Celebrating a milestone after 18 months of weekly sessions with Althea. She is a fantastic…read moreinstructor focused on functional mobility and strength. She has helped me to improve my knee mobility after meniscus surgery and gain confidence and flexibility.

I've been doing pilates with Althea for about six months and I feel great, much stronger. Since I…read morehad never done pilates before, I was glad to find a private instructor instead of going to a class. Althea is a very hands-on teacher who can help with musculoskeletal rehab. She gives private and double lessons. I highly recommend her!

Great teacher, knowledgeable and funny I've had a few…read moreinstructors, but I often got caught into the gazillion of jargons for the poses and activities. Rie is unique, she will find the language and analogies so that you will remember your moves, and will laugh at it --- imagine that? Body and mind treatment? Rie is your teacher!

Rie is extraordinary-- this is the person you want to work with to help you understand how bodies…read morework generally and what makes yours unique. Focused on finding your abs? She can help. Recovering from injury? She can help. Interested in new ways to address chronic pain? She can help. I know because she's helped me with all these goals at different times. I have taken one-on-one sessions with Rie in her home studio as well as at other pilates locations, group mat classes at a pilates studio, and even paired sessions, when I wanted to workout alongside my sister visiting town. She has worked with me when I was recovering from a torn rotator cuff, as well as working with me through migraines and plantar fasciitis, not to mention everyday small stuff like I didn't sleep well or similar. I ALWAYS leave Rie feeling immediately better than when I arrived, no matter what we do. In the years since I've been working with Rie I have less pain and sleep better-- including both times when I've been really focused on fitness and times when I've been working out less. Here's what Rie won't do: she won't shame you about what you've eaten or that you've been on vacation or taken a break from training. She won't ask you to apologize for having a full life, or for pursuing pleasure as well as health. She's a genius at adapting the workout mid session in response to feedback. She'll ask you questions during or after an exercise about where you feel it or what has changed, and if you take these questions seriously and try to explain what you're aware of, she will use it to inspire the next exercise. She likes to problem solve and she will be actively working on easing or stretching or strengthening something, depending on what you're looking for. No rote generalized routines here, nearly every weekly session is genuinely different from the last, as Rie responds in real time to what you report today. It's also worth saying that she's a badass, a genuinely interesting multi-talented woman who knows wine and whiskey, and a variety of topics because she's also edited books, worked in tech, etc. Men, women, young, old, fit, injured, ambitious, whatever: she can help.

Pilates Story has transformed my understanding of fitness in ways I never expected. From the moment…read moreI stepped into their West Portal studio, I felt welcomed and at ease--no small feat for someone new to Pilates, let alone a guy! The owner, Hye-Yeon, has cultivated a warm and supportive environment that keeps her clients feeling engaged and cared for.. Hye-Yeon brings a level of knowledge and skill that will challenge you in the best way possible, all while respecting each person's unique limits. I also appreciate that the studio never skimps on cleanliness or equipment quality--everything is always in pristine condition. Beyond just offering a stellar workout, the sense of community at Pilates Story really stands out. It's more than a place to exercise; it's a space to connect with others and be inspired by the positive energy all around. If you're on the fence about trying Pilates, especially if you're a guy who's unsure of what to expect, don't hesitate--this studio is an ideal spot to gain strength, flexibility, and confidence. Stepping into Pilates Story was one of the smartest choices I've made for my health, and I couldn't recommend it more highly.

I can't say enough great things about this Pilates studio! I have tried many studios in San…read moreFrancisco and this is definitively the best! I've been coming to Pilates Story for years now and it's honestly one of the best decisions I've made for my fitness. Hye-Yeon, the owner, has done an incredible job creating a welcoming space in West Portal. As a guy, I wasn't sure what to expect from Pilates at first, but she and her team made me feel completely comfortable from day one. The instructors are knowledgeable, encouraging, and know how to challenge you while still respecting your limits. What I really appreciate is how Hye-Yeon is building a sense of community here. It's not just about getting a great workout (which you definitely will), but also about connecting with people and feeling like you're part of something bigger. The studio is clean, modern, and has all the equipment you need for a solid session. Whether you're new to Pilates or have some experience, this is the place to be. If you're a guy thinking about trying Pilates, I highly recommend giving this studio a shot. It's an awesome way to build strength, improve flexibility, and stay balanced--plus, you'll feel right at home with the friendly atmosphere Hye-Yeon has created in the neighborhood!

They really know what they're doing here. Really individual attention even in group classes. Highly…read morerecommend

My oldest child is 17. I start there because it's been about 17 years since I did any real core…read morework. After my first birth, I was told I had diastasis recti--abdominal separation--so severe that if I was lying on the floor, the only way up was to roll onto all fours and push myself upright. The prescribed core exercises were boring, solitary, and uninspiring. A PT suggested Pilates. When I found the Pilates School SF online, I booked a consultation immediately. From the moment I walked in, I felt seen, heard, and completely at ease. I received accurate information about strengthening a core with abdominal separation--and, for the first time, a clear path forward that made sense. Ray--the studio owner--is deeply knowledgeable and has earned her confidence and reputation as an exceptional Classical Pilates instructor. The studio's school model is innovative, ensuring both quality instruction and affordable access to a therapeutic system that's long been out of reach for many. I love the Pilates School SF. As they've transitioned into the school model there have been booking hiccups--but every issue has been resolved swiftly and with transparency--I feel at home there. After a year and a half at the school, with the support of incredible instructors--especially Ray and Angella--I can sit up!

The instructors at Evolve are AMAZING. They are approachable and will absolutely help and offer…read moremodifications to make it easier. Although their workouts are intense even for beginners classes, the instructors will help lower weights or offer modifications to make the workout easier and accesible. I had Johnathan and Cyna and both are sooo friendly and great at instruction. It's much easier to get to via public transportation I highly suggest rather than trying to find parking.

Fairly new to Pilates (have been taking classes for six weeks, twice a week), but the beginner…read more(foundation) classes at Evolve are really challenging. I wouldn't consider them beginner. My spouse who is also new to Pilates said that if this was how they were introduced to Pilates, they would feel discourage to take another class. I've taken Classic Flow I by Carlos and EVOLVE Foundations by Jonathan. I'm glad I've had some Pilates experience prior to these classes, otherwise I would have NOT been able to keep up. These beginner classes are more fast-paced than your standard beginner Pilates classes and some of the exercises require lots of moving parts at the same time. And to give you an idea of how I compared beginner class experience, I've taken intro/beginner classes at Rise in South SF, Elevate Pilates in FiDi, Mighty Pilates in Pac Heights, Club Pilates in Diamond Heights and Daly City, FLEXX in Burlingame, and RockSalt Pilates in San Mateo. The studio space is beautiful yet small where you have to wait outside of the building until the class exits before the next class can enter. Street shoes aren't allowed in the studio so you have to take them off upon entry and then walk to the back of the room to place your belongings in the cubbies. There's no filtered water dispenser, but a small fridge with water bottles (in disposable plastic) for your taking.

I've done private lessons with a few different Pilates teachers, and Patty is by far the best…read more Patty is a former dancer, teacher of anatomy, and massage therapist (for 30 years). Probably due to her background in movement, bodywork, and teaching, she is able to see patterns and coach me in ways that really work for me. In the past, I injured my shoulder with a different Pilates teacher and had no fun (this other teacher had been pretty negative) with another Pilates instructor. With Patty, I've never been injured and it's always been fun. Patty works at her Pilates office in Noe Valley 4-5 days a week. She used to teach Pilates to rehab patients at St. Francis Hospital, in the department of Sports and Dance Medicine. I think she works one day a week in a Pilates studio in Palo Alto. Patty's primary interest is in functional movement of Pilates. Her areas of specialty include children with Asperger's, rehabilitation, and post-natal moms. A couple of things I really like about Patty are her ability to identify patterns that her clients need to work on and her tendency to "go with the energy" (which, in this case, means to make the work-outs enjoyable, push her clients, and tune into what exercises her clients like and need).

Patty is not your typical Pilates instructor. She's not interested in giving you rock-hard abs or a…read moreworkout you'll regret for three days. Instead, she's more like an incredibly skilled and perceptive car mechanic: she looks at how you move, and what might be stuck or twisted or imbalanced, and then goes about fixing it, with the help of exercises on the reformer or the mat or other machines. She's got many years of experience in bodywork, rehab, and physical therapy, and she's seen the fitness crazes come and go, and you'll be surprised at how different--and better--your body feels after an hour. This approach is not for everyone, but if you're like me and have old injuries or funky joints, it's great to have someone who really listens and doesn't just jam you into the same cookie-cutter approach. Her studio is bright and super convenient to both 24th Street and public transportation, and Patty herself is a delightful person to spend time with. Give her a try!

Cara is a rockstar! She is able to help everyone from the super fit to me - an uncoordinated…read morenon-exerciser. Cara has a gift for teaching her clients how their bodies work and how we can make (small and large) adjustments to our posture and movement to feel SO MUCH better. Cara is also a ray of sunshine. Always fun to talk to and super supportive and encouraging. When she says "you got this," I really feel like I do!

I have been working with Cara for over 3 months now and I could not be happier with my experience!…read more I have been having shoulder pain for the past 3 years, the result of working at a desk, over mousing, along with perhaps some old injuries. Over the past 3 years of shoulder pain I have tried physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage. I have been to numerous doctors and health care practitioners. Everyone was focused solely on my shoulder area. I knew that the problem was more systemic than that, but couldn't seem to find anyone who would have that conversation with me. When I started working with Cara she quickly identified that I was in therapeutic mode, vs. strengthening mode, which felt really right! Others had me doing weights which seems only to aggravate the problem. Our work together feels slow and steady, as I build up a gentle strength and awareness about how I am using my body. She immediately agreed with me about the systemic nature of my pain. She could see how tension in different parts of my body was all related, and is exploring that together with me. It became clear to me that I have been over using some muscles, not just my shoulder, but my legs, too! And under-utilizing some of the largest muscles in my body! Cara is super knowledgeable and if an exercise isn't feeling or working right, she quickly has an adjustment or alternative that works better for my body. She is helping me build a mind/muscle connection so I can better control which muscles I use for different activities. Cara is professional, punctual, organized and super fun! I highly recommend her.

I worked with Christina for about 6months and she is amazing! When I first started with her, I…read morewanted to start strength training but was too nervous to go into the weight room at my gym without knowing what I was doing. I decided to work with her once a week to learn the movements and proper form, and to get comfortable lifting weights. After a few weeks I started feeling confident enough to use the weight room at my gym and have never looked back! Christina is an amazing trainer, she really cares about her clients and is an excellent teacher and mentor. I have learned so much from her, and I am so grateful for our time together. She is the reason I'm now able to strength train independently, and it has seriously changed my life! I could not recommend her enough thank you Christina, you're the best

Had a fantastic experience with coach Christina, we did weekly sessions for about 3 months where…read moreshe helped me target areas I struggled with by myself for years. It started with an assessment to find out where my body was then we went into my ideals and goals rather than following a standard plan. This experience felt tailor made and encouraged me to complete and finish the fitness journey. As a coach she is very thorough in explaining the reasons and values of each work out, this was a big plus for me since I am more receptive to things I understand. After our sessions I held on to the knowledge she imparted me and continue to utilize it today. Again it was an overall fantastic fitness experience, and one that I highly recommend ,especially if you are new to the gym world.