The Pilates Workshop

I’ve been doing pilates for about fifteen years, and this place is the best. Been going here twice a week for two years to see Hyeyeon, leaving this review because I’m moving away. Hyeyeon has wrestled more improvement out of me in those two years than in the previous thirteen combined, she’s awesome.

I am an instructor and find it well worth the 2.5 hour drive for my own personal Pilates practice and training. This studio offers only the true classical method on Gratz equipment, the instruction is excellent.

Writing a positive Unilocal review can be a risk if the popularity of your subject means you might lose your spot in line, but then again, I’m a believer that sharing a good thing brings its own rewards.
This is for Mollie at the Pilates Workshop on Judah & 31^st Ave. I have been going to her classes (beginner /​intermediate apparatus) on a semi-​regular basis (1 – 2 times a week) for about 4 months, and wow, what a find!
Most guys I know think of Pilates as something associated with beautiful women in great shape, and to be honest, they are certainly well represented here ;) But as a middle aged guy who used to coach high school basketball, guys like me usually go to the gym to do weights for bulk and definition. Too often that comes at the price of injury and stiffness. Most weight work is just not functional. Pilates is. But it’s not easy. Getting my humble pie served up by the half size women next to me has taught me Pilates can be tough. But after doing 4 months of movements that are both functional and strengthening, I feel younger and more athletic than in a long time (and in the presence of all the pretty women in the class that always feels good!). And when it comes to learning from the best, I can’t imagine a better coach to have than Mollie at the Pilates Workshop. She is a real treasure. Here are a few reasons why:
Mollie gives each participant in the class incredibly specific and helpful direction (often unique for each person) about what she wants them to do and how to get the most from each exercise; it is both an innate talent she possesses but also one that she has clearly worked on as a serious professional. Her language and ability to give visual cues is unsurpassed among any athletic coaches I have known. Not kidding, she is really amazing. But do not let this seemingly sweet package of cuteness fool you! While very encouraging, she is also Drill Sargent tough! In our small group classes (2 – 4 people max) Mollie puts us through a series progressively coordinated exercises that end with some folks dripping wet (me), others glistening (them), and all of us knowing we were put through our paces by a pro. I leave with a strengthened core, a lifted posture, and a feeling of having bettered myself from the inside out — great stuff all around.
Life is too short to do bodywork without a great coach. Do not miss the opportunity to work with Mollie at the Pilates Workshop. Like I said, a real find. Great space, easy parking.

I have had weekly private pilates sessions from Erika at the Pilates Workshop on a seasonal basis for the past 3 years. She is amazing to work with and I always enjoy my sessions with her. She never fails to greet me with a smile, is relaxed and easy to talk with, has great communication skills, and possesses a remarkable knowledge of the body and pilates techniques. Her sessions have made a remarkable difference in my conditioning. My wife has also had several Pilates Workshop instructors during the same time frame, most recently with Ora. She is also very pleased with her experiences there, and enthusiastically endorses this studio. All the instructors there have advanced training and operate at the highest degree of professionalism. They challenges us, but constantly communicate with us to be sure that we are not being pressed beyond our comfort zones or physical abilities. They maintain a very high level of commitment to their clients and our goals. We both highly recommend Pilates Workshop to anyone, from the beginner to advanced levels, and feel very fortunate to have found this wonderful studio.

Hands-​down, this is the best Pilates studio in SF (and I’ve taken classes at many of them). Here’s what I love:
1) Pure Pilates — This place is serious about Pilates. No loud music. No strange hybrid classes. It’s classical Pilates taught by people who are passionate about getting it right.
2) Peaceful space — It’s all in one room (and it can get a little loud if there are two class at once), but it’s nicely-​laid out and calming.
3) Easy parking
4) Small classes/​overall good value — The prices are slightly on the high end, but it averages out as the classes are small and you get a lot of personal attention. Plus, you can take a trainee class for $ 10.
5) Great for beginners (they are super-​patient) and they offer classes for more experienced students as well.

I feel that The Pilates Workshop is the Best Pilates Studio in SF. I feel so lucky to have found it. The teachers are amazing, well trained with a strong focus on the needs of each individual person. It is amazing that such a rare gem is to be found in the middle of the Sunset District.

I can’t say enough good things about The Pilates Workshop. The owner, Erika, is absolutely amazing. I started taking lessons with her over seven years ago and was so thrilled when she opened her own studio. The studio is filled with top-​notch equipment and teachers. Seriously, the studio has some of the best Pilates equipment in the city and all of the teachers are classically trained through one of the best Pilates programs in the world. The teachers are also the kindest and most caring group of people you can imagine. The studio is so beautiful and peaceful and it is such a treat to take lessons there. My body has been completely transformed through Pilates. If you have ever thought about taking a lesson, you couldn’t find a better place to start.

The equipment and the teachers at the Pilates Workshop are top notch, and the studio is clean and charming. I love going there to take the small group classes (3 on equipment or 5 in a mat class) and always feel fantastic when I leave.
I am a physical therapist and Pilates instructor and know a little bit about quality instructors, and this studio/​the instructors are the real deal.
The studio is also a licensed teacher training studio for the Pilates Center (Boulder), often referred to as the Harvard of Pilates training programs, so there are often high-​quality trainees available for lower cost lessons that are well-​supervised.
Can’t say enough good things about the studio — if you want to learn, really learn, Pilates, this is the perfect and safest environment to do so (as compared to a large mat class in a gym, where I often get PT clients from because they get hurt!).

An oasis in the middle of Sunset District!
I took 7 classes with Hyeon (spell) and loved it but then realized that Pilates is not for me (the real Pilates) I need the huffing and the puffing and this work out doesn’t get me there that is why I joined Burn.
BUT, I will considering signing up again I I feel that I need a new modification slower pace body activity.
I didn’t give enough chances to get to the huffing and puffing level as it will cost me $$$ and it will take me a long time to that point.
I recommend this place if you really want to try Pilates one on one lesson. Make sure to make appointment because they have very limited hours and availabilities.

This space is an urban oasis!
I have been very active since I was a teen. With great knowledge of physical body, I demand much from the teacher (s), as well as the facilities. In the past 5 months, I have been driving across the town to see Fernanda Repsold at The Pilates Workshop. She is an AMAZING teacher. She carries in-​depth knowledge of body and movements! She is gentle, yet firm. SInce the studio space is relative intimate, students receive tons of personal attention.
P. S. the studio opens to a relaxing urban garden. It is sun-​filled when it is sunny out; It also has a fireplace. It offers perfectly warmth when it is cooler out.
Really sweet set-​up with the best teacher (s). Can’t ask for more from a Pilates studio!

As a former Pilates teacher… I don’t do Pilates with just any teacher. Fortunately for me, The Pilates Workshop is a place where I can choose any of the teachers there and get the best, most knowledgeable Pilates in the city. And it’s in my neighborhood! Erika started The Pilates Workshop to provide a space for excellent Pilates teachers with quality equipment who can teach the classical method to both beginners and advanced students. It is a beautiful space where you will feel well taken care of. I wish I could be there more often.

I am thrilled to be the first to review one of the new jewels of the Inner Sunset — The Pilates Workshop.
I have worked on Ninth Avenue for 20 years and have been waiting for a legit Pilates studio to open up. My prayers have been answered. Thank you Erika!
I have been taking private and semiprivate classes with Erika (the owner) and Hyeyeon for over a month now and I am very impressed by their knowledge of both Pilates and the human body. Their skill and enthusiasm for teaching their craft is inspiring. Not to mention they are fabulous people! They are both hands on and make sure that I do each series correctly (I have taken Pilates in the past and this was not the case). They are teaching me the tools I need to full fill my inner Pilates dreams. And yes, you do see and feel results after 15 sessions. I feel toned, my posture has improved and I can see definition. Yes!
The studio has a boutique feel. It is spotless, has hardwood floors, a fire place (!) and over looks a lovely garden — pure perfection. It is equipped with 2 Reformer machines, 1 Cadillac (with trapeze), multiple chairs, mats — everything you need and more. Not to mention that everything is brand spanking new. There is a private changing area and secured cubes for you to store your belongings in.
If you have ever had any desire to try Pilates — this is the place to go. Give it a shot, no experience required. But I warn you — your body will become addicted. You will leave feeling exhilarated and will want to go back for more.

I have been working with Erika Linton since January 2007. I followed Erika from another studio, simply because I love her teaching style and she’s an awesome, patient teacher. How awesome? Here’s a story for you. I initially came to pilates for weightloss, but after a while while working with Erika and telling her about my occasional knee pains (which I thought were normal after working 12 hour shifts), we did exercises to strengthen my feet, improve my core stability. When my pain didn’t go away (the usual pain, nothing big, i thought), she recommended that I see the doctor. She told me that my knee might be hurting because my right foot arch is flatter, so when I walked, my right knee tended to pull in. So, there I was the obedient student (although, I thought it was a waste of my time– knee pains are normal right?). Wrong. the orthopedic md did some xrays, did some gait exams and diagnosed me with tendonitis. He said that it could be because my right arch was flatter than the left, so it dragged my knees inward. Wait, didn’t I hear that already??? This just proves that Erika knows her stuff and she’s not just a pilates teacher working you through exercises. She genuinely cares for your well-​being. I appreciate what Erika does and now I have an «Erika-​voice» in my head that corrects my posture when I’m standing: «Stick your butt out like crazy» :)

If I could Erika 10 stars I would. She is the most fantastic pilates instructor I’ve had, motivating, challenging and has a very peaceful presence. When I found out she was leaving the other pilates studio I attend I literally got a little teary eyed. However her new space is cozy, full of all the equipment and props you could ever need plus it’s right downtown. Her rates are very reasonable especially when you consider her vast knowledge and experience. If you’ve ever considered taking private pilates sessions go see Erika!

By far the best Pilates experience I’ve had in SF. Erika Linton has a wonderful teaching style and is very patient yet motivating at the same time.
I came into Pilates with a lumbar injury (herniated disc & sciatica) and treat it more as physical therapy than exercise. After trying just about everything available (acupuncture, chiropractor, pharmaceutical, massage) a good friend suggested I try Pilates. Surprisingly its the only thing that really made and impact and now, after 5 months, I’m nearly pain-​free. I honestly believe it kept me from surgery.
The studio Erika teaches at is a collective (Peak Performance) and the instructors share a studio space. It’s very well stocked with all the gear and located just across the way from Gumps.
It’s a real, honest working studio without the fancy music, and scented candles. But who cares, you’re there to work out, get in shape, and (especially for me) actively recover from injury.
Highly recommended.