Best of New York 2012 • Health & Self

• Plank Pilates Studio

  187 Chrystie St., nr. Rivington St.; 212-260-2501

  Though founder Joseph Pilates was said to be a tough guy, Pilates has over the years taken on a ladies’-club reputation. Professional chef Matthew Wadiak, who opened Plank Pilates last spring, has created the toning workout’s safest space for the Y chromosome. The studio’s aesthetic, for one, with original stone walls and reclaimed lumber, is clean and simple, the instruction is straightforward as opposed to touchy-feely, and tunes from guys’ guys like Counting Crows play in the background during sessions. Group classes start at a reasonable $25 and private sessions at $65, while amenities like hot aromatherapy towels and an ample-size lounge maintain a sense of luxe that even the dudes can appreciate.

From the 2012 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine