Workout Smart, Not Hard with Helena Collins' Synergistics Fitness Method

Helena Collins wasn't always a svelte size two. No thanks to genetics, she was "stuck like everybody else."

"[I was] Working out way too often," she said. "Big thighs, big shoulders, big arms, back pains, knee pains and nobody was solving it for me."

So, after years of frustration at the gym, she solved it for herself. 

“I had to develop my own method," she said. And so she created what is now a trademark name: Synergistics Fitness Method, or SFM as hundreds of her fitness clients now refer to online, in blogs and on Life in Synergy Studio's shiny hardwood floors. 

The studio is tucked away on the second floor of a six-story commercial brownstone at 867 Boylston Street. Collins opened it in 2008 with the simple maxim: workout smart, not hard. 

At its most elementary, Synergistics Fitness Method is part Jane Fonda, part Vincent Norman Peale, part chiropractic and part tableside common sense.

In short, it's a high energy class with dance moves, stretching, and specific exercises designed for each part of the body. 

Her method, she said, is broken down into four parts: positive attitude, learning how to get a proper amount of activity, nutrition and alignment.

Classes range from Ballet Booty, where your inner White Swan will emerge (not to worry, your Black Swan will remain safely subdued); to Zumba, where you'll get down with your club moves; to a martial arts course taught by Collins' husband,  Brian.

The reason Life in Synergy works for everyone is because the studio classes are all designed to teach people to work weak muscles, Collins said.

“Everyone from the very beginner to the super athlete comes, and are challenged, which is so important in building community,” she said.

The hour will whiz by

You can experience  the secrets of  her Synergistics Fitness Method in 60-minute signature classes, taught seven days a week by more than a dozen instructors.

Member Stephany Bernstein has been going to the studio for about a year.

“What attracted me was the Zumba class," Bernstein said. "I love Zumba. And there’s an amazing instructor, called Katie, and she makes an hour whiz by."

Katie Moncebaiz has been teaching at Life in Synergy since the studio opened in November of 2008. 

“Zumba is a great, great class; lots of fun," Moncebaiz said. "It’s just a big dance party. Good cardio; it’s all Latin music, so we do salsa, meringue, cha-cha, a little bit of hip hop in there.”

The classes are welcoming to people of all ages and levels, she said. And that's something Bernstein can atest to.

“I really do recommend it for everyone," she said. "Because whether your in shape, whether your young, your old, it’s a very accepting group. I look in Zumba class, everyone is smiling, and everyone is very supportive of new people."

Collins' goal, she said, was to create a non-judgemental studio where everyone can work out at their own pace.

“The important thing is that exercise and movement should be fun and awesome," she said. "So our whole thing is you should come, have a great time, learn how to dance, toss your hair, and not be intimidated.

Classes at Life in Synergy are $15 each or $120 for a pack of 10 classes. The studio’s philosophy is nothing expires. Once you purchase a class, the credit is always good.

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