*This review is only based on my experience of their website*…read more I will be travelling to HK for at least a couple of times this year, and I would really love to find a studio to continue my yoga practic. After checking with the big yoga studios and decided not to go with them because of their steep charges for walk-in classes (more than London and New York!). I found Yoga Bam Bam. It seems like a good alternative. No fussy contract and everything seems to look quite direct and simple. However, as I read on their website about their freelance teachers, who are doctors, lawyers, CEOs...etc, it makes me feel a little reluctant. I don't think the teachers other jobs have anything to do with my yoga practice or even their own. It doesn't mean they're better teachers. Anyway, I will write a update review if I decide to try Yoga Bam Bam.

I've been practising yoga for almost three years. I've experienced immense joy and benefits out of…read moreit and so that's why if i tend to stay in a place longer than a month, I will make it a priority to find a good studio where I can continue my yoga practise. Moving to Hong Kong, it was quite easy for me to fall in love with Pure. Since it is everywhere and they have excellent teachers, (especially at the Centrium location where I practise.) Therefore it wasn't a hard decision for me to make, to join Pure yoga. As with anything you do and with my complacent personality, yoga can get a little boring after awhile. It's the same poses, the same class etc. So i began to venture out towards other yoga related recreational sports. My friend who is a certified yoga instructor teaches Aerial yoga in Hong Kong. She recently told me to come check out a yoga class held at Yoga Bam Bam. This is when I learned that Yoga Bam Bam is located in Sheung Wan with a small but open feel to practise yoga. If you are tired of practising inside a skyscraper confined within the walls that are mirrors, try Yoga Bam Bam. They are a new studio that is half outdoors and half indoors. It's quite a different experience to practise yoga outside. I understand why people do it at the beach and parks. What's more interesting is that I learned, this space is used for yoga instructors to rent out for the duration of their class. I think it's an excellent and flexible idea. Instead of the same instructors all the time, whoever wants to teach, whoever is in town can just rent the space out and teach whatever kind of yoga they wish. This definitely spices things up a bit!

I am not a yoga fan by any stretch (get it - ha), but I've recently been introduced to this…read moredelightful studio in Sheung Wan with stunning views of the Harbour. The environment here is peaceful and relaxing, very clean, and not crowded (will I be doing this place a disservice by yelping it?). I love the instructors - an all-male Indian cast, but so far from what I'e seen, all teachers who have generous hearts, a pure interest in helping you with your yoga practice no matter what level you are, and great background in yoga. What I particularly love, as a non-yoga fan, is that the yoga here is not about Sanskrit, spirituality or specific sequences. Here, there is an emphasis on calming the mind and improving the body's capability in both strength and flexibility. It feels very pure to me, and this sort of practice resonates well with me (I actually usually do a HIIT circuit to get me going). I know my work in the studio will help me in my other physical endeavors, and feel the therapeutic nature of every session.

If you know about the bar method workout, then you should definitely come here. If you don't, you…read moreshould definitely try just one class to convince you that this is an amazing workout that tones your body and strengthens your core while straightening your body posture. The barre workout uses forms of Pilates, yoga, and dance. I highly recommend Barre2Barre to everyone, whether beginner or advanced, you go at your own pace. So even though Karen or Mylene will push you to do your best and work your hardest, only you know your limits.

From the owner: We are a boutique barre studio in Central, Hong Kong certified in the BarreAmped fitness method. We…read moreteach BareAmped, Body Control Pilates and Yoga at our studio. Shake, burn and change with us! #barre2barre

Several friends in HK have studied with Veer for many years & were always talking about this great…read moreyoga teacher in HK. I take yoga classes everywhere I travel and I think Veer is one of the most knowledgeable instructors I've met. He has a variety of types of classes but what sets him apart is his ability to understand his student's bodies and what each person needs to do in order to progress. I took both a regular class and a private lesson & I learned many things I will take into my regular yoga practice. The studio has changing areas and there even is a shower. He's got all sorts of props to help less flexible people like myself. I'm looking forward to my next visit to HK to take his classes.

Love the boutique concept and how the trainers make an effort to know each person's name during the…read moreclass. Completely different feel from a gym or big studio like Pure, yet they also have the little touches like shower amenities and providing plastic bags for your sweaty clothes Workout wise, it's definitely not a class for the faint of heart! I do lots of Pilates and Yoga, and I love this amped up version of a pilates reformer class. There's less attention to detail and spinal articulation than Pilates, thus if you have back pain or are not very body aware, you may benefit more from a regular pilates class. My favourite instructors are Steffi, Jenny and Vanessa. Go give Hkore a try!

I have been working out at Hkore for 2 years, and I must say that this work out works! Hkore is…read more'lagree fitness', which is a Pilates-like work out using a bigger version of a reformer (they call it a megaformer). It burns fat, strengthens, tones, and tightens the body in 45 minutes. It is a tough work out but you see the impact quickly, especially around the core area. I highly recommend hkore, and the beginner pack is a bargain at $180 for 2 classes with a pair of free non slip socks!

I took Megala's 7:15am Friday "Power Vinyasa" with Megala, so this is really a review of that…read moreclass, although I also have a couple of (nice) observations about the space from a visitor's perspective. It's a strong, well-taught, traditional Ashtanga "Intermediate" class with some flow at the start (Surya Namaskar A & B a few times), then breaking into other shorter sequences whose names I don't know (standing sequence, camel, etc.). This is not an _umpa thumpa_ fitness yoga class; it's a formal and practice-oriented class. That said, Megala has that nice trait that I've encountered in Ashtanga yogis; she's _nice_ (for sure) but not cuddly, in that: she will urge you to do your best in hard poses. Which I appreciate. And she offers challenging poses, again in the Ashtanga way of really emphasizing form and proper practice (e.g., you won't do handstands, unless you can arrive at the handstand from a formally rigorous pike-up (not kick up) using our lower abs). Again: Megala was excellent; calming, attentive and specific, encouraging. Last note -- I really like this space, and think it has the right name. "The Yoga Room" I know that this studio in fact has several rooms, but it really felt like a space (4F) above the city, reserved for a different / special / specific thing: yoga. I don't live in HK; I live in LA. I think if I lived here, and were embedded more continuously in the thick of this city, I would really appreciate the respite that I think this space maybe offers, and I got the sense from the familiar community and their ease with each other--between students, and between Megala and students--that indeed people find a sense of practice and routine here that is pleasurable.

Locates close to Sheung Wan MTR station and Queen's Road Central, the Yoga Room cannot be hard to…read moreaccess to. It occupies three floors for its studios. Cute rooms with changing rooms and 180 degree view of Shueng Wan's tranquil lanes. I have been Magala's Friday Intermediate level class. Relatively small size class for 6 to 8 pax. Advanced booking is required. Instructor starts on time and chant in the beginning of the class (thank god!!). Tyical six times Sun-salutation to warm up. Then depends on the students, may go easier or harder for the balance poses. We went for some fundamental moves. The back bending is tough for some newbies. But you will feel great the next day and you did all the previous warming up for the 'click' of the joints. It would be pleasant if more twist is covered. Or it is just me who ask for it?! The atmosphere is more private and calm here at Yoga Room. The teach got to correct positions on individuals. The incense brought me back to India' s Ashram. And the bright and contemporary studio fit perfect for after-work relaxation. The instructors have diverse background from Sivananda, Jivamukti, Ashtanga, kids yoga, prenatal to yin and yang. The fee is reasonable. But it still focuses on beginners. If you are green enough, have some trial class then make up your mind.

The classes and facilities are amazing. However one must read the terms and contract before signing…read moreas they are not flexible at all. Also you don't get access to aerial yoga, wheel yoga or some of the very popular ones even for months. Customer service is horrible at this place. They don't inform you half the things and make it difficult for you. Very bad experience at Pure Yoga star street branch.

Once you cross over to PURE, you're pretty much ruined for all the other gyms. LOL. What I mean is…read morethat the facilities. The place smells good, is so nice and clean that when you go to another gym, you can automatically compare the place to PURE - eventually coming the conclusion that PURE is much better. Having said that, you do pay an expensive rate for such facilities. I was able to use my husband's corporate discount which brings the price from 1200HKD per month to 890HKD (115 USD) . Still steep compared to what I'm used to in USA. You can join Pure Yoga and Pure Fitness at the same time but it will cost much more. The classes hold about 25 - 50 maximum (estimate). I've been to some classes with only 10 people. It all depends on who signs up for the class. [Speaking of signing up, they have a very strict class reservation policy. So make sure you get to class!!!] Instructors wise - my favorites are Ya-Ya and Lizzy. They are a "No BS" kind of instructors and will push you to push yourself. Sometimes I feel like giving up, but they just won't let you. Actually all the instructors are good and have their own style. You should find which instructors fit you best! Most people would think YOGA is super easy. But, if you're doing it correctly, you actually start to sweat up a storm and your body will thank you. I'm still a yoga newbie (I only started when I moved here 5 months ago) but anyway, I like it wayyy better than running around town or on a treadmill.

This is the ultimate cardio workout! I consider myself to be quite active and exercise regularly,…read moremore focusing on strength training. But whenever I go to XYZ, my heart takes a beating haha! Love taking Gigi and Jess's classes at XYZ! When you check in at the front, they quickly provide you with your cycling shoes (rental included in each ride) and a locker key. I personally like taking the bikes on the side so that I can follow the moves better, especially when we need to be in sync with the music, "left right left right". The class style is quite similar to Soul Cycle, dark room with club-like lights, about 5 or 6 rounds in, there is a track with dumbbells. Who said you could only work legs and not your arms?!

I'm not the most athletic person you'll know, that's for sure. And the older you get, the more…read morereasons you need to lift your arse from your seat to get some exercise. I was never a big fan of spin studio. I'd rather ride a bike at Shatin than staying indoors with some overly competitive gang fighting for the highest scores / fastest records, well, ironically on their same respective spots. Until I heard about XYZ, obviously. That becomes a new rule of mine recently - if a business has been mentioned by three or more friends around me, I have to try it. And as a disclaimer, I've been here for try-out class only, although I'm very likely to come back as a regular. First of all, hell yeah it's a like clubbing at Play or Volar, but with both of your feet on pedals. When the class started and the light dimmed, the vibe was really exciting, but minus the competitive bs. It was kind of relaxing in its way if you think of it, as it was my very first time ever been to a spinning class. And 5mins in? I felt like dying already. Muscles were burning, and THEN our dearest instructor Kat started getting us to double our spins. Kat was amazing, and made me realized the instructor was the most important element in the class. She motivated each and everyone of us just enough to keep our head above the water, but not to drown us with anything too harsh. I was just able to keep up an hour long lesson, (and I said I'm not the most athletic person!), but looking back from the second I started, I didn't stop pedaling at all for an hour. It made me felt really good, and surpassed any instructor-based fitness classes I have ever been.

Although I have simply chosen to explore other Pilates options in Hong Kong to find a staff that…read morehas a deeper bench of well seasoned Pilates instructors in addition to more Pilates props on sight (ie. a cadillac, barrels, gyrotonics equipment, etc), I do not really have anything bad to say about Anhao Wellness. The Yelp review sits somewhere between a 3 and a 4, but feel a 3 is a better reflection than a 4 when you consider Pilates options around Hong Kong. Located tucked up the stair ways of Ladder Street in Sheung Wan, Anhao Wellness is one of those places that you cannot just pop in. It kind of seems like unless you are there for a scheduled session, there is nobody on sight at this locationM (or at least the several times I tried to pop in prior to getting on the schedule, there was nobody ever there). Maybe better to reach out via phone or e-mail first. No receptionist at a desk or anything like that. Anhao has another location on the Kowloon side (I think...but maybe not) that this might be the case, but this location seems more like a satellite studio. I took 4-5 private sessions with Mio. Mio is super kind, eager to share her knowledge and a good "newer" instructor. I believe she has been teaching for a year or two. I am by no means an expert (if I were, I would not be doing private Pilates for the last 6 years if I could do it on my own!), but after inquiring with the owner to book my initial appointment and explaining my Pilates background, I got Mio. I like Mio and absolutely can benefit from an instructor regardless of their experience, but I kind of think maybe I was a square peg being put into a round hole. As a new client that wants to go to their Sheung Wan studio and was only available on a certain day of the week, but has extensive Pilates experience, I might have simply been assigned an instructor by Anhao Wellness that fit into this model. This might be my fault too. I prefer more contemporary styles and an instructor that expands my horizons that shows me things that challenge me, mixes it up and are new. I did not feel I got this with Anhao Wellness. If this instructor exists, despite expressing my background and interest, I got Mio. This puts Mio in an odd spot and me too when it comes to expectations. Life is about managing the expectations. The studio is small and simply has five reformers. No wunda chair, no cadillac, no ladder barrel. If these items were available someplace on another floor, I never saw them. The studio is cute, small, clean, mirrored. The location always seemed hot to me too, maybe relying on cool breezes through the windows versus A/C. I am a sweater, therefore, I was always hot. I was then gone for two months over the summer and when I returned, I sent two e-mails to the owner to get back on a schedule and nobody ever responded. If you have so much business that you cannot respond or sift through your junk e-mail to check for e-mails like mine, then maybe my money is best spent elsewhere. As a paying client, I should not have to seek you out extensively to get a response, considering there are lots of Pilates options about. This kind of bugged me a touch, also knowing that I had spoken to the owner all along via e-mail when I first became a client. If you are new to Pilates or live in Sheung Wan and want someplace boutique and small, this place might be for you. Mio might be the instructor for you! Although I did not bare witness, they offer personal training, Pilates mat and yoga options too. All this occurs on an upper floor that I did not see, since I was a private client and only saw the first floor.