One of the first offshoots of Lotte Berk, Physique 57 has remained a corporate owned company and holds itself in a very high standard. I’m a huge fan of their extremely expensive NY classes and also like their DVDs a great deal.  They seem to be changing up their routines to accommodate their students’ request for more cardio. (I was a sweaty mess during their intermediate class). They draw a lot of their instructors from the NY dance and theater world so instructors tend to be dynamic and motivational.

Pros:  You will feel like you had a great workout and the instructor in my class carefully monitored her students.  It follows the basic Lotte Berk exercise structure but there is plenty of variety.

Cons:  You may find the instructor of the original dvds, who is also one of the founders, to be a bit annoying with her cute chatter.  I liked it but it might start to bother you if you do the divd over and over.  I thought some of the movements for the bottom were a bit fast.  This could make momentum be the force that executes the movement rather than the muscle.  Be careful when taking thigh work all the way down to heals.  This could really do a number on your knees if your knees are not 100%. I never do this.

(I modify for my own needs and still enjoy the workouts)

Beverly Hills Studio:  I went to the Beverly Hills studio to check it out when it first opened.  It was fun to have a new barre based exercise here and I did enjoy it.  If I am being picky, the ceilings felt a bit low and there was not a lot of windows.  Classes were very good, however and parking was easy.  A real plus in LA.

Personal Opinion:  Physique 57 is a great studio and does a very nice job with their DVDs.  I find their classes to be hard and fun.  The NY studio does  have a clientele that  are very serious about their workouts and are dressed in head to toe Lullulemon.  Then again, what $37/class workout doesn’t?