Boston Pilates

Recently I had several private pilates sessions with Jessica Bellarose at Boston Pilates and it was wonderful! First off, the space is really welcoming: warm, lots of light, beautiful and simple décor. Second, Jessica is a very thoughtful and knowledgeable instructor– I have lots of old injuries and she was able to help me not just work around them, but pick out specific ones to help my tricky back and shoulder. So glad they’re in my neighborhood!

I just want to say that after a weekend filled with celebrating, booze, all of the hamburgers, pizza, and hot-​dogs, I’m pretty sure the reason I don’t feel huge and even got complemented on my figure this morning is due to Boston Pilates.
That and my ass looks and feels awesome.
Thank you Boston Pilates, thank you Becca’s Hardcore Barre Class, and thank you Jess for every Friday (though I usually want to shake my fist at you during our session).

I took the early morning Barre class and it was amazing. Becca was very attentive to my lower back issues, reminding me to take it easy when we were about to do exercises that were tough on that area. She was also very patient and encouraging. Overall a wonderful experience and I would recommend to anyone interested in getting their butt kicked (in a good way).

I have been taking pilates here for almost a year, and when I started, it was my first time attempting pilates. The owner, Becca, is my teacher, and she is fantastic. Very attentive to form and detail and a great instructor. I’d say the only drawback is the space is a bit small. But the location can’t be beat. Right in my ‘hood!

I live in JP and started taking classes at Boston Pilates around two years following the birth of my first child. Becca helped me find my core muscles and slim down all while helping me to let some painful wrist tendinitis heal. She is an awesome instructor, always positive and supportive. I enjoy my pilates workouts with her and enjoy the results even more. She is now helping me rediscover my core muscles after baby #2. I’ve also had lessons and classes with Laura and Paula S. and they are also great instructors. All three women really take the time to help you understand the correct form of the exercise, which is especially helpful for beginners.
I also love Boston Pilates because they make pilates accessible. When finances became limiting, Becca helped me find a duet partner. I’ve also taken TWS (quartet or quintet) lessons as well as mat and tower classes. They are very reasonably priced, and I daresay downright inexpensive when it comes to reformer and tower workouts. They are conveniently located on Centre St in JP, with a 39 bus stop right by the front door and a big parking lot in back of the building. Boston Pilates is a real asset to the greater Boston community and to JP in particular.

I’ve been going to Boston Pilates for 2 years now. Previously I’d taken pilates mat classes in a couple of other places. I liked it, but at BP I’m hooked. I’m in a 4 person class once a week — I’d love to go much more often, but to be honest it’s expensive and I just can’t afford it. Still, I won’t give up my weekly reformer class. Some days I don’t feel like I’ve gotten much of a workout… until I stand up at the end. Other days, I know I’m getting my butt kicked all the way through. Either way, after my hour each week in class at Boston Pilates leaves me calm, focused, and definitely stronger than when I began.

I used to be a yoga girl. I liked stretching and working on my flexibility and strengthening my core. But I really hated the rest of it. The chakra and chi and energy and meditation and incense and patchouli bullshit. And the wacky chanting and ohming and whatnot? Yeah. No thanks. Namaste can kiss my ass.
Luckily, you can get all the benefits of yoga without all the new age wackiness. Pilates will kick your ass. It doesn’t look like much, but you are seriously working your core. I was sore for two days after my first session. After two weeks I’ve got a bit more flexibility, my back doesn’t hurt nearly as often as it usually does, and I stand up straighter. It’s kinda awesome. And you get to use these machines and apparatus that look like a cross between torture devices and sex swings.
I signed up for private lessons. It’s a great way to get started since those crazy machines can be a little intimidating at first. You get personal attention– so when my alignment is off or I’m doing something wrong I know about it immediately. Even if you take a class, they are purposely small. Five people. Max. The space is small, but pleasant. And the instructors are super awesome– flexible, patient and personable (I’ve got Paula Spina for my private sessions– she’s a riot– highly recommended).
Warning: Pilates is more expensive than yoga. A lot more expensive, in fact. But I’d pay almost anything to not have to hear some yogi yapping about her «practice» and the new colon cleansing she just tried.