Sweat Like A Star

    As winter approaches, the temptation to hibernate runs high… but rather than succumb to the call of the couch, spend the cold months getting a hot bod! Celebrities such as Madonna, Claire Danes and David Beckham rely on Pilates to keep them looking and feeling fabulous. Pilates takes a holistic approach to fitness, emphasizing control and concentration over repetition. It focuses on strengthening the core and lengthening the muscle fibers, making you leaner and stronger without adding muscle bulk.

“Strengthening the deepest layer of the abdominal muscles provides support for the spine, promotes flexibility, and cultivates an overall sense of body awareness,” says Zhana Galjasevic, owner of The Yoga Room. “Once people discover Pilates, they’re often instantly hooked because it provides a full body workout without the damaging impact.” Whatever your fitness level, The Yoga Room offers classes that will have you red-carpet ready before the last snow melts.

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THE YOGA ROOM

Astoria Studio
38-01 35th Ave, Astoria
718-274-0255
www.the-yoga-room.com

LIC Studio
10-14 47th Rd, LIC
718-786-7962
www.the-yoga-room.com

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MAT CLASSES

“Our mat Pilates classes are focused on traditional Pilates exercises performed on the mat, moving from floor work to standing exercises as you work on isolating and strengthening your upper and lower core muscles,” says Galjasevic. Practicing this routine, offered at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, can tone your body, improve your posture and reduce stress.

HOT PILATES

The addition of the heat element deepens the stretch, increases heart rate and burns more calories than the room-temperature variety. If you put in the work now, you won’t be sweating a thing once bikini season rolls around.

REFORMER CLASSES

The reformer, a complicated-looking contraption invented by the fitness regimen’s creator, Joseph Pilates, takes your workout to the next level “by providing resistance and a less stable base from which to perform the movements,” says Galjasevic. “Challenging your stability makes your core work harder!”

BARRE BLAST

“If your main goal is weight loss, then our Barre Blast class is probably the best option since it’s a combination of cardio and Pilates,” says Galjasevic. Incorporating the ballet barre and some light weight work makes for an intense but rewarding workout. You’ll be feeling the burn after this one!

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Here are some other places you can get your Pilates on:

Club Fitness | 31-11 Broadway, Astoria | 718-545-0004 | www.clubfitnessny.com
Seek Fitness | 27-18 23rd Ave, Astoria | 347-924-9004 | www.seek-fitness.com
The Art of Fitness | 32-32 Steinway St, 3rd Fl, Astoria | 718-687-9140 | www.pilatesinastoria.com
Ragan Pilates Studio | 21-39 45th Rd, 2nd Fl, LIC | 718-433-0050 | www.raganpilates.com