Dan's Papers-Best Of The Best: Pilates Studio in the Hamptons- 2012

Hampton’s Cottages & Gardens – 6/2010

LuLulemon Athletic – Ambassador East Hampton store 2009

NY Times Magazine – 2008

The Insider Guide – Annually from 2007

Dan’s Hamptons   Issue June 30, 2011 
Pilates For Every Reason !
By Alexandra Andreassen
 

Dan’s Hamptons   Issue #25 - September 10, 2010
You Stay Healthy Sag Harbor!
By David Lion Rattiner

Sag Harbor is a very health conscious town. Many of the restaurants there provide organic food and many of the people that live there take their health seriously. A big reason for this is because there are so many wonderful places nearby where you can get a really great workout by some of the best professionals in the business. Here are three such places.

Pilates of Sag Harbor with Lauralee Bruce

The Pilates Studio is owned by Lauralee Bruce and is one very charming place in Sag Harbor. Located right on Main Street on the second floor of a lovely building, you automatically feel peaceful when you are there. What is great about Pilates is that it is one of those life training fitness routines that is helpful for anyone at any age. When it was originally created, soldiers during World War I trained with it, including those who were healthy and those who were injured. Owner Lauralee Bruce explained to me that, "It's all about core strength and then expands from there. So if you are a woman who just had a baby and want to tighten back up, have a strong back and physique, it is really great. Pilates is for all age groups and populations, it can be great for injuries and it is great for getting in fabulous shape."

Judging by Lauralee Bruce's extremely toned body, you can't argue with it.

At her studio, which is very pleasant, I went up to see what it was all about and was greeted by one of her trainers Johnny Diamond, who put me through a whole routine for a beginner. I can tell you, this workout is great if you are looking for a full body workout that tones your muscles. I was really surprised while laying on the reformer (a Pilates machine that much of the workout is performed on) and found myself working my back, shoulders, legs, quads, and of course more than anything, my core. I have upper back issues, and was amazed by how effective Pilates was at working out my upper back muscles, which is something that I really have a hard time working with conventional muscle training techniques. It also provides a lot of really great stretching that is supported, so unlike yoga, you are not at the mercy of your own body weight, but have a machine that helps you pull deeper into a stretch, or if you need to hold back, can support you as well. The machines are also designed in a way that are tough on your body, but also therapeutic. For example, while I was doing leg presses on the reformer, springs made from piano wire create resistance and you can hear the springs move as you work, which is very soothing on you mentally. The Pilates studio is also very private and very professionally run. Lauralee Bruce has really created a space for people who want to get an exceptional workout with a proven method, in a space that makes you feel like you are a part of something very special. I'd highly recommend this place. The word has been out on it for a while as Lauralee Bruce and her sister Lesa Salvani were the first people to bring Pilates to the Hamptons. Ask anybody about them and they will only say wonderful things about them and their staff.