• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • THE TOP 100
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Eric Sandler: These are the 7 best food and drink events in Houston this weekend
    this weekend in dining
    These are the 7 best food and drink events in Houston this weekend
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: Despite trade, James Harden's Houston restaurant will open as scheduled
    Thirteen on track
    Despite trade, James Harden's Houston restaurant will open on schedule
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: A pop-up bar inspired by The Office debuts in downtown Houston this weekend
    scranton in houston
    A pop-up bar inspired by The Office debuts in downtown Houston
    By Eric Sandler

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Alex Bentley: Icons of the '60s gather for charged meeting in One Night in Miami
    Movie Review
    Icons of the '60s gather for charged meeting in One Night in Miami
    By Alex Bentley
    Craig D. Lindsey : Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend
    weekend event planner
    Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend
    By Craig D. Lindsey
    Alex Bentley: The Dissident a chilling look at murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
    Movie Review
    The Dissident a chilling look at murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
    By Alex Bentley

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Tarra Gaines: 8 showstopping Houston plays to stream in January
    from stage to screen
    8 showstopping Houston plays to stream in January
    By Tarra Gaines
    Steven Devadanam: Beloved Houston theater company turns to all-digital performances for 2021
    a.d. goes digital
    Beloved Houston theater company turns to all-digital performances
    By Steven Devadanam
    Tarra Gaines: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston draws up electrifying exhibit and Van Gogh tribute
    Museum of Fine Arts, Houston draws up 2 electrifying spring exhibits
    By Tarra Gaines

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Holly Beretto: Houston celebrity chef and fiancée steal away to New Orleans for intimate wedding
    recipe for romance
    Houston star chef and fiancée steal away to NOLA for intimate wedding
    By Holly Beretto
    Steven Devadanam: Houston's bravest heat up this year's hottest society stories
    THIS YEAR'S HOTTEST HEADLINES
    Houston's bravest heat up this year's hottest society stories
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Houston billionaire couple gifts massive $1 million to citywide charity
    the kinders do it again
    Houston billionaire couple gifts massive $1 million to local charity
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Holocaust Museum Houston
    Entertainment
    Holocaust Museum Houston
    : Benjy's-Rice Village
    Restaurants
    Benjy's-Rice Village
    : Benjy's-Washington
    Restaurants
    Benjy's-Washington

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Color Factory
    1.16.21 | 9:30 am
    Color Factory
    : 25th Annual Foley & Lardner MLK Jr. Oratory Competition
    1.15.21 | 10:00 am
    25th Annual Foley & Lardner MLK Jr. Oratory Competition
    : Discovery Green presents The Ice
    1.16.21 | 11:00 am
    Discovery Green presents The Ice

    SPONSORED BY

  • SportsMap
  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: 6 Texans draw FBI interest following violent protest at Capitol in Washington, DC
    Protest News
    6 Texans draw FBI interest following violent protest at Capitol
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Steven Devadanam: Here are the latest Houston COVID-19 vaccine weekend mega-sites
    vaccines here
    Here are the latest Houston COVID-19 vaccine weekend mega-sites
    By Steven Devadanam
    : Houston Police officer identified at U.S. Capitol riot, police chief says
    officer identified
    HPD officer identified at U.S. Capitol riot, police chief says
    By ABC13 Staff

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Katie Friel: Texas athleisure brand makes big moves with Nordstrom partnership
    Shopping news
    Texas athleisure brand makes big moves with Nordstrom partnership
    By Katie Friel
    Julia Davila: Houston's hottest boutiques unleash massive weekend sale for local kids battling cancer
    SHOP TO CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
    Houston's hottest boutiques unleash massive sale for local kids cause
    By Julia Davila
    Steven Devadanam: Iconic Houston hotel unveils the largest spa in Texas with one-of-a-kind services
    only at the houstonian
    Houston hotel unveils largest spa in Texas with one-of-a-kind services
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: New downtown office tower will rise in bustling Discovery Green
    introducing 1550 on the green
    New downtown office tower will rise in bustling Discovery Green
    By Steven Devadanam
    John Egan: Country radio legend's Texas horse ranch listed for $8.2 million
    Making (air)waves
    Country radio legend's Texas horse ranch listed for $8.2 million
    By John Egan
    Katie Friel: Houston lands among the most popular metros for millennial homebuyers
    Real Estate Rumblings
    Houston lands among the most popular metros for millennial homebuyers
    By Katie Friel

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Holly Beretto: Historic Montrose landmark estate courts market at $3.25 million
    Tudor splendor
    Historic Montrose landmark estate courts market at $3.25 million
    By Holly Beretto
    Lindsey Wilson: Home and design experts look ahead to what will be trendy in 2021
    Design Must-Dos
    Home and design experts look ahead to what will be trendy in 2021
    By Lindsey Wilson
    Steven Devadanam: Modern home design and furnishings store sets up shop in Rice Village
    rice goes west
    Modern home design and furnishings store sets up shop in Rice Village
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Rice University's Baker Institute in the running for prestigious $10 million prize
    rice to the rescue
    Rice Baker Institute in the running for prestigious $10 million prize
    By Steven Devadanam
    Eric Sandler: Starbucks perks up Houston minority communities as part of $100 million investment
    A venti investment
    Starbucks perks up Houston minority communities with major investment
    By Eric Sandler
    : Innovative downtown suite supports new Houston working mothers
    pump it up
    Innovative downtown suite supports new Houston working mothers
    By Natalie Harms, InnovationMap

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Texas 'flexcations' and 'boondocking' among top travel trends for 2021
    Leaving the house
    Texas 'flexcations' and 'boondocking' among top travel trends for 2021
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Teresa Gubbins: Texas-based Southwest Airlines rolls out crazy $29 spring break sale
    Spring Break News
    Texas-based Southwest Airlines rolls out crazy $29 spring break sale
    By Teresa Gubbins
    John Egan: Travel + Leisure heralds this Texas city a top place to visit in 2021
    Bring on the tourists
    Travel + Leisure heralds this Texas city a top place to visit in 2021
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Sports

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Houston Rockets trade superstar James Harden in blockbuster deal
    bye bye, beard
    Houston Rockets trade superstar James Harden in blockbuster deal
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Major college football bowl game canceled in Houston due to COVID concerns
    no texas bowl
    Major college football bowl game canceled in Houston due to COVID-19
    By Steven Devadanam
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Texas scores prestigious 2021 Rose Bowl game but boo, there's no parade
    a rosy day
    Texas scores prestigious 2021 Rose Bowl but boo, there's no parade
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry, Teresa Gubbins

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
  • THE TOP 100
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » City Life
nice one, counselor
Hoffman recalls his showdown with Houston legal giant John O’Quinn
Opt for Optimism
Good fortune greets Houstonians out to celebrate Día de los Muertos
LATEST NEWS
East Coast cult beer Yuengling pours into Houston for first time ever
Hip to be Fit

Stay fit during the holidays with Houston's premier Megaformer pilates studio

Stay fit during the holidays with Houston's premier Megaformer studio

By CultureMap Create
Nov 26, 2019, 4:15 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness has three locations in Houston. Photo courtesy of HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
The name stands for high intensity pilates. Photo courtesy of HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
The high-intensity, low-impact workout torches calories. Photo courtesy of HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
The total-body program combines cardio, strength training, and pilates. Photo courtesy of HIP Fitness
Lubna Kamal and her husband
Lubna Kamal and her husband brought the Megaformer back from LA. Photo courtesy of HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
All the instructors are advance certified. Photo courtesy of HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
The slow movements and quick transitions use every little muscle in the body. Photo courtesy of Swiggard Creative
HIP Fitness
High-energy music make classes feel like a party. Photo courtesy of HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
Everyone is welcome at HIP Fitness. Photo courtesy of Swiggard Creative
HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
Lubna Kamal and her husband
HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness
HIP Fitness

Those machines you see at HIP Fitness? They're called Megaformers, and the Pilates-inspired apparatus counts Meghan Markle, Sofia Vergara, and Michelle Obama among its fans. They love it for how effectively it torches calories and builds lean muscle.

The effectiveness and low-impact nature of the Megaformer is what made HIP Fitness owner Lubna Kamal decide to open Houston's first Megaformer studio in 2014. Kamal found the Megaformer when she was living in Los Angeles with her husband.

"At first, I thought of it just as a low-impact workout I could do to stay active after a recent knee injury, but the strengthening and toning effects of the Megaformer were so amazing — so much more so than on a Pilates reformer — I just fell in love," Kamal says.

When Kamal and her husband made the decision to move back to Houston to be closer to family, Kamal knew she had to bring the Megaformer back with her to Houston.

What makes the Megaformer method so effective is the emphasis on slow, controlled movements against the continuous tension of the springs. HIP clients are encouraged to work to total muscle failure and to move between each exercise as quickly as they can, so they get a real cardiovascular workout as they're strengthening their muscles.

The workout is a challenge, but Kamal emphasizes that the challenge is set by the client.

"We want clients to be challenged at their level," she says. "Our HIP trainers will encourage you to keep pushing, but from wherever you are, whether you're modifying the movement or taking an advanced variation. The goal is for you to improve and build strength from wherever you were yesterday."

Houstonians have really fallen in love with the method — HIP has expanded from that one studio in West U to locations in River Oaks and Sugar Land.

"Back in 2014, there wasn't as much awareness of the Megaformer, so it took a bit of a leap of faith to open that first HIP Fitness location," Kamal says. "It really is such a testament to just how incredible the method is that we've really been able to grow the Megaformer community the way we have over the past five years."

Kamal gives a lot of credit to her experienced HIP instructors, though. There are instructors who came to HIP with experience from New York, Baltimore, and Louisiana, and instructors who started out as clients at the first HIP location.

"By being the first Megaformer studio, we've been able to really cultivate experienced and passionate instructors who try to deliver a fantastic experience for each client, and they help to build the incredible HIP community we have today."

According to Kamal, HIP isn't even close to slowing down.

---

HIP Fitness is located at 2294 West Holcombe Blvd. (West University); 2400 Midlane, suite 330 (River Oaks); and 1525 Lake Pointe Pkwy., suite 500 (Sugar Land).

Read These Next
Dr David Persse
Houston medical experts answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions
Minute Maid Park downtown aerial view
Here are the latest Houston COVID-19 vaccine weekend mega-sites
Adoptable dog Rascal
Rascal, your new Boston terrier buddy, is waiting at Houston SPCA
Dr David Persse
Houston medical experts answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions
Minute Maid Park downtown aerial view
Here are the latest Houston COVID-19 vaccine weekend mega-sites
Adoptable dog Rascal
Rascal, your new Boston terrier buddy, is waiting at Houston SPCA
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Houston medical experts answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions
  • Houston Audubon nets crucial Gulf Coast land for migratory birds
  • Chadwick Boseman shines in Houston Film Critics' best-of nominations
  • 8 things to know in Houston food: Montrose Chinese favorite closes
  • East Coast cult beer Yuengling pours into Houston for first time ever
See All Latest News >
  • Country radio legend's Texas horse ranch listed for $8.2 million
  • Memorial Hermann launches drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations at NRG Park
  • These are the 7 best food and drink events in Houston this weekend
  • 8 things to know in Houston food: Montrose Chinese favorite closes
  • Here are the latest Houston COVID-19 vaccine weekend mega-sites
Vote Now
Houston Real Weddings Winter 2020
1/4
Houston star chef and fiancée steal away to NOLA for intimate wedding
12/15
Houston couple embraces 2020 with adorable elopement and honeymoon
12/7
Astros fan favorite Alex Bregman ties the knot in surprise wedding
Hoffman's Houston
1/11
Hoffman on the Houston Texans move that could mean a superstar's exit
1/4
Hoffman on the Houston Texans star who deserves the NFL's MVP title
12/31
Ken Hoffman reveals his boldest predictions for Houston in 2021
Where to Eat Houston
12/16
Where to eat in Houston right now: The very best meals of 2020
11/19
Where to eat in Houston: 9 ghost kitchens delivering the best to-go
9/23
Where to eat in Houston: 11 bars that have reopened as restaurants
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2021 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>