- By Caroline Callahan Janson

Feel like you can’t dance? AKT in Motion will change that—and tone every inch of your body. Which is exactly why founder and fitness guru Anna Kaiser has lured star bods like Kelly Ripa and Sarah Jessica Parker to her dance cardio studio.

Since the Upper East Side studio opened its doors, it has become the talk of the town, making its way onto the pages of Town and Country, Elle, and the New York Times’ coveted Sunday Styles section.  And other than results, there are a million reasons to love this studio, from its palpable good energy to its clean and open design. Dance cardio may be all the rage, but this studio is here to stay. 

Owner: Anna Kaiser

Classes Offered: Dance cardio, including AKT Tease (beginner), S&M (90 minutes) and Happy Hour (60 Minutes). 

Backstory: After touring as the principal dancer with Disney’s Enchanted shows (among others), Kaiser kicked off her fitness career at Reebok Sports Club/NY. She followed that stint with two years as chief content officer for the legendary Tracy Anderson, where she helped shape the choreography of the workouts.

Why You Should Check It Out:  Um, hello, it’s May?! Beach season is just around the corner. And for those who've tired of bootcamp workouts, this is an inspiring alternative, where a disco ball spins to some of the best playlists you’ve ever heard. 

What Makes It Such an Effective Workout? The teachers at AKT in Motion endure rigorous, multi-faceted training that includes NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certification and a minimum of five years of training as a professional dancer.

Know before you go: The studio is located on the 4th floor, accessible by elevator. “Happy Hour” classes are 60 minutes while S&M classes are 90. Start with a “Tease” class, also an hour.  

Advice for first­-timers: Think you’re in killer shape? It doesn’t matter if you just trained for a triathalon: you will still benefit from a beginner class. (“Tease” in AKT lingo.) W? Because the choreography in these classes is…challenging. But don’t let that that discourage you!

Image tweeted by Kelly Ripa at AKT

Amenities: The juice bar, on-staff nutritionist, showers, lockers and massage rooms make this Upper East Side hangout a full-service operation.  There is also a small boutique section.

Notable Devotees: Shakira, Kelly Ripa, Sarah Jessica Parker

Inspirational Quote: “They will forget what you say and forget what you did but they will never forget how you made them feel.” —as seen on the wall of AKT in Motion