It’s a funny thing to watch the evolution of fitness trends when you live in a city obsessed with appearances. Not only are the people exercising beautiful, but the spaces they’re bending, lifting and sweating in are beautiful, too.
The most recent example I’ve encountered is 727 Pilates, a truly aesthetic studio at the edge of Little Haiti/Little River (I’ll keep it vague so as not to spark any more debate on the boundaries of these two burgeoning neighborhoods). It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of storefront that immediately makes you feel like you’re in the know once you find it. Inside, the cozy space features maroon walls with taupe accents, gold fixtures and mood lighting perfectly suited for a dinner party (just remember you’re here to work out).
The check-in process here is pretty standard, with a congenial attendant making sure you’re signed up for class and have all the necessary regalia—a mat (they’re free to borrow), sticky socks (mandatory if you’re borrowing a mat and available to purchase for $25 if you forgot your pair, as I did) and water (most of the mat classes are heated, so you’ll want to hydrate).
727 offers Pilates reformer and mat classes, which incorporate the Wunda chair and infrared heating, respectively. Both focus on sculpting, though it was the mat sculpting class that really put my muscles to work—with the help of those chic, cream-colored Bala bangles and bars, no less.
Classes are intimate, limited to less than a dozen students, and both drop-in classes and memberships are available. There’s also an area called the Sanctuary, with an infrared sauna and cold plunge for intentional recovery.