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Highland Park Fitness

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The Skinny on Pilates Studios in the North Shore

By Loren Greiff

No worries - yoga, hot yoga, power yoga, chisel yoga and yoga yoga are still considered hot among the lean and mean, but now Pilates shares the glow among North shore fitness freaks. Here's where you'll find it and why you'll firm it.

2Hot Yoga&Pilates

Among the newest hot spots in the North Shore is 2Hot Yoga&Pilates,(click here to see the 2hot studio video) just opened by co-owners Desiree Rijos and Randy Anbar. This studio opened in January is conveniently located in Highland Park, tucked just behind the Jewel and next to Ken's Quick Print.

This yoga and pilates haven combines classes and one-to-one training in a serene setting. Certainly not a gym, the focus here is on detoxification and relaxation. Des and Randy have attended to every detail. The towels smell great, the incense is light and fragrant - there are even a few dressing rooms and soon to come -- massage to continue your relaxation vacation.

An important distinction to 2Hot is the emphasis and commitment to Joseph Pilates' methodology and equipment. Here you will only find machines manufactured by Gratz, the 70 year old company that continues to create in tradition of the original Pilates design with leather straps and wooden carriage. Des and Randy are firm believers that equipment is key to maximum pilates benefits and are proud to offer their clients only the best.

I sampled a vinyasa yoga class with heat (85°) and lost my reformer virginity here and loved it.

The heated yoga studio did it for me. Imagine, in this bone chilling weather you're able to comfortably go barefoot and be scantily clothed while your muscles get warm, loose and limber. I broke a sweat early on and effortlessly made it through a big Evian bottle. When the class was over I felt relaxed, like melted butter. Post shower my skin was pink and especially healthy looking.

With only mat classes as my pilates experience I found the reformer one-on-one training session very educational and extremely challenging. If you're serious about pilates I would strongly recommend going with specialized instruction at a private studio vs. gym. That's because, you want to make sure you're working with someone who's truly properly trained and has the experience to work with your body plus all its quirks. Madonna, my instructor told me that "I have a deep core" which made me feel great - and thankfully didn't mention that my flexibility was much to be desired.

Body Evolve

Body Evolve seamlessly merges the discipline of pilates and physical therapy into one hard working and busy studio. Since its opening seven years ago and Body Evolve has steadily built a loyal and consistent clientele. At 8 am, the place was buzzing and co-owners Arlene Bass and Sharon Gawin wasted no time getting me going. Later I learned that Arlene directs the Pilates Certification and Teacher Training Program and Sharon's directs the Continuing Education Program for Medical Professionals at Body Evolve. Click here to see the Body Evolve video.

In my initial assessment I started by learning to breathe. Not just inhaling and exhaling but where I should feel it and fire it. I was way harder than I thought - as was everything I did here.

Arlene explained that Body Evolve's focus is on working one-on-one with Clients to teach them how to achieve core strength, flexibility, coordination, concentration, balance and posture. She shared that the smaller less superficial muscles are the ones that really require attention. "They're the ones that do the real heavy lifting." In simpler terms, just because you see someone with a six-pack doesn't me he or she's got strong abs.

When I spoke to Sharon and asked her to describe her North Shore Clientele. She laughed..."hmmm, we have Clients from 18 to almost 80... some are professional athletes, some are recovering from an injury and may need physical therapy, others are just wanting to increase their fitness level."

What I took away from being at Body Evolve was top-notch instruction and an extraordinary staff dedicated to injury prevention, rehabilitation, and fitness training.

According to Arlene and Sharon
The 10 reasons to start Pilates at Body Evolve

1. Tone and strengthen abdominal muscles
2. Balance strength and flexibility to create longer, leaner muscles
3. Licensed physical therapists on staff
4. Improve posture, balance, and body awareness
5. Decrease back pain, neck pain and shoulder tension
6. Feel alive, challenged and invigorated
7. Reduce risk of injury through non-impact exercise
8. Effective and safe for everyone - men and women of all ages, novice to Olympian
9. Private sessions give full focus to an individual's needs
10. Early morning, evening and Saturday appointments available