After My Doctor Prescribed Pilates, I Searched For the Best Classes in London

Originally published in Popsugar UK: https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fit...

I want to preface this by saying: I didn't start Pilates just to follow the hype, although Lori Harvey and Maya Jama's ripped abs served as some inspiration. No, Pilates was on my agenda under doctor's orders.

I'd been suffering from lower back pain the kind that gives my nan and I a shared ailment to bond over — we discuss the side effects of our shared prescriptions, we moan about the sharp pains only we could understand. It sounds sweet when you put it like that but really, the inability to walk and the pain when waking isn't fun for anyone, let alone a 20-something-year-old. After two gruelling years of being turned away by GPs who constantly told me the pain was probably because of my period (it wasn't), I went private. A few checks and scans in and I was astonished to find that the "cure" to my lower back pain wasn't some drug with a name I couldn't pronounce, but instead, an exercise. I had been prescribed Pilates.

For the uninitiated, Pilates isn't just the Instagrammable workout it appears to be. According to the NHS, Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on balance, posture, strength and flexibility. It can help with a number of body and health concerns, from lower back pain and joint issues, to brain function, pelvic floor strength and posture.

A lot of people, myself included, underestimated the high intensity of Pilates because it's a low impact workout, but Pilates instructor Georgia Rodgers explains how this all works, telling PS UK: "Because Pilates is mostly low impact, it allows those that don't usually exercise the opportunity to understand how their body moves in a slower and more controlled environment.

"As instructors, we focus on the nine core principles created by Joseph Pilates to create a holistic workout," she adds. "People that are new to Pilates will firstly notice the challenge on their coordination and flexibility, improvement in proprioception, mindfulness into your breathing patterns, as well as working and toning smaller muscle groups (probably some you didn't even know existed!). All exercises can be progressed for more challenge, or regressed to suit your exact needs."

So, with a doctor's note in hand, a pair of lululemon Align High Rise Leggings (£98) comfortably holding my legs in and the grippiest grippy socks I could find on-foot, I made it my mission to find the best classes in London. Below you'll find my top picks, from beginner-friendly sessions to advanced online classes.

Nobu Pilates

Best for: Group class, all levels, fast-paced
Price: One class for £37. You also can find bundle and package details here.
Address: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square 22 Portman Square, Marylebone, LDN W1H 7BG

Nestled in the Nobu Hotel, I can guarantee you're going to feel like an A-Lister stepping into the Nobu Pilates studio. You might also be lucky enough to train with celebrity instructor and Nobu Pilates founder Marsha Lindsay, as I did and in that case, you'll be in for one hell of a Pilates lesson. From trying new moves and perfecting ones I thought I'd already maxed out, to trying new Pilates apparatus and putting Joseph Pilates teaching to the forefront of your mind during your class. It's no wonder the class is loved by celebrities like Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts and Joel Edgerton.

X Clubs Mayfair

Best for: Intimate class, 1 to 1 vibe, all ability levels
Price: Introductory Offer — two classes for £50, X-4 membership (4 classes per month) — £140pm. You also can find membership and package details here.
Address: Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6BQ

For the closest thing to a 1 to 1 session, it has to be X Club Pilates. You already get a kick of luxury walking into this high tech, underground gym that's kitted out to the nines, with personal trainers waiting to suffice your fitness needs but the real magic awaits inside the Pilates studio.

With only a handful of Reformer beds, I found I was able to work with my Pilates instructor to perform each move to the best of ability, without feeling miles away or drowned out by the hubbub of a huge class. The session itself felt world class, so I'd have to recommend if you're ever in the Mayfair area.

Tempo 301

Best for: Intermediates, strength-focused
Price: Introductory Offer — three classes for £45. You also can find membership and package details here.
Address: Unit 10, Avant Garde, 6 Cygnet Street, E1 6GW London

In the heart of Shoreditch you'll find Tempo 301, the best spot for strength-focused Pilates that will push you to your limits (don't say I didn't warn you). Admittedly, I tried Pilates moves I've never even heard of before at this class and left feeling more flexible than ever. You will feel the burn here, whether that's in your core, your glutes, or all over but I promise it's all good.

If you're looking for an extra push from your Pilates routine or want to learn something new, Tempo 301 is the place for you.

1Rebel Reformer Pilates

Best for: Solo, lunchtime class, all ability levels
Price: Introductory Offer — three classes for £49, Drop-In classes — £26. You also can find membership and package details here.
Address: Unit 4, The Post Building, 1 Museum St, London WC1A 1JS

A cool, dark room, disco club classics, neon lights, a reformer and you. The environment in my 1Rebel class made my intense reformer work out seem like light work and like it was over far too soon, but stepping out of the class with wobbly legs and feeling more flexible than ever, I knew my hour-session paid off.

Whether you're going solo or with a friend, I'd recommend 1Rebel to anyone working in the city, as you're bound to find one of their reformer studios nearby and you'll be able to fit in a quick session on your lunch break. Their state-of-the-art changing rooms, showers (fitted with Wildsmith shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion) and vanity areas boasting ghd straighteners, deodorants, hairsprays and more, you can return to the office looking fresher than when you left.

Social Pilates House

Best for: Small groups and new mums
Price: Introductory Offer — two classes for £28, Drop-In classes — £26. You also can find membership and bundle details here.
Address: 836 Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill, N21 2RT

This list is in no particular order, but Social Pilates House is my new favourite. It's a small, local studio in the heart of Winchmore Hill, North London, with no more than six Reformer beds, white voile curtains blocking nosy outsiders but letting the sunlight fill into the room, potted plants and black arched mirrors.

Social Pilates House classes are the closest you can get to a one-to-one, without actually booking one. It's a tight knit class but this makes it ideal for beginners and the advanced, as Sukheev and her team of instructors are able to personally offer guidance and an advanced movement if you think you can push yourself.

I attended a class alone then visited again with a friend, so feel free to bring your gym buddy along with you. And for new mums, Social Pilates House offers a class where you can bring your baby along in their pram while you sculpt and tone on the Reformer at your pace and take any necessary breaks to see your little one.

Core LDN

Best for: Reformer newbies
Price: PURE Pilates membership — £245 / month, CORE Pilates membership — £345 / month
Address: 341 Upper Richmond Rd W, SW14 8QN

You'll find Core LDN nestled in Richmond and fall in love with the arch mirrors, high ceilings, airy space and eventually, the reformers too. Your abs will shake and your bum will ache, but Core LDN offered a workout that felt thorough and rejuvenating.

Instructor Kenzy Cooper led us through an intense, but easy to follow, ab workout and regularly took breaks for newbies like myself to get comfortable with the reformer, explaining in detail what every spring and rope meant and how to adjust the workout to suit your ability.

At the Core studio, you'll also be able to book health MOTs, baby and mum classes, and physiotherapy consultations led by experienced physiotherapists.

Founder Claire Mills says: "It's really important to me that people from all different backgrounds and abilities feel comfortable to attend Core LDN. I have women in their 80s that attend twice a week but then women and men in their early 20s that attend sporadically. We also offer specialist sessions for those who require injury rehab, pre or post-natal rehab or just want to reach their fitness goals."

Yoga Rocks

Best for: Yoga lovers transitioning to Pilates
Price: Introductory offer (21 days) — £40, Welcome offer (30 days) — £90. Membership options can be found here.
Address: 481a-b Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 4BS

Now if you're making the transition from yoga into something a bit more intense, like Pilates, Yoga Rocks could be the perfect place for you. It's a small but inviting studio in North London and where I tried my first ever Hot Pilates session, where you exercise in a warm, humid room as the heat helps warm up muscles more quickly.

The workout that followed wasn't as intense and followed a yoga-like flow, but trust me, the burn came as I slowly moved into positions and held them for what felt like hours. I think two new abs popped up after just one of these sessions.

The Yoga Rocks community is the most welcoming group I've ever worked out with. I was assisted not only by the instructor, but also other attendees, who helped me up if I had a wobble or showed me where to grab all the tools for the following session. Exercising is always a little better when there are friendly people around you, so this helped me ease right in.

FS8

Best for: All ability levels
Price: Introductory offer — Five classes for £49, Single class drop-in — £30. Membership options can be found here.
Address: 23-35 Great Titchfield St., Fitzrovia, W1W 7PA

I quickly learned why FS8 was so popular on TikTok (side note: don't hate on all TikTok recommendations, some are actually quite good).

As with the Pilates classes I'd already been to, I did my best to find a mat and reformer (because you use both during these sessions) with a good view of the instructor so I could follow along, but it immediately became clear that there was no need for this. Screens are placed on each of the four studio walls, with demonstrations, countdowns, and two different adaptations of each move for those who want to take it easy or push to the limit. This made room for the instructor to make her away around the room, helping those in need to maximise each movement and get the right posture while verbally guiding us through the workout.

Next time you're in the city and need a quick hit of Pilates endorphins, a session at FS8 is the best one for you.

Shape Pilates

Best for: Home workouts
Price: £7.50 / month
Address: Online

More of a home workout girlie? Shape Pilates has got you. Tired of scrolling through YouTube, dodging ads while trying to find a decent Pilates video to follow along to, but then, just five minutes in, the 'full price' version is shoved down your throat, cutting your workout time short? For just £7.50 a month, you can finally put all that faff to bed.

On a day when I couldn't be bothered to go to the gym and was quite happy to roll out my lululemon Yoga Mat (£88) in my living room, I put on one of the Shape Pilates sessions. There are over 200 on-demand videos to pick from and they vary from five to 50 minutes long, depending on what type of workout you're looking for. Your membership allows you to personally tailor your workout by choosing from the different focus areas, or subscribing to a weekly plan or challenge. This provided a perfect boost of motivation during a week when leaving the house wasn't on the top of my agenda thanks to a nasty cold.

And if you're missing out on the community aspect you can log onto one of the two live Pilates classes a week and get involved with the Shape community.

MoreYoga

Best for: Beginners
Price: £44 / month, with the first month for just £1. More membership options and pay-as-you-go options can be found here
Address: There are over 30 studios across London. Find your local studio here.

Don't be fooled by the title, a membership with MoreYoga includes a vast selection of classes, including, of course, Pilates.

While I was in between jobs, my MoreYoga membership was my best friend. It's affordable and can be found on ClassPass if you'd rather use that app — my closest studio is just 10 minutes away from home, but you have a selection of studios across London to attend. I found the classes were more tailored to beginners, with new attendees joining every session, making this the best membership to have if you're completely new to Pilates and want to get to grips with the basics first before getting on the Reformer or jump board.

Excitingly, MorePilates, an exclusive class to combine core stability, strength, flexibility and muscle control with breath work, meditation and mindfulness, is set to launch to this year, so watch this space.