Sumbody

This review is for the Studio City location. The classes may be good but I never had the chance to find out. I bought a groupon but after a few weeks trying (unsuccessfully) to get it activated so I could schedule classes, I finally gave up. And I also noticed that the classes were few and far between, no classes on Fridays or Sundays, and only 2 on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I would highly recommend to the owner not to offer it on groupon as you will not have enough classes to accommodate the influx of new customers.

If it’s your first (or second, third, maybe 500^th) time doing pilates, I would strong recommend NOT coming to this studio. Why?
1.
I’ve witnessed in two classes, two different teachers not providing any instruction as to what a reformer is or how it works to students who have explicitly stated they have never done pilates before. Good luck figuring out what a box is or how to lower your footrest!
2.
Both teachers never provided any corrections to form no matter what your level is. You see people flailing around, crunching shoulders, locking knees, and puffing out ribs all over the place, and the teachers just keep moving along with the rep counts. They obviously can see all of this happening; why it’s their firm studio philosophy to just keep barreling through the class without a gentle touch to a hunched shoulder or an arched back is unclear to me.
3.
The teachers just count out reps, often far too quickly (hence resulting in all those jerky injury moves in #2), without any instruction beyond ‘hold in your core.‘
4.
Reformers are downright filthy; black grime fills the gutters where the springs are and the backboard glides. Yuck.
5.
Lame «sweating to the oldies» playlist going strong every time; the clientele is sophisticated westside women, not a Richard Simmons studio audience.
Luckily this is LA and there are literally 1000’s of pilates studios in this city.
Choose one of those instead.

I highly recommend Sumbody pilates studio. Great workout. Great instructors. Convenient location with plenty of free street parking. Quick and easy on-​line sign up.

I tried this studio for the first time via classpass. I’m back to Pilates as of two weeks ago, after nearly a year off of any form of exercise. I’ll come back only if I’ve run out of other studios to go to. I don’t like giving low reviews of any local Pilates studios but my experience here was very average at best.
I don’t think I’m a Pilates expert in any way but over the last four years I’ve been to a lot of studios from LA to OC to Pasadena. 99% of those studios heavily emphasize proper form over anything else (i.e., speed, repetitions, etc.). That form includes breath too. The class I took here concerned me because everybody’s form was off and liable to injure. I thought the lady next to me was going to catapult herself off the reformer with her fast, jerky maneuvering… yet no corrections.
I’ve used the same form at one time or another of almost every student in that class since I started Pilates. And I’ve always been corrected out of those forms. It’s confusing because there were no such corrections here. I’m glad I had a base knowledge of Pilates before attending class here. It’s a bummer because it’s a nice and large, sunny space. The machines are old and worn down but they serve their function.

Seriously, I believe all the super-​positive reviews of this place must be phoney. Here’s the truth — it’s not terrible, but it’s definitely sub par. Pilates is genius, but your workout is only as good as your teacher. Here’s this studio’s main problem: The instructors are not great. I’ve tried all of them multiple times, and each have their strengths and weaknesses, but 3 of the most-​scheduled teachers (Heather, Janet, and Bree) cannot stop looking at their phone (beyond to change the music). I’ve NEVER had a teacher texting WHILE they’re teaching. This means — they’re not correcting you or even looking at you much of the time. WTF?! I have classes left on my Groupon deal but I’m not even going to bother using them. My advice to readers: spend a little extra money and get a quality Pilates workout elsewhere. My advice to teachers: for the love of god, can you go one hour without looking at your phone? We notice when you’re texting, and not present with us. Your energy, mood, and state of being transmits to the students, and what we want is to be inspired and encouraged. I truly want you to understand this fact: students want to feel like you care about us.

Heather and her studio are the best! I had read a negative review but called and talked to Heather, who listened and invited me to come and see for myself. I was so positively impressed I signed up for a series of classes. I have done Pilates elsewhere, and Heather is the tops! I recommend her and her studio wholeheartedly!

Over the last couple years I’ve lost just about 100 pounds after spending almost all of my 20’s overweight. I’ve struggled with dieting and I’ve finally reached a healthy looking size, but I’ve known that my body still wasn’t truly healthy inside and exercise has always been something I’ve dreaded. For the first time in my life with these classes I’ve found myself honestly looking forward to working out and after just a couple of weeks of taking classes I’m seeing a difference in myself I wasn’t sure I ever would. Dionna is patient and encouraging, she isn’t aggressive (which can be really tough on someone new to all this) but still pushes us and keeps our form correct through the whole session. I’m so thankful to Heather and Dionna for helping me to make this positive change!

I have been going for a couple of weeks now and have been happy with the experience. The people attending are friendly and I am guided into doing the exercises correctly.

This place has played a key role in my recovery, and I am eternally grateful. I had a torn labrum in the hip, which I had to have surgery for, and also have two herniated discs in my neck. Coming here has greatly improved my posture, alignment, and overall awareness throughout my body. I strongly believe this is the best, no impact workout ever! I feel so great every time I walk out of
this place. Everyone is so friendly!

Update:
one hour after I wrote the below review they finally call me back.
and I got on the system. Lets see how the rest of 4 times goes.
I tried the phone call and left voice mail several times Heather never responded. Which is dissapointing my groupon voucher is already redeemed. However I can not sign up the class. Business need to return the phone call or pick up the phone. How come they just ignored take money out from you?

My boyfriend bought me a Groupon for this place for pilates classes and I was very excited about it. however, I was so disappointed. The Groupon required that you call for an appt. I called several days in a row and no one ever picked up the phone, I tried emailing but got no response. Its now been two weeks since I received the Groupon and I have not even been able to get an appt. –either through the phone, email, or website. Beyond frustrating. If I could give this place no stars I would.

This was probably one of the worst workouts I’ve ever experienced. The instructor didn’t even greet me even though I was the only person there. 5 mins after the class was scheduled to start she said she wanted to wait a few minutes for more people to show up. One more did, and the instructor started, but didn’t ask if we were new or had any injuries or show us the machine (luckily I’ve done Pilates before, but I couldn’t imagine if this was my first time on a reformer, yikes).
I hate to rag on the instructor, but she kept snacking during the workout, and she seemed more interested in her own workout. The only correction I got was putting equipment back. She clearly had no interest in being there and paid no attention to form. Aside from not getting a good workout, someone could get seriously injured.
The other girl in class kept telling her she couldn’t hear the instructions and the instructor would reply, oh just pull there, without getting up to help her or repeat louder or turn down the music. In general, she was very unclear with all the instructions and hard to follow, flew through the movements, wasn’t watching us at all, never used our names or even asked for them. You don’t have to be personable I guess!!! But at least approachable. It was such a waste of time :/​at the end of the class, the instructor bolted out of there before both of us students. I don’t think I’ve ever left a workout feeling crappier then when I walked in.
In general, this place is hard to find! It’s upstairs in suite E. I tried calling but no one picked up, so I spent some time walking around to find it and there weren’t any signs that I saw where they listed Sumbody or their suite number. In fact, the entire complex looks deserted :/​No one greeted me when I walked in, even when I was trying to find a place to change. A simple hello would have been nice.
For parking, there is a paid parking lot, but I’m not sure if they offer validation. There is metered street but if you’re lucky you can find a free 2 hour space!
The equipment is old, torn and dirty (though it is white, which must be hard to keep clean). But this older reformer seems unsafe with a bar that can snap down and not lock in place, and no stable place for your feet (for exercises like skating). The décor is two disco balls on ceiling. No one seems to work at the front desk, and there is no place to really change (I had to change in a doctor’s office/​massage room).
I walked out and the girl at the front desk didn’t bother saying goodbye or asking how it was. Pretty disappointed.
My advice: Pilates is a great low-​impact workout! Each class is usually only as good as its instructor, though management of each studio can filter down. Try another studio, get a groupon or classpass and explore til you find the right fit. You’ll love it :)

This studio is calm and clean. Theron teaches a great class, he always makes you feel welcome. He really gauges the energy level and tailors the class to the students.
Pilates changes your body and soul!

Not the greatest experience. I tried this place through Classpass and it was my first reformer class EVER. There were 4 of us in the class. Granted I haven’t been to a reformer class before, but I noticed the equipment was a little run down. I had some trouble with the springs unlocking and locking again throughout the workout. With that said, what the hell are springs? What is the box? How do I put down my headrest? What do you mean place the bar down? The reformer was completely new to me, and I feel like the teacher could have been a little more patient with me or taken the time to show me how to do things. I felt a little rushed and luckily the girl next to me helped me. The music was not good either. I didn’t really break a sweat either. I’m going to try a different studio.

Thanks Heather, what a great workout! Centrally located in Santa Monica, nice clean environment, great music, get community. Really enjoyed it! Reasonably priced.

I’ve gone down a dress size since I began training at Sumbody a short time ago. I’ve been a Pilates enthusiast for nearly twenty years and Sumbody Studio is among the best, hands down. Owner Heather Leon, is one of the few traditional Pilates masters formally trained under a protégé of Joseph Pilates himself — which is a rare find in Los Angeles. Heather’s team all have a unique style, but with a common goal of giving you an amazing workout, while keeping your form correct, and ensuring your body is safe.
The studio has a great vibe, knowledgable instructors, all in a convenient location that’s airy and bright, yet feels private (which I love.) After having two babies in three years, I needed a workout that gave me results — and Pilates is giving me that core strength back, body tone, and more. I’ve suffered for years with chronic neck and back pain, but after each session, I’m left feeling energized and stronger. Heather offers one on one private training for those who want to perfect this method the right way and see fast results. My husband finally had to admit it’s been paying off, commenting to me just the other day, «you look good…» And thankfully, I feel good too!
A wonderful find. And, amongst the sea of studios in L.A., a true standout!

This place is subpar.
The Sunday instructor was really rude from the start. He’s quite the arrogant Pilates elitist and the first thing he said was that if I had not taken this class before, «you shouldn’t be here.» I could tell that even the receptionist didn’t respect the instructor. Then, the machine I started out on was broken.
As the rudeness and hostility continued, I got up and walked out. I’ve never experienced such a horrible unwelcoming environment and I’m glad that I left. I’ve enjoyed private Pilates sessions at Equinox and I really like Pilates Plus (recently featured in the Wall Street Journal). There are plenty of other nice and friendly studios in LA and unfortunately I wasted my time on this one and I would never go back even with 5 classes still sitting in my account.

I was pretty disappointed with Sumbody. I used to take classes at a different studio and received ample instruction and constant correction on my form which is the most important part of practicing reformer pilates. I really appreciated that my previous instructor was so adamant about making sure I did every exercise precisely in order to prevent injury and maximize muscle isolation.
I purchased a deal on lifebooker and took 10 classes here. I barely received any corrections and felt a lack of general concern for form. Honestly, there is no point to paying money for a reformer class if you’re not getting active instruction.
If you’re new to reformer pilates, go to a different studio or take private lessons so that you get an idea for how to do the exercises properly and activate the right muscles.

OMG Disco Pilates. Heather is a genius! I’m so thrilled to have found this studio. I highly recommend Sumbody Pilates. Teachers are great. Clients are super cool. No attitude. And believe me — I’m a tough crowd.
Born and Raised —
Snap

I had bought a deal online. They definitely treat you like a secondary customer. You cannot sign up online because people with deals can’t get a passcode, so you are forced to e-​mail them and harass them to get an appointment which they RARELY answer. I feel like it’s more of a work out to try to get a class than actually going to class.
The machines are no good. There is only one or two good ones and people come early and compete for them. The straps are leather. which make it hard to move and work out! I was initially turned on by this class by the low price but I much rather pay more and not waste my time trying to sign up and use bad machines! Also, the instructors are not good at all! They don’t guide you because they are so self-​consumed with themselves!