Love Athletica

The California-inspired studio combines Pilates (on the reformer or on a mat in a heated room) with an upbeat soundtrack of Frank Ocean and Beyonce to move along to. The studios are also calming, with crisp whites and pastel accents complemented by plants.

Hawthorn East, Malvern East, Richmond, Windsor and Prahran locations

Upstate Studios

Rapidly (and mindfully) expanding across Victoria, this sister-owned chain of studios has energising reformer and hot mat Pilates, as well as yoga and intense boxing. Member perk: you can attend classes at every location, not just where you sign up.

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Ascot Vale, Balaclava, South Yarra, Elsternwick, Fitzroy, Richmond and Torquay locations

Good Times Pilates

Good Times has built a rapidly growing community centred on empowering people through movement in the inner north. Paradoxically, the team’s done it through intimate, smaller-sized classes that allow for individual attention and support in its fun, Mediterranean and mid-century design-inspired studio spaces.

Brunswick, Fitzroy and Northcote locations

Fluidform

A decade after launching in New South Wales, this Aussie brand opened a Melbourne location in 2022. Flooded with natural light, the open-plan studio has intimate sessions for just four people, personalised to your own movement needs using both reformer and mat Pilates, as well as the Cadillac workout.

22 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

Peaches Pilates

You’ll be feeling peachy after a class here, which proves you don’t need a reformer to feel the burn, get stronger and build up your endurance. Mat classes sometimes make use of dumbbells, ankle weights, bands and other tools, and there’s barre on offer, too.

Fitzroy and Windsor locations

Joyful PIlates

Seasoned Pilates princesses (or princes) and reformer rookies alike will find the right class at this studio offering classes designed to pump you up with HIIT and jump boards or slow things down. The zen classes also combine Pilates with yoga and meditation for a blissful reset.

2A Kingsway, Armadale

Little Mandarin

While this inclusive studio offers two levels of reformer Pilates (and even a class in Mandarin), what sets it apart is the aerial yoga classes use a hammock hanging from the ceiling. Or join the ropes class, which has you strapped to the walls to strengthen your form.

Blackburn, Burwood East, Camberwell and CBD locations

Universal Practice

Unlike the other studios on this list, Universal Practice’s main focus is physiotherapy. Specialised knowledge is used through a more holistic approach to health, integrating Pilates, strength, conditioning, yoga and meditation. It’s also launched an online body-tracking technology to develop a treatment plan just for you.

Fitzroy and Glen Iris locations

This article first appeared in Domain Review, in partnership with Broadsheet.