Vibe Pilates Studio

I wish I could give 5 stars… Up until about a month ago I would have felt great about 5 stars. Carly & Lyn are fantastic instructors– the closest experience I’ve had in a group setting to a private Pilates session. However, they are no longer teaching regular classes in the studio. They have been replaced with lower caliber instructors who are more entry level. All the instructors are very nice– they are just lacking the exceptional skills of Carly and Lyn. It would be great if the owners/​management could provide some coaching to the more junior instructors that seem to be taking over the teaching responsibilities. I’m hopeful that Vibe will step it up again to be the outstanding place they once were instead of another run of the mill Pilates studio.

You’ll enjoy every class at Vibe Studio because all the staffers are experienced Pilates instructors, who pay close attention to correct Pilates form and to each student’s strengths and limitations.
Do yourself a favor and sign up for a class with Billie – she’s enthusiastic, welcoming, and caring. Billie’s knowledge is amazingly deep (I believe she knows and actually remembers all 600 Pilates exercises) so she can immediately suggest an alternative exercise if the rest of the class is doing something that’s not feeling good for you, at least today. She uses her knowledge creatively (e.g., Infinity Bar) so her classes are always fresh, interesting, and customized for the students in each session. Billie is an outstanding motivator who somehow gets you happily doing exercises you never thought you’d be able to accomplish. The smile that lights up her face when you succeed is clearly what motivates her.

I am really enjoying my reformer classes at Vibe Pilates Studio. The studio has Allegro 2 reformers (my favorite), BB springboards, trx classes and more. The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable. I’ve been taking private lessons with Billie and love them. She is so positive and really knows her stuff and is fun to work with. In the classes you get a lot of individual attention. The teachers really make an effort to know your body and if you have any injuries or limitations and work with you. Some studios just race through the exercises without emphasizing proper form. At Vibe, you are in capable hands and can make a lot of progress in a short period of time. I also think their prices are one of the best deals for reformer classes in the Bay Area. If you get a package or an unlimited membership, you will get more than your money’s worth.

Great studio! I feel stronger, and more confident as a dancer and yogini, after learning Pilates principles from Lynn.

I love the studio and all the trainers! I always leave with a big smile on my sweety

These classes are unique and fun. They use the reformer and props in so many ways. I always leave sweaty. My only issue is with the cleaner they use. Too much pine fresh scent. Oih veh!

Vibe studio is awesome! You receive lots of feedback, individual attention and top notch instruction. The focus is on posture, breathing, correct form which equates to a great workout as well. I love the cardio sculpt jumpboard class. Before/​after stretching sequences compliment the workouts. The studio is pleasant and has great ambiance. There is ample street parking (some paid, some free).

My teenage son who has Down syndrome takes private lessons with Lynn. As he proclaims, he is working to be «a couch potato» and hates physical exertion. Somehow, Lynn gets him to move. She knows how to motivate him, get him to work and is willing to listen to loud terrible music that he insists on playing. More importantly, however, Lynn knows her stuff. She somehow helped to halt and actually reduce my son’s 72 degree kyphotic curve in his spine. As he says, «she’s a life saver!»

I have been to numerous pilates studios throughout my life, but none have actually kept me motivated to keep coming back. That was until I found Vibe. Classes are varied, the workout intense yet scalable, and the instruction is clear. Carly and Lynn are energetic, motivating, and a joy to take classes from. Also quite affordable compared to many other reformer studios. I would recommend Vibe to anyone looking to get into pilates, or anyone interested in a varied, envigorating workout.

Vibe Pilates Studio is my favorite place to do Pilates because Lynn and Carly make the lessons challenging while being accessible. They are very knowledgeable and welcoming. Vibe is a friendly environment. When they correct your form, it is very constructive and not judgmental. I feel very comfortable in this studio. I have been coming here for over four months, and I can see a big difference in my body. I am stronger and have better posture. Pilates also makes my joints feel better too. Thank you Lynn and Carly for making this great studio!

Finally, a Pilates studio where it all comes together! Formerly under a different name, Rise Bodyworks, there has been a name change only but everything else wonderful stayed the same.
The space itself is really pleasant. The equipment is new, well-​maintained, clean and there are a lot of different pieces of equipment available for each student.
The classes are so varied. I have been to many Pilates Reformer classes where, after a while, I sort of know their repertoire and know what’s coming. Carly and Lynn switch it up so much it feels like there is something I have never done each and every class.
Carly and Lynn know what they are doing. Their instructions are clear and precise. Lynn knows a ton about the body and wants to make sure you do each exercise in a way that will protect it and, when I told her a chronic issue I had, gave me modifications for each exercise throughout the class.
Pilates is expensive and this place is no exception. One way to make it more affordable is the monthly memberships, offered at different frequency levels. I don’t know how long they have been open (maybe a year) and I so hope they make it and stay around a good long time. While they can accommodate 6 or 7 people per class there never seems to be more than 3 – 4 max, if that, and I just want them to succeed.
The staff is small they can only offer so many classes each day and personally I wish there were more Level 2&3 classes but they probably just need to tailor the schedule for the clientele. I have taken the Pilates Cardio Sculpt as well and it kicked my butt. Three times per week for the last three weeks and I continue to be sore. I haven’t taken the TRX classes or yoga but hope to at some point.
Street parking is easy enough. And it makes a quick stop at Berkeley Bowl a breeze. I Go check it out!

I can’t say enough good things about this studio. Great workout, awesome instructors, great equipment… Mother-​daughter duo… Fantastic unlimited monthly membership… It is the only studio of its kind in berkeley.

Can’t say enough great things about Rise Bodyworks in Berkeley. Both Carly + Lynn are first-​class instructors and SUPER sweet and attentive to everyone in class. The atmosphere is calming and they are just the nicest people.
The classes are great — a mix of pilates, TRX and both mixed into 1 class! Kiko the instructors is awesome as well, a real hard a$$ but sometimes you need it! Also the machines are really clean.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place!

After just three pilates reformer classes, I’m feeling stronger, taller, and straighter. Highly recommended. Good location, reasonable prices, and knowledgable teachers.

I love this place. After a class I feel longer, taller, lither, and strangely, more energetic. I get a much better workout than a mat pilates class and feel very confident in both Carly and Lynn’s instruction. They find muscles that I honestly didn’t know existed; I discover their existence through soreness the next day. They also are able to work around injuries with individual students.
Super friendly, super nice, and a great workout. Highly recommended.

I bought a groupon to Rise when it first opened and I’ve continued to buy monthly packages. Lynn, Carly and Kiko are great instructors who motivate me every class. I love the space and the equipment is all brand new and in perfect condition. I’ve recommended Rise to my friends and neighbors.

This place just opened so I thought I’d give it a try, it’s a really clean, well organized studio. I did the level 2 Pilates reformer class with Carly, which also included other fun apparatus in the studio. The class flew by, it was really fun to try new moves that we’re challenging but not impossible. She gave great queues throughout and demo examples for us visual learners. It felt like she had worked every muscle group in an hour, I will definitely be back!

Reason for visit: Working on my fitness
Visit date: February 10, 2014
First time: to this location yes!
One of my first pilates reformer experiences was at Rise Bodyworks in Alameda and I loved it! You could just imagine how thrilled I was to hear that a Berkeley location was opening up! The Berkeley space is great — spacious, clean, bright — it’s like a playground for grown-​ups. My first class was with Lynn; I was the only student for this session so it was even more exciting for me. A one-​on-​one with an awesome instructor? Yes please! Lynn customized the class to my strengths (and weaknesses — gotta build up that pilates repertoire!) and encouraged me along the way, adjusting my posture as needed. She even introduced me to the spring board.
Notes: Park on the street (the lot next to the building is actually for the apartments next door). Berkeley Bowl is across the street (in case you need a pre/​post-​workout produce run or burrito ;)
Can’t wait for my next class!