What People Are Saying

Fuse is the best thing I do for myself all week.

Fuse Pilates classes somehow manage to be simultaneously therapeutic and ass-kicking.

I left the chair class thinking “I cannot wait to do that again.” It was intense, but also exhilarating and fun.

It is so much fun and better than my boring workouts in the gym.

I did not want the circuit class to end, but I’m not sure how much longer I could have kept going!

Best addition to my previous workout regimen. Ever.

The circuit class is unlocking the power woman in me. Feeling my muscles work against the resistance of the springs made me realize that I am strong and can get stronger.

I’ve always hated exercise classes…until I found Fuse Pilates.

Every Fuse class is so different that I have been coming multiple times a week for two years and still look forward to it just as much as the first week I discovered it.

I am addicted to this class.

The best part is you WILL see results.

I look forward to lying down on that mat, breathing deeply, and sweating it out to everything from Kanye to Scissor Sisters.

I schedule my social life around this class — I hate missing it that much!

There is always a new challenge, a new pose, a fresh playlist and yet the quality of the class remains remarkably consistent.

Fuse is my favorite thing about DC! There is no better place to get fit and fabulous!

The soundtracks are amazing.

They make the classes FUN. How often can you say the gym is fun?

Basically, this city is beyond lucky to have such an awesome workout here.

This class helped me discover the dancer body I thought was gone forever.

The only exercise I will consistently do, because it’s the only thing I’ll choose instead of happy hour.

Other Pilates classes will forevermore have NOTHING on Fuse Pilates. I’ve tried taking classes elsewhere, and kept thinking, “Is this it? This is all they’re going to have us do?!”

I saw changes in my body as I grew stronger – more flexibility, more energy, lower blood pressure, even a drop in my pant size!

The repertoire is constantly changing and growing, and the hour goes by in no time.

I think my boyfriend and family are getting a little tired of me showing off my guns…

I feel like I am at small oasis in DC through Fuse… It ‘s chic without being pretentious.

The instructors aren’t tied to a strict view of what Pilates is; they think about how the body works and how to make it stronger.

The instructors here are friendly, non-judgmental, make an effort to learn your name, and do a great job of reading a class’s participants so you are challenged, but don’t feel bad if you’re not the strongest person in the room.

If you haven’t done a Fuse class yet, you’re missing out on the best workout in DC.

The teachers have hundreds of exercises in their arsenal, and no two classes are alike.

I noticed a difference after just two weeks.

I am blown away by how intense the abs workout is. But more than that, it hits your quads, hamstrings, shoulders, back, and arms as well.

Fuse Pilates classes offer a highly effective repertoire of exercises that, for me, work ‘deeper’ than Pilates, yoga, or dance moves alone.

Fuse Pilates gave me so much insight into how you can mix up the classical Pilates work to keep it interesting and make it fun.

Everyone is so focused on getting through the exercise and the instructors are so positive and energetic that it’s seriously impossible to feel self-conscious.

If you’ve never tried Pilates before, or tried it and hated it, come to Fuse and prepare to be amazed.

“What’s NOT to love about Fuse Pilates? This class helped me discover the dancer body I thought was gone forever (hello obliques! Remember me?). I believe it’s the panacea for every workout excuse! Bored easily? This class offers seemingly endless variety. Want to beat your boyfriend in a pushup contest? This class offers equal focus on the oft-neglected upper body. Hate the treadmill? It also moves fast enough to be a cardiovascular work out. Social butterfly? All the regulars (and the founder) just happen to be insanely cool people. One class and I promise you’ll be hooked.”

– Erika, Attorney

“I first joined Mariska’s Fuse Pilates class in July, 2006, as I prepared to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. The core strengthening exercises helped me achieve my goal of successfully reaching the summit in August, 2007. After the climb, I realized that I had become “addicted” to Fuse Pilates – the health benefits were tremendous. I saw changes in my body as I grew stronger – more flexibility, more energy, lower blood pressure, even a drop in my pant size! I now use Fuse Pilates as a way to strengthen my core, leg and arm muscles and to complement cardiovascular training. I have incorporated it into my daily lifestyle as a way to stave off ‘advancing age’ (I’m in my 50’s). I’ve moved away from DC, but keep coming back to class whenever I’m in town.”

– Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, Cardiologist and Editorial Board Member of The New England Journal of Medicine. President, Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

“As a runner, I have never focused on stretching or taking fitness classes. I was encouraged by a friend to take Fuse bootcamp class in Washington, DC two years ago and have been faithful ever sense. After a week of daily Fuse Pilates, my flexibility was better than it had ever been and my dislike of classes was overcome. Fuse takes traditional Pilates to another level, incorporating the same concepts with much more variation. The repertoire is constantly changing and growing, and the hour goes by in no time. The stretching has carried over to my running, and I have become much more in tune to deeper muscle work and isolation.”

– Lauren, Political Consultant

“Mariska is like an architect of the human body. Through her Fuse Pilates classes, she offers a highly effective repertoire of exercises that, for me, work ‘deeper’ than Pilates, yoga or dance alone.”

– Sarah, Fitness Instructor

“After an injury kept me from lifting and running for a while, my trainer suggested I do Pilates to make sure I was getting some good core and flexibility training. I was reluctant to go because the classes were mostly women. When I finally went, I was surprised by how hard my abs worked just to make it to the end of the class. I found the Fuse Pilates class and decided to give it a try. This class is amazing and takes a regular Pilates workout to a much higher level. I am blown away by how intense the abs workout is. But more than that, it hits your quads, hamstrings, shoulders, back and arms as well. I’m back at the gym lifting and running like before, but I’m stronger, faster, and more flexible than ever, all because of Fuse Pilates. Guys, if you lift or run (or don’t have any consistent workout) you have to try this class. You’ll be hooked.”

– Mike, Contractor

“For me, the results of Fuse Pilates are far greater than regular Pilates since the movements work all muscles groups and define and shape the body for immediate results. I have been involved in the fitness industry for the last 25 years, both as an instructor and as a participant. I am serious about my fitness regime and about the classes I take, and this is by far one of the best. I am a hooked and huge fan.”

– Shakti, Yoga Instructor

“I find Fuse Pilates an awesome way to vary up my normal intense workouts which include weight training, soccer, boxing, and swimming. This is no work out for wimps. I often wake up the next day thinking, ‘why does that part of my body feel sore,’ and I realize that Fuse Pilates is working muscles I never knew existed! I highly encourage it to fit, energetic men and women who are looking to stay in shape, tone their bodies, develop strength and confidence, while have a rockin’ fun time doing so.”

– Brian, Attorney

“I’m constantly challenged with new moves and I always enjoy the upbeat and hip music mixes that keep me going. Fuse Pilates has helped alleviate my lower back problems by enhancing my core strength. I have also noticed more definition in my arms, which is a result that I have always had trouble achieving in the past”

– Amanda, Student

“Fuse Pilates is unlike any class I’ve ever taken. They build upon the original 34 Pilates moves and sought to entertain easily-bored fitness enthusiasts by growing their repertoire of exercises to over 300 moves that can target any muscle group. It is 60 straight minutes of constant burn all over your body. Every class is different, and every class is awesome.”

-Emily, Sweat Once a Day