FIRE Studio — Local services in New York

I was so excited when I became pregnant, but there was one thing I was kicking myself for. I had always meant to become a worker-outer before getting pregnant, and suddenly it felt like that ship had sailed. No one gets stronger during pregnancy, right? … Right?

And then I saw Tiana’s post about Fire Studio’s prenatal/postnatal classes.

For full disclosure, I had been to a Fire Studio class (and loved it!) about a year prior. I went the first day they opened in 2023, patted myself on the back for being a Real Fitness Person now — and then, of course, got busy and distracted didn’t work out again for months. But with pregnancy-focused classes popping up right at the end of my first trimester, it seemed like a sign. So I decided to give it another shot.

And I’m so glad I did.

Tiana has done the impossible. For the past three months — while pregnant!!!!!!! — I’ve been going to the gym four times a week. FOUR times!!! Every week! That’s not a thing in my wildest dreams I ever imagined doing! And I can honestly say I’ve been enjoying it.

Over the course of these months, while pregnant, I have become stronger than I’ve ever been. I’ve gone from using with 5-pound weights to 12-pound weights, and even the occasional 15 or 17.5-pound weight. I can do exercises that used to make my legs, arms, and self-confidence buckle. Tiana has been reverse-cooking my wet-noodle muscles into al dente perfection, all the while making sure that I’m doing so in a way that is safe for me and my baby. I know I’m in such good hands with her.

And that’s to say nothing of the community I’ve built through these classes. The other parents are incredible. While I’ve been doing these classes prenatally, I’ve met so many other parents, many of whom bring their adorable kids to class. (Yes, the babies are welcome, too!) It’s no problem if they fuss, it’s no problem if there’s a breast-feeding break — it’s such a supportive environment, while still being one that will push you to get stronger and stronger, even when your body or your baby aren’t feeling cooperative. (Side note: you haven’t lived until you’ve seen a parent doing bicep curls using their small, fussy child.) Parenthood of any kind is welcome in these classes. Whether you’re excited about it or ambivalent, whether you’re tired or sad or happy or terrified. There’s space for all of it in the incredible, nonjudgmental environment Brandon and Tiana have created. I honestly love the people I’ve met through Fire Studio. (But if you’re not looking for community and just want to take some prenatal / post-natal classes, that’s fine too! No one will be weird about it!)

I’m due to deliver in a little under two months (whoa), and of course there are no guarantees for what kind of delivery experience I’m in for. Maybe this child will kick her way out through my belly button like the Kool Aid man, which feels increasingly likely each day. (Actually, Tiana, have you been secretly training her? Because she sure SEEMS strong.) Maybe I’ll go into labor on the W train, and baby girl will get a free metro card for life. Or maybe I’ll just have a perfectly normal delivery or C-section. Or, or, or… who knows!

But I can honestly say, as I look ahead to whatever that birth experience winds up being, that the classes I’ve taken through the Mom Membership have made the most enormous difference in my life. I feel stronger and more confident in what my body can do, and how it can recover. I’ve met and learned from such amazing parents and fellow pregnant people, who I now call friends.

If you’re thinking about going to one of these classes or signing up for a membership, I honestly couldn’t recommend it more highly. (And your first class is free.) Just walk in the door, and Tiana will take care of the rest.

Thank you, Tiana and Brandon and Fire Studio, for making me feel strong and ready during this absolutely bonkers new chapter in my life. I honestly couldn’t be...

I love this gym so much that I’m hesitant to write this review because I’d like to continue gatekeeping… but I also believe in giving credit where it’s due.

The classes are small - 6 max people for strength, 9 max for rowing - and the instructors are fantastic. Workouts here feel more like small group personal training rather than your typical overpacked NYC workout class. My strength, posture, and overall form have improved so much since coming here. What is particularly crazy is that they only charge like $18-$25 bucks per class (for their monthly passes).

Also, the rowing class fixed my lower back pain. If you work a desk job and deal with lower back pain, this class will change your life. It strengthened my core in a way that nothing else could accomplish.

Finally, the classes are genuinely fun and the instructors have great taste in music. The owners are great people and they’ve created a welcoming,...

I've been to two retreats with Fire & Voice. The first retreat was to upstate NY and the second was to Greece. The workouts were challenging but not overwhelming. They had planned fun activities each day and there was plenty of downtime to relax and enjoy the view. Food was wonderful and plentiful. The best part of the retreats were working directly with Tiana and Brandon. They are fabulous! They go out of their way to work with each individual and make everyone feel like they are their #1 priority. I literally can not wait til the next retreat!

I've also trained online with them for a couple years. Again, their personal touch place them head and shoulders above other programs I've tried. I highly recommend...