Exercise studio for women combines ballet and cardio to burn serious calories

OLD CITY (WPVI) -- A new exercise studio for women promises a workout that will strengthen and lengthen - all while burning serious calories.

The studio, located on North 2nd Street in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood, is called Allongee, taken from the French word that means to lengthen.

It's a mixture of barre, ballet and pilates. But unlike other similar classes, you also get more cardio in this workout.

From bands to barre, with several cardio bursts mixed in, the Allongee technique combines it all.

It was created by former ballet dancer, Jillian Dreusike.

"We're targeting small muscles but in big ways. The heart rate is pumping, fat is burning, all good stuff is happening," said Jillian.

She says you can expect at least 20-minutes of high energy, low impact cardio during a 60 minutes class. Regulars say that part is tough but fun.

"At a gym I get bored on a treadmill but here you're keeping it interesting. I's entertaining - it feels like you're dancing a little bit," said Ashley Catalano-Leckerman of Old City.

"I like that I don't feel like I am doing cardio. It's challenging but I like that there's a little ballet mixed into it," said Donna Catalano of Society Hill.

The other moves aim to strengthen and lengthen your body.

Action News reporter and registered nurse, Ali Gorman, tried the Core Cardio class.

But the studio offers different classes aimed at different muscle groups, such as "waist away" which targets the love handles, and "upper body logic" to work on the arms and back.

"So no matter what you are looking to tone or what you like doing you can get a different workout even if you come five days a week," said instructor Erica Kay.

Jillian says you can expect to burn 400 to 800 calories per class. It's designed for all fitness levels, but sorry guys - right now this workout is just for women.

If you would like to try the workout yourself, the studio is offering a free class to Action News viewers.

To sign up, check out the schedule on the Allongee website then call them at (215) 733-0777 and say "6abc free class" when booking.