While it is no secret that Core Fusion is my preferred bar class of choice, I am always open to trying other studios out. In fact, Core Fusion was not the first class I tried. Prior to really getting involved in Core Fusion, I took two Physique 57 classes, one The Body class, two Nalini Method classes (not counting the third I recently tried). I reviewed those initial classes without having Core Fusion to even compare them to!
And while I enjoyed each of those experiences, I didn’t feel compelled to get memberships at the time. It wasn’t until I fell in love with the strength-in-stillness style and motivation teachers at Core Fusion that I knew this style of exercise was for me.
But just because I now know what I love doesn’t mean I’m not open to finding something else I love too. That is how I ended up at Refine after all, and I go there all the time now.
So when I met Physique 57’s social media manager at a Travelzoo blog event and she invited me in to try two more classes, of course I said yes!
With my hip injury, I can’t take a regular Physique 57 class right now, for the same reasons I can’t take Core Fusion. So I looked into my other options and found two classes that sounded like they could work for me: Mat 57 and Abs & Arms Booster. Mat 57 was offered at a time I could make it last week, and so I went.
From their website:
Mat 57® offers a:
Comprehensive workout. Mat 57® improves balance, posture, and alignment through targeted exercises that strengthen and lengthen every major muscle group. Mat 57® incorporates cardio, toning and stretching to intensify the workout and challenge each student.
Quick tempo. Mat 57® offers all of the proven benefits of Pilates while increasing stamina through a more athletic and high-energy routine.
Class was at the Spring Street location in SoHo. I had been to this location once before, and to the 57th street location once as well.
The Space
The good:
- The retail shop had a gorgeous selection of workout and relaxation clothing from brands like Splits 59, Lululemon and more.
- Locker room offers hair spray, hair dryers, deodorant, mouth wash, showers and hair brushes.
- Everything was clean.
Could use improvement:
- Locks are not built in to the lockers. For the price of these classes and a membership, I do think there should be locks. I was forced to leave my items in an unlocked locker. I had this same gripe about Pure Yoga. Â I feel there are certain amenities that should come with the high cost of classes.
- There is no sanitizer to hold the hair brushes. Use the brushes at your own risk.
The Class
The good:
- Abs, abs, abs. This is a class for anyone who wants to get an intense abdominal workout. I wasn’t paying attention to the time, but we must have done about 15 minutes of devoted ab work in the beginning of class.
- Use of light hand weights to do familiar arm exercises like bicep curls and lat pull-downs during the abdominal work.
- Light weights are so difficult! When Natasha advised me to take 2s and 3s, I seriously doubted this and considered getting 4s. She told me not to. She was right. I was humbled. No more than 3 pounds are needed because it is hard work using the weights during abs.
- A couple of nice plank sequences.
- A long glutes section including foreram tabletop  and pretzel positions.
- The hour literally flew by. When class was over, I couldn’t believe it.
- The instructor was upbeat.
- Easy to modify for injuries.
Could use improvement:
- Instructor adjustments. Some of the positions we did on the floor for abs were unfamiliar to me, and the instructor did not correct or adjust me to ensure I was safely and effectively positioned. I had a feeling the entire time that I was not doing the exercise correctly, but I didn’t know how to fix myself.
- We did about 15 pushups total: 10 regular and 5 yoga-style (elbows squeezed close to sides). I incorrectly assumed this was the first set of pushups that would appear multiple times throughout class. More pushups — an excellent full-body exercise – would provide more intensity and opportunity for a higher heart-rate.
- The squats and lunges sections seemed very short. I thought this class could have used a bit more thigh work.
- The abdominal section to start the class dragged on a little too long.
Overall thoughts:
Throw everything you think you know out the window. In spite of the name, no mats actually make an appearance in Mat 57!
While Mat 57 was definitely a challenging workout that will tone your body, I didn’t feel the cardio intensity or increased heart rate that was advertised. It is a good change of pace and nice alternative to a regular bar-style class, and I would definitely do it again.
Keep in mind I only tried this class one time with one instructor, and every instructor has her own teaching style.
As for the space, it also comes down to personal preference. Physique 57’s environment is very much about the workout. Get in, work hard, get on with your day.  While I prefer a warmer environment, I know that this style would appeal to many people.
I am excited to go back for my second Physique 57 class in this two-class pack.
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Amber
February 22, 2011 at 11:26 am (14 years ago)Nice thorough review! What caught my eye was your comment bout the lack of sanitizer for the hair brushes. Do they have sanitizer at exhale for hair brushes in NYC? They do not in Chicago – I never touch them.
Dori
February 22, 2011 at 11:32 am (14 years ago)Yes, all the brushes at exhale are in a sanitizer!
MelissaNibbles
February 22, 2011 at 11:31 am (14 years ago)Great review! I do their dvds and I agree that they spend a little too long on the ab section.
Dori
February 22, 2011 at 11:33 am (14 years ago)Thanks Melissa. Keep in mind this was different a different type of class than the standard Physique 57 class (which is reflected in the DVDs), which is similar in length of abs to other bar classes though.
Jess
February 22, 2011 at 12:01 pm (14 years ago)Great review. I’d always wondered how Physique57 compared to Core Fusion. I still think I’d be with you on leaning towards Core Fusion before Physique57…but I think I’m just TOTALLY biased now! ha!
Cameo
February 22, 2011 at 12:02 pm (14 years ago)I agree, I too was turned off by the locker rooms at P57 – and I am in LOVE with the locker rooms at Exhale. I worked out at P57 for 2 months, 4 days a week and then tried Exhale once and was hooked. Different strokes for different folks I suppose, though I do recall the instructors at P57 were all very good and the workouts very challenging. I preferred the more personal touch at Exhale and that the instructors are alignment focused more than choreography focused. Great review!
Kara
February 22, 2011 at 12:41 pm (14 years ago)Yeah…my gym here is nothing like that. If I went first thing in the morning, the floors were literally moving…because you couldn’t even see the floor through the cockroaches. I live in the middle of nowhere, so just switching gyms isn’t an option, so now I have a home gym 🙂
I loved reading your review and fantasizing about living in civilization again one day! 🙂
melissa
February 22, 2011 at 1:57 pm (14 years ago)Nice, honest review. I want to try formula 57. I typically leave my purse in the cubby in the classroom, but locks would be nice!
Jolene
February 22, 2011 at 4:23 pm (14 years ago)I, like my sis, am biased by Core Fusion, but am open to other options as well, as you say (and am glad you are, and are reviewing others!). I would have loved the focus on the abs I think, but would agree on wanting more of a cardio boost somewhere in there. Would be fun to try!
Missy Maintains
February 22, 2011 at 10:22 pm (14 years ago)The same things bothered me at Physique!! I took my lock out of my gym bag that morning because I knew I wasn’t go to Equinox! I was all mad when I got there and realized that I would have to leave my purse unlocked. I also could not believe that they just leave 10 brushes out on the sink like that. Hello lice!! The workout was good but little things like that are enough to make me not want to join.
Fit Chick in the City
February 23, 2011 at 8:20 am (14 years ago)Great review! I agree, expensive places like P57 and Pure should have the digilocks.
Jess - The Domestic Vegan
February 23, 2011 at 11:47 pm (14 years ago)Great review! I have 3 P57 DVDs (not the new ones; the first set that was released last year), and while I love the workouts themselves, I find myself really annoyed by the instructor on 2 of the DVDs (Tanya, who is also the creator). I totally respect her & she even seems like someone who’d be fun to hang out with – but she is beyond obnoxious on the DVDs. So I always find myself wishing I could take a live class because the workouts are so great!
ANYWAY – I am glad that you are finding workouts that work for you during this healing period! 🙂 Hopefully they’ll take some of your suggestions to heart & improve some things. That’s great that you’re suggesting such helpful, easy tweaks!
Katherine: Unemployed
February 24, 2011 at 5:18 pm (14 years ago)Great post and fun to read about
Ben
February 24, 2011 at 5:48 pm (14 years ago)would this be good for us boys too?
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January 21, 2015 at 9:34 pm (10 years ago)Great read, and I love how you point out the Good and what needs to be improved. It really was helpful in showing the key points.
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