Refine Method

Bought the First Class Special for $ 34 (Buy one class, get one free!)
Pros:
— Bathroom (cons for this listed below) — fully stocked body gel, shampoo, and conditioner in the shower stall; clean; free towels (two different sizes); free hair bands; $ 2 water bottle; there are two ways to get to the bathroom (one through the class which is super awkward or go through the dingy unfinished kitchen)
— Instructors are amazing (had Kailee and Caitlin) — they go around the room and correct your form; very motivational without being annoying
— Class max size is 14 people — space is small but plenty of room for your workouts
— The classes are a mix of regulars and new people — so at the beginning if the trainers are giving instructions you have no idea about, relax! They will help you set up and everyone is focused on setting up their own stations so no one judges you
— Really like the schedule — consistent and the times offered are convenient
Cons:
— One shower in the only bathroom stall — since my commute home is more than an hour long I always shower after class, which makes it inconvenient for the following class to use the bathroom (I feel horrible but there’s nothing I can do — I need to be on a certain train home). This is the main reason why I’m not committing to this place, so sad
— It takes me 20 minutes speed walking to get to the place from work — so another reason why this place isn’t convenient for me

I have been going to Refine Method ever since it opened on the UES, and while I have tried other workouts, Refine has continuously been my go-​to. They are constantly changing the classes and props to make sure they are providing the best workout to their clients, and do a great job of modifying for injuries. Since the classes are small, everyone receives personal attention and there’s never a moment where I question whether I am doing something correctly. I leave every class feeling like I got an amazing workout!

I really enjoy Refine Method UES. I live very close so it’s very convenient for me to pop over. All the instructors I’ve had have super bubbly personalities and are very good about correcting your form. It’s a great workout for all levels. They are good about giving you options if you just started working out or if you are advanced. You see all ages here and I usually see 1 – 2 males in my classes. I’ve taken my fiancé a few times and he enjoys the class. He says he likes that it forces him to break out of his routine of lifting weights and into trying new moves. I also like that about Refine, they have a ton of equipment so the workout is always different. The only con I have is I would love for them to change up the warm-​up. Would be nice to start class a little differently here and there.

I started at Refine Method a year and a half ago after having not worked out for over three years. After my first class I was hooked. I have been going multiple times per week ever since. Refine is amazing for a number of reasons, below are a few of my personal favorite aspects of Refine
1. Instructors: Instructors are energetic (even at 6:20 am on a Monday), positive (I have never heard one negative sentence come from any instructor), entertaining (cracking jokes mid kettle bell swing is common), immensely knowledgeable on workouts and form (will correct even minor form issues), encouraging (they encourage you to push yourself harder), and personable.
2. Variety: No Refine class is the same. Each day you will work through three circuits of roughly six exercises, working each muscle group. This combined with various «power series,» fast paced cardio, makes for a fun class. The playlist also keeps you on your toes, and sometimes might have you busting out minor dance moves.
3. Effective in sculpting your body: If you commit to Refine you WILL see your body transform. Prior to joining Refine I had minimal upper body strength and had lost most of the tone in my legs. Within a few months, I could see changes. After over a year of refining, my body has transformed. My legs are toned (but not in excessive manly way), my butt hasn’t looked this good since I was sprinter in high school, and my shoulders are nicely and subtly sculpted.
4. Strength (Mental and Physical): When I signed up for Refine, my intial goal was to get fit. But one of my favorite outcomes of committing to Refine is how strong I have become. Not only am I physically stronger than I ever was, I have also become stronger mentally. Refine session instructors preach the power of mind over body. You are in control of you. One of their favorite lines is «you can do anything for „X“ seconds.» And it is true. I have seen changes in my will power since I committed to Refine.
I recommend Refine to anyone that is serious about getting strong, sculpting their body, and wants to have fun while working out.

Continuously challenging AND rewarding! Not a moment is wasted and every movement has purpose. The teacher’s are motivational, energetic and informative. It is truly rewarding to start out feeling like you won’t be able to get through a class and after a few months, you know it’s possible to not only complete it, but to push yourself a bit further every time.
Refine is truly evolutionary. Their devotion to constantly changing apparatus/​class format/​movements speaks to their desire to provide the best service possible.

If you’re looking for a killer full body workout look no further, Refine Method is exactly what you need! Combining cardio and strength training all in a 50 min workout, start your day right! I have never left feeling like I didn’t get a good burn, you sweat like a maniac while blasting calories and having fun. There’s always an awesome, motivating playlist playing in the background helping you push through. I find with big gym classes it’s hard for the instructor to focus and correct your form, Not at Refine! The instructors of the small classes are super motivating, helpful and nice! You will feel and see a difference in all aspects of your workout because everyday is a different workout. Don’t question it! You’ll be happy you made the choice to try out this killer workout.

Refine has become my primary workout. No gimmicks /​no doing ‘model moves’ — just classic strength training that is thought-​out, efficient, and hard! I love how every class is different to keep it fun and super challenging and I feel like I get an even better workout than a personal trainer while having the energy of a group class. The attention to detail and focus on my form is also highly appreciated. What I’ve learned from Refine has helped me improve my form in all aspects of my fitness even outside the class. The instructors are super knowledgeable and approachable. And the music if fantastic! Really couldn’t say better things — I don’t know how I would do strength training without them! They do all the hard part of planning for me :)

Refine is smart, efficient, and constantly changing things up. Most of us don’t have time to work out multiple hours a day, so Refine created a program to get/​keep you in shape in less time. The classes are small and personal. A lot of studios don’t care much about form or if you are injured. You will never find that at Refine. They are the best about proactively monitoring your injuries/​limitations and suggesting modifications. Finally, the class is fun and entertaining. You won’t walk away disappointed!
I can’t say enough good things about Refine. If you enjoy group fitness/​classes and don’t mind getting sweaty, this class is for you.

Refine UES is a true gem! The workout is intelligent and varied. Most importantly the classes are small, no more than 12, and the instructors are the most talented with wonderful senses of humor. Working out at Refine is actually fun while packing a punch. Highly recommended.

I’m a long –Tine Refiner, and as a 50+ woman who still plays a field sport (Ultimate Frisbee) and runs around with a 12 year old, I count on Refine to keep my core strong and body flexible, without risk of injury. Smart, efficient and effective work outs! Better– at least more fun– than PT for treating injuries, too!

Great workout! Spin and yoga are fun but can only take you so far. If you’re not getting results from barre (and most people aren’t) and you want an efficient workout that combines strength training and cardio with a helpful, supportive instructor who will invite you to challenge yourself without pushing you to injury, then this workout is for you.
I dropped into a Refine class while in town for work. I’d read the reviews and was a bit apprehensive, but was greeted by a friendly, supportive instructor who showed us the workout and gave everyone individual pointers throughout the class. It was like having a great workout with a personal trainer, except cheaper. Lots of different exercises working different parts of your body and ways you can dial it up or down depending on your strength and ability. The instructors are really good at helping you tailor the workout to your individual level, whether you’re a newbie or very athletic. I found the environment way less intimidating than a lot of barre, spin, and yoga classes I’ve gone to. It’s probably different from other workouts you’ve done, so it’s important to come with an open mind and be ready to push your comfort zone a bit. You won’t regret it! This is the kind of workout you can do just 2−3x/week and get good results — think of how much time and money you’d save.
And think about it: if the former professional ballerina founder of Refine is saying you need to step away from the ballet barre and pick up a kettle bell to get fit, she probably knows what she’s talking about!

I came here because of a friend, and so happy I did. I’ve been doing classpass for a year now, and while I love their services, I have a hard time finding place that incorporates strength and cardio. I equate this place to Uplift (one of my favorite studios).
One downfall is that they are not on Classpass. Sad. However, I’m thankful for the first timers pass (buy 1 get one free)…So I will look forward to my next class.

I’ve been going to Refine Method for 4 months and I love these classes. I’ve tried different studios around the city and Refine is by far the best due to the instructors and the workout. Classes are small, generally 10 – 12 students, so the instructors really keep an eye out on on you (in a good way). They give all students corrections/​pointers and also make it a point to learn everyone’s name, which is really nice. I like that the instructors aren’t just standing at the front of class giving directions, but that they’re involved and trying to help students do better. They’re great at motivating students to push themselves a little harder. Every single instructor I’ve had is excellent.
The workouts are tough, but they make me feel like I’m actually changing my body in some way. They’re also varied, which keeps things interesting. There are modified instructions for beginners/​intermediate/​advanced so that everyone can do some form of the exercise. It’s not a competitive type of class– everyone is focused on themselves only, which I prefer.
Even though I’m not an athletic person and generally don’t enjoy working out, I find myself looking forward to Refine classes.

I’ve been going to Refine Method for almost 4 months now. I am a ClassPass user but since Refine is not available on ClassPass (right now anyways) I have been paying «extra» just to go to Refine.
It is such a great workout. You really do get a full strength and cardio workout in one class, plus it’s dynamic, the music is great, and it is almost meditative (you don’t need to THINK, you just need to DO). I never get bored and class flies by. I know I’ve gotten a great workout at the end.
I love the instructors, they are so nice and encouraging and give great corrections to make sure you are getting the most out of it. Class is not competitive it is just about doing you.
I believe that they have showers, lockers, and water available for purchase at every location (but definitely West Village and Upper West Side). The brand new West Village studio is especially beautiful in my opinion.

I have continued to go to Refine Method and am now about a third of the way through the 3-​months-​of-​8-​per-​month package. I don’t regret it at all and continue to be thankful I found this place through a random Unilocal search!
As I wrote in my first review, I hadn’t worked out regularly in years. I also don’t enjoy working out — at all. Both of these things have made these classes very difficult for me, though in a good way. They remain extremely challenging and frankly, I don’t look all that forward to these classes (that’s putting it lightly), but I stick with it because they are everything that a workout should be and I value my health … so I go!
TEACHERS (update): I have now taken classes with: Pam, Lonnie, Kailee, Laura, Ashley, Nicole, and Katie. A true testament to Refine Method is that all of the teachers have been fantastic and the workout has been the same across all of them (in terms of challenge level, class structure, etc.). I really don’t know that I have a favorite, and because they’ve all been great, it lets me sign-​up for classes based on my schedule and availability, as opposed to being restricted by not wanting to take a class from this teacher or that.

I’ve been hearing about high intensive interval training (HIIT) for a while now, and Refine Method has been consistently highly rated by fitness bloggers. After trying a few classes, I understand what all the hype is about. This is a solid and efficient workout.
Although the exercises change from class, the structure is usually the same. We start with a 10min warm-​up consisting of jumping jacks, high knee running in place, and burpees. After your heart gets pumping, we move on to 35mins of strength training interspersed with cardio burst. The strength training segments consist of some combination of squats, lunges, kettle ball swings and arm work (bicep curls, lat pulldowns, etc) with this cool pulley contraption. The cardio spurts usually include more jumping jacks, running in place, side jumps and burpees. We end the exercise portion with 5mins of ab work including roll downs and planks. The last 10mins is reserved for stretching, which I appreciate as a lot of places really skimp on it.
I’ve heard/​read that an ideal workout regimen includes some combination of cardio, strength training and stretching/​yoga/​toning. Refine kills three birds with one stone, so it’s really great if you don’t want to waste a lot of brain cells planning out your weekly workout regimen and lugging your gym clothes to a different studio every day. I’ve only been to 4 classes, but I imagine doing this over a few months will give you some real results. My fellow class goers were all pretty fit and some were downright ripped… in a good way.
I’ve only been to the Upper West location and the facilities are simple, but adequate. There are lockers with locks, two showers and one bathroom. No water fountain, so remember to bring your own bottle.
Pricing is not cheap, but if you’re willing to commit to a monthly unlimited, it’s not too bad. One month is $ 320, while the three month auto-​renew is $ 300 per month. It’s a big chunk of dough, but not too bad compared to some other boutique studios (Bari $ 500+, Physique $ 375, Barry’s $ 500).
Why am I not giving 5 stars? Well, for an exercise program that’s pretty well thought out, the rules here are incredibly nonsensical. First of all, my friend and I wanted to buy a 3 month auto-​renew membership because the website said it could be put on hold for travel or illness. My friend works a job where she gets incredibly busy every 3 months for a couple weeks. Refine wouldn’t allow her to pause it for work, because it doesn’t fit the category of «travel or illness,» which is ridiculous. Why should taking a Disney cruise be given preference over working (and earning cash money to pay for Refine)? Instead, a better policy would be to allow clients to pause the membership once during the three month cycle, no questions asked!
Secondly, Refine was running a Buddy Challenge from Jan through March. You partner up with a «buddy» and for every $ 50 you spend your buddy gets $ 10 (and vice versa), which is a great deal! But here’s the part that makes no sense — you get the credit immediately after your partner makes the purchase and you HAVE to use it on your next Refine purchase. So whoever pays first… gets screwed. For example if you both decide on the monthly unlimited, the first person to buy will pay $ 320 and her buddy will receive $ 60. However, when her buddy buys a package, the person who paid first will only receive a $ 50 credit, because her buddy is only paying $ 260 ($ 320 minus the $ 60 credit). In addition, she’s now stuck with the credit and will have to buy another package, while her buddy has used up all her credits and doesn’t need to commit to any more classes. Wouldn’t it make sense if both buddies got the same amount of credit for making the same purchase???

I usually don’t write reviews after only one visit but I felt compelled to do so in this case. For the people who have said that Brynn is unfriendly or condescending I have NO idea what you’re talking about. After checking in, she gave me an explanation of the apparatus and made sure I understood how to use it. I also noticed that she often would check on my form throughout the class. Never once did I find her corrections to be anything other than gentle and helpful. The idea that people had anything other than a positive experience with Brynn is very surprising to me.
Anyway. I went to the UWS location last week and I’m in love. The studio is cozy, I believe it fits a maximum of 15 students. It’s great because Brynn spent most of the class walking around to make sure everyone’s form was correct. It’s really easy to get lost in group classes, and having a history of knee problems, I appreciate the attention to good form.
There’s lockers and two showers in case you need to get cleaned up after class, though I am sure that there’s a line after morning classes.
The class itself was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. Unlike other «boutique» studios, I really felt like I was getting a full body workout in addition to getting my heart rate up. Brynn made sure that I was really pushing myself — if you’re paying good money for a class, you might as well push yourself as hard as you can, right?
The only con, for me, is the cost. The first class is $ 20 and after that I believe that drop ins are $ 35. It’s expensive but I am of the belief that if you like something and can commit to it, then it’s worth every penny. Luckily I live in Boston, so I won’t be spending all my pennies on refine, though I will absolutely be back next time I’m in the area — and you should do the same!

You’re thinking: I wish there was a place that could give me a great workout like Crossfit, but without the bloody knuckles, armpit smell and tractor tire.
Enter Refine Method.
Don’t let the name fool you. I thought this was another ballet barre style class. (Wrong, wrong, wrong). This is an interval/​HIIT/​kettle bell/​TRX/​resistance training/​plyometrics/​cardio ass-​kicking class.
The only thing «refined» is that they call burpees «jump backs.» How sweet. But by minute 3 of their «power sequence» you don’t care what they call them, you just want it to stop, please God, stop.
But then you keep going and you feel AWESOME.
PROS (for UWS location)
Great instructors — all very motivating and encouraging
Good warm up and cool down/​stretch sequence
Challenging class but not impossible (you don’t need to be an Olympian. Average mortals will be successful)
Foam rollers to use to before and after class (nice touch)
Clean!
Free towels!
$ 1 water!
CONS:
Two of the world’s smallest showers (Barbie doll size)
Type A competitive clients (it’s just exercise people, ease up on the glares if I smile)
Eye chart at the end of the studio that explains what weight you should grab (luckily the instructors are good at explaining and you’ll get the hang of it after 3 classes)
Give it a try. At $ 20 for your first class, you’ve got nothing to lose but a few gallons of sweat. See ya in class.

First off, once you walk into the building, walk into the first door on the left. Was very confused when i walked in and started walking up the stairs. Anyway onto the workout. Really great and the instructor had great energy. I will def be returning.

Refine has completely changed the way I think about exercise — before I started my workout routine was either 1.) treadmill or 2.) elliptical, both of which I found incredibly boring and I never saw significant changes in my body. I was scared of doing traditional strength training exercises because I was scared of «bulking up.» Happily, I decided to try Refine on a whim and never looked back as I saw changes fairly quickly. I’m far more lean and toned than I ever was doing a bunch of cardio! Now I know that I don’t have to worry about bulking up and am actually working towards lifting heavier weights.
Since I’ve added Refine to my workout routine I’ve noticed much better definition in my back and lower body. I also feel like I have a lot more energy throughout my day. I feel like I’m getting an incredibly effective workout without having to be at the studio 5x a week, which makes it SO much easier for me to actually stick with it. Also, I believe my instructors really care about my form and progress, which also keeps me coming back for more! Refine is the gold standard when I try other fitness classes around the city and no other class has lived up to it.