We’d be surprised if you can find someone who extols the virtues of Pilates and yoga equally, even though many of us would be hard-pushed to explain the difference between them. The former owes its capital letter to one Joseph Pilates, a German physical trainer who developed his method early in the 20^th century, although the man himself called it ‘Contrology’. Pilates’ exercises are focused on developing core strength and efficient movement habits while yoga, although its poses do develop core strength, revolves more around stretching and flexibility; perhaps it’s fair to say that Pilates leans towards gaining control and yoga is more about letting go.

Whatever camp you’re in, both are brilliant body and mind disciplines so we’d encourage you to give Pilates a try if it’s new to you, or if you’re not sure about yoga. Here are the best Pilates classes in London.

Reformcore, Chelsea and The City

From the ab-defining experts behind Barrecore and Kobox comes the hottest new reformer Pilates workout: Reformcore. Having launched in January 2024 on King’s Road and St Mary’s Axe in The City, this dynamic 50-minute class has been designed by expert trainers to improve strength and core fitness – and given our DOMs the next day, we can vouch it does exactly that. Expect mini routines that target your glutes, arms, back, thighs and core which are delivered in a safe and welcoming environment, as class instructors provide modifications for each move in case they’re too challenging. Unlike many reformer classes where it seems like you’re lying down for the duration, Reformcore aims to get you up and moving and also incorporates dumbbells so you’re sure to break a sweat.

Classes from £30, visit reformcore.com

Bodyism, Notting Hill

If you’re after exclusivity and one-to-one training without the extortionate price tag, head to Bodyism on Westbourne Grove. Famous for its pancakes (some say they’re the best in the capital) and its community-led, members-only ethos, Bodyism is more of a wellness sanctuary than a gym, offering an array of classes from sweaty cardio sessions to controlled breathwork and yoga classes. The 3800 sqft space features three studios, and you’ll find the reformer class adjacent to the reception. Inside, there are only four reformer beds – meaning the class is intimate and constructive compared to larger group classes – and Bodyism’s helpful instructors are on-hand throughout the class to offer guidance on how to perfect a plethora of Pilates moves working your inner thighs, triceps, core and shoulders. If reformer isn’t your thing, Bodyism also offers two mat variations: Classical – helping lengthen and strengthen your muscles – and Tone, with the added benefits of resistance training.

Membership from £300 per month, visit bodyism.com

Nobu Pilates, Marylebone

Situated on Marylebone‘s leafy Portman Square, the five-star hotel‘s sleek Wellness Centre offers guests and Londoners a state-of-the-art gym, bespoke spa treatments and a rejuvenating Pilates studio. Headed up by creative director Marsha Lindsay, Nobu Pilates specialises in reformer classes focused on glutes, abs and cardio. For beginners to advanced, the 40-minute lessons use a variety of equipment such as reformers, cadillac, stability chairs and barrels to make the workouts more challenging and different every time. Pick from Pure, a masterclass following principles originally created by Joseph Pilates, and Power: a full-body, HIIT-style session featuring innovative jump-board choreography and up-tempo moves in a fast-flow fusion Pilates. We love the latter, and it’s great for getting those endorphins pumping too.

Classes from £37, visit london-portman.nobuhotels.com

Strong Pilates, Islington

Having made a name for itself Down Under, Australian fitness fanatics Michael Ramsey and Mark Armstrong have brought their unique fitness concept to the UK. Named Strong Pilates, the studio combines the namesake workout with strength training and launched its first English outpost in Islington earlier this year. The 45-minute conditioning class is interspersed with intervals of resistance training and rowing to ensure each workout targets upper body, lower body, core and those all-important obliques.

There are four classes to choose from: Strong Loaded, a heavy weight-lifting session with Pilates; Strong Body, a well-rounded Pilates workout; Strong Sweat, think high intensity and high volume; Pilates Only and Tough Love. The latter changes weekly and is described as “extra workouts, with more community, more sets and more sweat”. What more could you want?

Classes from £27, membership from per month £184 per month, visit strongpilates.co.uk

East of Eden, Walthamstow

What started as a small neighbourhood yoga studio in Walthamstow has transformed into a wide-ranging fitness brand from founder Abbie McLachlan. East of Eden is renowned for its yoga sessions which include everything from hatha to toddler yoga, and meditation to gong sound therapy. The most recent addition to its fitness portfolio was reformer Pilates earlier this year, and its roster now includes pre- and post-natal Pilates, strong and gentle sessions and mat work. After class, don't forget to pick up your coffee, kombucha and vegan snacks from the chic cafe.

Classes from £12.20 dependent on credit bundle, visit eastofeden.uk

FS8, Oxford Circus

Every Londoner has heard of F45: the functional fitness studios found on nearly every street corner which offer sweaty, high-intensity 45-minute sessions for the exercise junkies among us. Inside, you'll be expected to complete a demanding workout of burpees, ski ergs, mountain climbers and more. Intense, right?

It may be right up your street but for those after something a little more low-impact, look to FS8: the sister workout designed by the team behind F45 which comprises Pilates, yoga and strength concepts. New to Great Titchfield Street, the building is divided into F45 and FS8 studios, the latter on the first floor in an airy room sectioned by Pilates reformers. Each workout is divided into 35 sets, which are displayed on screens as you move along the circuit, and integrates yoga warm-ups and cool-downs, reformer Pilates, mat work, dumbbells and activation bands to challenge your body without putting unnecessary pressure on your joints and muscles.

Classes from £25, membership from £152 per month, visit fs8.com

Circuit Society, Camden

Having launched just last year by Shane Collins (formerly of Kobox), Circuit Society has gone from strength to strength with outposts in Camden, St Albans and Spitalfields and plans for Battersea. The flagship workout is based on the core principles of circuit training, and each 45-minute class takes you through six different stations divided into cardio and strength. However the brand's offering has expanded and now includes boxing, TRX and most recently, reformer Pilates.

Having launched at its Camden outpost, the 50-min class works for both accomplished movers and beginners and features a range of reformer routines. We're sure you'll be perfecting your leg circles and short boxes in no time...

Classes from £22, membership from £50 per month, visit circuitsociety.fit

Core, Kensington and Chiswick

Core embodies Joseph Pilates' belief that Pilates is about the "complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit" — and that's why each of its classes put a special emphasis on these values. While you develop your core, lower body, and upper body strength, as well as flexibility and posture, Core's instructors also encourage you to practice mindfulness to help achieve a sense of balance within the mind and body.

Core's sessions are divided into Basic (best for those who are new to the exercise), Intermediate, Advanced and Power reformer. While Core welcomes novices, this Pilates studio is known to put even experienced exercisers through their paces. Its intermediate and advanced classes follow highly technical and choreographed set repertoires that must first be learned before the class and are guaranteed to have muscles burning but leave you feeling accomplished (especially if you can keep up).

Classes from £35, membership from £87 per month, visit corepilatesstudios.co.uk

Psycle, across London

Putting a unique spin on classic reformer Pilates, Psycle's Reformer-X class is built on the practice's core principles but aims to add more power, intensity and dynamism. While listening to a great playlist, you'll be encouraged to get creative on the reformer in an energetic and fun 55-minute workout. Each move on the carriage, which will have enough resistance to push you to your limits, aims to strengthen specific muscles, such as the back, glutes and hamstrings, while helping to align your posture.

Classes from £26, membership from £95 per month, visit psyclelondon.com

Ten Health & Fitness, across London

It may now be Ten Health & Fitness, with Pilates, PT sessions, physio and massage on offer across ten sites, but back when the company launched in 2007 with one studio, it was known as TenPilates. Classes range from level-dictated (beginner, intermediate, advanced) to themed: try pre/post-natal, jumpboard or circuit classes to mix up your workout. Ten seems determined to make taking care of your body as easy as can be. Its sites are open seven days a week, from early to late on weekdays; a no-membership, pay-as-you-go model offers great flexibility; and in-house physios and sports massage therapists mean you can't justify ignoring that niggle. Focus on chasing endorphins with Ten's experts in Chiswick, the City, Hatton Garden, Little Venice, Nine Elms, Mayfair, Notting Hill, St James’s or Tottenham Court Road.

Classes from £38, membership from £110, visit ten.co.uk

Form Studios, Notting Hill

Form is a true labour of love, founded by fitness-loving couple Jerry and Elissa — both former professional athletes and now “business partners, life partners and soulmates”. Their ethos is inspiration and information. “We want our clients to not only experience the workout of a lifetime but to learn something new about their body and health. If you are not feeling optimal, this transcends all aspects of your life and compromises your wellbeing.”

Try one of its small specialist classes, from the low-impact, intense Mat Pilates Plus to Sweatcore (a combination of core-challenging Pilates to improve strength, stamina, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular fitness) and Purecore (a low-impact, high-intensity reformer style Pilates class). Both the -core classes are performed on the MOTR — multi-functional core training apparatus. Form even offers aerial yoga, which the LL team is very keen to try.

Classes from £32.50, membership from £100 per month, visit formstudios.co.uk

Heartcore, across London

This is a Pilates offering that’s ideal for when you don’t have time to leave home. Heartcore does indeed do brilliant classes in its seven studios but it also has a great suite of two-way livestream and on-demand online classes too. Classes combine the most effective elements of Pilates, the wisdom of yoga and the joy of free movement to help you transform your body and your mind. Heartcore also does PT sessions at its studios (in Bayswater, Chelsea, Fulham, Hampstead, Kensington, Notting Hill and St John's Wood) and Heartcore retreats. We're already sold – sign us up.

Classes from £35 for new members, membership from £225 per month, visit weareheartcore.com

Pilates Squared, Kensington

We like the feel of this one-studio Pilates brand. It comes across as friendly and personal; “Pilates teaching comes in all shapes and sizes. Some studios focus on rehabilitation, some on strength training, and some on Classical Method. Here we focus on you.” Its founder Caron Bosler is an author, trainer and teacher of all methods of Pilates and she has created a unique blend from her decades of training and studies, mixing Pilates, dance, yoga, TRX (total resistance exercises) and strength training. Contact the team to book a private session or a small class of up to just three.

Classes from £30, visit pilatessquared.co.uk

Exhale Pilates, across London

If you want to make the most of all the equipment it's possible to use in a Pilates session, while staying true to classical Pilates and its roots, this is the place to come. There’s the Tower, the Reformer, the Chair and the Barrel; find out their workout potential in 55-minute classes, plus private sessions, duets (a private class for two people), online classes, teacher training and workshops which are all on offer at Exhale's boutique studios in Primrose Hill, Marylebone and North Finchley. The brand name is a good one too; we’d be surprised if reading it doesn’t make you take a mindful gulp of air before a big release.

Classes from £35, membership from £225 per month, visit exhalepilateslondon.com

Pilates HQ, Angel

Escape the hustle and bustle of the capital and find a place of calm at Pilates HQ. With its own roof garden and skylights, the light-filled studio offers group Pilates classes and one-on-one reformer sessions which combine traditional exercises with resistance training to tone and strengthen the body. Whether you’re a Pilates devotee or a complete beginner, the team of 16 trainers are on hand to help you feel comfortable on the reformer and use it to its full potential.

Classes from £22, membership from £190 per month, visit pilateshq.co.uk

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