Nobu Launches A Pilates Studio: 5 Global Fitness Spaces Raising The Bar

Pilates may be the workout of the moment, but its appeal has been decades in the making. Now, as the fitness phenomenon continues to evolve, a new chapter is emerging: vertical reformer Pilates.

Following the meteoric rise of reformer Pilates, this next-generation workout is quickly gaining momentum. “It’s a cutting-edge evolution of traditional reformer Pilates, designed to deliver the same transformative benefits, toned muscles, improved posture and enhanced flexibility—without the need for a bulky reformer machine,” explains Catie Miller, founder of Barre Series. Instead of a traditional reformer, the method combines a Pilates stick, resistance bands and body weight, with participants remaining upright throughout a dynamic, sweat-inducing class that challenges strength, balance and mobility. Just when you thought you’d mastered the reformer, along comes Tower Pilates. Part mat work, part reformer, this low-impact, strength-building discipline takes its name from the Tower machine—a stationary bed crowned with a vertical frame, rather than the reformer’s famously gliding carriage. Its detachable springs can be clipped into different positions, delivering resistance from every conceivable angle (including muscles you may have forgotten existed). The payoff? 

As Pilates becomes more than a workout—evolving into a lifestyle and a cornerstone of wellness travel—enthusiasts are planning entire itineraries around exceptional studios. They’re seeking destinations that pair beautifully designed spaces with charismatic instructors, expertly programmed classes and that elusive sense of urban sanctuary. For a growing community of discerning wellness travellers, only the most inspiring, results-driven practice will do.

DP has curated five standout Pilates studios around the world that are worth including in your next active wellness holidays. 

Also Read: Saunas, Matcha And Sensory Design: 3 Wellness Clubs To Lower Your Cortisol Levels

Core Atelier, Singapore – To Get Your Barre Fix.

Founded by former professional dancer Lena Chien, Core Atelier Singapore is built on the belief that movement should be as restorative as it is empowering. Drawing on years of experience working with everyone from post-rehabilitation clients to elite athletes, Chien has created a studio where thoughtful, rhythmic movement and precision take precedence over the high-energy, fitness model.The USP is its  intimate class sizes rather than high-volume group classes.  

What to expect: If your idea of a Pilates class involves jostling for the reformer by the window, prepare to recalibrate. At Core Atelier, group classes are capped at just three participants, allowing instructors to fine-tune alignment with near forensic attention, while private sessions offer exclusive access to the serene studio. Flooded with natural light and dressed in a soothing, understated palette, the space feels more boutique sanctuary than boutique gym. The timetable spans Reformer, Tower and Stability Chair Pilates, Arc Barrel classes alongside the studio’s signature Curated by Core programme and a seasonal Performance Series tailored to sports-specific training ‘The day.’ If business brings you to Singapore, consider this your most productive meeting of the day. Whether you’re squeezing in a session between boardrooms or carving out time to reset, Core Atelier is where discerning travellers come to refine their Pilates practice—and leave standing a little taller.

Nobu Pilates, London – Treat a Sushi Platter Post Pilates

Set within the sleek surrounds of Nobu Hotel London Portman Square in the heart of Marylebone, Nobu Pilates brings the brand’s signature blend of precision, design and understated luxury to the reformer. Developed by Creative Director Marsha Lindsay, London’s most credible face in Pilates, who curates the concept of fusing classical Pilates with contemporary, dynamic techniques.

What to expect: The light-filled studio offers three signature classes—POWER, PRECISION and PURE—each designed to build strength, improve alignment and cultivate mindful movement. Classes are limited to just ten participants, ensuring instructors can offer individual guidance without sacrificing the motivating energy of a group session. Those seeking a more bespoke experience can opt for private training, with programmes designed around Nobu Pilates’ three core pillars.

The best part? A workout here comes with the perfect post-class ritual. After an hour of controlled pulses and trembling muscles, reward yourself with a beautifully presented Bento Box at the acclaimed Nobu Restaurant. After all, in true Nobu fashion, wellness and indulgence are never mutually exclusive.

Also Read: Balance Is The Whole Point: In Conversation With Tomeu Esteva, The Architect Behind Six Senses Vana

Maja Studio, Bali For The Gram With Spa & Matcha 

Part boutique hotel, part spa, and part wellness club, Maja Bali is one of Canggu’s coolest addresses. Tucked into the energy of Batu Bolong, founders Marie Fe and Jake Snow seasoned travellers turned wellness entrepreneurs, created a destination where beautiful design, mindful movement, and a slower pace of life all check in together.

What to expect: The studio is led by instructor and Instagram favourite, Dr Han, whose philosophy is refreshingly uncomplicated: movement should make you feel just as good as it makes you look. His signature Barre class blends the precision of Pilates with the elegance of ballet, creating fluid, upbeat sequences that sculpt muscles without ever feeling punishing. It’s graceful, sweaty, and guaranteed to humble your glutes in the nicest possible way. Once you’ve earned your endorphins, grab the cult-favorite strawberry matcha to go. Think of it as the chic antidote to Canggu life: the perfect reset after sun-soaked beach days, long lunches, and nights that somehow stretch into sunrise. Whether you’re checking in for a spa day, dropping by for a post-workout drink, signing up for Pilates or yoga class, or joining one of the community events, Maja has a way of making you linger.

Viva, Sentosa To Kick Off Your Morning By The Sea. 

If you’re looking for a reason to extend your stay in Singapore, let it be Sentosa. With waterfront promenades, marina-side dining, and a slower pace than the city centre, the island feels purpose-built for wellness. At the heart of Sentosa Cove, VIVA has created a destination where movement, beauty, and self-care come together under one impeccably designed roof.

Founded by Mat, Reformer, and CCB Pilates instructor and Barre coach Vivian Twiss, VIVA is the culmination of a journey that took her from Peru to Spain before she eventually settled in Singapore over a decade ago. Her vision was simple: create a space where Pilates is more than a workout—it’s part of a lifestyle rooted in vitality, connection, and everyday rituals of well-being.

What to expect: Overlooking the quayside, VIVA is the only Pilates studio in Sentosa Cove with a waterfront address, and it makes the most of it. Think outdoor classes by the marina, sea breezes replacing studio air conditioning, and yachts providing the backdrop instead of mirrors. Inside, the two-storey boutique space pairs a sleek salon on the ground floor with a light-filled Reformer Pilates studio upstairs, complete with changing rooms and latest high-tech equipment. Private sessions, duets, and small-group classes ensure personalised instruction, while the serene interiors invite you to linger long after your final plank. 

There are special days in Viva Sentosa when one can roll out the mat and join Rosie for a 55-minute Pilates session under the open sky, with the sea as your backdrop and the day just getting started. After class, kick back with mimosas, hang out with new friends, and soak up that feel-good post-workout buzz. It’s proof that wellness is a lot more fun when you make a morning of it. It’s the rare wellness studio where your workout can be followed by a facial, a fresh manicure, or simply a stroll along the marina because balance, after all, comes in many forms.

Burning Bar, Paris To Turn Up The Heat

Leave it to Paris to make breaking a sweat feel impossibly chic. Inspired by their years in Los Angeles, founders Charlotte Guez and Jodie Policcino brought a distinctly Californian approach to movement to the heart of the French capital, opening Burning Bar in the elegant 16th arrondissement. The result is a studio that blends West Coast wellness with Parisian polish.

What to expect: Heated to a toasty 95°F (35°C) using infrared technology, Burning Bar’s signature Hot Pilates classes are designed to make every movement work a little harder. The heat loosens muscles, boosts circulation, and turns even the smallest pulse into a serious challenge. Each session flows through three phases—a dynamic warm-up, strength and cardio, followed by restorative stretching—while the schedule also includes barre, yoga, meditation, and cardio classes. With no more than ten participants per class, the experience feels intimate, focused, and refreshingly free of fitness theatrics.

For the ultimate contrast, book a session at Cryobliss Paris afterward. Swapping infrared heat for sub-zero temperatures, cryotherapy helps speed recovery, ease muscle tension, and leave you feeling remarkably refreshed. Hot, then cold—it turns out the French have perfected more than just wine and pastry.