ATHLEISURE LIST CHAISEFITNESS
Known for its innovative and body-redefining method, ChaiseFitness was designed and founded by mother-daughter duo Lauren Piskin, a former gold medalist figure skater, and Rachel Piskin, a former ballerina with the New York City Ballet. Their energy and decades of professional experience is the driving force behind the unique hybrid workouts at ChaiseFitness, which blends the sculpting and strengthening methods of Pilates, ballet, cardio and strength training. As a long-time professional Pilates instructor, Lauren always wanted to “get Pilates off of its back and bring it into the modern upbeat vibe of New York City,” but it wasn’t until Rachel’s ballet career came to an end that she started developing a way to make that happen. Rachel was struggling to maintain the healthy lifestyle she always had from dance, so she and Lauren began to experiment and create a new type of workout that eventually gave her an even stronger and healthier physique. ChaiseFitness and the Reinvention Method were born from Lauren’s professional experience was refined by Rachel’s personal journey to help everyone create long lean muscles, increase flexibility, and transform their bodies.
What makes ChaiseFitness stand out is the unique patented system designed with an overhead bungee system and a state-of-the-art fitness chair. This system provides the framework in which new programming is continually developed (right now there are 10 types of classes) fusing together Pilates, ballet, strength training and aerobics. Focusing on building long, lean, and sculpted muscles, clients improve their posture, spinal health, core stability and strength due to the overhead bungee system and use of resistance bands. ChaiseFitness is still a family business, that lends itself in creating a strong sense of community, which is why it is important that it always has small class sizes to ensure all clients get hands on corrections, connect with the instructor, and most importantly learn how to work in proper form.
With celebs such as Vanessa Hudgens, supermodels Anne V and Jessica Hart who have been trained in the method, it is for everyone. The college student, the working professional, young moms as well as clients in their 60’s and 70’s. The method is low impact with a focus on building long, lean strong muscles, improved core strength, enhanced posture and spinal health. Classes can be done at all the different phases of one’s life: wedding, pregnancy, post natal, rehabbing an injury and of course, just the daily work out to keep you in amazing shape all year long.
ChaiseFitness launched in 2012 with locations in the UES and Flatiron. They expanded their franchise model in Madison, NJ and plan to open of a studio in Maplewood, NJ in early 2019.
At the Flatiron studio, all of the signature classes with intimate class sizes (max 12 per class) as well as private sessions. There are over 10 types of class offerings which include: Chaise Reinvention; a signature class incorporating the fitness chair and overhead bungee system, ChaiseCardio uses the same equipment with the addition of cardio aerobic intervals, and one of the most popular classes BandSculpt using various resistance bands to sculpt and strengthen the body. At the Upper East Side location you can still experience intimate group classes, and have a full traditional Pilates floor dedicated to offering private sessions and small reformer classes. Unique to the UES location is the ability to take private sessions in all the various mo-
dalities - an hour session can include working on a reformer, TRX, and wrap with the chair and bungee system.
Both locations offer clients towels, a filtered water station, digital lockers, and select hair and face products so guests can refresh post-sweat session.
In February 2018 Chaise On Demand's platform debuted. Clients can access all of the content through the desktop or the ChaiseFitness app, which offers pre-recorded fitness videos such as 7min ab blast or a 20 min full body chair workout. Clients also get access to live streamed studio classes. The content is updated monthly so clients are constantly challenging themselves from the convenience of their homes.