Danceworks....ROCKS

I've been wanting to join this dance place near Bond Street (across from Selfridges) for a while but didn't want to pay the £60 joining fee.  They are having a no joining fee special for january, so i went and joined.

I pay £6.99 a month membership and then pay by the class.  Last night i took an hour long Urban Stylz class which kicked my toosh for £5.00.  I loved it (even though i was terrible and hadn't danced in 10 years!).

If anyone lives in London and is looking for a different thing to do, go here.  They have all kinds of classes and levels......for ME it's better than a gym as i can go have fun and work out and sweat and feel great!

http://www.danceworks.co.uk/default.asp

Thank you for that review!
I've been debating on whether to go to Danceworks or Pineapple Studios (Covent Garden).

i have to tell you Elizabeth, it is BASIC.....i mean it's a true dance studio.  No lockers in the changing room, everyone leaves their stuff at the back or sides.  It's really popular and in a converted victorian so the halls are narrow.

But the classes are great and for me it's great as it's only a 10 min walk from work.

I'd suggest doing the 'try before you buy'.  Go pay the daily rate, go to a class and see it....then you can join that night if you want and they refund the daily membership fee (which is £3.00)

I used to be a member there. The only thing I didn't like was the changing rooms and the shared shower arrangement. Definitely a better place than Pineapple though.

oooh i didn't know about the shower thing!

since i live around the corner i wouldn't shower there......so for me it works!  I don't mind the changing room deal......it's like filenes basement or lohmans in the states. 

The other thing is the scrummy looking cakes in the cafe. Not a good thing to have on sale in a dance/fitness place, although maybe it's to make sure people keep coming back to try and lose the weight!

Okay, good to know.
Liz, why better than Pineapple?  Is Pineapple drenched in the clique-y type environment, as I've heard (you know, kind of like here?)*  Very trendy, etc.?
Sounds like I would like Danceworks; like a true NY Dance Studio type place.  I work in Holborn, so it still wouldn't be too far to go during the week, but was also looking for a place on the weekends (and don't mind coming into town on a Sat or Sun morning).

*sorry, couldn't help meself.

and we could meet up and dance together.    You could laugh at me!

I missed those cakes....HMMM....All i saw was fruit juice shakes.  (YUM)  i lvoe smoothies

As wry as I may be, I never laugh at folks who throw their heart into something!

I only enjoy having a laugh at those who profess earnestly to be something they are obviously not.

ok then, we'd get along fine. 

Okay, good to know.
Liz, why better than Pineapple?  Is Pineapple drenched in the clique-y type environment, as I've heard (you know, kind of like here?)*  Very trendy, etc.?
Sounds like I would like Danceworks; like a true NY Dance Studio type place.  I work in Holborn, so it still wouldn't be too far to go during the week, but was also looking for a place on the weekends (and don't mind coming into town on a Sat or Sun morning).

*sorry, couldn't help meself.

I've never taken a class at Pineapple so I can't honestly give an opinion on the instructors but from what I've seen, Danceworks is a better place to go if you are interested in achieving something rather than worrying about whether you are wearing the right thing/look right.  Plus Pineapple is a commercially run business whereas Danceworks is a community organisation, it has a friendlier vibe and no-one will give you a funny look if you aren't wearing designer exercise pants.

Yep, that's what I'd heard.

Aimiloo- Your dance class sounds fantastic! I was in a dance troupe from age 8 until 21 and dancing is my passion... If we decide to move to London this autumn, I will 100% take some classes with you! For now, Broadway Dance suffices. In the mean time, keep dancing! 

Amy - are you still going to this?

I'm finally going to supplement my gym workout with either dance or kickboxing... not sure which yet, and wondering if you were still going.

i sure am! (though it's been a few *cough* months since i've gone!)

Next week i'm full on!!!!!