Pilates studios in London

Pilates has become a regular part of the London fitness landscape, with studios of every size, from boutique reformer spaces to small neighbourhood rooms where classes are limited to a handful of people. Mat, reformer and apparatus-based classes are offered across the city, and choosing a studio often comes down to its approach, its teachers and its neighbourhood.

This selection brings together three London studios: Orama Studios, Artichoke Pilates in Camberwell and 100 Pilates in Kensington.

Orama Studios is a boutique Reformer and Mat Pilates studio on Havelock Terrace, in Nine Elms, Battersea, offering classes to newcomers and seasoned regulars alike. Founded by two women who believe in the power of community, it was created as a calm, welcoming space to slow down and reconnect, where people feel welcome from their very first class. The idea was to create something different from a traditional gym, where the body is worked without the feeling of simply lifting heavy weights or going through the motions.

The Orama method is built on moving with intention, and exercises can be adapted to different abilities and fitness levels. Reformer Pilates is a dynamic, full-body workout in which the Reformer’s springs, moving carriage and straps create adjustable resistance, and it is open to beginners too, as the instructor walks the class through how the equipment works. Mat Pilates, the foundation of movement, uses body weight and controlled movements to work on strength, stability and flexibility, with a strong focus on the core, posture, alignment and breath.

All classes run for 50 minutes, there is no need to be extremely fit to get started, and grip socks are required for Reformer classes. The timetable runs seven days a week, from early morning until 8.30pm on weekdays, and bookings are made through the Orama schedule in Momence. The studio is also available for private events, content creation, filming and television productions, subject to availability and approval.

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Artichoke Pilates is a small studio in Artichoke Mews, in central Camberwell, South London, set in a quiet mews next to the swimming pool and leisure centre. It specialises in small-group Pilates classes and one-to-one tuition on Pilates apparatus, and the studio is fully equipped with Reformers, a Trapeze table, a Ladder barrel and a Wunda chair.

Classes are limited to a maximum of three students per teacher, and each client is given a class tailored to their circumstances. A first session begins with a short questionnaire and a brief physical assessment, and introductory classes are taught one to one. The classes are always centred on the client, and the teachers work closely with each person to establish their goals; they are all qualified to teach studio Pilates on all apparatus. The studio works with people of all levels of fitness and can provide remedial Pilates for those in pain or recovering from injury, pre- and post-natal exercise, and exercise for people with mobility problems, as well as focused training and core strength work for athletes and sportspeople.

The studio is open Monday to Saturday morning, until 8pm on weekdays, and is well placed for Herne Hill, Brixton, Dulwich and East Dulwich, Bermondsey, Peckham and Elephant & Castle. It is at Unit 3, Artichoke Mews, Artichoke Place, SE5 8TS, close to Denmark Hill Overground station.

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100 Pilates is a boutique classical Pilates studio in the heart of Kensington, offering one-to-one sessions. It is fully equipped with classically designed apparatus, all hand crafted in London by PURIST Pilates, and it welcomes people of all ages and abilities, with no prerequisites to book a session. Each session is tailored to the individual.

The studio is led by its owner and instructor, Katie Gibson, a certified Level V Romana’s Pilates instructor and a fully certified STOTT PILATES instructor. Katie was introduced to Pilates during her ballet training, and it played an important part in a 17-year professional ballet career with San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet. She began teaching Pilates in London in 2017, first with the contemporary STOTT PILATES method, and later trained in Romana’s Pilates at Kinetic Pilates in North London, continuing to train and travel to learn from senior Romana’s Pilates instructors.

Emily O’Donnell, originally from the US, began her Pilates journey in New York, gained her STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer certification in 2022 and completed her full Romana’s Pilates certification in 2024. She also teaches at the studio and brings more than ten years of experience in digital marketing. Katie enjoys working with a diverse range of clients, from aspiring dancers to older adults. The studio is at 3 Hornton Place, London W8 4LZ.