Refine Method

I was introduced to Refine by my co-​worker and found after years of working out and trying different boutique gyms, Refine IS the smartest workout for me and my body type (athletic). The mix of anabolic (strength training) and catabolic (cardio) workout have allowed me to maintain my weight and look my best! I even trek all the way from Williamsburg on the stinkin L train to attend classes in the morning… and since I have to go to work right after, the shower/​bathroom/​locker facilities are super nice, making it super easy to shower and go! The instructors are fabulous and spend time correcting your form so you get the most out of the exercise. And when you feel sluggish, they encourage you to work at your highest potential. I highly recommend Refine to anyone looking for all in one workout!

I have been a regular Refiner for the last two years. I’m in the best shape of my life and Refine is helping me be even better for my wedding in June. Before Refine, I jumped around the NYC boutique fitness scene. When I came to Refine, I knew I found my fitness home. The format varies by class, but usually consists of 6 different full body exercises that are completed 3 times with a «power» exercise interspersed to spike your heart rate. The special sauce is a killer combination of music, props, and a crew of funny, personable instructors.
What differentiates Refine is how focused they are to lead an effective, smart, safe workout. The instructors are exceptional at form corrections and provide modifications for newbies and advanced students to ensure you are being challenged at your level. I love even more that Refine encourages women to lift heavy. I leave every class feeling that I challenged myself and had fun doing it. When I go to other studios now, I leave thinking how «unrefined» it is.
Tip to newbies: The first class or two may be chaotic, but show up to work and you will have a great time. All the teachers are awesome and if I tried to tell you my favorite, I’d probably list all of them. A class with founder Brynn is not to be missed though.

I have been a long-​distance runner for most of my life, and I loved the frugality of my athletic pursuit. Coming from that background, refine is expensive, but it is worth every penny. Why? Because I know that when I show up I am going to work my butt off. It is the only workout that consistently motivates me to give 100% every time. No trainer has ever done that for me before. The music is always fresh and the trainers are always fully present. The small-​group setting is also highly motivating for me. Perhaps most importantly, the focus is always on FORM first, not sloppily hitting a quota of repetitions. This is the workout I can see myself doing for the rest of my life.

I booked my first class at Refine about a month ago in the throes of a protracted NYC boutique studio search. I thought I’d give it a shot since it is exactly 1.5 blocks from where I live and they offer classes after 7 PM.
I can truly say that from that very first class I have been all in — I was very, very sore after my initial session but I knew that I would be coming back a lot. And I have! I honestly cannot say exactly what it is that I love about Refine — I have never been the kind of person who gets really excited about structured exercise classes but this is just too good. It is really hard and somehow also really fun and the instructors are amazing amazing amazing. I was in good shape when I began there but you really can go in at any level — the options for modifying the workouts are quite extensive. It has become my go-​to workout and I recommend it without hesitation.

This is the best workout I’ve found in the city! The staff is friendly, upbeat, punctual and knowledgeable about form which is very important to me. I’ve been working out for years in NYC and was SO happy to discover Refine Method about four years ago. I guarantee you won’t find a smarter workout. I am never bored and always challenged (even after coming to class for 4 years)! The staff regularly changes the routines by mixing up the structure or adding new and fun equipment. I attend religiously 3 – 4 times a week. Since working out at Refine my body looks and feels so much better. The whole space (including the bathrooms) is very well designed. I would not give this workout up for any other. I highly recommend working out at Refine Method.

Refine has been my go-​to workout for almost 3 years, first in their UWS location and in the West Village for the past year. I rave about it to friends and co-​workers and finally decided to Unilocal it!
The instructors are high energy, friendly and very attentive. I know I can’t slack off because they will notice and tell me to go up a weight level or increase my speed. They’ll correct your form to ensure you’re doing the exercises effectively and safely. I also love that they quickly learn your name and welcome you back each time.
The classes are small — about 14 people in the West Village location — so you get a LOT of personal attention. I’ve had a personal trainer before, and Refine feels closer to that than to a regular class, so the price is well worth it given how much attention you get.
As far as the actual workout, it’s high intensity interval training where the routine is different every time. You’re getting an effective cardio and strength training regimen with variety. As you get stronger, you can opt to take challenge options that the teachers present for most exercises and/​or use heavier weights. My cardio endurance and strength have improved significantly since starting Refine.
Between the great teachers and amazing workouts, I always walk out of there energized and feeling great! Thanks Refine!

I’ve been a regular at refine since I joined a year and a half ago. I love that it is a total body workout and a cardio challenge. The teachers are incredibly helpful and always work with you to improve your form. The great music is also a plus. I would highly recommend it.

I was a boutique fitness studio hopper until I found Refine Method. Refine Method had the workout and customer service to commit me to stick to one workout.
There are four main reasons that I decided to commit to Refine over other fitness studios. The first and most important for me is that the workout is hard, varied, always challenging and delivers for the time and money spent at the studio. If I am going to spend $ 30.00 a class I want a good challenging workout, and Refine delivers on this always.
The second is the instructors and clientele. Everyone is so supportive, encouraging and just plain friendly. The instructors always remember your name and above that, they remember details about your injuries and life and are genuinely concerned and want to know the answer when they ask how you are feeling. No matter what time you take class, the instructors are always on time and ready to work with a smile on. Additionally the other clients in the class are friendly and are always speaking to one another both in the studio and on social media.
The third great thing about refine and what I believe really sets them apart is their customer follow up and service. The email support and check in Refine delivers is the best, and email is always responded to within 12 hours. There is always a well thought out and researched response and you really feel like you can ask them any question about exercise, diet or why you are not meeting your goals. Additionally the Refine twitter is always buzzing with positive shout-​outs to clients from both the studio and other class members to each other.
Finally, the West Village studio has all the bells and whistles you would want in a boutique studio. Beautiful showers w/​great bath products, razors, hair bands, dry shampoo and hair dryer.
Ultimately these qualities create an exercise experience that is unmatched in New York. This is why Refine is the best and ultimately has left me a life-​long Refiner.

This is my favorite workout in NYC! I’ve tried several different classes and this is the only class I’ve stuck with (since it opened!). It is a 50 minute class– a mix of circuit training and cardio, that never gets easy! No two classes are ever the same, and you will go in not knowing which equipment you will be using that day– kettlebells, suspension straps, slideboards, pulleys, boxes, medicine balls, etc so the class never gets boring! For as long as I’ve been going, every single class is always very challenging (but fun).
The instructors are all amazing and funny and entertaining. They really focus on every single person’s form and come around throughout the whole class to motivate and push us. They make sure to give modifications for any injuries, and somehow every teacher remembers the injury and checks on you before class to see how you are doing! By the way, if you’re lucky, you will get a bonus leg massage during the stretching portion at the end. Nothing better.
The West Village studio is very cute, with shiny, new equipment. There are 2 showers with razors, rubberbands, and awesome hair powder. There are also 2 private places to change in addition to 2 big bathrooms. There are lockers with locks installed in them. The studio also just got an awesome new sound system. The playlists are always fun and will make you want to dance during class.
I highly recommend trying a class, and they have a buy one get one free special! I definitely owe my firm butt to Refine Method!

I found Refine Method right after I got engaged. It pushed me into tip-​top shape for my wedding, and I got so addicted that I kept up my membership after the honeymoon. Not only is it the best workout I’ve ever done, it makes me feel comfortable in my own skin. It’s not very close to me geographically, which is only a testament to how effective and enjoyable it is.

I first checked out Refine in June, thanks to all the amazing Unilocal reviews, and have been consistently working out there ~2x/​week since. Refine is the first studio /​workout I’ve consistently stuck to… probably ever. I’ve, at one point or another, given a lot of Manhattan studios a whirl, but Refine’s instructors, amazingly designed workouts, and attention to form kept me coming back.
The workouts are strength heavy, with some cardio mixed in (or as a byproduct of how hard you’re working) and structured in a circuit-​y format. They have plenty of fun toys (e.g. kettlebells, TRX, slide boards, and battle ropes), but even their bodyweight exercises are killer. To keep things interesting, the sets of exercises and even the format of the circuit changes from day-​to-​day or week-​to-​week.
What really sets Refine apart, though, is the instructors. I think I’ve taken a class with all of them by now, and they are just on point. Not only do they make hard segments fun (try holding a plank while your feet are in TRX straps… and you’re laughing), they always keep an eagle eye on form and give incredibly useful corrections. I still get nervous when I feel their eyes on me – they’re equally likely to give me heavier weight or take away my weight because my form is slacking. When they leave me, the exercise feels harder and my abs want to cry.
On the surface, Refine seems like just another really nice boutique fitness studio. However, I dare you to do their 2-​for-​1 new client special + subsequent 1-​month unlimited and not get hooked. Their West Village studio is a 45min commute from my apartment, yet I still haul ass there despite the increasingly gloomy weather.
Little facts:
— In my experience, class size typically ranges from 6 – 12, and the overall vibe is friendly. The lobby /​check-​in is first floor, and the studio is downstairs.
— This location has 2 showers (towels, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash available). Even during the morning rush, my wait for a shower has been under 10 minutes.
— There are two bathrooms (not stalls).
— They sometimes have 2 instructors per class (check the schedule), which is double the fun.
— It seems like the more I go, the harder the workouts get?

This is hands down, without a doubt, my FAVORITE workout. I’ve been coming 3−4x time a week for a year now, and I can’t get enough! This workout combines strength training, high intensity interval training, and cross-​fit like moves (without the extreme heavy lifting and potential for dangerous injuries) to give you an awesome 50-​minute workout. I’m a runner first, general workout enthusiast second, and this workout is the perfect cross-​training tool to help keep me strong for running. I’m in the best shape of my life even after years of competitive swimming, and I attribute a lot of that to Refine!
Aside from the workout, the West Village studio is AWESOME. Great showers with Malin + Goetz products, and easy to get to from multiple transit options. And the instructors are all amazing; I don’t have to worry about looking at the schedule to pick and choose based on who’s slated to teach, I know that no matter who it is, I’ll get a great workout and have an awesome time while doing it.

I’m addicted to this workout! I’ve been frequenting this studio for 2 years now and I can tell you it never gets easier. You are always going to be challenged on some level. Their workouts are based in science and their attention to detail is unparalleled. They provide an efficient workout that hits on both cardio and strength training and delivers results. I recommend it to all my friends!

I’ve tried a lot of classes and never stuck with anything for long, but I’ve been a regular at Refine for coming up on two years now, even though the class is not terribly convenient to me location-​wise, or super inexpensive. Doesn’t matter: It’s so effective and fun and I’m so much stronger & happier since coming here.
The setup is small classes that combine high-​intensity cardio & strength interval training — think lat pull-​downs, push-​ups, kettlebell squats, jumpbacks, etc. It says ‘smart’ and it is!: this class just gets harder the fitter I get. It’s for everyone who likes competing with themselves, perfecting their form, and engaging their mind/​body while gaining strength, stamina, and flexibility.
I got addicted because the method is essentially workout class designed to perfection — every detail’s been thought through. The instructors are incredibly smart and careful w/​alignment, and they change it up every class so your brain has just enough to seize upon while you sweat your ass off.

Previous to Refine, my idea of ‘working out’ consisted of watching my Netflix buffer (it is, to some degree, still a full body workout, though). I have tried tons of gyms or lifestyle changes, but they all seemed to fall flat or disappoint me. That was *never* the case at Refine. Once I started going regularly, my entire approach to health, exercise, and diet changed drastically.
The best thing about Refine, in my opinion, isn’t that it simply is 100% effective and smart, but the dispositions of the entire staff inspire you to work to your absolute hardest without feeling belittled or pressured. It’s genuinely empowering to come to a class. And to feel empowered almost every single day is pretty rare, if not miraculous.

Refine has straight-​up changed my life. It’s the most effective, fun and challenging workout I have ever tried. The classes are constantly changing — with different props, exercises and combinations. Because of that, you never get bored or plateau. Every little detail has been thought out. The timing of the exercises, the music tempo, the machine and prop design. The instructors really bring that attention to detail to every client. They’re amazing. They really know what they are doing, they push you the right amount and remember what you need help on, and they are incredibly nice and supportive (but not in a gross, fake way). The studios are all clean and beautiful.
Although it’s only 50 minutes, it’s a super challenging workout. You sweat like a beast, you get strong, and you get to work out with really fun people. It’s totally worth every penny.