Pilates Review - S Factor

Alright ladies, we've all heard about these Strip Classes, you know, the one where you are flying around a pole and otherwise acting like a stripper, right? Well, I tried one out and it was AWESOME.

I went to Sheila Kelly's S Factor at 23rd street in Manhattan for my introductory class. Front desk was helpful and sweet, space is big but intimate and the locker rooms were great.

I think all of us were pretty nervous, not really knowing what to expect, especially because the front waiting area is filled with stripper clothes, poles, large heels and other things most of our men would appreciate. We were escorted into a room where our class was to take place and it was dead silent until our teacher came in.

This was a 2 hour intro class and our teacher spent the first 20 minutes introducing herself to everyone, asking about injuries and making corny jokes. I have to admit I got a little impatient through this, but then we started the workout. There are a couple of things to note about S Factor: no men are allowed and the lights are turned DOWN LOW during the class. It was really helpful to get "in the mood" and also to let go a little. If the lights were up I definitely wouldn't have gotten into it as much. Our teacher was great at promoting our sexuality and congratulating us and spurring us on.

The mat workout was hard, then we took a break and started on the pole! She taught us one spin move around the pole. I don't think I fully got it, but some people did and the spirit in the room was awesome - we were hollering and whooping as each of us walked sexily up to the pole and swung around it. It was really fun.

At the end of class our instructor showed us a routine that was very advanced and IMPRESSIVE! She was out of breath by the end of it and it totally made me want to work as hard as possible to get there someday.

I'll definitely go back and I think it did a lot for my own body image and feeling more confident in this body I got.

Go take this class!!!

Pilates Review - Kinected

Continuing with my Pilates Passbook, I went to an equipment class at Kinected which is apparently running the Kane School's classes now. I was really excited to take a Kane class as I've heard great things about them, their training and their teachers.

The studio was easy to find and a beautiful space, nice and open with lots of light. Unfortunately my first experience was with someone at the front desk who informed me that I wasn't allowed to take an equipment class - they are honoring the Passbook for the Kane School, but it was only for Mat. No where in the Passbook does it say you can only take a mat class, so I had to fight them on it (plus I called and they should have told me then, rather than make me come in and then try to refuse me). He checked with the manager and finally he said it was ok - just this time - and then continued to be snotty and threw my pass back at me. So, I wasn't looking forward to the class, neeedless to say.

BUT! The class was great. It was an hour and a half equipment class with Matt. He was a very smart teacher, great use of the reformer, barrel, wunda chair and tower. I was super sore afterwards and he paid great attention to us all.

Barring a snobby front desk, I would highly recommend taking a class with Matt.