🗽 World Pilates Day in NYC

World Pilates Day is always a special occasion but this year, I had the incredible opportunity to celebrate it in the heart of New York City! I’m constantly seeking new inspiration, fresh ideas, and opportunities to connect with others in the Pilates community. NYC delivered all that and more.

From catching up with fellow studio owners to testing out the same equipment we’re bringing into Recharged Pilates in East Lansing, this trip was full of movement, insight, and energy. I even squeezed in five classes at some amazing studios around the city (and yes, I’ll tell you which ones left me feeling most recharged!).

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to dive headfirst into the Pilates scene of a big city, follow along. Here’s a time-stamped recap of my World Pilates Day weekend in NYC, complete with reviews, highlights, and a few behind-the-scenes moments.

Friday, 9:00 AM – Landed at JFK with our friends from Vital Pilates
Liz, owner of Vital Pilates in Lakewood, OH, and Rose, one of her amazing instructors, flew in from Cleveland to meet up with me for 30 hours of non-stop Pilates.

Friday, 12:15 PM – First Studio: Traphous
The first class of the weekend did not disappoint. Trappin on the Low was a lower body focused workout that blended the Megaformer with bench/weight work. When you go - definitely take a class with their Director of Fitness, Jeff Blue.

Friday, 1:30 PM – Second Studio: New York Pilates (Bowery Location)
Literally ran to get here on time! This studio has been on my list of places to take class for YEARS. The aesthetic was amazing, but unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to the hype. I’ll pass on this one next trip.

Friday, 3:00 PM – Maman for Coffee
My favorite parts of NYC: the Pilates and the coffee. The honeycomb latte from Maman was so unique with sesame sprinkled on top - I loved every sip. Not pictured: the most delicious Nutella Beignet (phone did not eat first).

Friday, 4:45 PM – Third Studio: Fuze House (Duane St)
The heated mat Pilates class we took was a highlight of the trip. The instructor was intense, and for great reason. You will leave looking like you just walked out of a pool. NYC locals are lucky they have this one…

Friday, 6:00 PM – Freehand Hotel New York
Back to our hotel room to shower, change, and get ready for a night out. The customer service here was amazing and the vibe was incredible. I wish we stayed longer to enjoy more of what their restaurants had to offer. The best part? Our room had bunk beds.

Friday, 7:45 PM – Brass
Espresso martinis and oysters… Need I say more?

Friday, 9:30 PM – Hatsu Omakase
I think we’re trauma bonded over our experience here and I’ll leave it at that. 😂

Saturday, 8:00 AM – 787 Coffee
Up bright and early to caffeinate before our first class of the day. When Liz saw this coffee shop was around the corner from the hotel, she knew we had to go to try their coquito latte. Not only did it come in a fun bag, it was also a top 10 coffee that I have ever had, hands down.

Saturday, 8:30 AM – Fourth Studio: Your Reformer Pop-Up Studio
The reason for our trip to NYC! The entire Your Reformer team from Australia flew in to host a weekend long pop-up in celebration of World Pilates Day. We were able to experience their digital classes and new props, hangout with the team, and we even left with lots of goodies! Fun fact: Recharged Pilates is the first studio in Michigan to have luxury reformers from Your Reformer.

Saturday, 11:00 AM – Fifth Studio: Tracy Anderson (59th Street)
The most insane experience I have ever had in a workout class. In a 95 degree room with 75% humidity, the instructor performs dance-inspired choreography that changes weekly, and the entire class follows along without a single verbal cue. I was fighting for my life in that room. Did I mention that an unlimited membership to this studio is $900/month?

This trip reminded me why I fell in love with Pilates in the first place. It's more than a workout; it’s a community, a practice, and a way to keep evolving. I left New York feeling more inspired than ever to bring that energy back home to East Lansing.

The classes I took, the conversations I had, and the new connections I made are already shaping exciting things ahead for Recharged Pilates, like some guest instructors from Vital Pilates on the schedule. 🤭

Thanks for coming along with me, and stay tuned because the best is yet to come.