The Real Deal: Core Barre is just one of the many classes offered at one of our favorite places to work out, Revolution Fitness in Santa Monica.  Core Barre is offered several times a week in a small room Rev appropriately calls the COREner. While most of the class exercises have a traditional ballet feel, you also use small weights, bands, and weighted medicine balls to give these classic…

The Real Deal: Physique 57, which has been all the rage in New York City, has finally made its way out West!  The workout has inspired somewhat of a cult following, and celeberities such as Kelly Ripa swear by it as part of their regular fitness regimen.  While the concept is similar to other barre workouts, Physique 57 places a greater emphasis on maintaining a higher heart…

The Real Deal: Melissa Adylia Gutierrez of Controlled Burn Fitness is all about proper form and getting in shape.  Her studio is located in the adorable town of Montrose, my new home away from home!  Melissa has an adorable studio and teaches an amazing class.  As a former dancer, she is very aware of form and injury prevention. Melissa offers a variety of classes, all of which…

The Real Deal: Topham Street Gym is located in Resdea, just off of Reseda Blvd.  Leslie Maltz, the owner of Topham Street Gym, prides herself on the that fact that it is the ONLY green gym in the valley.  They do not use any artificial energy when it comes to working out, all workouts are driven by your body’s own ability to perform the exercise.  They will also be getting…

The Real Deal: V Pilates is located in Toluca Lake tucked away on Cahuenga Blvd., but with its hot pink and black exterior, the studio is hard to miss!!  Piloxing is a combination of a traditional boxing class with pilates movements and, as we found, a bit of booty shaking!  Piloxing requires the use of half pound weighted gloves, which adds an extra cardio blast to the workout. …

The Real Deal: Kristi Vacanti of Pilates Plus SFV (located in Encino) just opened an amazing new studio next door.  Circuit San Fernando Valley offers a variety of classes ranging from power yoga to dance and the ultimate…TRX!  Most of the classes are a combination of cardio and strength training, with half the time spent running on the treadmill, and the other half on the ballet barre,…

The Real Deal: The Heartbeat House is tucked away on Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village.  This is a no frills studio, you are there to workout, not to buy clothes, jewelry or fancy water.  This is not your ordinary mat pilates class.  If you are looking for classic mat pilates, do not take this class.  It is fun, funky and will engage every part of your…

The Real Deal: Bryan Kest has become somewhat of a legend amongst yoga lovers here in Los Angeles.  All of his classes are on a donation basis, although it is suggested to leave $12 in the box on your way out.  Kest has two studios, both in Santa Monica with different schedules for each.  Classes taught by Bryan are the most popular (make sure you get there early!), but the studios offer…

The Real Deal: Pop Physique is a full body toning class that incorporates ballet, pilates and light weights (1 and 2 pounds).  Pop Physique has two locations, one in Silver Lake, and a brand new location in Studio City.  Pop Physique is an amazing class for both toning and stretching.  The class is an hour long and focuses on the importance of breathing and proper execution of form. …

The Real Deal: Yoga for Regular Guys and Girls (YRG), is exactly what its name professes…a no nonsense approach to yoga for the every day person without a yoga background.  YRG was created by former WWE wrestler Diamond Dallas Page (DDP), who after an injury, began practicing yoga to rehabilitate.  He soon realized that yoga was for everyone, not just for people who could bend like…

The Real Deal: RPM Fitness is a hidden gem located in a strip mall in Toluca Lake.  Pilates Beat is an amazing class, and is not at all your typical mat pilates.  Cynthia teaches the class and also co-owns RPM Fitness.  She is so motivating and really helps to push you through each move with her positive attitude.  The first half of the class focuses mainly on the upper body.  Just…

  The Real Deal: Core Fusion is a trademarked workout by Exhale, which also offers yoga classes (Venice location only) and boasts a full spa.  Core Fusion is, as its name suggests, a fusion of several practices including yoga, pilates and ballet.  Class attendees are led through a series of exercises that incorporate light hand weights, stretching leg work at the ballet bar, and a variety…

The Real Deal: Cardio Barre is a low impact high intensity workout.  The class consists of tight and precise movements of the legs, abs and arms, both with and without light weights.  All classes are 60 minutes in length and incorporate exercises utilizing the ballet bar, as well as floor work.  The studio is very large, and can hold about 75 people.  They offer both beginner and…

The Real Deal: Yoga Booty Ballet (YBB), is a dance/yoga class, but you need not be an expert in either to participate.  YBB truly helps to empower you and build your inner strength, all while making you sweat!  At the beginning of class you choose your goal or intention for the hour and then chant a mantra of strength.  The class is designed to help breakdown your walls of doubt …