I should start out by saying I want to give this a 4.5/5. Unfortunately Yelp doesn't allow half-marks. There's only a couple things that make it slightly less than perfect.
I signed up for "one a day for 30 days" pilates classes at Grace Anatomy last month on a hunch that I would really enjoy it. I've taken pilates group reformer classes before at Pilates Studio City but became really disenchanted with PSC when surplus classes I had paid for expired prior to using them. I thought, "I'm going to see what else is out there..."
I have to say Grace is absolutely charming and a very hard working young woman! I love the overall feel of her studio - it feels very authentic; it's more of a passion and purpose for her than just a business. The studio itself also feels more like what you would expect in New York; it's mainly functional and all about the machines, apparatuses, and most importantly, pilates. It's not glitzy or highly decorated- this is not a poser pilates studio! ;)
I'm going to list some of my impressions by PROS and CONS:
PROS
1. The quality of instruction is absolutely superlative. 10 out of 10 in terms of quality. Every class I've taken has been worth every penny. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, well-trained, energetic people who care as much about form and technique as they do about taking you through an hour's routine. They are all also very encouraging. I've noticed certain aspects of my practice improve in the one month I've taken at Grace than in the 2+ years I took on/off at PSC. The instruction is also varied - no two days are the same. The instructors are not just turning out boiler-plate routines; each class is unique and again, I've learned more new exercises with the reformer in the last month than I learned in two years at PSC. Be prepared to WORK!
2. The machines are STOTT reformers. I've had no prior experience with these machines, but I have found them incredibly convenient to use, especially for transitioning between sets. There's no messing about with triangles or small loops or big loops. It's just loops. If you're about 5'7" or taller, you "peg out" during certain exercises which is literally moving one peg up a notch - there's no fighting with trying to adjust the entire carriage forward or back. The springs are straight-forward as well: red, blue, and white = heaviest, medium, lightest. It's easier to remember what they stand for. The ropes never seem to get out of synch with each other either which is great. I used to hate having to stop to adjust my straps so that one wasn't longer/shorter than the other. The reformers are also stationary.
3. Because the reformers are stationary, EVERYTHING you will need for whatever kind of class you take is at your fingertips. Each reformer has a basket at the far end filled with grippies, balls, bands, the magic circle, etc. Dowels are conveniently places in the side of the reformer and the boxes are just next to the carriage. I like this as it allows for ease and speed when moving from one set to another. There's no walking around lugging pieces all over the place.
4. This is more related to the instructors again, but the classes are fun in that the instructors are personable and nice, but they are very professional. There's no insipid chit-chat interrupting class. The instructors stay on-point and ensure that everybody is getting a quality workout. I put this down to the instructors because I don't think the clients are necessarily any different than they are anywhere else, but somehow people know to keep the chatter low and focus on pilates. Banter is not encouraged during class.
CONS
1. The main one: Parking. There is no dedicated parking lot so, depending upon what's going on around Moorpark, you may have to park far away. I don't mind the walk of having to park far away, but I usually cut the time very close as I come from downtown mid-week and have tons of traffic on the 101. It's a little frustrating to have to hunt down a spot while worrying about not being late. It's definitely not a deal-breaker for me, but it's the one major drawback over PSC for me.
2. This is a con-in-a-pro. Again, because this is such a small, authentic studio, sometimes everybody is busy and if you try and call, you will just get voicemail. There have been a couple times when I've called to say I'm running late, or because I've wanted to cancel (without having to go online on my phone while driving), and I can't get through. They don't seem to have a receptionist or anybody dedicated to just handling phones. To be honest, they probably don't need that, and it's a minor caveat.
3. This is not so much a con as a consideration. It would be great if the reformer classes were offered earlier/later since I work M-F full time.
Other than these couple pesky things, this place ROCKS!!! read more