What may just be the most exclusive exercise class in the world costs a whopping $75 per group session — and counts Hailey Bieber, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and Ariana Grande as fans.
Forma Pilates is fairly new, having launched informally at the start of the pandemic by owner Liana Levi, 32. But it’s quickly become a must-go for many of Hollywood and the modeling world’s most gorgeous women, who also pay $500 for private sessions and $650 for house calls.
Yet it’s not the sky-high price that’s keeping out the masses — in fact, there are plenty of fans eager to hand over their money.
Forma Pilates’ classes are invite-only — and despite huge demand, Levi intends to keep it that way.
‘I don’t cater to the masses, I cater to a demographic,’ she told the New York Times.
What may just be the most exclusive exercise class in the world costs a whopping $75 per group session – and has legions of famous fans
Forma Pilates is fairly new, having launched informally at the start of the pandemic by owner Liana Levi, 32 – but it’s quickly become a must-go for many of Hollywood and the modeling world’s most gorgeous women
Levi is a bit of an overnight success story. Though she has been doing Pilates herself for about 12 years, she only got certified in 2019, and her professional background is in fashion.
‘I don’t cater to the masses, I cater to a demographic,’ Levi said
Prior to opening Forma Pilates, she had worked as a personal shopper and a closet cleaner, and had gigs working for celebrity stylist Cristina Ehrlich and jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche.
But at the start of the pandemic, she bought her first reformer machine. She likes the $9,499 Merrithew’s V2 Max Plus, which she called ‘the Rolls-Royce of Pilates equipment.’
Soon, she had curious friends and acquaintances asking if they could try the equipment, and she helped them learn it.
‘My acquaintances would be like, “Oh, my god, I want to try it,”‘ she told the Wall Street Journal. ‘”Your body looks insane; I want to come.” It just kind of spread through word of mouth.’
Clients must be accepted via a referral to earn the privilege to pay for classes – and Levi makes everyone pay, even the stars
She started teaching classes during the pandemic, when acquaintances complimented her body and said they wanted to try her reformer machine
‘What started out as my own practice and method of strengthening as well as healing my mind during an uncertain and chaotic time, soon turned into a safe heaven for many others,’ she said
Soon she was charging for sessions, with more and more people coming to her pool house studio.
‘What started out as my own practice and method of strengthening as well as healing my mind during an uncertain and chaotic time, soon turned into a safe heaven for many others,’ she told The Daily Front Row.
One day, a friend bought Hailey Bieber to class.
More and more stars have showed up, including Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Ariana Grande, Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Addison Rae, Sara Foster, Cara Delevingne, Adwoa Aboah, Ashley Graham, Rita Ora, Amelia Hamlin, Sofia Richie, and Shanina Shaik.
But not just anyone can come: Clients must be accepted via a referral to earn the privilege to pay for classes — and Levi makes everyone pay, even the stars.
‘I wanted to be a boutique style, private studio — referral-based for only elite,’ she told the Times. ‘I wanted to cater to a specific demographic, I didn’t want to compete with all the studios in the area.’
‘My acquaintances would be like, “Oh, my god, I want to try it,”‘ she told the Wall Street Jounal. ‘”Your body looks insane; I want to come.” It just kind of spread through word of mouth’
When the Times pressed her on what, exactly, her demographic was, she would only say: ‘not masses’
Levi continued to expand beyond her pool house, opening three studios in Los Angeles and one in New York City. Two more, in New York and Miami, are planned for later this year
When the Times pressed her on what, exactly, her demographic was, she would only say: ‘not masses.’
Levi continued to expand beyond her pool house, opening three studios in Los Angeles and one in New York City. Two more, in New York and Miami, are planned for later this year.
‘I’m trying to be in L.A., New York, Miami, Paris, London — in hot spots where my clients go to,’ she told WSJ. ‘I’m not going to Chicago, I’m not going to Atlanta, I’m not going to Canada.’
A 55-minute group class with eight people costs a staggering $75, nearly twice as much as SoulCycle’s $38 per class and still more than celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson’s $45 classes.
Levi, who now has nine other instructors working under her at Forma Fitness, also offers two- to four-person classes for $100 per person, $500 private studio sessions, and $650 house calls.
Star clients include Hailey Bieber (pictured leaving a Forma studio), Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Ariana Grande, Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, and Sara Foster
Other clients include Addison Rae (pictured leaving a class), Cara Delevingne, Adwoa Aboah, Ashley Graham, Rita Ora, Amelia Hamlin, and Sofia Richie
Rumer Willis (left) and Lori Harvey (right) are pictured leaving Forma Pilates
Shanina Shaik posted on Instagram last year about her Pilates routine, tagging Forma
The most budget-friendly option is to stream classes online, which requires a $49 per month subscription and $20 charge per session.
For in-person sessions, classes fill up fast.
Sessions led by Levi are especially difficult to get into, and her morning classes are only for her VIP clients. For anyone else to get in, a VIP would have to cancel within 24 hours.
Levi has no trouble describing her own appeal.
‘I’m young, I’m relatable, I’m cool,’ she said. ‘I create personal relationships. A lot of people in the fitness industry are…tree-hugging, nature people.’
As for her technique, she focuses on abs and glues with fast transitions — and individualized attention.
Levi uses a $9,499 Merrithew’s V2 Max Plus, which she called ‘the Rolls-Royce of Pilates equipment’
A 55-minute group class with eight people costs a staggering $75. There are also two- to four-person classes for $100 per person, $500 private studio sessions, and $650 house calls
‘I think people have lost interest in doing big group classes… especially for Pilates, which is such intricate movements and one inch of adjustment makes a world of difference,’ she said.
‘The Forma Method differs from other Pilates methods because it is contemporary Pilates with a twist. I focus on creating a flow throughout my sessions, quick and seamless transitions, with little time for breaks.
‘Unlike traditional Pilates, I prefer to get straight into a burn, maintain it throughout the session, rather than warm up the body and then finish by cooling down the body,’ she told the Daily Front Row.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk