Circuit of Change

I started coming to Circuit of Change about a year ago and made the jump to unlimited monthly classes early in 2016.
Why should you go?
1. Flow: My body always needs a gentle warm up and cool down to prevent injury/​flare ups from chronic back pain, so the combination of yoga and stretching at the start and finish with the intense boot camp in the middle is exactly what I need from a class.
2. The instructors: I’ve taken classes with Brian, Alyssa, Brittney and Jason over the past year. I love that each of them has a distinctly unique style. If all of the instructors taught a cookie cutter class, I definitely wouldn’t have an unlimited membership. Alyssa is inspirational and does a great job talking you through the workout. I love taking her classes in the mornings or on the weekends as a great way to start your day. However, above all, Jason offers the best class, hands down. He’s the only instructor that actually uses the music to dictate the workout, which helps keep you pumped up throughout the class. He’ll push you to the limit with squat thrusts, push ups, mountain climbers, kickboxing and then give you 20 seconds to dance it out as active recovery which keeps everyone smiling and having FUN! I always leave his class totally spent and feeling stronger. I’d encourage the studio to continue recruiting instructors who can offer a bit of variety, like Jason.
3. Energy: I like that the studio has a yoga-​like energy. You are encouraged to set an intention at the begining of class, cell phones are not permitted in the studio, which encourages everyone to really let loose for the hour. Everyone is incredibly warm and friendly, contributing to the community vibe.

A three star is an unusual rating from me for workouts and workout facilities that I choose to go to because I do a lot of research before hand, and read a lot of blogs about the classes & reviews about circuit of change mind body Boot Camp and it sounded fun. I was aware of all of the elements described in the class description: martial arts, yoga, kickboxing, tribal sequencing and high intensity interval’s. I didn’t exactly know what tribal sequence was but boy did I find out. In addition I didn’t understand how it could really focus so much on kickboxing when you’re in basically a yoga studio with no boxing equipment, so I expected a little more yoga and martial arts then what actually occurred.
Partially my review is also based on of course, my incessant need for air conditioning in the studio when you’re working out for a class that’s going to induce sweat– in the description that says ‘prepare to sweat’- so if there’s air-​conditioners available in the room and a fan, turn them on please! It makes it easier to work out, it shows me that you’re aware of the people in your class, and since you don’t have towels for your customers, keep the temperature in mind. I was specifically pissed because the class before us had the air on and the fan on and when I walked in the room that was nice and cool, my instructor turned it all off. So not only was I sweating from all of these crazy moves I was doing but it was a warm day in the spring with huge windows and a hot room — not a good look.
One thing to note I was quite disappointed that my mat was completely tore up… We did a lot of laying down on the mat either on your back or on your front and I was covered with black plastic remnants– the mats get beat up in this class. Apparently there are two different colors and I guess the black one I got just was old and should be retired… So that was kind of an unpleasant experience but not a dealbreaker — I was going to shower anyway.
The one amazing thing I will say is the class went so fast, you’re in constant movement, which I’m not sure is always great because the transitions were a little sloppy, but it went fast as hell. Before I knew it all of the jumping punching kicking rolling gorilla crawling Burpee type exercises had flown by… And I sweat my butt off. I liked getting that kind of work out I just wish the instructor had taken more time to cool down the room. We went out into the reception area afterwords and it was like a relief.
We did some yoga stretching lots of ab work and rolling like a ball, but most of the class consisted of either odd tribal climbing on your mat from front to back in like a gorilla position to full on kickboxing and punching. No. Joke.
I have never taken a boxing class a kickboxing class anything aggressive like that — it’s not my style it’s not my thing, but most of the sweat work and most of the class work besides for jumping up-​and-​down in a circle on your mat (?), included jabs punches and knee kicks or whatever they’re called… I broke a sweat there’s no doubt about that and I will go back and try a different instructor because I didn’t even feel comfortable to ask mine to turn the air on– I felt like she would say no, which is not a good feeling. I liked that it was different, I liked that I sweat and there was a cardio component. We did push-​ups we did squats we did yoga kickboxing we did weird tribal crawls on the mat… It was a circuit of change that’s for sure. I have to say– I was not sure AT ALL the next day…
I will go back again and try a different instructure to see if the class is any different, but I just felt silly jumping in circles on my mat, crawling around like a gorilla, punching into the air and in big group yoga room — that’s just not my style but it doesn’t mean it’s not right for anyone else. So maybe my review will change next week when I’m scheduled for another class. *** update– Cancelled my next scheduled class– I just thought about the crawling in a squatting position from front of your mat to back, just made me uncomfortable and I don’t even know why we did it.

Leah is great and energetic. Studio is clean and well lit. Simple set up with free water and mats.
Try this out and get into the circuit of change.

Beautiful studio and nice instructors/​staff. Great place to go if you are a beginner and want to get back into some kind of workout regimen. The class was a bit odd (not in a bad way) but it was a mixture of yoga, basketball drills, squats and martial arts.

Beautiful studio, challenging classes, and inspiring instructors!
Their «Mind Body Bootcamp» class is nonstop cardio mixed with yoga with a little martial arts influence. Expect to sweat and feel like a badass afterwards!

I’ve been at Circuit of Change for a year and it’s totally changed my life. I’m calmer, more confident, and stronger than I’ve ever been. Each class is a sweat-​dripping challenge, with enough yoga that I’m rarely sore, enough kickboxing /​high-​intensity interval training that I’m consistently pushing my max, and enough «primal movement» (creative flows, low-​to-​the-​ground crawling, shuffling, inversions, etc.) that class is always surprising and new. The teachers are great, welcoming and warm and just pushy enough. The studio is beautiful, and I love that there are huge windows and no mirrors — since I’ve begun working out here, I’m way less concerned with how I look when I work out, and way more tuned in to how I feel. And every time I finish up at Circuit, I feel amazing.

I thought, OK, you had me at hello.
Now here’s a spot where I can really contemplate the meaning of life, the infinity of the universe and the value of a well-​cushioned mat. Some place Zen, with a nightclub’s energy. So I decided to harness my chi for a little slice of solitude to meditate and reflect upon the year that was. Ha! Boy was I in for a rude awakening in every sense of the word.
Upon arrival it was immediately apparent that this wasn’t the upscale Asian temple I had envisoned, just a modest workout spot with a little Feng shui flair. The entrance is pretty bare bones, there’s one bathroom/​shower, a large wall of open faced cubbies, and a coat rack. The studio itself is very quintesential New York, heigh ceiling with beams in odd places, old glass pane windows that let just the right amount of natural sunlight in, or lack there of considering it’s winter. There were mats neatly lined up in rows on the beautiful refinished hardwood floors, spaced just close enough that one false move might lead to a neighbors foot in your mouth during a downward dog split. Eww!
Instructor Jason Ostrander gave us a brief crash course on what to expect. We started off with a meditation, relaxation and some breath work. Then we progressed into a sequence of yoga-​esque type moves. This was quickly followed by some serious samurai warrior, ninja turtle looking shiznit (yes, that is a word, because Urban Dictionary said so). Sayonara relaxation. Just a release of aggresion. Full-​on assault.
The grunting, jumping (till your legs fall off), crawling, and rolling like a ball around on the mat barefoot all felt very primal and cathartic. There were bursts of conditioning circuits; bicycle crunches, mountain climbers, planks, push-​ups for days and a few jumping jacks. The class ended in savasana, which by that stage in the game was greatly appreciated when you’re lying on your back sweating like a pig, feeling stiff as a board light as a feather.
Jason basically threw everything but the kitchen sink into this workout, giving us a full 60-​minutes to reach Nirvana. Don’t let his initial friendly demeanor and sweet smile fool you, this is a man who knows what he wants, and how he wants it done. He’s got a natural born leader quality about him, authoritative and borderline bossy. He worked the room like nobody’s business, facing us in the appropriate direction of the room regardless of our mat orientation, which changed frequently throughout the workout.
There were no official water breaks or rest periods between exercises, so I’m not sure that the novice exerciser would fair well in a class like this, however it does fit the bill for someone with moderate to high endurance looking for a swift kick in the ass.
The overall collective energy of the class, and the loud crazy music was infectious. I felt motivated to push myself to jump, squat, crunch, and, well, TRY.
They say the only thing constant in life is change, and this workout certainly speaks to that notion.

As I’m sure lots of Classpass enthusiasts know, your first time to any new workout class can be intimidating, exciting, and, well, humiliating, at times. This was my experience at Mind Body Bootcamp class last week. Unsure of whether or not I was sweating from nervous embarrassment or the cardio aspect of the class, sweat, nonetheless, did accumulate in puddles on my yoga mat by the end of class.
This class is a cross between yoga/​martial arts (think lots of kickboxing and jab/​cross/​uppercut combos)/tribal dance/​HIIT. It was fast-​paced and quasi-​spiritual and essentially any workout class you’ve ever taken except designed by someone on speed and inspired by the Lion King.
If it weren’t for the instructor, who was the type of bright-​eyed, naturally beautiful, yogi-​minded girl that I have always envied, I probably would have thought the class was a joke. But she seemed to have lots of loyal followers (equally slim, smiley, yogi gal pals) so I convinced myself this is something I would be willing to try again. Go into it with an open mind and you could have a great experience.

Has recently become one of my favorite workouts to do after work! I have now gone probably about 10 times, and I am prepared for how fast paced the class is. The first time I was totally expecting a zen yoga, slow class based on the zen atmosphere of the studio– but it is probably the most fast paced class I’ve ever taken. The time really flys by because the moves are changing constantly and so quickly! I feel so great when I leave the class and I enjoy the whole work out. I’ve taken both Leah & Brian’s class and both are great! I’m glad this class is so close to my office!

Probably the weirdest class I’ve been to on Classpass. You’re on a yoga mat and pretty confined to it but it’s not even yoga. Yes there are yoga moves but then there’s jabbing, kicking, crawling, and some other weird aerobic moves. For me yoga is about balance, peace, and being centered (no punching or aggressive moves involved). This is the type of «workout» for a beginner who is starting to get back in shape and needs somewhere to start. It’s not really high intensity or a class where you’d break a sweat. Like another reviewer said, I’d rather do a legit HIIT class and a good separate yoga class. This type of «workout» just wasn’t for me.

I probably silently laughed at myself in my head more than I actually did any of the exercises the instructor called out. class starts out with a few yoga postures and then we go into a bunch of exercises (mostly squatting, boxing, planking, jumping up down and all around). You’re on your Mat the entire time. Not exactly my forte, I’m more into circuit and high intensity training. I had to look for a gym to go to after this class to actually get some workout in. I probably won’t be back. Hey it’s for some people, not for all!

Clean studio, super friendly instructors.
The workout was interesting– yoga, boxing jabs, aerobics. Definitely wasn’t my favorite workout, but it’s pretty solid for a lighter day. Little to no focus on form, it’s all about constant movement.
I do think they should change the name because it’s deceiving, it’s definitely not a bootcamp.
Best time to take this class– the day after a hard workout. You’ll stretch and warm up your muscles, but you won’t feel like you got your ass kicked.
The class was full and predominately female.
Changing areas in the studio. One bathroom. Filtered water dispenser. No shoes allowed. Studio provides mats. Bring a towel.
Class-​3 stars but the studio conditions and positivity/​friendliness of the staff elevated it to 4.

Took this class today with Leah for the first time, and wow. Words cannot describe. Actually, the words that kept popping into my head during class were as follows (in no particular order):
ADHD
Speed
Crack
I felt like everything was in fast forward motion. The workout itself is not difficult per se, but JUST. SO. FAST. It was really fun and zany (you’ll know what I mean when you take the class) and towards the end there was a puddle of sweat on my mat. My hair was a complete mess and I felt like I burned 1000 calories. My friends and I couldn’t help but giggle whenever we would catch glimpses of each other try to keep up with the instructor.
I love how unorthodox it is. I love the combination of yoga and martial arts moves. I definitely plan on going back!

I tried this class on ClassPass and read many of the Unilocal reviews before trying it out to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into! First thing to note: you do not need to bring your own mat, and the Mind Body Bootcamp class is done without shoes on. In fact, there’s a «no shoes allowed» policy in the studio.
I checked in upon arrival about 10 minutes early, grabbed a spot at one of the mats already laid out, and stretched while everyone else filtered in. The class was pretty packed, but I felt like I had plenty of space to move, and move we did. From the first minute, we were constantly switching from jumping jacks to squats to yoga poses and everything in between. As other reviewers have mentioned, this class encompasses yoga, martial arts, cardio, as well as various other things I can’t define.
I loved the studio-​very clean with one large room. The fireplace with candles created a nice ambiance, and I was grateful for the large windows when the instructor opened one to let some cool air in during the class.
Overall, great workout! You will definitely sweat, but the 55 minute class went by really quickly.

Had an amazing workout! I took minDbodybootcamp with Brittany Ignas. I loved the concept – relax your mind and body with meditation/​yoga in the beginning and end of the class… do high energy exercises in-​between (planks, burbpee, shadow boxing, sprinting, jumping jacks, etc). No weights. No shoes. You and the Mat. Brittany was easy to follow along and got me into the boxing mood. The best part was her positive uplifting words during meditation that put my mind to ease and got me ready for the day.

If you want to workout but try something different, Mind Body Boot camp is for you! You don’t realize how hard you are working until the instructor says to stop. The hour flew by and I had an absolute blast! Cannot wait to go back!

I first tried Circuit of Change years ago and remembered liking it, so I went again last night. Fortunately, the workout hasn’t changed. It’s still a dynamic fusion of yoga, martial arts, and dance, as perplexing as that sounds. It was my first time taking Alyssa’s class. She’s a fun instructor with a lot of energy and a great «teaching voice» (I’m big on that!).
PROS:
— The yoga at the beginning and end of class let me feeling warmed up and then relaxed, rather than stiff/​overly sore.
— It’s nonstop motion for 45 minutes, so you’re never bored.
— Big emphasis on core exercises (e.g. bicycle crunches, side planks, etc.)
— The grunting, jumping around, and crawling around the mat all feels very primal and cathartic.
— No shoes! I love this.
CONS:
— It’s not as hard of a workout as I remember! Maybe I’ve gotten stronger? (Wishful thinking.) Never thought I would say this, but wish there were more burpees or mountain climbers!
— The studio entrance is tiny and there’s only one bathroom, so it gets very congested in between classes.
— Classes are pretty similar because it’s mostly body weight exercises. I would love if they offered a class that incorporated light weights (punching with light weights would be fun!).
As someone who does a lot of yoga and HIIT, I think Mind Body Bootcamp is a nice hybrid of the two. You get your stretching, but you get your cardio and strength too. Overall, it’s a unique class that has carved out its own niche in NYC’s crowded fitness scene and is good for all fitness levels.

My favorite gym in NYC.
Ive only been here 6 weeks, but Ive tried 16 different gyms on classpass and I was starting to get really homesick for my gym back home until I walked into circuit of change.
Alyssa is AMAZING. she instantly made me feel like I had found a home and then I went into class and it only got better. i love taking the 630am class because it starts off kind of slow on the mat so you get a chance to wake up, but next thing you know you are jumping all around and sweating your a** off. dont get me wrong you do some super goofy stuff in this class and you are sure to look like an idiot, but everyone else does too so its okay.
also, the open windows in the studio are quintessential NYC and beautiful!

About 5 min of yoga to begin and end. In between, there’s about 50 minutes of plyometrics, lots of jumping, skipping, shadow boxing, rocking out the back, etc. Very sweaty, high impact. Kindof goofy at times but never easy. You don’t realize how hard you’re working b/​c the instructors are changing up what you’re doing every 30 – 60 seconds. There’s a lot of energy in the room and I’ve yet to meet an instructor who wasn’t a humming ball of energy herself (have only had the female instructors here).
There’s no locker room. Just space under the lobby benches and a row of coathooks. There’s one bathroom/​changing room. The studio provides thick mats that you wipe down after class.
Definitely not low-​impact, but a huge sweatfest. Ooh, they don’t provide towels, so bring your own.

If you want to sweat like crazy then Mind Body Bootcamp is for you! I’ve been twice now and it has been awesome every time. You are constantly moving whether it’s jumping, doing push-​ups, or sparring. I wouldn’t say the moves are very difficult but it does move quickly so you’re always going from one thing to another. The night class is done with dim lights so there’s something very freeing about not focusing on what other people are doing and vice versa.
The music is loud and teachers yell out orders as they would in a bootcamp. The energy is very high!
There is only one large studio with a separate check-​in/​coat hanging/​welcome space. It can get pretty crowded at the end of each class but generally people move quick. Two small change areas are curtained off within the actual workout space.
Bright orange cushiony mats are provided free of charge. No need to bring your own.