West Loop · Chicago · Reformer, tower and strength
Pilateswith weightbehind it.
Small-group reformer Pilates and coached strength on Lake Street. Twelve reformers a room, fifty minutes, and a coach who knows your springs by week two.
- Classes a week
- 42
- Per room
- 12
- First class
- 6:00
New to Ballast? Three classes in fourteen days for $59. Try a reformer, a tower and a kettlebell before you commit to anything.
Book a class
This week on Lake Street
All times Central. Booking opens seven days out; members get eight to ten.
7 classes today, Sep 24
- 6:00am · 50 minReformer Sculpt Level 2
with Imani OkaforFull · 1 on the waitlist - 7:15am · 50 minReformer Foundations Level 1
with Rosa IbarraFull · 0 on the waitlist - 8:30am · 45 minStrength Lab All levels
with Theo Lindqvist6 of 14 left - 12:10pm · 50 minTower Level 2
with Nadia BrooksLast spot - 5:30pm · 45 minStrength Lab All levelswith Theo LindqvistFull · 0 on the waitlist
- 6:45pm · 55 minBallast Hybrid Level 2–3with Imani Okafor3 of 12 left
- 8:00pm · 50 minReformer Sculpt Level 2with Rosa Ibarra5 of 12 left
Six formats
Classes
Every class is capped, coached and timed to the minute. Mix reformer days with strength days; your coaches will tell you how.
Reformer Foundations
50 min · Level 1 · 12 reformers
The machine, explained. Springs, straps and the footbar set up slowly, then fifty minutes of footwork, bridging and long-box work.
Start here if you've never been on a reformer, or it's been a while.
Reformer Sculpt
50 min · Level 2 · 12 reformers
Slow tempo, heavier springs, time under tension. You'll shake in the last minute of every block, and that's the point.
For people who know the carriage and want the burn.
Ballast Hybrid
55 min · Level 2–3 · 12 reformers
Reformer blocks between dumbbell and kettlebell sets. Pilates control under real load: the class the studio is named for.
Bring grip socks and a willingness to pick up the heavier bell.
Tower
50 min · Level 2 · 8 towers
Eight spring walls, eight people. Roll-downs, push-through bar and hanging work for the back of the body and the shoulders.
Small and technical. Two Foundations classes first is a good idea.
Strength Lab
45 min · All levels · 14 stations
Coached strength in a small group: hinge, squat, press and carry with kettlebells and dumbbells. You log your loads and we move them up.
No barbells, no ego. Your coach picks your starting weight.
Mat & Mobility
40 min · All levels · 16 mats
Classical mat work and end-range strength for hips, spine and shoulders. The class your desk job keeps asking for.
A good second class of the week, or a recovery day.
Why the name
Ballast is the weight that keeps a boat upright.
Pilates gives you control. Load gives you strength you can keep. We teach both in the same room, with the same coaches, so the control from Tuesday's reformer class shows up in Thursday's kettlebell swing.
- A logged starting weight for every strength lift, reviewed every four weeks.
- Springs noted on your profile, so your reformer is set before you arrive.
- Coaches with 6–11 years on the floor; no class over sixteen people.
Four coaches
Coaches
Most members pick a coach before they pick a time. Here's who teaches what, and when you can book them next.
Rosa Ibarra
Head of reformer · 11 years
“Slow is the hard part. Anyone can go fast on a reformer.”
Comprehensive Pilates certification, 600 hours
Teaches Foundations and Sculpt
Next open class: Today, 8:00 pm, Sculpt
Theo Lindqvist
Strength lead · 9 years
“Load it, then own it. The weight goes up when your form says so.”
Certified strength and conditioning coach
Teaches Strength Lab and Hybrid
Next open class: Today, 8:30 am, Strength Lab
Nadia Brooks
Tower and mobility · 7 years
“Range you can control is the only range you really have.”
Former contemporary dancer; tower and mat certified
Teaches Tower and Mobility
Next open class: Today, 12:10 pm, Tower
Imani Okafor
Hybrid and sculpt · 6 years
“We'll do the last rep together. Then one more.”
Reformer certified; kettlebell instructor
Teaches Hybrid and Sculpt
Next open class: Today, 6:45 pm, Hybrid
Pricing
Memberships
Start with an intro offer. When it runs out, choose by how often you'll really come, not by the biggest number.
New here: intro offers
First class
$25 / once
One class, any format. A good way to meet a coach.
- Most first-timers choose this
Intro 3
$59 / 14 days
Three classes in fourteen days: try reformer, tower and strength.
Intro month
$149 / 30 days
Unlimited classes for your first thirty days.
About 9 classes a month: 8 a month is the best value at $269 a month, $29.89 a class.
10-class pack
$320
- At your pace
- $288/mo · $32.00 a class
- Booking opens
- 7 days out
- Guest passes
- None
- Late cancel
- Credit is lost inside 12 h
- Freeze
- Pack lasts 6 months
4 a month
$139/mo
- At your pace
- $289/mo · $32.11 a class
- Booking opens
- 8 days out
- Guest passes
- None
- Late cancel
- $20 inside 12 h
- Freeze
- 1 month a year
Best at 2× a week
8 a month
$239/mo
- At your pace
- $269/mo · $29.89 a class
- Booking opens
- 8 days out
- Guest passes
- 1 a month
- Late cancel
- $20 inside 12 h
- Freeze
- 1 month a year
Unlimited
$309/mo
- At your pace
- $309/mo · $34.33 a class
- Booking opens
- 10 days out
- Guest passes
- 2 a month
- Late cancel
- $20 inside 12 h
- Freeze
- 2 months a year
Drop-in $38. Members pay $30 for classes beyond their monthly count. Memberships renew monthly and can be cancelled with 30 days' notice.
Your first class
First visit
- 01Arrive ten minutes early. We'll show you the lockers and set your reformer with you.
- 02Wear grip socks. Fitted clothes help your coach see your alignment.
- 03Tell us about injuries. There's a box for it when you book; your coach reads it before class.
- Studio
- 1417 W Lake St, 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60607
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 5:45 am–9:00 pm · Sat–Sun 7:30 am–1:00 pm
Do I need grip socks?
Yes, for reformer and tower. Bring your own or buy a pair at the desk for $14; they're yours to keep.
I've never done Pilates. Where do I start?
Book Reformer Foundations or Mat & Mobility. Tell your coach it's your first class and they'll set your springs with you.
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancel up to 12 hours before class at no cost. Inside 12 hours, members pay $20 and packs lose the credit.
How does the waitlist work?
If a spot opens up to 2 hours before class, the first person on the list is booked automatically and gets a text. You're only charged if you get in.
Is there parking?
Metered parking on Lake and Morgan, and the Morgan stop (Green and Pink lines) is a two-minute walk. Bikes go in the hallway rack.
From the floor
Members
“I came for the 6 am Sculpt to fix my back after a winter of laptop work. Eight months later I'm deadlifting in Strength Lab and my back hasn't said a word.”
Priya S. · Member since February
“The waitlist actually works. I got the text at 5:10 for a 6:45 Hybrid, and Imani had already set my reformer.”
Marcus D. · Unlimited member
“Nadia's Tower class is the only hour of the week nobody can reach me. I leave taller than I walked in.”
Hannah L. · 8 a month