Life in Synergy

Boston, United States

4

Open now

26 reviews

By Appointment Only

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 617-867-6500
Website:
www.lifeinsynergy.com
Address:
867 Boylston St 2nd Fl, Boston, MA, 02116
b/t Gloucester St & Fairfield St
Back Bay
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
150 ftBoylston St opp Gloucester St
660 ftDalton St @ Boylston St
790 ftRing Rd @ Boylston St
Categories:
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Bussiness info

Good for Kids
No
By Appointment Only
Yes

Today

Today 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Boston) 2:20 PM Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Business hours

Monday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Yes, you are going to lose weight. Now let’s get to the heart of the matter.

You’re smart. You know destroying yourself with punishing workouts isn’t sustainable or particularly effective. It’s certainly not fun. You know it’s time to treat yourself with more love & respect.

It’s time to find balance, and more room for the activities & foods you love without any guilt.

Regain control, and bring your life & body into synergy.

That’s what Life in Synergy offers — working smarter, not harder, and getting the real results you want.

History

Established in 1997.

Life in Synergy was founded in 1997 by Helena Collins, out of her personal journey to transform her body and life. Helena wanted to share an effective method for bringing your body and life into synergy without painful, time-​consuming and frustrating workouts.

Each Life in Synergy trainer started out just like you — as a client, ready for real change and results. They each had their own path to get where they are today, and know the pains and frustrations you face. That’s why Life in Synergy is, above all, no judgement, no worries, and no torture! Come join the fun!

Meet the Business Owner

Helena C.

Business Owner

I am just like every woman looking for a way to change my body and reshape my life. That’s the path that lead me to create Life In Synergy. My genetics predisposed me to being overweight, and most of my family struggles with obesity. I come from a fitness and athletic training background that left me with bulky muscles and frustration, coupled with chronic back, neck and knee pain, not to mention thunder thighs. There is absolutely nothing worse than working out really hard and still feeling truly unhappy with your body!

After over 30 years of research and study I finally have the answers! At 50, my body looks better than it did when I was 25 and killing myself to be in shape. Instead of beating myself up I have learned the science behind the mind-​body connection. That’s what I want to share with you through Life in Synergy. Aren’t you ready to finally enjoy your body and your workouts?

Life in Synergy also recommends

Synergistics Personal Training Studio

1

review

Treningssenter

,

Personlige trenere

Helena C. says,

«Come see why Boston’s Best Celebrity Physicians recognize Helena Collins Synergistics Fitness Method® as truly a cut above the rest.»

Related places

You might also like:
130
ft
Boston Sports Clubs
800 Boylston Street (Back Bay)
130
ft
Rothstein Richard Dent
274 Newbury Street (Back Bay)
280
ft
Fitcorp
800 Boylston St (Back Bay)
550
ft
One On One Fitness Boston
316 Newbury St Ste 22 (Back Bay)
740
ft
Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling
780 Boylston Street Suite 1 (Back Bay)
740
ft
Cabot-Thomas Susan MD
780 Boylston Street Suite 1 (Back Bay)

Vicinity

Browse nearby places:
10
ft
Rafanelli Events
867 Boylston St 4th Fl
10
ft
Zonopact, Inc.
867 Boylston St 5th Fl
50
ft
Idea Space
867 Boylston St 5th Fl
50
ft
Boston Kung Fu Tai Chi Kickboxing
883 Boylston St
50
ft
Yao Li’s Kung Fu Academy Institute
883 Boylston St
50
ft
Acupuntcure Clinic At Boston Kng Fu Ti Chi Insttte
883 Boylston St

26 reviews of Life in Synergy

No registration required
Place rating: 3
Jamaica Plain, MA
The front desk staff is very helpful and they have towels, a water fountain, and lockers (gotta bring your own locks). My beef is with the class itself — the instructor didn’t do any form correction and basically just looked at herself in the mirror the whole time. I’ll go back because they’re on ClassPass, but I would never pay to go here.
Place rating: 5
Quincy, MA
Wow. I hate working out but those classes are amazing. The instructors help you to do the exercises correctly. I can’t wait to finish this monthly pass for a different studio so I can go back and start my journey with them probably FOREVER. The best instructors ever. Class is not super crowded, temperature is perfect, nice energy, nice customer service, amazing studio! See you in July ladies!! I am sure you will change my life!
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
I really liked the classes here and took the 3 max I could through ClassPass on both of my trips to Boston. Not quite sure why this method works but it’s like a barre class but you don’t need as much recovery time.
Note: I’m a professional dancer who is more active than most attendees so I may not be the best comparison point. But the exercises were HARD and I felt challenged the whole time.
I know the SFM and diet program isn’t about cardio but personally I love doing cardio a couple of times each week. It’s so much different than what I’m used to in rehearsal and ballet class. So like others said, maybe run to the studio and back to get your cardio in and feel warmed up?
I took one of these classes before a ballet class and it aligned me perfectly. I felt so much more in control when turning and jumping. I wish they had a studio in Philly, NYC or WDC that I could visit… Sigh…
The studio is a little cold so turning up the heat would REALLY help… Especially with 6 inches of snow on the ground. I kept my warm up on the whole time so I feel like the teacher couldn’t really see my alignment… Bummer, because I could use adjustments. I’m an overworked dancer always reaching for perfection!
I’ll be back when I visit Boston this summer and I am excited to get the nutritional alignment book on my Kindle soon.
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
After looking them up on their website, I didn’t know what to expect but decided to try them out via Classpass. Im not a morning person but I committed to 7 am and it was the perfect start to my day.
The exercises seem easy but after a few reps you start to feel it and I was sore afterwards. My instructor was awesome and extremely energetic which only helped!
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
I went there two times via ClassPass and am guaranteed to go back. Classes are challenging but you don’t need to be a ridiculously fit athlete to follow along (just for context, I am runner that just recently started doing strength training). The studio is super cute and staff is friendly. It definitely became one of my go to studios.
Place rating: 2
Boston, MA
The instructor I had was not great. She didn’t explain anything very well, everyone looked a little confused and we had no idea if we were doing it correctly or not. Kind of a waste of an hour. Her voice was also very high pitched and hard to listen to.
The locker room was incredibly small — you can hardly move in there with more than 3 people, yet the «waiting area» is gigantic. Very odd set-​up.
It was not the most challenging class. Not sure if I will go back considering all the other options in the area.
Place rating: 2
Boston, MA
Yikes, I really wanted to like this place. I came via ClassPass with no expectations. The space is beautiful and in a great location, but the class I took (SFM with Kelly) was really lacking. I am a big barre/​pilates fan so I thought this would be perfect for me, but I just could not get on board. The weirdest thing was the huge disconnect between the instructor and the class, she may as well have been narrating her own workout while we just happened to be in the room. Lots of the regulars in the class were struggling with form and I was really surprised that they weren’t getting more attention. The other reviews are all spot on with the workout, it’s no-​sweat, mostly floorwork, and good for beginners. The problem I have with this is that it’s clearly a workout where you get out of it what you put into it, which requires good form and body awareness. How are clients supposed to do this with zero personal instruction or emphasis on technique? You may as well just pop in a workout video and save your money.
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
Okay,
So after reading the reviews on this place, I decided to give it a go via classpass, a little unsure of what to expect since the reviews are a bit mixed.
That being said, I really liked my experience here. I did a «butts and guts» class which was very challenging in a very different way, much like Pilates for those who have done those type of classes. To those who complained that they were cold, I think it’s important to understand that it’s NOT a cardio workout. I live in Boston, so I usually jog to and from my classes, which gives me a more all around workout, and this is exactly what I would advise for this class. If you want to sweat, run a mile there, take a class, and run a mile after! Embrace the class for what it is.
On another note, for the purpose of the class, my butt, and my gut, I felt the class was VERY effective. I had very sore glutes the next day, and I was not entirely able to keep up with the nimble, flexible, clearly dance-​oriented instructor and definitely had a few burn moments of saying «oh god, this leg’s going to fall». and that’s exactly what I was looking for. When a workout gets easy for me or I master it, I tend to move on because I feel like I’m no longer as challenged. So I definitely recommend these leg exercises, they really work the butt and legs in ways you don’t normally accomplish.
One con, I didn’t feel that the abs were all that challenging, and feel that if I went regularly, I may master it a little more quickly than I would like (contrary to my feelings on the leg/​butt workout). My abs were a little sore the next day, but nothing compared to some other workouts I’ve done on my own. However, I still feel like I got a great workout, and accomplished what I set out to do.
Overall, I will definitely be back, and while I wouldn’t buy an exclusive membership at this location, I love it via classpass! It’s a great way to kick my butt (literally) and legs into gear when I need a more varied workout.
Place rating: 3
Boston, MA
First, the space– deserves four stars. The studio itself is clean, bright, and in the most prime location on Boylston Street. The locker room however is tiny which wouldn’t bother me but there wasn’t even a bench to sit on. I think most people came already dressed for working out but I was coming from work.
The class was very Pilates-​esque which is what I was expecting. They tout it as their own method, but it seemed just like a fast Pilates class. If this is your thing, you’ll probably love it. It was definitely challenging, but I guess I’ve been spoiled by barre (which is also Pilates-​esque but WAY more intense).
That being said, I think it is perfect for those getting over injuries. I have a rotator cuff injury that won’t go away, so I’m excited to try the Arms and Abs class on Mondays. This method focuses a lot on stabilizer muscles, so should do wonders for that.
As a former athlete, I don’t think Life in Synergy is the best way to get fit, but it is definitely a good supplement to any workout regimen.
Place rating: 5
Somerville, MA
I was immediately greeted by a friendly woman at the front desk who promptly checked me in (I believe it was the owner). She explained that I would need to grab a mat and several props and pointed out where the locker room is located. Quite a swanky, clean studio! I did not go in the locker room, however, so I cannot speak to that.
This was my first time doing a pilates type class so I felt a bit silly and lost at first– actually wanted to run out due to my own anxiety. However, I stuck it out and realized I was starting to catch on due to the great instructor who talked through each movement. The class I attended was arms and abs with Jessica. She was high energy and organized the class by various sets of muscle groups. I am used to spinning classes where I am dripping in sweat, so I felt as though the class was rather easy and went by quickly. Boy was I wrong– today my abs hurt so good and my arms as well. I now see why they say «work smart not hard» as the various muscle contractions were very effective. I am excited to go back again soon with class pass!
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
This place is excellent. Very comprehensive and I highly recommended it.
Place rating: 3
Boston, MA
I really like the SFM classes and I have taken about five or six now with all different instructors. I don’t mind that the moves are the same from class to class, but what really bothers me is that the music is always the same. And they are all kind of out dated. I actually start to remember what songs are for which muscle groups, so it starts to make me get bored and disinterested. If they could mix up the music I’d be much more excited in class
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
This class is unique but builds off of elements of bar and Pilates! Even though you spend a lot of the class laying down it is still a major workout!
The facilitates are a little lacking, the locker room is very small and there is a even smaller shower area! You also have to bring your own lock or bring your bags into the class room with you!
The teachers don’t provide any individual instruction except a few general move your legs higher do this! The teachers do the entire workout alongside you in front of the class but it would be helpful if they came around to correct you since proper positioning is everything in this class.
I have taken the total body and the lower body class! The entire body class was better!
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
Finally returned back to Life in Synergy– really a fantastic workout. At first you think the movements are easy, but after tons and tons of reps you start to shake!
Place rating: 5
Brookline, MA
Before signing up for ClassPass a few months ago, I rarely participated in group fitness classes– I figured the outdoor running I did while training for half marathons was sufficient enough. However, this year upon deciding to train for my first marathon, I knew I needed to incorporate a variety of cross training exercises, so ClassPass it was, shortly followed by LIS. I was first drawn to the studio by the promise of «no sweat» and a 12:30 class a short walking distance from my office. I had no idea what I was in for, but I found that first class to be surprisingly tough, despite spending most of it «laying on the ground.» Since then, I’ve been attending classes weekly (usually with Helena, who is awesome) and still thoroughly enjoying the workouts. I don’t recommend taking a class the morning after an evening long run (learned that the hard way — it will hurt!) but I find this studio to be the perfect supplement to my running routine.
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
This has been my go to Pilate studio for the past 3 years in Boston. All the classes are amazing and after two months of classes, you definitely get the models bikini abs and booties. Also, if you are looking to achieve a specific goal, schedule a personal training session or just have a chat with Helena. I now work out only a quarter of the amount that I used to and feel that I have never been in a better shape in my life.
The only sad thing I have to say about this place is they got rid of their Sunday classes, and that Helena hasn’t come out with a work-​out DVD. Definitely try one of Jenny’s Lean legs class along with their other awesome synergistic method classes.
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
I might sound like a broken record here because I basically have the same [great] things to say as all the other recent reviewers, but LIS is a fantastic boutique studio specializing in a product you don’t see elsewhere: the Synergistic Fitness Method (SFM). Similar to pilates, this method really works all the muscles either in the whole body (SFM) or a designated area of the body (SFM Lean Legs, SFM Arms & Abs, etc.). My favorite is the Wednesday night SFM Lean Legs with Lauren, mostly because Lauren is a great instructor who motivates you and makes you laugh and works you to the breaking point without yelling or bossing like a bootcamp style class might. No insult to the other classes/​instructors because they are great too.
The studio is clean, bright and modern. They have a nice seating area to wait for class to start and a chalkboard with some words of inspiration to keep you motivated toward achieving your fitness and nutrition goals. The locker room has free lockers and towels (as others have mentioned, you don’t sweat in class, so bringing in a towel isn’t really necessary) and showers. Be prepared when you walk in to be greeted by an ultra-​friendly/​smiley/​bubbly gal at the front desk who can check you in super fast and she’ll also thank each and every person on their way out the door after class. So welcoming.
If you’re a ClassPasser like me, definitely book at a class at LIS. If not, I can’t speak to their prices or if they offer new customer deals, but whatever it costs it’s definitely worth checking out.
Place rating: 4
Kew Gardens, NY
I wish I could afford a monthly membership here. I discovered Life in Synergy through Classpass and went in to the studio with a skeptical attitude because there are many Barre/​Pilates studios that suck. I was so, so wrong! I’ve taken the Butts & Guts as well as the Synergistic Fitness Methods class (I know, the name is really obscure) and was really sore the next day. The movements in the classes are similar to Pure Barre and pilates classes but the sequencing and duration of the exercises are distinctive and really burn and tire you out. I hate that Classpass limits me to only three sessions at this studio per month. I’d give it five stars but it’s just too expensive for me to do that.
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
Ok, brief update after I’ve been at the gym a couple of weeks. Still, SO OBSESSED! I had training with Regina on Friday and it was incredible. It was nice to talk through SFM with her and really get help on a couple of exercises I was having trouble with in class. I truly feel inspired after coming here and feel like I’m on my way to something great! I dropped the classpass and joined the gym if that tells you anything :)
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
I attended the SFM Lean Legs class through ClassPass and HOLY COW, this class was intense.
I lift weights and consider my legs to be pretty strong and tolerant of pain, but this class made me think otherwise. We used isolated exercises to target specific muscles in the legs, and there were many, many times when I was burning so badly I had to stop – which I think is awesome.
For people complaining that they didn’t «break a sweat» or «get a workout» well clearly you didn’t read the company’s website. I recollect there actually being a line that said «all hott no sweat» and really, sweat isn’t the only way to determine that you are working hard. I was barely able to walk after this class, and personally, shaking and being incapacitated is more of a determining factor that I’m doing it right than sweating is. Plus, I was exhausted – alebit in a very blissful way – after the class.
Lauren was the trainer, and she was awesome – she motivated us to push through the burn, and was great at explaining each of the exercises.
I would definitely go back, although I’m not sure I can make it through that class again! :)
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
This place is great for a «lazy» workout that’s anything but. You’ll spend almost the entire class lying down and you’ll barely break a sweat but it will leave your muscles shaking and sore the day after. This class probably isn’t a huge calorie burner but it’s a great, low impact complement to other more vigorous workouts.
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
To clarify, I think Life in Synergy has undergone drastic changes in the past few years, and so many of these reviews are inaccurate. To the best of my knowledge, you can no longer take typical classes like Zumba or yoga here. Instead Life in Synergy has chosen to not be a jack of all trades and focus on one thing they do really well, the synergetic fitness method. This is an hour of exercises to muscles you might not know you have, and I believe it works. As some reviewers have mentioned, you might not leave covered in sweat, but you will feel the burn in a great way. Classes are all really similar (most focus on the whole body, with a few dedicated to only certain groups like arms and abs or butts and guts) and this can honestly get a bit boring, but I don’t doubt it’s effective.
Instructors are all very good and explain to you which muscles you are working and how-​an anatomy lesson to boot! Helena, Charlie, and Lauren are three fantastic teachers who come to mind, but everyone I’ve had is good. One thing I like is that they will come around and correct your form, but they attend to everyone so you don’t feel singled out.
Some people have said they try to sell you their life style, which apparently includes lots of walking and eating changes, but as a classpass attendee, I’ve never felt a pressure to subscribe to anything I wasn’t comfortable with. There are signs around promoting these aspects (which, if is your bag, might be effective) but I’ve never had anything forced down my throat. For me, life in synergy is a great addition to my exercise routine and while I personally can’t commit to more than a few classes a month, I bet it would be a great community if you chose to go further.
Place rating: 2
Boston, MA
Great location, nice studio, nice and energetic instructor.
Didn’t find the class that great of a workout even though I did feel «the burn». Did not break a sweat at all and am not even sore the next day. I love barre and small movements exercise and have been too many high quality studios. I sweat like nuts even when they are not cardio classes because they are so hard. However, it is not the case for working out at Life in Synergy.
In my opinion, the lean leg class at a popular time feels like a series of exercise that people could do leisurely by themselves while watching tv. There were not that many movements and the movements didn’t involve that many angles. When I was in that class, most people did not look that tone/​fit, which makes me wonder if the bodies of the regular goers have ever been transformed by doing this «SPECIAL» exercise. For example, you lie on your back, feet on the floor and you spend minutes on pointing your toes up and down. While there is a «burn», but I doubt the utility of such movement.
Place rating: 2
Boston, MA
Recently lots of changes took place in this studio.
The classes used to be a punch card system, and you would pay per class attended. You d book classes online and show up. Overnight the system was changed, all your account information was erased and no notice was made. I left 3 voice messages and nobody ever called me back. When finally I got hold of someone they told me that my login had been re-​set. I was explained about the new system, which would be a very high monthly fee (do as many classes as desired) and when I inquired about the old system, I was told that it would still work.
When I finally showed up in the studio, I found out that to buy a punch-​card now the price per class had doubled. I spoke with the receptionist about my frustration, ans she was also supposed to follow up and call me regarding whoever did not give me the right information. Obviously, never happened.
Nice classes but very poor customer service. Also, do not expect any commitment from their end.
Place rating: 3
Newtonville, MA
I want to like LIS so much more than I do. I’ve had some good experiences with classes here – Jessica, Helena, and Emily are all fabulous teachers, and I especially like the Abs & Arms classes – but I just don’t think they’re a satisfying workout. These classes are great for light fitness days or to supplement other workouts: I find myself running to and from the studio just so I’ll feel like I’ve really burned some calories.
I think the problem is you really have to buy into the LIS method, which includes walking about 5 miles/​day, drinking boatloads of water, and carefully monitoring your daily calorie-​intake. I’m sure if you do all of those things, you only need to go to 2 – 3 classes here a week and be in good shape. I just don’t think these classes are sufficient workouts in and of themselves, and for the money (they’re NOT cheap, unless you purchase them through Groupon etc.), I just don’t think it’s worth it.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
This is my third review of Life in Synergy, and I maintain my 5-​star rating.
I was sad when I learned Parson doesn’t teach Zumba anymore. Her classes were a true workout, and I left anxious to sign up for the following week’s class. I know many other people felt the same way. I started taking Katie’s classes on Saturday instead — so much fun!
While I did take SFM classes at LIS, I was always more partial to the cardio workouts. Now, I recently made Abs and Arms with Helena part of my weekly workout routine. I still struggle through some of the exercises, but this is a GREAT workout, and I’ve found myself getting slightly stronger each week.
I also took SFM Lean Legs once with Helena as well. I always thought my legs were in good shape, considering I live in Boston and walk around a lot. Boy was I wrong! The class was definitely a wake up call, and my leg muscles were burning for the next two days! Thanks to the LIS classes, I have a better idea of which muscles I need to work on, and I feel a lot better about myself.
The studio offers a 10 pack of classes for $ 120 (normally $ 15 per class, so you save this way), but from time to time they have promotions offering the 10 pack for $ 100.
While I appreciate SFM, I would love to see more cardio/​dance classes — so far the only ones the studio offers are Zumba and Hip Hop. The SFM Bootcamp has some cardio infused into it.
You can tell the instructors are enthusiastic about being there, which is a plus. Helena is really passionate about expanding the business, and I am really excited to see what she has in store for the future!