Pilates, namely reformer pilates, is now one of London’s most celebrated forms of exercise. The reformer machine may be intimidating at first but give it a go and the concept becomes simple. It’s designed with a main carriage, springs and pulleys that can be adjusted to suit all levels, and it offers a more dynamic, intense form of the traditional mat-based practice. Targeted exercises are designed to lengthen muscles, tone the physique and stretch every inch of your body. Low impact it may well be, but a walk in the park it certainly is not. We round up the best of London’s studios to put the ease into finding your perfect fit.
Discover the best barre classes in London here.
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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
Frame
Gym, Fitness Studio
It’s the Dynamic Reformer Pilates session that takes place at every Frame studio that we’re somewhat addicted to. Why? The simple answer is this: it’s damn good. Instructors take an authoritative but calming approach to leading the class and each adopts a slightly different method so no two sessions are the same. The studio at the Kings Cross branch is particularly wonderful, set back from the sometimes hectic fitting rooms and providing a little haven of calm amongst the hectic city lifestyle. Book into a class with Suru Long or Corrine Naomi to fully appreciate what we’re raving about.
Bootcamp Pilates
Fitness Studio, Gym
Don’t be fooled by this studio’s understated setting (it’s just off Brick Lane in a more modest space than some of the more established names in our line-up) – this reformer Pilates workout is arguably one of the best we’ve come across in the capital. As the name suggests, you’re here to work, not to stretch, and if you’re looking for a class that results in looser muscles and a calmer mind then this perhaps isn’t the one for you. What you will feel, however, is that you’ve worked hard. Triggering muscles you never knew existed, the passionate instructor guides you through a series of exercises that not only includes the usual equipment but weights as well in order to wake up, tone and lengthen just about every single part of your body.
Equinox
Gym
Equinox is one of London’s most prestigious gyms and that said, it comes as no surprise that its Pilates classes are hard to rival. Instructors undergo a rigorous training program so whether you’re focusing solely on this medium or you’re working it into a more intensive exercise calendar, the Equinox reformer sessions will bring a new dimension to your workouts and result in a stronger, leaner and more toned physique.
Heartcore
Fitness Studio
Positioned in the heart of Fulham with changing rooms to rival some of the city’s most prestigious spas, Heartcore is everything you’d expect from a boutique West London fitness studio. The timetable spans everything from heart-rate monitored HIIT and TRX workouts to barre so it’s no surprise that the reformer sessions err on the higher side of the intensity spectrum. There’s a focus on the core and the idea is that clients get the best full-body workout in the shortest time possible. Each session is 55 minutes and caters to all levels so don’t feel intimidated if you’re a first timer.
Ten Health & Fitness
Fitness Studio, Gym
A collective passion for health, wellness, and specifically fitness in London means that classes can often be overpopulated and a little manic, but at Ten Health & Fitness there’s absolutely no risk of hitting someone in the face mid warm-up. As the name might suggest, there is never more than 10 people in each class which allows for instructors to work closely with each and every student to progress their practice. Offering a physiotherapy service, one-to-one personal training and sports massage as well as sessions that cater to varying experience levels, there’s a strong focus on all-round wellness and the chance to see a change in your physique fast if you’re committed. We recommend booking in to a program and working towards the more dynamic, weights and circuits-based sessions for optimum results.
Core Kensington
Fitness Studio, Yoga Studio, Spa
If you thought 10 people in a class was intimate then think again because there’s only four reformer beds in the Core Kensington studio so there’s no hiding to be done here. Focused, personal and ultimately results-driven, there’s something of an elitist feeling about being part of their circle. If you’re after something a little more light-hearted then why not try their bounce reformer session where instructors incorporate a trampette into the workout to ensure you leave with that all-important spring in your step. For obvious reason, you need to book in advance to secure a spot in the class you want so act fast once the timetable gets updated.
Pilates PT
Fitness Studio, Gym
Founder of The Model Method, Hollie Grant is well-known in the industry for making transformative workouts accessible to all. At-home PT sessions make up a large portion of her client base and her online programs allow those based outside of London to partake in her sessions. She believes that exercise has a truly positive effect on mental health and is an advocate of the trending phrase; strong not skinny. Her workouts combine HIIT-inspired cardio bursts with toning exercises to achieve visible results.
Core Collective
Fitness Studio
Core Collective does things a little differently to most, sticking to the traditional Pilates method that takes place on a mat as opposed to using a reformer machine. Arguably just as intense a workout with core strength and alignment at the heart of each class, it fuses ballet-inspired moves with classic toning exercises and calls upon equipment such as the band and the hoop to challenge muscles in a way that pure bodyweight resistance work might not be able to achieve.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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