Kind Words From My Clients
I started taking barre as I wanted a longer and leaner build versus big and bulky. Antonella's class was amongst my first over 5 years ago and I was hooked from the start. I have been following Antonella's class for the past 5 years throughout various studios in NYC. Over time, I have seen physical results such as lean limbs, a plumped bottom, and more defined abs. Of course, you need to put the work in yourself. However Antonella's company along the way has been so motivating and high-energy. I would highly recommend her as a teacher.
Stacie, Co-Founder Iceberg RevOps, NYC
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I have never in my life seen results so fast from working out doing group classes and private sessions. After having my daughter 2.5 years ago I thought I would never get my strength back in my abs. After 3 months of working out with Antonella, I have not only regained my strength, I am stronger. She is the core whisperer!
Her approach is empowering, efficient, and safe. She has so much knowledge and knows how to get to muscles that I never felt before. I have way less fatigue even doing the simplest things like sitting up straight while on my computer. I feel taller, slimmer, and way stronger. My favorite thing about Antonella is in every class, you get consistency, quality, and max effort from all. She leaves no one behind.
I am so grateful for her presence and of course kicking my butt week after week! She is an absolute Powerhouse and makes you feel like one too!
Danielle, Founder The Navi Day, NYC
Many things have come and gone in my life, but if one thing remains untouched on my calendar – it's Zoom barre classes with Antonella! She's a delight even when the burn is setting in amid a grueling session. Between this class and a walk-up apartment, I've never felt stronger.
Kaley, Journalist, New York City
Antonella James is a terrific teacher. Her classes are lively and varied--no class is just like the others. She's challenging, encouraging, spirited, and focused, the perfect combination. She attends to each student as an individual and at the same time makes each class a community. Go, Antonella!
Louise Yelin, Professor of Literature, New York, NY
I met Antonella at Exhale almost 10 years ago. During the pandemic and lockdown, I needed to find a way to get back into a routine and saw Antonella was teaching privately over Zoom! It was the best thing to happen to me. Antonella is a caring, constructive, and spirited instructor who empowered me to find my own strength. She was consistent with her schedule and was a place I could go to find my own time when we were stuck within the confines of our homes. Needless to say, she kept me sane! I missed her in person classes, but her teaching translated incredibly well virtually. I can’t say enough about Antonella. She has helped me lean and strengthen my body without judgement and with extraordinary support.
Samantha Chalk, New York City, NY
I joined Antonella's Tuesday class after hearing my friend rave about it for months. I am obsessed! I consider myself in good shape, work out 7 days a week and I find her classes super challenging. The 45 minutes are intense. Antonella keeps a watchful eye on her students to make sure their posture and stance are correct. I always feel the burn after the class- which is the best part!
Jamie, New York City
Never do I feel so strong, so motivated and so inspired as I do when I’m in Antonella’s class. She brings all the fun, motivation and sweat in a jammed packed hour and you finish feeling like that was the most productive and efficient hour of your day!
Daniela, Toronto Canada
I’ve known Antonella in both a professional and personal capacity for over a decade. During that time I’ve trained with her in studio and most recently via zoom. Her kindness, positivity and energy are undeniable. Her classes are thoughtfully curated, never repetitive and always challenging. She works hard to keep her returning students engaged while creating a save place for beginners to come and experience her method. Her attention to detail, amazing playlists and spot on cueing keep me coming back. I never imagined I would be a 6:30am on a Tuesday workout kind of person but I am there every week ready to be inspired.
Di, Entrepreneur, New York, NY
Antonella’s energy, enthusiasm and challenging class is the only thing that will get me up at 6am for a workout. I swear that even after one class I started feeling stronger and taller immediately.
Lisa Aharon, Makeup Artist, New York, NY
Antonella James is not only a wonderful teacher, but a wonderful person as well. Her verve is what motivates all who take her classes. Not only do I appreciate the intense workout, but the hour of feeling a part of her classes as she gives personal attention to all.
Jane, New York, NY
Antonella's classes are challenging and precise. She is very clear with giving you directions and is super encouraging at every step. She has helped me to find adjustments to accommodate injuries and I'm able to get in a really great workout. I love her classes and feel really accomplished when I get through it!
Danika, Art Director, New York, NY
I have taken barre classes with Antonella for years. Whenever I saw her name on the schedule, I would seek her out, even frequently traveling from my home on the Upper East Side to the studio in Soho where she was teaching a 7:00 a.m. class. I would leave class feeling fantastic, energized, and knowing I'd had a good work out. She is incredibly clear about describing how to set up in each exercise, often repeating an instruction twice to make sure everyone has heard her and
understands. She is full of positive energy and is warm and welcoming. She plays great music, too, sometimes playing a song for me, remembering that I love it. I could go on & on. I'm lucky to know Antonella as a teacher and as a person. I'll celebrate my 66th birthday this month and Antonella is one of the reasons that I remain fit and strong.
Sheree Silvey, New York, NY
Antonella is one of the most talented fitness instructors I have ever worked with - strong, energetic, motivating, and committed to her students! Her classes are not only dynamic and challenging, but she raises the bar for a transformative experience both physically and mentally. She’s truly inspiring and I can’t speak highly enough about her!
Dheepa, Singer/Songwriter, New York, NY
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My usual workouts consist of HIIT, weightlifting and cardio. Antonella’s Barre class is the first I’ve ever taken, and I was admittedly very skeptical. However, I was immediately impressed with the detail of body work and attention to each small movement in her class.
The difference in areas of my body I feel activated when doing Antonella’s classes is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Antonella really guides you to focus on the intention behind each movement, really connecting deeply with muscles never felt before. I feel stronger in areas I’ve never felt before, and can see a difference in performance and muscle connection in my other workouts after taking her class.
Elena, Brooklyn, NY
I have known Antonella James for roughly 10 years in the capacity of Barre/Pilates teacher and as the Manager of the Soho branch of Exhale. My experience with her as a teacher both in person/in class and virtually/ on-line during Covid has been exceptional. She is the perfect combination of rigorous, thorough when it comes to technique and form and someone who delivers a tough class without fail. While there is a method and structure to her classes, they are never formulaic or boring which keeps you literally on your toes. It's always a serious, uncompromising work-out, without the fear of injury.
As a person, I have found her consistent optimism, warmth and beauty a true inspiration.
I have followed her from the original Soho Exhale location, to their temporary Soho location to Central Park South; despite the inconvenience of distance.
And more recently, during Covid, to my own mat and remote classes, whenever I am able to work them in with her class schedule.
I cannot say enough good words about Antonella, I would recommend her in any capacity, and would likely follow as a teacher anywhere else in the city!
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Haidee Findlay-Levin, New York, NY
As a total barre novice who began dabbling with workout videos during lockdown, I attended my first LIVE zoom class at the request of a friend. I barely made it through, thankful that my camera was off, but I had fun and loved Antonella's upbeat instruction. The "good sore" I felt the next day (...and the day after...) convinced me this was a great workout, so I continued attending weekly...even though I have never taken a barre class in-person, thanks to Antonella's encouragement and precise feedback, I have improved my form and technique. She is a miracle worker! Providing verbal explanations of subtle physical movements while demonstrating the movement as well is SO challenging (I used to teach lindy hop classes, haha), but Antonella makes it seem effortless, because she is a total pro. Her encouragement helps me push myself further, (when it could be so easy to just drop my leg lift, untuck my sit ups, or modify moves to avoid discomfort!)
The physical, mental and emotional benefits of Antonella's classes are truly interconnected. I feel challenged mentally because she switches up the sequences and exercises each class – no falling into routines here! Physically, I feel toned and stronger than I have been in years! My physical strength makes me feel more confident and invincible. Antonella's classes over the past year and a half (!) have helped me maintain a fitness regimen and provided a positive way to channel anxiety and get "unstuck" from negative feelings. I always feel calmer and more upbeat after sweating it out with her for an hour!
A totally unexpected benefit was feeling like part of a community with the group of women I saw on screen during each session– thanks to Antonella's warm welcome and personal connections with everyone. She knows everyone's kids' and pets' names, and truly supports us with her vibrant energy and positivity.
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Hilary Davis, Creative Director, Beacon/New York City
During the pandemic Antonella not only kept me in great shape (I had abs!), she kept me sane! I was able to keep a routine and "show up" to class with friends I hadn't seen in a while and new people I met virtually. After quick hellos and catch-ups - just like a real class - I had an hour to challenge myself physically, but relax and focus mentally. Antonella breaks down complicated moves with such simplicity it makes taking class a joy without being frustrating. Her positive energy is genuinely so uplifting and I am so grateful for having her classes the past year - a little slice of normal in a wild time!
Meryl, Marketing Director, New York, NY
The ability to motivate and to teach at once is a gift. Crisp, pithy and encouraging, Antonella gets you in the groove and works out muscles you didn’t know existed with expertise, positivity and intention through her flawless instructions and powerful motivational techniques. Who needs coffee in the morning when Antonella is coming your way? With so many mediocre instructors out there, Antonella is a true one of a kind in the world of fitness. I never have looked or felt better thanks to her.
Carlin, Natural Food Chef + Functional Nutrition Consultant, New York, NY