I'll start by saying that I really like the concept of barre body & it's a great workout. The…read morereason for the lackluster score is twofold- 1. I think the price is utterly ridiculous & 2. There's no good 'beginner class' options which means people are more prone to injuring themselves due to lack of knowledge or technique. I did about 3 weeks of classes (and intro 2 week deal and a week afterwards) and went probably 9 times so I got a great overall view of the classes. The teachers were really lovely but a few moved far too quickly through the yoga components of the classes & I could see people struggling to keep up & rushing their poses to do so (which will lead to injury eventually). There was no explanation to newbies about the poses and no real extra attention paid to them. For those in the know the workout is excellent - it's quite lower limb heavy but different classes are varied and it is hard work- my butt & legs were killing me for days after each class!! The price. Woah. It's so expensive. Over $200 a month for unlimited classes! That's too much by anyone's standards. Their overheads are not that excessive. So what's my summary - eh, if you can afford it, do some yoga classes somewhere else first so you get to know the poses and then go nuts. You'll get a great workout with lovely teachers in a truly gorgeous space.

I admit I was pretty intimidated about the idea of doing a Barre class. I always thought it would…read morebe some kind of ballet show-off session with super toned chicks in impossibly skimpy outfits making me feel fat and frumpy. After some friends and my Pilates teacher filled me in on what REALLY goes on here, I thought I'd bite the bullet and give it a try with the two week $50 pass as a way to shake up my exercise regime. I'm really glad I did and can confirm a few things for anyone else wondering if they should take the plunge. 1) There's women of all shapes and sizes here. I once also saw a guy, but usually it's a women only affair. 2) Apart from the Barre that you use for some exercises and a couple of ballet terms, it's not very ballet/dancy at all. 3) The teachers are very kind and super lovely. There's none of that "look at me I'm so great" attitude you might get elsewhere. 4) The Barre Tone classes will make you sweat and work muscles in small but excruciating ways. 5) Your arms, legs and bum will look and feel better in just a month! I'm now attending two or three classes a week (mostly Barre Tone and Barre Body ones) and really love how it has improved my fitness, flexibility and strength in just a couple of months. The online booking system is very easy to use, though I wish you could book more than a week in advance as I like having my schedule organised a fortnight at a time. I also really like that I can use class credits in any of the Barre Body studios around Melbourne and Sydney as this gives me more flexibility when travelling.

So happy that KX has opened in my hood. I've had friends raving about their classes but couldn't…read morequite muster up the energy to travel to Richmond or beyond so was pleased to know KX classes are now only a short walk away (no excuses!) I kicked things off with an amazing Scoopon deal of four classes for $29. It was pretty hard to stretch those classes beyond a week because this place is addictive. KX operates under a quality brand protocol so all trainers follow the KX school of training and the studios have the same welcoming, friendly vibe. Their instructors are professional and knowledgable, and the equipment is great quality (and brand new!) Despite my muscles feeling very tender (having not done reformer classes for over a year) I'm hooked.

From the owner: The KX Pilates workout increases intensity by recruiting the most number of muscle fibres in the…read moreshortest amount of time, and by reducing the time between sets. With this increased muscle fibre recruitment along with working at constant pace throughout our 50 minute power workout, you will be constantly challenged and engaged, focused on the task at hand at all times.

OH GOD MY LEGS. Kaya…read morehas been kicking my ass for the past month and this is the only sentence I can utter after one of their killer pilates reformer classes. Kaya is part of that new breed of gym where you really feel like you should be dressed up when you go in - it's just that beautiful. Hardwood floors, geometric architecture, you could confuse this gym with a trendy new Northside cafe. I am addicted to their pilates reformer classes. They are touch but achievable and you honestly feel stronger the next day. They also host Barre classes, boxing classes and a variety of different yoga classes in temperature controlled rooms. One of the coolest things about Kaya (at least in my eyes) is the electronic lockers. At my last gym, I was given a beaten-up key to a grotty locker, but here the lockers are ready for you to input your very own 4-number code. Easy. Simple. Secure. If you work/live in the city and are looking for a decent gym, look no further.

Looking for a space to get your health kick on? Look no further then Kaya. With their range of…read moreclasses, people pop in and out straight from work and the daily grind, and into workout clothes for a session to get themselves back in order. Its a health club. You wouldn't come here for the gym, even though they have what you need here. But the classes? Oh yes. You may look into some of the rooms and think to yourself, what the heck are these machines? Why that is Reformer Pilates. Get on one and find out for yourself, cause it'll be your new friend. This session made me remember that I had a core. Who knew? And after those 45 minutes of intense not expecting to get sweaty -but I did, I was most definitely sore the next day. And I loved that. Yoga has always been my go-to. Nidra yoga with Ashleigh here is something everyone should do to get in touch with your inner peace. Its so soothing, almost like a grown up nap time. But it's so so much better than that, like mind out of body stuff. Plus, it's much more rewarding. Yin and meditation was with Derek; yin yoga really focuses on getting to know one pose and learning what is comfortable for you. Being someone who normally does vinyasa, yin is calming, and it's good to stretch yourself in one pose. I walked out feeling like a pigeon pose champ. The barre class. Holy cow, for anyone looking for that dancer-type body, this one's for you. I had zero idea of what I signed up for, except for Google pictures and making up some concept in my mind. The Monday night session with Kirby kicked my butt, well my legs actually. It was so different from what I imagined it'd be like, and a lot more strenuous. I was that person taking little intermittent breaks just to compose myself. Yep, not ashamed, I just was not used to that intensity in a workout. For days following this, my legs felt like straight up jello. Kirby was great, she was extremely motivating and fun, and mixes it up. Matt, the Membership Advisor, is a sweetheart and the perfect go-to person for enquiries and help. I mean, everyone is nice and friendly at Kaya, but Matt was welcoming as well. The location is ideal, convenient for any city folk as it's the top of the emporium and it feels like a sanctuary sitting up there. What better way to sweat yourself back into shape then on top of a mall?

Fun and friendly staff. Well priced and a really comfortable environment. The staff here are very…read moreknowledgable. I still come back here even after I've moved away. Best place for Pilates.

First time here tonight. I felt really unfit but the instructor was really nice! They encourage you…read moreto take things at your own pace. It's a relatively small studio and it's right on Lonsdale Street. Very convenient. Only downfall is there is a little road noise. Will return!

Jetts opened in October 2011 and is starting to develop into a thriving club in the centre of…read moreRichmond.. Compared to other gyms out there it's a no frills operation, elevated by the dedication and enthusiasm of the trainers. They infect the club with the energy. It's best for weights and weight machines, everything being clean and well maintained and quickly attended to if something is broken. The only thing missing from my selfish perspective is a stair master. They don't run classes (such as pump, combat ect) but the trainers run their own version, with kettle bells and boxing on regular offer. Talk to the trainers - they know their stuff. The Jetts price model is absolutely reasonable and I think some of the best value out there. They also have reciprocal rights between all Jetts gyms, join one, join them all. With 24 hour access, it's pretty good value for money. Head down and see Jesse and his crew, they are always friendly and willing to show you the best way to do things.

From the owner: Get started at Jetts with no contracts, low fees and 24/7 access. You can workout on your terms at…read morea time that suits you.