Verve Brings Pilates and Yoga to Pittsburgh – Point Park Globe

Giuseppe Francioni use to complain of severe knee and back pain. He would have to take several Advil before and after playing racket ball games, until he discovered the health benefits of pilates.

“I lost the aches and pains,” he said. “My body feels better now, and I can focus on other things without having these problems.”

Francioni is one of the many clients of Verve that has experienced total body wellness.

Verve is located Downtown on Sixth Street and is dedicated to leading the area in a “wellness revolution” by innovative models of fitness and health tailored to each clients needs. Verve focuses on encompassing their client’s lives so they can effectively take control and achieve happiness.

“Most people like to have control of their lives we’re giving them the tools to do it,” Aubre Stacknick said, owner of Verve.

Clients receive nutritional counseling, skin care, fitness, health education, stress management and are taught about retail products like makeup that promote healthy lifestyles.

Stacknick said she is trying to set herself apart from being another gym because they’re a health and wellness center dedicated to helping people and giving clients the one-on-one attention needed.

“We want to be the best place in Pittsburgh for total wellness,” she said.

Stacknick is a Pittsburgh transplant originally from New Jersey. She came to the area eight years ago to attend Washington and Jefferson College where she majored in economics. She then became a message therapist, and opened an office in the cultural district for three years. After building up her clientele and seeing the needs of the Pittsburgh region, Stacknick decided to open Verve.

“I have big dreams and I like a challenge,” she said. “I want to invest myself in the city and make changes.”

After months of searching for the perfect space for a wellness center, and with the help of Micah Grubbs, Verve opened its doors a few weeks before last Christmas.

“Since we are new we are trying to accommodate to everyone,” he said. “We’re going the extra step to do it.”

Verve offers ongoing Pilates classes. The classes are taught in front of three large bay windows that look out onto Penn Avenue, making for a relaxing feel from the busy city. The studio is lit by natural light that comes through the windows, sweet smelling aromatherapy candles and soft lamp light. The exposed bricked walls and hardwood floors keep the studio at a cool temperature which also creates a natural relaxed atmosphere.

Classes can be taught in private sessions, or semi private sessions consisting of 3-5 individuals. Group classes vary with size never being larger than 20.

Grubbs said they never want their clients to feel overwhelmed by the number of people in each class. A limit is set to ensure the best service and not have the classes be overcrowded.

The Verve encourages clients to take the Verve Pilates Challenge — in ten sessions Verve promises you will feel the difference — in 20 sessions others will see a difference — in 30 sessions you will have a totally new body.

Classes can also be booked online, however it is not necessary to schedule in advance. Prior booking only guarantees clients a spot in class, due to the fact that there is a 20 person max.

“It’s an experience and an environment that helps bring changes for the better,” Stacknick said.

Classes can be bought by the session, in packages or through an unlimited membership. Memberships are $89 a month and give clients access to an unlimited number of classes. Members also receive discounts on skin care, massages and products. Other packages include ten classes for $100, five classes for $60 or one class for $17. Verve also offers walk-ins, and a free class to test out the facility.

Francioni said he felt changes in his body after two days of Pilates classes.

“I started to stand up straighter and walk taller because it teaches you the importance of posture,” he said. “I also felt a psychological difference because my body was feeling better.”