Functional Strength Pilates

This was my first time in a Pilates studio and it has been a great experience! I bought a Groupon for 10 equipment classes and like a few of the other reviewers, I didn’t realize that I had to use all 10 classes before the ‘Redeem by’ date (because 99.999 999% of other fitness groupons I’ve tried out has said finish your first class by the ‘Redeem by’ date). I was getting a little worried about losing out on my classes, or having to work with Groupon on getting a refund back, but Kelly was really responsive with my concerns and extended my groupon date by a month. YAY! I don’t lose them!
I started out with a personal training session with Desiree, which I’m glad I did, because it helped me get familiar with unfamiliar equipment in a comfortable environment. As a note, though, I’ve been in classes with people who start out with classes without any kind of personal training, and all the instructors were super attentive to their needs as complete beginners, so I wouldn’t say you absolutely must do a personal session.
Other than that, every class has me working out some muscles that I never knew you could work out, and get in unheard of positions with my inflexible body, but feeling so good/​stretched out after every class that it’s worth it. And all the instructors are really good about asking about if there’s any pain and if there is, giving modified versions of the move.

I went here once. The instructor was nice. I liked it. I work 2 minutes away and really wanted this to be my permanent pilates studio. But their service deserves 1 star and caused them to lose a customer. I tried to redeem my Groupon for 10 classes shortly before the expiration date — only to be surprised with their «policy» that all classes had to actually be *completed by* the expiration date. I’ve never had this problem redeeming a Groupon with any other business. So after the manager aggressively tried to push me into spending my «balance» on a package twice as expensive and tried to redefine the term «expiration,» I contacted Groupon to ask their policy. They proactively offered me a full refund and apologized on behalf of the studio. Yay Groupon! Boo Functional whatever pilates!

After taking classes at this studio for a little over a year, I’m upgrading my review to five stars. I’m still not a fan of the cancellation policy, but I’ve discovered that their prices are on par with their competitors, and I love their classes!
Pilates has never pretended to be cardio, so while I don’t always feel like I’m getting a workout during class, I often feel it after, and I’ve definitely noticed a change in my body. I find mat classes to be great for core work and equipment classes to be great for «everything else», and I really like going back and forth between the two. The instructors are really good about providing directions that make sense, answering questions (don’t be scared to speak up and ask), and making sure you’re doing the movements in a way that will help your body and not get you injured. I’m mainly a fan of Desiree and Lija, but I’ve taken a class here or there from Kelley or Liz and have had good experiences with them too. Class sizes are small so you can almost always get individual attention, but if that’s not your style they’re okay with that, too.
Wherever you are in the spectrum– between totally out of shape to tight from running a marathon to just wanting more workout variety or core strength– I’d definitely recommend Functional Strength.

While this studio is convenient– the prices are on par with other studios (read into that it’s incredibly expensive) and most of the instructors are nice.
However after purchasing several 10 class packs and getting the hang of the beginners class I was bumped up to the intermediate class by Sarah herself.
Well the intermediate class I had was with Desiree– never again will I go because of her. Maybe I caught her on an off day but her condescending and difficult to understand instructions left me with my tail behind my legs. Not to mention the fact that as I’m leaving she made a point to (in front of the entire class) to say I shouldn’t be in the intermediate level. It was embarassing & I can’t believe for how much money I spent there that they would have the audacity to treat a client in such a demeaning way. I was put there! I didn’t just randomly choose the intermediate class and even if I had there was a more diplomatic approach. Did you ever think it was your attitude and unwillingness to help or explain what we were doing? Most of the time I could do the moves but it took me so long to understand what she wanted me to do that I wasn’t able to, and several times she actually scolded me and sighed that I wasn’t as quick as those who had been in the intermediate level for several weeks… ummm duh.
I’ve found this problem with other studios I’ve gone to in which their instructors hold their experience and ability over you and look down on you-​this was definitely the case with Desiree and I will never go back. I hope she reads this and realizes that’s no way to treat someone. If she would have taken 5 seconds out to explain some of the moves since I was brand new to the intermediate class instead of getting flustered that I wasn’t getting her incoherent directions and then chastising me repeatedly in front of the whole class then I would be back. When I took other classes all the instructors were really supportive but since this place employs such a terrible instructor who is allowed to treat someone so negatively for just wanting to learn and better themselves then I can’t frequent their business. Thanks but no thanks.

Some of the instructions know basic anatomy. I tore my rotator cuff due to their lack of knowledge. I feel this is not very professional environment and I found them very arrogant.

What can I say I love this studio. I live in Denver and drive down to highlands ranch because I love this place so much. I had a private with Liz recently and her attention to detail was incredible. Really everyone is wonderful and they even have a personal trainer if you ever want to go that route. The owner Sarah has built a beautiful studio and filled it with brilliant women who are truly passionate about Pilates.

I used to go here when I lived down in Highlands Ranch.
I love the studio. I love the one on one attention. I love the variety of classes. I love Sarah!
The variety of equipment really makes the experience great. You start with a set of private sessions so can get the hang of what you are doing. I’d say you need at least 5 times to really get (feel) how to hold your body, how to make it move the way you want!
After that you can go hog wild! The classes fill up, so make your reservation early! The strength and flexibility you gain from this type of exercise is amazing!
The studio is really centrally located off of Lincoln and Quebec. Easy to get to, lots of parking and a kick butt workout!