totally recommend this class!