Pilates HQ — Local services in London

Update May 2025 I've been going for over a year, and I love the fact that they sometimes do offers and discounts on their packages, which makes it reasonably affordable.

Emma's classes are always really good, relaxed, but challenging. Emma is encouraging and gives clear instructions on how to execute the moves properly to gain optimum benfit, often demonstrating . Her description of the anatomy and muscles being worked on is helpful.

I like that she caters to different levels, offering options in resistance and adding additional moves if you want more of a challenge.. which I always do. Good pace, intensity and combination of dynamic excercises helping to build core strength, target various muscle groups, improve flexibility and provide full body workout.

Freya is a new instructor to Sunday classes, I have been to three classes so far, and I'm really enjoying them. While there ere are some fundamental core pilates movements, the teaching style and techniques are quite different.

Freya is a really welcoming instructor. She walks around, looking at form and adjusting, where needed and again, is very encouraging.

There is a focus on slow controlled movements, finishing with pulsating reps helping to increase muscle endurance, control, and stability. This offers a different kind of intensity. You really feel the 'burn' after working each side repeatedly. Again, a good combination of exercises, that focus on improving core strength, alignment, posture, and flexibility.

I love the playlist in both Emma and Freya's class, easy to work out too and not loud and annoying.

I will definitely continue with both instructors' classes, i find them both energising. I'm building endurance and seeing the improvement in my posture, form, and flexibility.

Pilates HQ is great for anyone seeking an unpretentious, warm, welcoming, inclusive and non intimidating environment.

I like that it's a small studio (9 machines), there's still sufficient space between the machines and the studio is light and airy so does mot feelcat all claustrophobic.

It means the instructors can focus on students, but it does mean you need to book in advance as some timeslots book up quickly. Receptionists are always helpful with...

The Groupon offer is great value. The studio is no frills but does the job. I tried a few different instructors. I wasn't a huge fan of Emma Ds beginner class. I didn't feel any warmth from her from the moment I walked in, which I think is important given her role. This means new members are less inclined to ask questions etc, I don't recall her checking form which I would expect in a beginner class. I also don't recall this from one of the other teachers either (but I could be mistaken), and given the layout of the studio, I think it is important to walk around in all the classes. Diane Ps intermediate class was fantastic and a notable mention to Shelly Ws beginner class also, both instructors were also great at giving direction, correction and watching form.

As for the reception staff. I think if there isn't a class running they are not there. On one occasion, I, with the rest of the class had to wait outside until the instructor arrived to let herself in. I have called ample times during the hours they claim to be open, and no-one answers the phone. I mark in for every class (except that one where no one was there) yet get marked as absent on my records. I had been offered a last minute spot that I could not make, so I pressed 9, as instructed in the text, and it returned a message to call in, I did, five times, no-one answered, so I left a message on the answer machine. I knew it would be sensible to call back given how 'relaxed' they are there. The receptionist couldn't understand why the phone wasn't being answered (even though he was the one manning the lines as I had attended a class earlier that day), I asked him if he had received my message, and he was too busy trying to figure out why no one answered the phone, but basically, no, no one had done anything with my message, if it was even received. I also found it a little bit strange that a business answers the phone with just "hello" so you're not even sure if you've called the right place. Generally speaking a good place to try with certain instructors but very sloppy...

Very disappointed to be leaving this review based on the class that I attended with Emma.

I am a regular reformer pilates goer and while the class is not what I would prefer (no poses demonstrated on the reformer, very quick poses pace, no reminders to breathe or corrections on posture) I can appreciate these may be my preferences, and spring variations were offered.

Instead, the reason for the review is the conduct of the teacher Emma, who made the class really unpleasant for me.

I arrived at the class itself with 1min to go (instructions say to arrive no more than 5mins early, which I did). I can say this with certainty as I checked my watch & the instructor said that it would be starting in a minute. I have a shoulder injury and tried to catch Emma's eye before the class to mention it, but was unable to.

After an extended period of exercises in plank, this was too much for me and I tried to catch Emma's eye to get a variation. When this was not possible, I tried to approach but was shooed. After waiting about a minute, I explained I had an injury and could not continue with planks. I was told to 'go onto your forearms [in plank]' but explained this was too much shoulder pressure. In front of the whole class I was then told 'Well it's too late to change it now' and 'I asked if anyone had any injuries at the beginning of the class'. When I mentioned that I couldn't have been in yet (the class is only 8 people) I was then told in front of the whole class 'well YOU must have been late then'. As aforementioned, I wasn't late - and even if I had been, it isn't unreasonable to ask for variations for an injury.

I then spent the next 10mins entertaining myself. Once the planks (part of leg exercises) were completed, Emma then said 'now this exercise shouldn't hurt ANYONE'S shoulder' which was clearly pointed at me.

I was so excited to come to the studio, but the rudeness, lack of professionalism or empathy and lack of accomodation for injury from Emma today mean that I had a really horrible experience.

I would absolutely...