Me on the Pilates Cadilac in a teaser! Outfit details: Nike Legend Balance Tank (Size XS); Lorna Jane 7/8 Tights (old); stickybesocks which say “be patient” and “be kind”
Petite Version of This Post
Hard to believe, but I initially wasn’t the biggest fan of Pilates in when I took first class in 2010.
Why?
Well, I started with mat pilates at my local gym and found it very diffifult to control my core because I was very much in the beginning of my fitness journey. To this day, I have trouble with roll up’s. I can do a decent roll down, but my roll up’s are still a work-in-progress. I had problems rolling up in class this morning. LOL
It wasn’t until I tried the reformer in 2013 that I realized how much the reformer machine actually provides assistance (and resistance) to achieve proper alignment and good results.
A new job just outside of San Francisco forced me to try out new Pilates studios and I’m very happy to find Mint Studios (aka “Mint”) in the SOMA district of San Francisco. I’ve been there for almost two years now!
[line]Full Post
The Class
If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that I love Pilates, especially the Power Pilates Reformer classes taught at Mint.
Note that Mint offers barre, yoga, and mat Pilates as well, but this review will focus on the reformer, particularly Power Reformer class, which is my favorite service they offer.
[pullquote width=”500″ float=”middle”]Simply put, I love reformer classes at Mint because it is NOT your grandma’s Pilates class…[/pullquote]…not that those services are bad, but perhaps just not want I personally need. Keep in mind, when I hopped around town for different studios, I realized my favorite teachers really knew how to fire up different body parts to help me feel the burn. Certain studios or teachers offered a style of Pilates reformer that was simply not challenging enough for me.
I love Power Pilates (and Cardio Reformer) at Mint because of how they take classical Pilates, and throw in other exercies or offer variations that are more athletic in nature. This helped me get results faster.
(For example, people constantly ask me how I get my arms toned. Truth is, although I can lift relatively heavy weights for my size, I attribute my strong, but not-so-bulky arms to practicing Pilates! And here, at Mint, the instructors help you find those small muscle groups, which results in long lean muscles!
For the record, the most I can chest press is a pair of 25 lb weights. And I giggle just the slightest bit when a guy next to me struggles with a pair of 15 lb weights. I’m not trying to be mean, but I can feel they are slightly irritated that someone half their size – I’m 4’11” – is crushing it in class!)
Back to Mint…
The class typically starts with a warm up stretch, followed by a exercises that target the legs, obliques, arms, and core.
Core exercises is what Mint does best. I am not a fan of ab work done while lying down on my back.
Why?
My lower back hurts, my hip flexers start to fire up, the teacher says “shoulders up’, but I feel like my petite torso doesn’t allow my upper back to lift up that high. Hot mess, I know.
But Mint’s methods really force me to find those deep muscles to build core strength.
The instructors provide very detailed instructors on what apparatus to use, where to position yourself, and what the movement should be. They are very nurturing with their clients, but know how to take it up a few notches simply by offering advanced moves, longer holds, or spending more time in the movements.
Please note that socks are required. I believe they prefer grippy socks, which they sell at the front desk should you forget a pair.
Things that I enjoy in class:
- Music
- I’m not sure what station or playlist they use, but it’s generally dance or pop music from today and even some throwbacks, so I enjoy it since that is what my playlists are made up of as well!
- Requests
- The instructor typically asks if there are any requests we have, and they’re flexible enough to throw it in. I always ask for core because I just won’t do it myself, but a good chunk of class focuses on core, so we are covered.
- Personalized attention
- Because there are only six reformers, the instructors can make their rounds and provide corrections or modifications when needed.
- Temperature
- For the most part, the studio is never cold. I appreciate that. My muscles do not work well if the studio has their AC blasting.
- Length of class
- Classes are typically 50 minutes long with a warm up and cool down. I’ve taken 30 or 45 minute classical reformer classes elsewhere, and it just doesn’t feel like enough time to get my body warmed up.
- Sweat Factor
- Because the instructors push me to work my core hard, I end up doing what I call a “pretty sweat” in most classes. I sometimes even position myself on one of the reformers closer to the fan. When I’m smart, I remember to bring in a small (yoga) towel.
Room for improvement:
- My overall feedback is positive, so not sure how helpful this is
- Temperature
- When it gets hot, the studio can sometimes get humid. But honestly, I’d rather be in a hot humid studio than freezing during a workout.
- Changing area
- There is a designated area for changing, but it accomodates only one. There is also the restroom, but I avoid hogging that in case someone needs to use the facilities. The Studio Director once let me change in the back room where the large group fitness classes take place.
- Note: if you are arriving there from work and need to change, arrive early to secure time in the changing room or restroom.
- Note: if you get ready for work at the studio, just be patient. There’s never more than three clients getting ready at once.
- No showers, but that is very typical of a Pilates studio. Not a deal breaker at all.
- Coming from a dance background, I initially wished they had large mirrors in the main reformer area. But I realize, given the small number of students in each class, mirrors aren’t necessary for me to check my form as the instructors do a good job of making adjustments. If anything, the lack of full-length mirrors helps me focus more on how the exercise should feel, versus how I look. Very important, I must say.
Class Info: Power Pilates or Cardio Reformer
Instructors: Just based on my availability, I typically take Carlie or Gabby, but I can safely recommend anyone else here because the studio owner, Elaine, takes pride in her team and trains them to master the athletic Pilates methods that Mint is known for. I truly do appreciate the relatively low attrition rate here at Mint. At other Pilates studios, instructors quit left and right. But at Mint, that is the last thing I worry about.
Time: Varies during the day. I typically take the 7:30am class on a weekday, or some random Sunday mornings when I need to change up my schedule due to work or what not.
Work out is good for: Core stability, Toning, Stretching, Resistance Traning (Cardio as well in Cardio Reformer, where they typically use the jump board!)
Workout is bad for: HIIT (not too much cardio in normal Power Pilates here, hence why it’s my “active rest day” type of exercise. LOL However, the Cardio Reformer class does get my heart rate up)
Would I come back to Mint Studios?: Yes! Besides how great the workout is, I love the studio itself! Very feminine, which I love!
Out of my 10 ClassPass bookings available in one cycle, how many bookings would I use at Mint Studios for each cycle?: I always try to max out my three visits each month, which works out given my work schedule. But I do sometimes supplement and drop in, or once, I tried a private class and love it – need to see when I can fit that in again.
How social media friendly is this studio? How “instagrammable” is this studio?: Very. The owner clearly has an eye for design that I admire. The studio is bright and airy, which means that more likely than not, your photos will turn out fine. Their social media game is strong (especially on Instagram), so they do love it when you check in on social media.
(If you haven’t noticed, I personally try to avoid posting photos taken with tungsten (normal indoor) lights. I am not a fan of yellow lit photos. I prefer bright, crisp, and cool.)
In terms of design, I love the chandelier in the main room. Love this accent chair in the lobby. Love the quatrefoil rug and the wall dividers with the laser cut-out quatrefoil terrace pattern. Quatrefoil is my favorite shape in case you didn’t know.
[line]Studio Info
In case you’re interested, thought this section might be helpful for prospective students.
Studio Name: Mint Studios
Website: www.mintstudiospilates.com
Instagram Account and #’s: @_mintstudios_ #MintStudio (what they use on Instagram)
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mintstudiospilates
Address: 766 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-863-3935
Email: info@mintstudiospilates.com
Classes Offered: Pilates (Mat and Reformer), Yoga, Barre – You can read more here
Class Schedule Website: mintstudiospilates.com/class-schedule
- When to book: Seems like you can book out way ahead in advance
ClassPass Website: www.classpass.com/studios/mint-studios-san-francisco
- When to book: At the earliest, book a week out at noon PST.
- Due to the popularity of Reformer classes, spots might not always be available on ClassPass. Last-minute cancellations might open up spots on the ClassPass platform.
ZenRez Website: www.zenrez.com/mintstudios/classes
- The earliest you can book is 9pm PST the night before.
Parking: Street (metered – I use the PayByPhone app); Note that parking does get tricky during normal business hours since quite a few tech companies are near by.
Public Transit: I’m not familiar with the bus lines in San Francisco, but worse comes to worse, it’s a quick Uber ride.
Etiquette: Take your shoes off upon entering the studio. There’s a shoe cubby for clients right upon entering the foyer.
Amenities:
- Cubbies to store your things in. No lockers, but the person at the front desk watches your things while you take class.
- Complimentary espresso – ask the front desk for help with the machine if you need it.
- A few snacks for sale in case you’re super hungry
- They also have a small shop for branded clothing, bkr water bottles, and grippy socks.
My first social media post at Mint! Wearing a cool racerback tank from lululemon – one of my fave workout tanks.
Toning up my obliques, and feeling like a mermaid in my Salar crops by Fabletics. Signature high ponytail as always 😉
Using the Pilates ring (of torture LOL) to tone up my arms while working on my obliques and core stability. Outfit details: Nike Legend Balance Tank (Size XS); Fabletics Salar Capri which is almost full length for me (size XS)
Quatrefoil is my favorite shape! Love this rug! ‘Motion’ leggings by Alo (size XS) – no alterations as I like the leggings to cup my heels.
On some days, Oona (@oona_sf) visits! She’s the quietest toy Austrailian Shephard. For months, I didn’t realize she sometimes hangs out at the studio with her owner, Carlie, the Studio Director! Outfit: Cool Racerbank tank in Pink Paradise by lululemon (size 4) – Yes, I had it altered to fit my torso. Complimentary alterations at stores; ‘Motion’ leggings by Alo (size XS) – no alterations as I like the leggings to cup my heels.
xoxo,
Bern
[disclaim]With the changes that took place with ClassPass memberships, I figure I should share my thoughts on studios I encounter. Note that I chose to remain on the ClassPass plan which limits me to 10 classes a month. I want to see if I can survive with only 10 classes a month that I book on the ClassPass platform. If you have yet to try ClassPass, use my personal link here to currently get $30 off your first month. (Note that I myself would get a $30 credit good towards my next cycle.)[/disclaim]
