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I’ve been into Pilates ever since I discovered Cassie Ho’s Blogilates in college. I remember YouTubing her videos and doing POP Pilates in my college dorm room, and I continued doing those for some time post-college. Eventually, I faded in and out of other workouts; I got really into running, and that took over. Pre-COVID, I also had a phase where I was into SoulCycle. I’ve dabbled in quite a few different things to stay active.
I got back into Pilates a few years ago after following influencer Natasha Oakley. She co-founded an app with her instructor, Jacqui Kingswell, called The Pilates Class (TPC). That got me back into the practice, especially during COVID when I could no longer go to SoulCycle. I could still go for runs, but you couldn’t do instructor-led classes anymore. It prompted me to get back into an app workout I could do at home, and since I’d done Pilates before, I did TPC for a couple of years.
Discovering Lia Bartha in New York City
When I moved to New York City, another influencer (influencers are really doing their work here!) was posting about an instructor she used, Lia Bartha. Because I lived there as well, I was able to connect with her. While she doesn’t do regular in-studio classes, her office has a rooftop where she hosted a few events. I was able to go to one, and connecting in person with the instructor made it all the better.
Her app was B The Method. I got hooked immediately. At that point, The Pilates Class was starting to feel redundant. I found that the instructor there was bringing in a lot of high-impact cardio, like jumping jacks and burpees. A lot of the classes felt very similar—maybe a different order of exercises, but the movements weren’t creative and were beginning to feel mundane.
Why B The Method is Different: Form and Cueing
One of the first things that got me hooked on B The Method is Lia’s focus on form. She is incredible at cueing. She does a wonderful job of connecting mind to muscle; you’re really paying attention to what muscles you’re working for different movements, so the practice becomes very focused.
Lia is laser-focused on going slow. Even during faster movements, she is constantly having you check your form and offering modifications. In Pilates, form is everything if you want to get the most out of the moves, and I really appreciate her perspective there.
Variety, Creativity, and Equipment
I’ve been doing B The Method for about three years now, and none of her classes feel the same. They never feel repetitive. Of course, some moves are similar, but each class is creative.
Over the years, she has integrated different props. She uses:
- Lower weights (up to 8 pounds)
- Resistance bands
- Her signature Pilates ball
I personally don’t mind the props. I know some people want “pure” Pilates, but I already had weights at home and I appreciate the strength training. Resistance training is so important as you get older, and things like bands don’t take up any room when you’re living in a city. Her use of the Pilates ball, in particular, encourages you to utilize different layers of muscles you might not have thought possible.
Cost and Value: Is B The Method Worth It?
The standard yearly subscription for B The Method is $159.99. However, Lia always offers anniversary sales. I typically only pay about ~ $80 per year, which is an incredible deal. I do her videos about four times a week, so the value is definitely there.
For those who need the motivation of a live class, Lia does live streams twice a week. She stays on afterward for a discussion where you can comment on a move that was hard or ask about form, and she addresses it. I don’t see that community aspect in many other popular apps.
Low-Impact Cardio for Apartment Living
Every week, Lia releases multiple new classes, so the content is always fresh. I value the variety—she has strength training, “Strength and Length,” and cardio-focused classes.
The key for me is that her cardio classes are low-impact. Living in an apartment, I do not want to be jumping around doing jumping jacks, and that’s not what I come to Pilates for anyway. Most of her cardio has no jumping or burpees, which I love.
She also offers great flexibility in class length, ranging from 8-minute “stacks” to 60-minute full-body sessions. Whether I want to sweat for 45 minutes or just do a quick 20-minute mat session, there’s an option.
The Realistic Side of Results: Diet and Consistency
People always ask in Lia’s comment sections: “Will I lose weight? Is doing this class enough?” The quote that I always love to share with people and that I always remember is: “You can’t outrun a bad diet.” If you just do this Pilates class and change nothing about how you’re eating, you aren’t going to magically lose weight. I can absolutely see my arms being toned and my abs feel stronger—I feel the difference from doing Lia’s workouts. But if you are looking to lose weight specifically, you need to change your diet. Changing workouts or doing Pilates alone isn’t going to do it. If you change your diet and stay in a deficit in addition to doing Lia’s workouts, then yes, you will lose weight.
Lia frequently mentions that the only workouts she does are her own and going for walks, but we all have to keep in mind that she is recording new classes and teaching private clients. She is incredibly active; she’s not just doing one of her classes a day. So, while I highly recommend B The Method, remember that if weight loss is the goal, your focus needs to be on your diet as well.
Give B The Method a Try
If you’re looking for a workout that is sustainable, challenging, and kind to your joints, I can’t recommend Lia enough.
Want to try it for yourself? Use code ASHLEYD at checkout to get one month free!
