- By Geraldine Campbell

Co-founders Annie and Victoria Maxwell came to Pilates through other active pursuits: Annie is a lifelong runner; Victoria is a former kickboxer. In other words, this studio, which just celebrated its 3rd anniversary, is the kind of space where newbies are welcome.  Stick with it and you will get better—not to mention killer abs, rock hard buns, and a powerhouse lower back. 

Location: Doylestown, PA

Founders: Annie Maxwell and Victoria Maxwell 

Classes Offered: Pilates mat (beginner, open level, and specialty); reformer (beginner, open level, and specialty); standing barre; cardio jumpboard; piloxing; willPower & Grace (a blend of pilates, yoga and ballet, with lots of squats and planks); kickboxing; circuits.

Why You Should Check It Out: The instructors here are focused on technique, but they’re also about having fun. Annie is fond of “getting sexy” in her piloxing class, for example—i.e., adding a hip swivel here or a cha cha there—and in between alignment corrections, she reminds you to smile. The co-founders also believe that while Pilates is a great workout, it’s not everything. They love combining Pilates moves with a cardio component for a full body workout.

Know Before You Go: The studio is in the tucked off the main road and is past 340 N. Broad (not between 320 and 340 as you might expect). There is free parking, there’s a water cooler, and mats are included in the price. Your first class is free and first timers get a 50% discount on your first package. Private and duet sessions are also available. 

Advice for First Timers: If you’re new to Pilates, you may want to ease into things with a beginner mat or reformer class. Nearly all of the classes are open-level, but piloxing and Will Power & Grace are fast-paced, high-energy classes, and cardio jumpboard is exactly what it sounds like—30 minutes of intense jumping. For all classes, you should wear clothes that can move but aren’t too baggy...and don’t worry about footwear: Pilates is done barefoot.