Bodē - Flatiron

1

Bodē - Flatiron

New York City, USA

recommended

The Bodē Story

Bodē NYC was an early player in New York’s yoga scene, with the founders Jen Lobo and Donna Rubin offering the first Hot Bikram Yoga sessions back in 1999. Bodē are still a leading brand in the city’s Hot Yoga scene, with locations in Flatiron, Upper East Side and Upper West Side.

You can expect a challenging class at Bodē NYC with studios that are heated to 105°F, but the studio very much welcomes yogis of all backgrounds and ability levels, with their website stating that “no flexibility is required”. With over two decades of experience, the team are keen to help you discover and fall in love with the practice.

How Did Bodē NYC Flatiron Score Overall?

The full client experience at Bodē NYC achieved our Recommended rating.

The class experience was strong, winning the Class Experience Award of Excellence.

Bodē NYC is featured in our article The Best Yoga Studios And Classes In New York.

The Highlights

The main highlight of our visit was the instructor who was very knowledgeable and attentive, contributing strongly to the class experience.

The natural light in the public spaces was also a pleasant, welcoming touch.

What Our Evaluator Had To Say

“The instructor made an effort to connect with clients during the class.”

“Someone arrived late to the studio, but it was handled very well without it disrupting the class.”

“The instructor checked in with me after the class, which was appreciated.”

What To Expect From A Bodē NYC Session

Bodē NYC offers their Original Hot Yoga series with 60, 75 and 90-minute sessions available. The series is known as ‘26+2’, as it’s a practice of 26 yoga postures followed by two breathing exercises. The series offers poses of varying difficulty levels in an environment that welcomes anyone who’s prepared to give the class their dedication and determination. Bodē believes that even the most challenging postures can be conquered, and their team will help you get there.

Bodē NYC also offers a HIIT cardio class, Hot Vinyasa Flow and Yin Yoga, a restorative class that balances the more demanding practices.

The Reception Service

The phone call to the club was informative, with clear details provided about the class offerings, studio amenities, and introductory packages. While the tone was professional and calm, there could have been more enthusiasm with more effort to make the conversation more engaging and personalized.

At the studio, the reception staff greeted us promptly and efficiently completed registration. A basic orientation to the space was provided, but there was no real effort to personalize the service or establish a welcoming atmosphere for our evaluator, a first-time visitor.

Following the class, the departure experience missed warmth and engagement. Staff did not inquire about the experience or express interest in our evaluator's return. While basic package options were explained competently, more of a proactive effort to tailor recommendations would have improved the service.

The Class Experience

Bodē NYC's Flatiron branch received The Fit Guide’s Class Experience Award of Excellence, making it one of New York’s stand-out offerings.

The class provided a calming and focused yoga experience, with a knowledgeable coach who demonstrated expertise in guiding participants through poses. The session had a structured flow, and the coach’s adjustments and verbal cues helped participants refine their form. However, the lack of visual demonstrations made it challenging for our evaluator to follow along without relying on others in the room.

While the coach’s effort to address clients by name and offer personalized adjustments added a thoughtful touch, the frequency of adjustments at times felt overwhelming rather than supportive. The absence of an injury check or pre-class orientation for first-timers left us feeling less prepared, though the coach did take time post-class to check in.

The session maintained a positive atmosphere, and the coach’s encouragement helped everyone feel engaged. The class could have been enhanced by incorporating visual demonstrations and balancing adjustments with a more measured approach. Strengthening efforts to foster a sense of community would have further elevated the overall experience for newcomers and regulars alike.

The Equipment And Studio

The studio was minimal in design but benefited from natural light streaming through the windows, which created a pleasant atmosphere. The branded blue mats aligned with the studio’s signature color and were adequate for the session.

However, the space struggled to feel fresh and comfortable due to the warm temperature and a few cleanliness issues.

The studio provided enough space for safe movement, and the natural lighting added a welcoming touch.

The Facilities And Public Areas

The design of the studio was simple, with limited branding elements and minimal amenities. Towels were available with a $2 rental fee, and mats also required payment. The lack of free water or refill stations was a drawback, especially as the only option provided was tap water from the sink in the locker room.

Lockers were available but they were on the small side and you need to bring your own locks. The changing area was functional but lacked design features and amenities, offering only hand wash.

While the showers were available with hot water and premium toiletries, a few cleanliness issues were noted. The absence of both free and paid beverage options and any food offerings left us a little disappointed.

Digital And Technology

The club’s online booking system and branded app made reservations simple and efficient, with email confirmations providing the necessary details. While the website portrayed the brand’s mission effectively and included clear booking options, it was basic in design and lacked instructor bios. Social media complemented the experience with relevant updates and a convenient link for bookings.

The website was mobile-friendly and easy to navigate, with clear class descriptions and an engaging tone that emphasized the club’s mission as a women-run, inclusive space. Calls-to-action like "Learn More" and "Book a Class" were prominent, while social media pages offered helpful details and a well-maintained class schedule. The emails received lacked distinct branding elements beyond the logo and slogan.

The club utilized the Mindbody booking platform and a branded app, along with on-demand yoga classes.

Pricing

Bodē offers first time customers a trial offer of unlimited sessions for one week at the price of $39.

If you’re looking for a longer-term commitment, memberships are available from $89 for four classes per month up to $249 for 30 classes.

Drop-in sessions are available at $35 per class, with smaller commitment packages also available, starting at a five pack for $165.

Top Scoring Categories

Class Experience
four
Digital & Technology
four

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