Hera Club: a women's fitness studio in the 16th arrondissement that combines California Barre with a designer coffee shop

In the 16th arrondissement of Paris, Hera Club welcomes Parisian women looking for classes to tone, lengthen and sculpt their figure without too much cardio. Thanks to the California Barre method, a blend of pilates, yoga and fitness, the effort is intense but accessible to all, in this modern studio nestled in a small coffee shop.

Do you want to work out, but not in one of those often impersonal chain gyms? In recent years, a number of new studios have opened in the capital, offering a wide range of disciplines to introduce you to, far from the usual muscle-cardio plateau. In the 16th arrondissement, Hera Club is one of them, designed for and by women, for a complete approach to fitness, accessible to all, thanks to California Barre.

This method, created by Sophia Willoughby Jeremiasz, combines the benefits of yoga, pilates, fitness, dance and pelvic floor work, to work muscles that are often overlooked, in small classes with music and no cardio, considered"low-impact" but nonetheless very intense. A discipline that promises a toned, elongated and firmer figure, and aims to sculpt the body from head to toe.

There are5 types of class, with different coaches, to vary the pleasures: more or less cardio, focused on the buttocks, with yoga... We were able to test the classic version, designed to suit all levels and ages thanks to controlled movements and isometric muscle work. At our side were three accessories: a small ball, an elastic band and weights, which we used throughout the course.

Rhythmically set to a lively playlist, we follow our coach's movements without ending up out of breath, but the movements required are far from tranquil and will really work your whole body - and you'll feel it, from your thighs to your abs, not forgetting your biceps! You'll feel it, from your thighs to your abs and your biceps!

Our coach spoke half-English, half-French, which isn't very practical if you're not fluent in the language of Shakespeare, as some elements are quite important to grasp in order to get your posture right from the start, but that's certainly not the case with all coaches.

You can feel the inspiration of ballet, as part of the class is spent using pointe and heels and practicing on a bar in front of a mirror. Around ten people take part alongside us, and although we can feel that some of them have been doing it for a long time, the class is really reassuring, accessible to beginners and doesn't require any particular skill. Everyone does well, helped where necessary by the caring coach.

We stretch before taking advantage, for the last ten minutes, of a Therabody massage gun to pass over the muscles to recover, supposed to reduce aches and pains in the following days. And if it doesn't get rid of them all, we have to admit it's pretty effective, and we'd like to have it everywhere!

After the workout, the place has thought of everything and awaits you for a healthy drink or sweet treat in its little coffee shop, whose decor is just as minimalist, bright and designer as the changing room. What's more, you can just as easily stop in without working out! If you're short of fitness clothes, you can also stock up on Californian and Parisian brands in the shopping corner.

Like many modern and beautiful clubs, the price of lessons is not necessarily accessible to all: you'll need to pay 38 euros for one lesson, a good price for an occasional session, which comes to 180 euros for 5 lessons. The introductory offer, at 75 euros for 3 classes, may be a good way to get started!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.