FRIDAY PILATES — Local services in Tucson

ETA: Had a wonderful conversation with the business owner (we love a badass boss who takes feedback with grace). She’s committed to responding to my feedback in really clear ways, and I’m so appreciative that she was open to my comments. Will report back as the changes are instituted, but already I am so grateful to her for her commitment to her clients.

I've been a member at Fr¡day since it opened (literally purchased the founding membership before you could even sign up for classes), but I have withheld my judgement to ensure my feedback wasn't based on kinks common early on in a business. After a year, I think I can review fairly my experiences!

While I think there are a lot of great things about the studio, there are also some places where there is room for some improvement.

So, first, the good: The studio is well curated and very cute. There is a clear theme and vibe and it plays out well throughout. Most of the staff are incredibly welcoming and kind. There is a pretty wide diversity of instructors, so you can generally find someone whose style and music taste matches yours. I haven't really seen any physical results from the classes, but I do appreciate the mindfulness of the Pilates approach taught here.

OK, now for some gentle feedback: It's very clear to me this studio had a specific clientele in mind when it was created. It definitely has an influencer vibe, and I do see a lot of attention paid to people who attend who have a social media following. Look, I get it. It's a business and influencers sell!

That said, I really REALLY wish they had a no recording during class policy. There is nothing more distracting and defeating than realizing you may have been recorded while working out... who knows if I've ended up in some reel or story (or worse potentially in a viral TikTok while I'm on the struggle bus). Even if there is no possible way I'm in frame, the second I realize someone is recording in class, I am taken away from the movements and exercise. I can't focus on my form when I'm worried about being on camera. It's just awful. Hype up the studio and the experience before and after class, but leave the class recordings to private sessions or when you're at home, please.

I also have a really hard time with the cancellation policy. It's strict, and I find myself missing classes because life gets in the way. Again, I get that it's a business and often necessary, but it's tough as a client.

Finally, there is a very clear difference in experience and expertise amongst the teachers. There are some instructors who have an immense knowledge of Pilates and body physiology. They have no issue making corrections and insuring everyone is safe during the movements.

Other instructors feel almost like they had a Pilates hobby and signed up for a quick instructor training. There aren't corrections, directions are very unclear and confusing, and it's obvious they're using guides someone else wrote. I have learned to stay away from these instructors as much as possible. I don't feel totally comfortable in these classes with my limited...

Depending on what kind of Pilates you’re looking for this may or may not be your place. It wasn’t mine. I was here for about a month and was very underwhelmed with every class I attended. I was sure to attend multiple instructors as well to see if it was a studio wide disappointment or just certain instructors.

If you want soft, gentle, beginner, form doesn’t matter “I let people explore their bodies”, stretchy, mostly lay on your back and not use the reformer to its fullest potential… FRIDAY is for you.

What I was looking for was challenging, form focused, reformer Pilates that tested and toned my body. The Pilates I come from is challenging and fun. It has you working hard and your mind is able to block out the rest of the world because you’re so focused on what you’re doing.

FRIDAY was disappointing to me especially having done years of reformer Pilates. I think this studio has a lot of growth to do in how to structure their classes, appropriately instruct Pilates while ensuring proper Pilates form as well how to really push its clients through a challenging reformer Pilates class.

My home studio leaves me appropriately sore the next 2 days whereas this one left me wondering why I spent the money I did the...

I started coming to this Pilates studio back in January, and honestly, I was a little intimidated at first. My very class was with Eva and she was so kind and really set the tone for the welcoming atmosphere I still experience nearly 7 months later. The space itself is super trendy and taking classes quickly became a part of my weekly routine. The instructors are fantastic: they know how to motivate you to work hard while also celebrating the fact that you showed up, which I really appreciate. There's a great variety of class times and instructors, so it's easy to find something that works with my schedule and keeps things fresh. Overall, an amazing experience and I'm so glad I...