For NVD students looking for an enjoyable workout that is actually worth their time, pilates is the perfect solution. From cardio-filled hot mat classes to low-impact reformer workouts, every class and every studio is different from the next. Choosing the right pilates class for your personal needs is so important.
The most popular studio among NVD students is Immerse, which is located in Closter. Every class at Immerse is one hour long and they offer many different classes, including High-Intensity Interval Training (HITT) pilates, power and sculpt pilates, as well as various yoga classes.
“I like being able to choose between the different types of classes,” junior Ella Panahi said. “I don’t always have to go to a cardio class, and I don’t always have to go to an easier class.”
Immerse’s atmosphere is very different from many neighboring studios. With only one massive room – fitting up to 30 people – and screens displaying calming nature scenes on the walls, it can become a very relaxing environment.
“I think the room [at Immerse] is really cool. I like the walls, they make me more motivated to keep going,” junior Sienna Bokser said. “It’s also not way too hot in the room while still being warm enough.”
Immerse is definitely a good place for beginners to start, as it is low pressure and classes lack any complicated moves. Though taking an individual class will cost you $29, there are many affordable monthly deals.
“I have a student membership, which is only $99 a month. It’s unlimited, so I can go as many times as I want,” Bokser said. “But an unlimited intro month is only $49, which is a very cheap deal.”
For anyone planning to try out Immerse, they must bring a mat with them for classes. The studio does not provide free mats for classes but allows rentals one for $5.
“I always bring a mat,” Panahi said. “I also make sure to bring in water and a small towel. If I have anything else on me, I just leave it in the cubbies that are in the lobby and grab it after class.”
Another popular location is CoolHotYoga in Cresskill, which is very different from Immerse. The studio offers fitness-pilates fusion rather than yoga-pilates fusion. CoolHotYoga also offers reformer classes, which involve a specialized spring-based machine. Along with that, they offer both normal and infrared hot mat pilates, teen-specific reformer classes, and even antigravity aerial classes.
“I’ve been going to CoolHotYoga for about five months now,” senior Rafi Sibony said. “I mostly go to the mat classes, but I like reformer classes too.”
The room is entirely different, only fitting around 15 people at a time with big mirrors covering the walls and hype-pop music usually blasting. It lacks the calming environment, with the room reaching incredibly hot temperatures.
“The room can get up to 115 degrees,” Sibony said. “I like that it’s hot, but sometimes it’s way too much and it gets difficult to even be in the room.”
Unfortunately, CoolHotYoga does not offer any memberships or student discounts. Every class, which ranges between 45-50 minutes, costs $25 and must be paid when booking the class.
“It’s expensive but worth it. I always leave feeling so sore,” junior Sarah Andriescu said. “Make sure that you cancel 12 hours in advance, though, or you won’t get your money back. You also have to pay extra charges if you don’t show up.”
The pilates reformer classes offer a unique and engaging workout, combining controlled movements, resistance training, and stretching on a specialized reformer machine. This approach focuses a lot on core strength as well as on improving flexibility. Though it can seem confusing and difficult, the classes are very welcoming.
“The instructors in the [reformer] classes are very professional and help me out a lot when I’m confused on certain pilates techniques. They always push me to try harder,” Andriescu said. “Anyone can do the classes. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge.”
CoolHotYoga does provide mats for their classes, however you must bring a towel or a personal mat to cover the given mats during the hot classes.
“You always leave sweating so much that it would be disgusting to not cover the mats,” Sibony said. “You must also bring water, I get dizzy if I don’t drink. For the reformer classes I also bring grippy socks, but many also go barefoot.”
For anyone seeking reformer classes specifically, Corefire at Old Tappan is a reformer pilates only studio. Corefire uses ‘Megarefomer’ machines, which are an update on the regular reformer machine, allowing for many different workout options. The studio only offers one type of class, a classic reformer workout, with each class running 45 minutes.
“I always leave so exhausted, but in a good way,” junior Joslyn Hughes said. “I leave feeling like I accomplished something.”
Focusing on high intensity, low impact resistance, the classes are sure to leave you feeling tired. The instructors push you to keep going, which still allows you to listen to your body’s needs and do personal modifications.
“The classes are pretty small, only 10 people max, so you get a lot of personal attention. They make sure you are doing the workout correctly and not hurting yourself,” Hughes said.
Overall, pilates offers something for everyone: calming mat class, a high-energy workout, or intense reformer class, there are plenty of options with so many studios close by. The students at NVD have no problem finding a class that fits their needs.
“I recommend everyone to try out pilates,” Sibony said. “I feel much stronger now and things that used to tire me out no longer do. I feel good knowing that I am working on my body.”
