Come on Barbie, let’s go Pilates! Head to Pilates by Jacqueline on Beach 116th Street and get ready to be transported to what feels like Barbie’s dream house. But make sure to don those sweat bands and workout clothes, as this pink paradise is a place to break a sweat.
Reformer Pilates has become all the rage lately as studios open up across New York. When owner Jacqueline Celi decided to open her own spot, she decided to do something that would set her studio apart. The second-floor space at 217 Beach 116th Street is completely pink from the walls to the seven Allegro 2 reformer machines, complete with a disco ball to give it a club feel, and female empowered quotes decorating the space. “I wanted it to be a place where women felt girly, and no matter what age, you can walk in feeling that youthful spirit. My oldest client so far was 75 but I want everyone to feel that. We all feel super feminine whenever we’re wearing or see anything pink,” Celi said. But don’t let the girly aura fool you. Pilates by Jacqueline’s (PBJ) slogan is “No BS coaching, where every minute counts.”
The workout level and type can be found in the Y2K-themed class names. Those ready for a hardcore workout may enjoy Ken Can’t Keep Up. “I teach in a challenging way with a high intensity approach, while pulsing and holding while doing things in a series of reps. I also add more springs to the reformers and there aren’t a lot of breaks,” Celi said about her most advanced class. Some classes put a focus on a certain body part or use certain equipment. Material Girl: Material Glutes puts emphasis on those glutes. You Can Brush My Core, a high intermediate class, focuses on abs. Life in Plastic focuses on working with straps and ropes for strength training. But there are options for those looking for less advanced workouts like Brush My Hair and Slow Flow with Me, a beginner class that focuses on slow stretches to open up the ligaments and joints, or the Foundations of Fabulous, which teaches the basics to those just starting out.
Another thing that sets PBJ apart is not just the feminine mat and reformer Pilates offerings, but something entirely new on the peninsula—trampoline workouts. When In Doubt, Bend and Jump is a low impact, high intensity class on a trampoline, making it easier on the knees. “I tried trampoline myself a year ago as part of a class pass and it was hard getting into classes as it’s this unique thing. The one time I tried, I loved it and wanted to include it knowing that no one else in Rockaway provides it. It’s a fun way to get a high calorie burn,” Celi said. Trampoline classes are offered on Sundays.
In total, PBJ has 18 different class options across seven days a week. Celi teaches most classes, a total of 15 a week, but as her studio has grown since she opened on April 1, she’s recruited a team of strong women to teach other classes. Her team includes Rowan, Emily, Julia and Erin, who teach various reformer Pilates classes, Thea, who leads the trampoline classes and Christina, who leads mat Pilates classes.
Who is the leading lady behind PBJ? By day, Celi is a nurse, who currently works at a school for children with autism. This comes after working as a Labor and Delivery and NICU nurse. Prior to nursing, Celi was on track to becoming a veterinarian after attending veterinary school in Australia but was looking to pivot when she returned home. “I love science and I love giving back and helping others, which led me to nursing. My grandmother was a nurse, so I decided to go to nursing school and pursue a career in nursing,” Celi said.
However, her love for animals is still a priority. This Sunday, July 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., PBJ is partnering with PURR RBNY on an event featuring a Pilates class and a session where seven adorable, adoptable kittens will be let loose for some Pilates and purrs, enticing those working out to adopt a new friend. At around 4 p.m., the doors will open to anyone who may want to meet the cats. Plus, there will be an aesthetic injection nurse providing spa treatments and IV therapy for those who want a well-rounded health experience. “I always loved animals and when PURR RBNY reached out to me, I was all over it, and 100% of the proceeds will be given to them,” Celi said.
Originally from Astoria, Celi moved to Rockaway Park about a year ago. “I never really liked the city. I love to embrace nature and being at peace and living by the beach works for that lifestyle. I’m a summer beach baby,” she said. After coming to Rockaway to visit the beach as a little girl, she decided to make it her home.
Celi’s own Pilates journey began during Covid in 2020. Out of boredom, she decided to try something new and instantly fell in love with the workout. Celi also found that it helped with a personal struggle. “Aside from falling in love with it, I suffer from TMJ disorder (jaw pain), and I go through flare ups. I have a high inflammation level and when I do Pilates, it destresses me, drops my cortisol and before you know it, my jaw doesn’t hurt. It can help anyone with body aches just feel better physically and emotionally,” Celi shared.
Knowing the benefits and with her knowledge of anatomy through nursing, Celi wanted to share what she knew with her new community, so after spending some time teaching Pilates, she decided to dive headfirst into owning her own business. “I’m a very empathetic and compassionate person and I believe in giving back and empowering women, so I put together those qualities to share my passion for Pilates and help others,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and have something aside from nursing, so I don’t feel burnt out. It’s a nice balance.”
And so far, Rockaway’s ladies, and even a few fellas, have been enjoying PBJ. “People love it. About 99.9% of girls that joined have never done reformer Pilates and they’ve fallen in love with it. Most have returned,” Celi said. “I just want everyone to have a positive experience and come in knowing they’re going to be supported no matter what level they’re at. This is a nonjudgmental place and a place where people are meeting friends and getting that feeling of well, I can’t go to the club, but this is my club. We have the disco balls and loud, international music of all genres, and we pump it up, so everyone’s feeling good.”
Classes are available individually or class packs can be purchased for discounts. For a full schedule, class descriptions and to book your classes, head to www.pilatesbyjacqueline.com. For updates and discount codes, follow @pilatesbyjacqueline on Instagram.
