If barre and cardio had a baby, it would be C2 Body’s BeatBarre. If you’re an OG barre gal who’s a stickler for form this class might not be what you’re used to, however if you’re searching for an awesome combo class look no further! With exposed beam ceilings and an Anthropologie-esque decor, C2 Body barre studio is the definition of ‘boutique’ located just on the edge of Southie.
Like most barre classes, we focused on each part of the body for about 3-5 minutes with small isometric movements to get our muscles to tone and shake. Unlike most barre classes, Beat Barre snuck in some serious cardio. Our warm up was full of squats and some arm work followed by barre thigh exercises. The pattern of cardio followed by barre work stayed true throughout class as we chiseled our thighs, inner and outer seat, and abs with some added challenge thanks to specific equipment (ball between thighs, elastic band around thighs, glider under working leg, etc.) Constantly switching between full range movements to small ones has us constantly working and class flew by!
Steph, no joke, did the entire class with us as she threw around a joke or two getting the group to chuckle at just the right time… Nothing like a few laughs to enhance your ab series 😉 We were super impressed by her stamina to not only verbally cue the group, but also do each exercise full out at the same time! Minimal form direction was given before each exercise over the mic, but because she performed literally every exercise with us a quick glance in her direction cleared up confusion.
C2 Body barre studio is an intimate space with a hardwood floor and exposed brick walls giving it some character. As you walk in the front door there’s a small lobby with some cubbies for belongings and a few retail items for sale (like sticky socks in case you forgot yours!) to your left, while the rest of the room is the studio itself. There’s a small bathroom in the back as well, but truly the digs remind us of someone’s apartment rather than a fitness studio, which we’re totally down with!
840 Summer St, South Boston, Boston, MA 02127 South Boston Pilates $$$$
C2 Body
South Boston Pilates, Barre $$$$
840 Summer St, South Boston, Boston, MA 02127
Get the latest reviews, hot classes, go-to instructors, must have gear and pumping beats delivered straight to your inbox every week.
C2 BodyBarre
If barre and cardio had a baby, it would be C2 Body’s BeatBarre. If you’re an OG barre gal who’s a stickler for form this class might not be what you’re used to, however if you’re searching for an awesome combo class look no further! With exposed beam ceilings and an Anthropologie-esque decor, C2 Body barre studio is the definition of ‘boutique’ located just on the edge of Southie.
Like most barre classes, we focused on each part of the body for about 3-5 minutes with small isometric movements to get our muscles to tone and shake. Unlike most barre classes, Beat Barre snuck in some serious cardio. Our warm up was full of squats and some arm work followed by barre thigh exercises. The pattern of cardio followed by barre work stayed true throughout class as we chiseled our thighs, inner and outer seat, and abs with some added challenge thanks to specific equipment (ball between thighs, elastic band around thighs, glider under working leg, etc.) Constantly switching between full range movements to small ones has us constantly working and class flew by!
Steph, no joke, did the entire class with us as she threw around a joke or two getting the group to chuckle at just the right time… Nothing like a few laughs to enhance your ab series 😉 We were super impressed by her stamina to not only verbally cue the group, but also do each exercise full out at the same time! Minimal form direction was given before each exercise over the mic, but because she performed literally every exercise with us a quick glance in her direction cleared up confusion.
C2 Body barre studio is an intimate space with a hardwood floor and exposed brick walls giving it some character. As you walk in the front door there’s a small lobby with some cubbies for belongings and a few retail items for sale (like sticky socks in case you forgot yours!) to your left, while the rest of the room is the studio itself. There’s a small bathroom in the back as well, but truly the digs remind us of someone’s apartment rather than a fitness studio, which we’re totally down with!
C2 BodyPilates
Are you ready to work out with all the Southie young professionals!? Yup. Okay. Us too. Get ready to work all your major muscle groups and leave class feeling thoroughly connected to your core. The group reformer class provides individual attention with some seriously challenging exercises. We left feeling stronger, more mobile and lengthened, and that we got our $35.00 worth! If a serene studio is your thang, stay away as C2 Pilates is a “come for the instructor and not the space” type of thing. Oh and PS. Don’t forget yo’ grippy socks!
When we entered C2 Pilates we were greeted by absolutely no one and a sign that said “Grippy Socks Are Mandatory.” A little intimidated by the lack of information, we finally signed ourselves in and wandered into the Pilates room and saddled up to our reformer – which looks like a crazy machine from a 1920s horror film.
Our reformer was set up for Tower, where we began with breathing and scooping, followed by squeezing of the ribs before leading into pumping for hundreds – aka the best abdominal workout. With a slight adjustment of the springs, it was on to footwork. Heels on the foot bar, toning ring around our ankles, and inhaling up and exhaling back. From there, it was onto the short box for some crazy oblique exercises.
Obliques somehow turned into glute work and we transitioned into face down position on the long box. Then it was arms time! Yup, aside from the abs, the whole reason we come to reformer is triceps. We moved through supermans, tricep kick backs, and biceps, with each short exercise ending with 10 miserable pulses. Class ended with another set of pumping for hundreds mixed in with a killer 10 count pulse: (insert fire emoji here). We closed it out with a stretch and before we knew it, we were inhaling and exhaling our way out of class feeling long, strong, and lean.
Have you ever met a Pilates instructor that was not easy on the eyes? Nope, we haven’t either! Kara Duval is no different. She is a challenging yet patient instructor, creative with her exercise choices but doesn’t make them overly complicated (think short box, long box, and toning ring). Her best coaching trick is the sneaky 10 pulses she adds at the end of almost every exercise — ahhh you can feel the strength and length building in your body in her class. Her amazing word-play with analogies made her cues simple to understand and execute. Bonus points to Kara for remembering everyone’s name and offering cuing modifications for each student as if they were in a private session.
We wish we could tell you that from the moment you enter the the Pilates room you notice the high ceilings, long windows, and cool wooden floor, but you don’t. What you will see is a kitchen to your left – yah that wasn’t a mis-read, we said k-i-t-c-h-e-n. You will also notice the equipment that is in disarray along the walls. There are a total of eight staggered reformers, one of which is tucked into the corner, and one megaformer located directly in front of the mirror that was used for class — the setup is no bueno.
Ooooooh but there is potential for this space, if only we could clear out the clutter, add brighter paint to the walls, and get a stage director to insert proper lighting. This place would be dreamy! The bathroom is nothing fancy but you can still sit on the toilet if ya know what we mean. However, there are no showers, so no ditching work at lunch for a workout. We seriously considered “accidentally” leaving the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” in the quaint waiting room – then C2 would be the full package.
C2 BodyPilates
We got lucky and found ourselves in a semi-private Pilates Reformer class with Carolyn at C2 Body when we were only one of two people that showed up for class. The intimate vibe of class made personalized instruction and modification super easy for Carolyn. She was continually adjusting and instructing throughout the entire 50-minutes. She was extremely relaxed and easy going – no drill instructor here. While we enjoyed the class, we don’t recommend it as your one-and-only killer workout for the day. Pilates Reformer with Carolyn would best be used as an addition to your current cardio or weight lifting regimen. Think hip-opener exercises and lower-back stretches…not a huffing and puffing sweat-fest.
C2 BodyBarre
Only one word to describe Megan: Impressive…AF. Okay, that’s technically 3 words. But she seriously had her shiz together. She flawlessly ran through a 55 minute class with each song targeting a completely different body part. She gave us a comprehensive overview about what to expect before class kicked off. She incorporated about six different types of equipment throughout the class. We’re talkin’ bands, balls, weights and this little torture device called a “halo”. Megan was all business while leading the group, seamlessly jumping from song to song. But she’s also a total sweetheart.
