At a Glance:
Website: http://www.balletbodies.com
Address: 8376 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Length: 60 minutes
Price: first class/$17.50, 1 class/$25, 10 classes/$175
Sweat scale: medium
Energy level: medium

Pre Sweat

Knowing that the traffic would be lighter and the parking easier, I decided to hit up this studio on MLK Jr. Day. I found a free neighborhood spot right around the corner and headed into the studio from the back alley—there is no front entrance. There is also metered parking on Beverly and around the area. Once I signed in and filled out my waiver, I was shown around the studio. There is a place to fill up your water bottle, cups in case you forgot one, and complimentary towels. I put my purse in a cubby and headed into the small studio.

Sweat

This was another one of those classes where my Pure Barre and Cardio Barre skills came in handy. For the first half of class we warmed up with some basic ballet moves and then moved into the dance portion. Vanessa, the instructor, built on each step and taught us a ballet routine that we repeated a few times. It was a little challenging because I’m so uncoordinated, but I was thankful that I had a spot in the back row.

Once our prima ballerina moment was over, we took out the mini trampolines. The next half hour was spent doing similar ballet jumps and kicks while bouncing up and down. I was a little unsteady at times but definitely worked up a sweat and got my cardio in for the day. We also laid on the trampolines for ab work. When class was over, we stretched and ended, of course, with a curtsy.

Post Sweat

Ballet Bodies is a few blocks away from the Beverly Connection and Beverly Center. For a bite to eat check out Kings Road Café right across the street. This is random (and would require a post class shower), but if you’re a bride-to-be stop by Glamour Closet, a sample sale boutique. I spent hours there trying on gowns by Monique Lhuillier, Nicole Miller, Amsale, and other pricy designers.

Tricks of the Trade

• If you’re going to shower be quick because no one will be able to use the restroom at the same time.
• There are two types of rebounders. The white are less bouncy and use springs while the black ones are very bouncy and use bungee cords.
• Leave time for parking, as it can be very difficult after 6pm.
• There is complimentary hot tea!
• Depending on which class you’re taking, you will either need sneakers or ballet shoes/sticky socks. The Burn class requires shoes.