Curious to learn more about btone FITNESS? This 45-minute power workout will have you burning all of your muscles during a quick full-body workout.
This btone FITNESS review is a part of a series featuring boutique gym reviews! Let’s be real, working out isn’t always easy, and finding the perfect class that you actually love can be HARD. Really, who doesn’t like an honest review before taking a class at a studio they’ve never been to before? If you live in Massachusetts, this review is especially for you!
I’m giving you my honest review of btone FITNESS as part of the Boutique Gym series!
Who is btone FITNESS?
Btone FITNESS is a studio specializing in 45-minute workouts that use a megaformer to tone your body. Similar to SLT, btone FITNESS offers lagree fitness classes. They mostly offer their signature TONE class, although no two classes operate exactly the same! Judy Merrill opened her first btone FITNESS studio in 2010 and has grown the company to FOURTEEN locations across Massachusetts and Connecticut! If you are lucky enough to live near a studio, it’s a must-try workout!
What is a Megaformer again?
Btone uses their own special machine called arkeTONE. Don’t be scared off by the name! It’s just another version of a megaformer machine! To be honest though, if you’ve never seen a megaformer, the machine does look slightly intimidating. Don’t worry though, your instructor will walk you through how it works before class! You have two platforms at each end of your machine and a carriage that slides back and forth. There are also seven springs that help you change the weight and resistance as you move about your workout. No need to panic, your instructor will call out when to change your spring load with a range in the number of springs to use based on your comfort level!
Tell me about the btone studio
I went to btone FITNESS in Wellesley, MA because it’s fairly close to where my parents live. If you are attending this studio, just beware that you will have to street park, thankfully it’s just $1 for the hour – don’t forget quarters otherwise, you can download the parking app! Their studio is on the second floor. Leave your shoes and belonging in the cubbies at the top of the stairs and head into class with your grip socks! This studio has a beautiful waiting area with couches and merch, a rowing machine room, and finally the megaformer room! The space is beautifully lit with just 12 machines for a more intimate class. I love the big windows and high ceilings! The multiple ceiling fans are a very nice touch!
How do I Book a Class?
I found btone FITNESS on ClassPass, my favorite way to hit the gym if you can’t commit to just one type of workout or travel a lot. You can also book directly through their website at the location nearest you! One of my favorite parts about the Wellesly btone FITNESS studio is that they offer classes as early as 5:30am for those crazy morning people, 9-10am for those moms who dropped their kids off at school, noon for your lunchtime workout, and as late as 6:30 for your post-work athlete. They truly can accommodate to any schedule!
What to Wear
These types of gyms always recommend form-fitting clothing. While I know that not everyone is comfortable in a tight tank top, it really helps the instructor to help you correct your form and in turn, protect you from s possible injury. I’m a cropped leggings kind of girl but feel free to wear biker shorts if that’s more your style! Aside from the basics, the most important part are the grip socks! Grips socks are so important when working out on a megaformer so that you don’t slip while standing on the carriage or the platform! You can try my favorite grip socks or buy a pair at the studio (although they are typically more expensive at any studio).
How do we Start?
Be sure to get to class at least 5 minutes early so that you can get settled at your machine. This studio lets you pick any machine you want, so make sure to get there early if you have a favorite spot! If you are new, the instructor will walk you through the machine more in detail. Give yourself a quick stretch of your arms and legs before the class starts. Once the class starts you can expect to be in constant motion for the next 45 minutes! The instructor will tell you what spring load to start with and call out where you should be standing and what you should be doing.
Level of Difficulty?
On a scale of I’ve never worked out before to I’m a super athlete, this class is HARD. If you’ve never worked out on a megaformer before, you can expect to be sore for the next day or two. And if you have worked out on a megaformer before, you know you’ll be sore for the next couple of days. The more you go to class, the more you will understand the names of the different moves. The instructor will always call out the name of move along with what that actually entails and which part of the machine you should be using. You will quickly learn to master focusing on your current move while listening to the instruction for your next move. One last thing, there are no breaks in the class (standard for a Lagree Fitness class) so grab a sip of water when you feel fit!
Level of Difficulty?
On a scale of I’ve never worked out before to I’m a super athlete, this class is HARD. If you’ve never worked out on a megaformer before, you can expect to be sore for the next day or two. And if you have worked out on a megaformer before, you know you’ll be sore for the next couple of days. The more you go to class, the more you will understand the names of the different moves. The instructor will always call out the name of move along with what that actually entails and which part of the machine you should be using. You will quickly learn to master focusing on your current move while listening to the instruction for your next move. One last thing, there are no breaks in the class (standard for a Lagree Fitness class) so grab a sip of water when you feel fit!
Break It Down For Me
Pros
Bright and airy studio
Machine Choice
Ceiling Fans!
Great Music
Mirrors on three walls to help you check your form
Only 45 Minute Classes!
Quick Stretch at the End of Class (my biggest pet peeve is gyms that skip the cool-down stretch)
Great Variety in Gym Class Times
Cons
No Secure Lockers
Don’t know what the class focus will be until you arrive
No Free Parking
Instructor doesn’t note your name because no machine assignments (although I like the personal touch, not everyone likes to be called out in class)
Would I do it again?
For those of you who have been following along with the boutique gym series, you know that I am a diehard SLT fan. While I enjoyed this class and the slight variations in the workout itself, I am a girl who loves routine and knowing the routine and flow of a specific class. Btone Fitness offers only their TONE class, but each class focuses on different areas and you don’t know what area you are targeting until you show up for class. If I were at my parents house, I probably would stop by again because it’s the closest Lagree Pilates studio to their house!
This post was all about what it’s like to take a workout class at btone FITNESS!
If you’re looking to try a Lagree fitness workout, btone FITNESS is a great place to checkout! If you already have a studio that you enjoy (like SLT or Solidcore), you may not love btone in the same way, but you never know! No matter what, the instructors will be there to welcome you and help you along your fitness journey in any way that they can!
