Physique 57

Buns! Thighs! Abs! Burn!
This was my first Beginning class at Physique ever and I get what the hype is about. I’ll be back!
Everything was worked out and I felt like my fat was dying a slow death during class. I could physically feel my fat being beaten out by my muscles.
This was such a great class and they definitely have a structure and system to it. It seemed like I was moving ever so slightly but before I knew it my leg wanted to fall off and I was sweating.
My class was taught by Emily and she definitely knew her stuff and was toned as eff! If their teachers are a reflection of the results they produce, then you will be lean with abs!
The facilities were clean and at the front I was greeted by a friendly lady who seemed excited to be there and excited I was there.
Despite the warm welcome, Physique IS a bit sterile in demeanor and overall aesthetic – especially after having experienced Pure Barre –which was more hippy dippy and welcoming. Physique 57 reminded me very much of my days in ballet class.
That doesn’t matter much to me, bc the workout got ‘er done. But just something to note if you want a studio that will namaste and hug you. This is not it. But you will look lean and hot at the end of this class, so who really cares, right?

This is the absolute best workout experience in New York. The facilities are wonderful, the amenities abundant and the instructors are all fantastic. Expect a fairly standard barre class format, but the most challenging that you’ve ever experienced. They’re not kidding when they say that you’ll see results very, very quickly. Despite the difficulty, it’s truly a regimen that anyone can do and find worthwhile, from beginner to marathon runner. Because of the great space, it’s very easy to come here before work, during work, after work on your way somewhere…
The only downside? Because it’s such a great place, there’s quite a bit of regulars that can be territorial about their «spots». Don’t let it get to you. Everyone’s there for the same reason!

Physique 57 is my go-​to barre studio. Even though I’ve moved from the UWS, I still try to make Physique part of my workout routine.
My first class was last year and I was fortunate enough to go to Co-​founder Tanya Becker’s beginner class. She even wrote me a nice post card after my first class and mailed it to me. Physique’s customer service is always top notch which is just another reason why it’s amazing.
The breakdown:
— Consistency. I find that out of all the barre classes I’ve been to in the city, Physique 57’s teachers are the most friendly and all equally good. Sometimes with other studios, some teachers can kick your butt and others are mediocre. Not the case with Physique 57! You will be shaking and praying to get out of that chair pose with any instructor you have or any studio you go to. But don’t worry, they also ask for injuries before class and will help you modify if necessary.
— Varying levels of classes. You can choose beginner, mixed or advanced. Also they have mat and cardio classes too.
— Friendly staff. The front desk and the instructors are always smiling and approachable.
— Tough workout! After a physique workout, my legs are still shaking as I walk out of the studio and down the subway stairs.
— Great schedule with a variety of pre and post-​work time slots.
— The UWS location gives you free apples after class, I can’t remember if the 57^th does, but it’s always appreciated
— Showers and digital lockers.
— On classpass!
— Mats and equipment are always clean… AND they don’t make you wipe down anything after class.
The takeaway:
Try a class! They have great specials going on where you can barre with a friend and even online videos if you can’t make it to a class.

I consider myself a tough, strong woman. I’ve run marathons, I’ve done multi-​day 30+ mile hikes, I race road and mountain bikes… I know how to suffer. So I figured, how hard can this silly barre class be?
I’m in NYC a lot either visiting family or on business and this time, I decided to add something balancing to my spinning routine. I’d heard a lot about P57 from friends and in the media, so I figured I’d give it a try.
Gave myself a little warmup by running up from my in-​laws place on CPW and showed up for the beginner’s class. I sat around waiting with the other ladies who all seemed to know each other. Everyone seemed friendly. I had this expectation of snooty ladies who lunch with perfectly coiffed hair and tiny little bodies… then I realized I was on the UWS, not the UES… ah! that’s why.
I had already been informed by a representative of P57 via email what I should expect from my first class and what I needed to do in preparation, so I had my little sticky socks ready to go. When we entered the room, I went and picked up my weights and matt and walked to the middle of the room. Our instructor entered and introduced herself. She asked who was new and if anyone had any issues she needed to know about… I informed her I had some knee and lower back pain and she gave me some pointers on what to do when we did certain exercises that might affect those areas.
Then the suffering ensued. There are some things that are strengths and I had no problems with, but when we hit the bar and even when we did some of the the exercises that involved the muscle groups that are the strongest in my body, I wanted to cry like a little baby. When you start out, you think… eh, this is easy, but by the 50 reptition, the anguish is real and you look at the clock and you think to yourself WE’VE ONLY BEEN DOING THIS FOR FIVE MINUTES?
There really is no way to relate what the exercises are like. You just have to experience them for yourself. What I can tell you is that they are very precise and they are very small, very repetitive movements that target specific areas over an hour. I can see why you see a difference in your body in a very short time.
Easily the hardest one hour workout I’ve ever done. It’s hard technically, it’s hard physically. You’re using muscles you just never use and you’re asking them to do things they just don’t want to do. It’s one thing to suffer through something that your muscles know how to do, it’s an entirely different thing to teach them something new. Shocking your system that way is the BEST way to improve your body. It’s good for your brain too. It’s good for coordination and it’s good for your ability to suffer.
I highly recommend Physique 57. It’s a class act all the way around. In fact, knowing that I live in California and that I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of my free second class within the time frame, they offered to extend it indefinitely until I return. NICE!
I will back whenever I’m in town.

Physique 57 is my favorite barre class. I find the instructors to be the most friendly and considerate of all the barre classes I’ve tried in the city. I took several Beginner classes to get a solid foundation and now I have moved onto the Mixed level classes. I like that several options are given for many of the movements in the Mixed level class and I’m always up for taking the challenge position. The instructors help correct your positioning, but not in a way that makes you feel inferior like other studios have done.
The locker rooms are pretty nice and have showers, which other barre studios don’t always provide. Overall, I recommend Physique 57 to all levels of barre students. Physique 57 is a great place to get acquainted with the barre.

So like I said, my first ‘mixed’ class was a kickass workout, and I am always up for another one. I thought I’d try the beginner class this time to see if it was a tad easier and had less experienced people, which did worry me about an after work mixed class.
I am so glad I did. First off, the room in the back is so much better– it has windows and natural light, there is no pillar in the middle of the room which allows you to see the teacher at all times, and the teacher was very hands on and understanding of the newbies. I am the kind of person that likes to keep up with and possibly be good in the class, not lost or falling behind. The class did almost the exact same moves, may have been even harder, but more encouraging and the teacher showed empathy.
You will catch me there again!

Beautiful studio, incredible instructors, and, out of my barre class rotation, this flies by the fastest. I absolutely love the Mixed level classes, especially the pace of the classes. It’s hard and tiring but I always leave in such a good mood. Haven’t showered here, but nice to know that there’s the option if I need.

The class was a good work out but I wouldn’t recommend it to another person.
I questioned how hygienic the classroom was since we were working out (and sweating) on carpet. I also did not see the mats used in class wiped down before or after (and there was another class right after in the same room).
The main instructor would have been more helpful if they would have actually done the movements rather than just describing them. Our class had a second instructor which was shadowing the first instructor. As a person who prefers to focus and «be in the zone,» it was distracting that this second instructor was constantly by my side and talking to me because I was new. A heads up would have been nice if this is typical for newbies or if they would have asked a few questions about my level of fitness since I’ve been doing barre at other locations for multiple years. The encouraging words the fitness instructors would litter throughout the workout seemed like rehearsed and superficial.
All in all, for the price of a class I expected better guidance throughout the class.

I’ve been trying to see what the fuss is about this place. I have class plass, so I have had the luxury to try different studios, especially with barre classes. Let me tell you, this place was worth the fuss.
The people were friendly, the instructor came up to me with all smiles, the facilities were clean, the class… oh the class… my legs and arms were burning for a good 3 days. I work out about 4 times a week with classes that push me to the max, but I haven’t felt a burn like this since I first started working out! It felt great though, minus the fact I could move as fast.
I see why this place is highly rated and I am definitely going to try more classes

I am thoroughly impressed by my experience at Physique 57. I used to have a membership at Exhale and Physique 57 surpasses Exhale on numerous planes.
Okay, so I bought a Gilt City deal for $ 99 for two weeks of unlimited classes.
My first class was a Beginner Class (I’m rusty) with Kiya and it was awesome. Kiya is an awesome instructor, she does 90% of the movements, is a great encourager with lots of energy, has an excellent «instructor» voice and a kickass playlist (I heard Beyonce no fewer than three times). The class was also a manageable size 12 or so people.
My second class. I did not care for the instructor (even though she had Michael Jackson’s Thriller on her play list) and her teaching style (very lackadaisical with little actual guidance). But I’m also super anal and go for a good instructor, rather than a personality or someone who could be my friend. This particular instructor was like the former, but not so much.
Anyway, my third class sealed the deal. The Mat 57 with Kim. OH MY GOODNESS. Literally the best workout I have had in a class setting in ages (Comparable to my forever pilates true love: Pilates Haus in Jersey City). It’s like a pilates modeled cardio class. Every inch of my body experienced an insufferable burn, but the music was great (no Beyonce, but she played «Anaconda» — which I love as a workout song) and Kim was awesome. I legitimately broke a sweat in a mat class that wasn’t Bikram. It’s like some type of miracle.
The service is also really great — none of the usual smug receptionists that are usually employed at higher-​end fitness studios. They knew my first name by my third class AND I got a handwritten postcard in the mail within a week of my first class.
The facilities are nice-​ish. Yes, the locker room is on the cramp side, but clean and well lit.
The class size are manageable and the pace of the workouts are upbeat, allowing you a source of distraction from the burn.
Overall, I got a solid workout and Mat 57 is likely my new obsession. I’ll likely take advantage of the newcomer deals at the close of my two-​weeks unlimited package.

I really like Physique 57. And I am not a fan of working out… at all. I purchased a 2 week unlimited deal on Gilt, so I did a 2 week intensive (for me at least!) and went 7 times during those 2 weeks. While I am definitely feeling the pain, I also am feeling stronger. I experienced 5 different instructors and while all have been nice, Chad’s Saturday morning class has been my favorite so far. No one should be that peppy that early but it really does push you through!
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is the cost. Normal classes cost $ 36 a class! I could choose to go to Physique 3 times a month, or pay for an entire month membership at my gym for less. Unfortunately the gym has to win out. But hopefully I can supplement with a Physique class now and again.

Came here last night for my first barre class ever. The facilities are gorgeous and the changing areas are fantastic with lockers that you program with your own code, clean spacious showers, and just about every accoutriment a girl could ever need. The reception staff was super sweet. Julie was a good teacher for some probably but not my type. That said the class was hard as everyone else here says it is and I am grateful to be feeling it today :). But 35? Thank god for the locker amenities, but that’s seriously expensive.

I’m not sure how to properly express how much i love physique 57. i had taken a few classes a while back, but it was only after having knee surgery that i became totally addicted. it was the only workout that i could do where i felt taken care of by the instructors and not terrified of futher injury. I am happy to say that now, not only am i back in shape, but am more sculpted and stronger than i was even before the knee surgery!
i spent the first couple of months paying for the month-​to-​month unlimited packages, but i finally made the commitment for the 3-​month package, and i’m so happy that i did! i feel more motivated to go, and the overall savings is great. it’s expensive, but i can’t find another workout that’s as effective or that i enjoy more.

This place is the best and the worst thing that’s happened to me in a while: the best because every time I leave class I feel stronger, like I just survived war or something — and the worst because my body hasn’t been in that much pain since … ever, actually. But that’s a good thing, I guess.
As for the location, its super clean. The front desk is very friendly, as are the instructors that I’ve used so far (3 different women in total). One instructor sent me a postcard in the mail after my first class to tell me I did a great job, etc, etc. That was very appreciated. The other women in the class seem to be ok, not extremely friendly. But then again, this is an exercise class not a girl scout meeting, so friendly isn’t my biggest concern.
All in all, the workout hits every part of your body — head to toe. The only downside is the cost. In my first visit there, one person in the class told me that people tend to come to class 4x a week. Umm … (1) whose paying for that? Not me. And (2) who wants to endure that much pain everyday? Again, not me. But I understand that some people want to see a fast and noticeable change in their bodies. I, on the other hand, am just trying to get a little stronger and boost my energy since I’m always so damn tired.
I’ll continue to come here when I can — like once or twice a week. Its been a great experience thus far.

I love this place. You need to be really dedicated though.

My only barre experience lies with Pure Barre so my 6+ months of experience prepared me well for what to expect. This is class is very fast pace and you do everything in sprints compared to small movements. Certain elements are the same but it’s different. Even though you use heavy weights you don’t feel like your arms are about to fall off. I love this place just because I got 2 classes for the price of one for signing up online. I’ll definitely take another class next time I’m in town.

I’ve never been to any of the other Physique 57 studios, so I can’t compare in that regard, but I love this place and this workout. In my experience, this is a great studio for the after 6:30pm classes that are tough to get into in the 57^th street location. Everything is new, and the showers and products are ample (at that time… not sure what a morning or lunch rush would feel like there). Tip: the entrance is through the Ansonia, on 73^rd st.
It’s expensive, but there’s a buy-​one-​get-​one for your first time, so remember to print that coupon! And if you sign up for a package (monthly unlimited, or a set number of classes) during one of those sessions, you’ll get a beginner discount, which truthfully, has made a difference. I think knowing that I’ve paid a good chunk of money in advance of my workouts is inspiring, but seeing the bodies of the teachers once you’re actually there is all the inspiration I need.
This class isn’t easy. I knew when I first read about the class that I was in no shape to try it, but once I felt comfortable with: spending the money, being around type A Manhattanites who rock at this, and not dying during class, I signed up. My legs were jelly after my first class, but I was hooked. In just a few classes I could already see a difference in the shape of my body, how my pants fit, how I stood, and the energy I treat each day with. It’s not cheap, but I justify it in two ways: it’s cheaper than a trainer and any investment in your health is worthwhile. I’ve been too busy to head up to class in the past two weeks, and I really do miss it and can’t wait for my schedule to calm down to meet again with my frenemy, the playground ball.

I admit it, I was resistant to this place and for awhile thought I would be content just snarking about it. The price per workout is expensive ($ 35), and the clientele trended so far toward the silver spoon crowd on my first experience that I felt really uncomfortable in the spur of the moment workout wear I’d borrowed from a coworker.
WASP-​y ladies aside, Physique excels at the most important things: amazing workouts, instructors, and a spotless facility. Despite my cheapness, I’ve made room in my budget for this place because its just that good. The workouts are barre-​based but not dance heavy. You’ll focus on all the major areas (arms, legs, butt, stomach) and I promise you it will be hard work. The beginner classes I attend have had a range of students. There are just as often first timers and the slightly uncoordinated as there are outrageously fit guru students (ladies, please go to a higher level class, you are shaming us weaklings). There are often two instructors in the beginner classes, but even when there is only one the trainer (s) are exceptional at giving everyone unique attention and pushing you to go farther without embarrassing you if you can’t.
I would suggest that Physique57 is more appropriate for students with at least some level of fitness or strength. The classes run on a swift-​paced script and even with modifications you will want to keep up to get your money’s worth from the class. You’ll also need to find some socks with good grips as the studios are all carpeted; the one thing I really dislike about the studio space. I still wear my regular old socks, but often find myself slipping and sliding during planks and pushups. If this place intimidates you at first, I encourage you to give it two workouts and see how your body feels. I, for one, am hooked.

Note the entrance is in The Ansonia on 73^rd street. I walked up and down Bway twice before realizing 2109 Broadway is actually on a side street.
I had a chance to try a free class courtesy of Lulu Lemon. As someone who hadn’t worked in a while but has a fairly conditioned body due to years of athletics, this class is definitely going to make your muscles sing! It started off gently but once we hit the bar, feel the burn!
The instructors were motivating without being annoying and attentive to students. I thoroughly enjoyed the nonstop class but concur with Dana R that I would supplement this with yoga or pilates classes to stretch out your muscles. Stout doesn’t look good. I wouldn’t make this my only workout. I don’t doubt that you will see weightloss and muscle tone definition quickly if you stick with this though.
The facility is clean, the women’s locker rooms have coded locks and three shower stalls with shower caps. Oddly, only one sink.

If I could give ten stars, I would! Physique 57 has done WONDERS for me. I lost 32 lbs, went down 3 sizes in jeans, gained strength I didn’t think was possible, and found confidence I have been lacking for so long.
After 2 knee surgeries due to sports back in the day, and a meniscus tear that I was delaying getting repaired due to law school, I stopped working out, gained a lot of weight and felt horrible about myself. I tried working out at NYSC, but my knee couldn’t handle that impact. I tried other bar programs, like the Bar Method, but again, I felt pain, and it wasn’t fun. I tried pilates, but I wasn’t losing enough weight or gaining the strength I really wanted. When I started physique, it was FUN, and I could handle it. A quick conversation with an instructor lead to personal modifications, and I was able to do the entire class without any pain. I started coming every day, and I found not just that my body changed (friends and family are still in extreme shock) but my attitude was completely different. The instructors are inspiring. They will push you, but only in a safe way that emphasizes form over all else, and will come around and fix your body so you are working out in the exact position that will build healthy, strong muscles without putting strain on your ligaments and joints.
I’ve since had my third knee surgery, and my physical therapist, who has done physique himself, recommended I continue with physique. I have no pain in anything now, and physique has built up muscles that will protect my knee from any future injuries. I only wish I would have known about physique before my latest injury!!!
The instructors will discuss modification with you before class starts, because they really will make special adjustments just for you that can make a big difference. But, as I found, once you have the muscles built up that stabilize your knee, you will be able to do the exercises you once had to modify. It’s just about getting the strength, and you will get there, fast!!!
I have never felt confident in my body until now. Physique can make you own the BEST version of your body. The instructors are all gorgeous and all have inspirational bodies. And when you go and keep going, you will watch your body get closer to looking like theirs. It’s so cool! In class, you will work your thighs a lot because the thighs are the highest calorie burning muscle. That’s also where the cardio section comes in. You will sweat and lose weight, and have such an awesome time doing it!!!
The new studio is stunning. Personal lockers for everyone, bright, big windows, friendly staf. Hoping they will add more classes soon, especially mat classes, which you should try if you haven’t!
All in all, Physique changed my life, and I am a happier person every day because of it :) Thank you!!!