Though treadmills and ellipticals are designed to school muscles in the ways of fitness, the repetitive motions often cause bored muscles to doodle crude tattoos onto gallbladders. Cure muscular ennui with today’s Groupon to Body by Pilates in Buffalo Grove. Choose between the following options:

• For $49, you get two Pilates reformer classes (a $100 value).
• For $175, you get eight Pilates reformer classes, all of which must be used within a month of redeeming the Groupon (a $400 value).

The reformer classes at Body by Pilates rely on the BackSmart techniques pioneered by author Dr. Adam Weiss. During the 50-minute, full-body workouts, instructors coach students through a series of cardio and muscle-sculpting exercises that burn fat and build strength more intensively than jogging through a spinach buffet. Up to 10 students stretch hips, glutes, and abdomens on the versatile reformer machine, which uses resistance to alternately lengthen and contract muscles while reducing the risk of injury. The specialized classes cultivate improved posture, core strength, and flexibility, leaving students invigorated and limber enough to happily crabwalk home.