Please show this ad at the door and you will receive your first class 50% OFF!
Class Schedule
All classes held at Bridge for Dance Studio
Mon - Pilates Style Sculpt
Time: 9:05
Tues - Shape-Up
Time: 9:05
Tues - En/Bb/Pn
Time: 10:40
Weds - Pilates Style Sculpt
Time: 9:05
Thurs - Shape-Up
Time: 9:05
Thurs - En/Bb/Pn
Time: 10:40
Fri - Pilates Style Sculpt
Time: 9:05
Class Descriptions
Pilates Style Sculpt (70 min.)
This hybrid class draws upon the Pilates principal of "Contrology" (slow controlled movements) to develop a strong core (center) and long lean muscles. It targets the abdominals, back, buttocks, and pelvic floor while standing using free weights and dynabands, and uses the same principles doing mat work on the floor
Shape-up (70 min.)
This class incorporates a 40-45 minute cardiovascular component, abdominal strengthening and light stretching during the cool down portion of the class. Depending upon the participants, we may also use the aerobic step or physioballs. If you are looking to strengthen your heart and build endurance and stamina this is the class for you. Sneakers Required
Empty Nesters/Baby Boomers (EN/BB) (70 min.)
A class for individuals who have not exercised in many years and are concerned about Cardiovascular Health, Bone Density, Balance, and Flexibility. This class has a low/non impact component, a free weight component, and mat floor work for abdominal training and stretching. The pace of the class will be slow and progress along with the abilities of the students. Because of the pace of this class, and because Peggy has taught Prenatal and Postnatal women for over 25 years, both are invited and encouraged to participate. Sneakers Required. Special: Bring in a friend who signs up for a series and get one free class
Prenatal Fitness (one on one personal training)
This workout is designed to improve your physical and mental sense of well being during your pregnancy. Stretching and strengthening improves muscle tone and aids in building stamina. Emphasis on the core and the pelvic floor helps provide for an easier labor and delivery. Doctor's release necessary
Postnatal & Beginners (one on one personal training)
Please Note: These classes are currently on vacation, but students are invited and encouraged to attend the Empty Nesters/Baby Boomers class. Peggy is available for personal training in your home should you choose that option. This workout incorporates kegels, emphasizes alignment and upper body strength (especially important for new moms who are straining their arms, shoulders, necks and backs). We focus on the correct way to exercise and the mechanics of everyday movement, whether you are picking up a baby or a grocery bag. Learn the basic "how-to" for abdominal exercises, push-ups, and leg work
About Us
About the Program
Peggy Levine Fitness, located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, has been training women for the past 20+years. The philosophy is to nurture women by giving them the best professional fitness classes available in a non-competitive environment. The group classes are designed for women of a "certain age", new moms, baby boomers, those who have been working out, those who haven't in a long time and those who have never set foot in an exercise studio. We offer Pilates and Core Sculpting, Strength Training and Cardio Fitness. Prenatal workouts are on a one to one basis in your home
Who is Peggy Levine?
Peggy Levine has a BFA in dance from Ohio State University. She has been teaching exercise and dance since 1972. She holds a Pilates Mat certification from Pilates Institute of America (for whom she is one of their Master Trainers), a Prenatal and Postnatal certification from Elizabeth Bing (co-founder of the national ASPO/LAMAZE organization), and a Group Fitness Certification from ACE (American Council on Exercise), She is trained in Adult and Infant Child CPR, has taught Ballet, Modern and Jazz dance and has been a movement educator with the National Endowment For the Arts, Artist in the Schools. She has been seen on television as an exercise consultant, and her work has appeared in magazines such as New York Magazine, Cosmopolitan, McCalls, and Citisports. Peggy is also in the City Baby Book, and contributed to the original What to Expect When Expecting book. While most of her group classes are held at the Bridge for Dance Studio, she is also teaching classes in the Physical Education department of Columbia University, the Manhattan Jewish Community Center (JCC Manhattan) and the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood. Peggy is available for personal training, lectures and seminars for Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness as well as her hybrid class creation, "Piltates Style Sculpting". She resides in New York City with her husband and daughter, Rhiannon
Testimonials
Natalie Hurst
"For years I was unable to do Pilates because of an old back injury--because I didn't have much core strength, I couldn't do the exercises without feeling a lot of back pain. Peggy helped me learn how to access my core muscles so that I could gradually build up the strength I needed to do all the Pilates mat exercises without pain and without fear of reinjuring myself. Her vast knowledge of anatomy coupled with her dancer's understanding of how bodies move enable her to find creative ways to get everyone moving, no matter your age or injury history. After almost two years with Peggy I am stronger, fitter and 20 pounds lighter. Anyone who's ever had trouble mastering Pilates should try Peggy's classes. You won't be disappointed."
Debby Shulevitz
"Peggy is a terrific teacher and understands movement and the body like no other I've had. One of her greatest strengths is the ability to personalize the instruction even in a large class. She is always on the lookout for her students' safety and gives adaptations for those with problem areas or injuries. She focuses on form, frequently explaining the reasons for it, so that it doesn't feel like the movements are being performed by rote. She constantly adjusts the degree of difficulty and changes the exercises from class to class just enough to keep her regular students challenged. Peggy is a wonderful teacher and any student of fitness will benefit from her classes."
Lora Kahn
"Peggy Levine is an extraordinarily knowledgeable, thorough, and conscientious fitness and exercise teacher. Even in a large class she has the ability to focus on the needs and abilities of each individual student. A legend on the Upper West Side of New York City, Peggy's extensive and loyal following is well deserved! Peggy will tone your body and change your life!"
Susan Rubin
"Peggy is a unique teacher. She approaches her classes with an enthusiasm that is contagious. Her classes are never static or rote and she is able to give individual corrections while still maintaining the pace and rigor of the class. Flexibility, balance and strength are all emphasized in her classes and Peggy truly believes in helping her students to achieve the best possible results and health. Because Peggy is an experienced teacher who has been devoted to dance and fitness from a young age, she is well aware of body placement and alignment and very mindful of movements that may cause injury. Her students are devoted to her because she truly cares and provides an environment where beginners learn and more advanced students maintain and increase their technique and strength."
Helene Russo age 68
"Peggy Levine is a born teacher...especially with "women of a certain age." Whether guiding us into an exercise, carefully observing us or gently making needed corrections, her explanations are clear while she tailors any exercise individually, if needed. I've been attending her classes 14 years and hope she never retires!"
Dorothy Kretchmer
"I can only say the most wonderful, positive things about Peggy and the classes that she teaches. I have taken Peggy's classes for 15 years. Challenging with very positive results. A "Must" for every woman. I am in part, the person I am because of her."
Alexandra M. (New York City)
"I joined Peggy's class in my third month of pregnancy - I am now in my 9th month and have been an avid participator ever since. Prior to my pregnancy I had always been very active when it came to cardio workouts. When I was told by my OB/GYN, that I should give high impact workouts a rest (i.e. running etc..), I was desperate to find something, that would keep me fit, toned and agile during my pregnancy. Yoga was one thing I had considered, but it didn't seem to fulfill my thirst for a workout. I was looking for someone, who knew what he/she was doing. I had had one miscarriage previously and was very nervous about losing this one too. Peggy's ability to focus on every class member individually calmed me immediately. Her experience as a mother and as a prenatal fitness trainer goes far beyond what all-round gyms offer their clients. She shares her in-depth knowledge of the physical aspects of pregnancy and the fitness do's and don'ts with you. Her well thought-through classes give you a sense of achievement, that make those pregnancy aches and pains slide away. And friends have actually commented several times on how toned I looked. Thanks to Peggy Levine I will certainly be going into the birthing process with a degree of calmness and physical stamina, that I would never have achieved without her prenatal fitness classes."
Kaliope Kostas
"I was very physically active prior to becoming pregnant and wanted to continue being active during my pregnancy. Since it was my first pregnancy, however, I wasn't sure what my limitations were or should be. A friend of a friend recommended Peggy's fitness classes. It felt terrific to be able to attend a regular fitness class, as this had been such an important part of my life prior to pregnancy. I was very pleased that I was able to move and maintain a good level of cardiovascular capacity throughout my pregnancy. In addition, I was so pleased with Peggy's level of expertise and personal attention. She truly cared about everyone's aches and pains, and more importantly, addressed everyone's specific needs during every class, via stretches and breathing exercises. It is a level of personalization I have yet to find in any other fitness club or training session. Peggy is truly the best!"
Faith Nashel
"Before discovering Peggy Levine in my second trimester, I was taking prenatal yoga twice per week. While it helped me to de-stress and relax, I felt I needed something more to prepare my body for the rigors of childbirth. Peggy's pre-natal fitness classes turned out to be exactly what I was looking for! Not only were they fun and exhilarating; they enabled me to develop the strength I would need to push and breathe during my labor. Peggy tailors her classes to fit the needs of each pregnant woman. She also offers advice about pregnancy and Motherhood to all of us who had concerns about becoming first time mothers. I took Peggy's classes up until the day before I delivered my daughter, and found that, unlike many would-be moms, I was filled with energy and vigor throughout most of my pregnancy. Even on the delivery table all of Peggy's guidance on how to breathe and use my muscles seemed to come to me like second nature. My delivery nurse even complimented me on my technique. I had my daughter three months ago and, thanks to the great shape I was in from Peggy's classes, I've already lost thirty of the forty-two pounds I had gained. I have no doubt that my rapid recovery and relatively easy delivery were the result of the work I put in under Peggy's expert tutelage. I recommend her classes to any woman who is looking to go into the delivery room with a fit mind and body."
Jane Standley
"I found out about Peggy Levine's studio quite by chance but it turned out to be a total lifesaver for me. I am British and had not lived in New York for long when I had my baby daughter. My support network was severely limited - as well as losing the pregnancy weight, I needed to meet other new mothers. I did so at Peggy's. I used to push the pram through the winter snow to see Peggy and Liz maybe four times a week - it gave me something to aim for everyday - it really kept me going. My daughter has friends now from that time, who she met when she was only five weeks old!! And I have good friends, too. And, yes my stomach got flat and firm and I was back in my pre-pregnancy clothes in good shape - and fitter than I had been for years. I am now having another baby and will be back at Peggy's for the prenatal classes as well as the postnatal workouts. The classes used to be known to our group of mothers as the 'tortuere sessions" - but we had such fun and we were also so grateful for the warmth and friendliness all the staff showed us."
Diane A. Greenwald, Ph.D. Child Psychologist
"I began working out at the Peggy Levine Studio approximately one year ago. At first I attended class once a week. I am now going four or five times a week. Attending these classes has allowed me to stabilize my weight and, more importantly, my hypertension. My doctor is going to begin reducing my medication. I am over 50 years of age and am beginning to be physically vulnerable. Peggy Levine's classes are a major support to maintaining my ongoing health. One might say I could easily join a gym in the neighborhood. Classes at gyms are geared to younger and more fit clientele. When I have been in them, I felt pushed beyond my capacity and discouraged. At Peggy's the instructors are aware of your capacity and personally work with each client to build their strength slowly. They also monitor your movement."
Peggy Levine Fitness, located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, has been training women for the past 20+years. The philosophy is to nurture women by giving them the best professional fitness classes available in a non-competitive environment. The group classes are designed for women of a "certain age", new moms, baby boomers, those who have been working out, those who haven't in a long time and those who have never set foot in an exercise studio. We offer Pilates and Core Sculpting, Strength Training and Cardio Fitness. Prenatal workouts are on a one to one basis in your home.