The latest addition to Harrogate’s fitness and wellbeing scene will open next week.
Harrogate Pilates Studio, based on Claro Court Business Centre, will offer a range of pilates classes, including reformer, matt, stretch bar and yoga.
Owner Emma Ryder, 26, has spent her life dancing. She began aged three and went on to become a professional dancer.
Despite finding work on cruise ships and on TV, she told the Stray Ferret it was lockdown that pushed her to find her true passion: pilates.
She said:
“I spent lockdown doing my matt pilates qualification and have been teaching it since 2021. It was then that I had a moment of ‘wow, this is what I really love’.
“I love it because I can apply a lot of my dance knowledge into my work.”
The reformer machines.
The former Harrogate Grammar School pupil then completed her reformer pilates training in 2022 and has since taught in local gyms and to private clients.
She said it is thanks to growing up in Harrogate that she has managed to build a client base here, adding several clients would “always suggest” opening her own studio.
Ms Ryder told the Stray Ferret she wants to deliver a smaller, more personal service in Harrogate and create a “community”, rather than a “come to the studio and leave environment”.
She added:
“In places like London, there can be just inches between the matts or reformer machines. It’s much more personal here.
“I wanted to create a space in which I can interact with all the people in the room – it’s a high-end service and the space and session should reflect that.
“I’d love it to be the kind of place where you end up knowing the person on the reformer machine next to you!”
Harrogate Pilates Studio boasts six reformer pilates machines, each costing £3,000, as well as eight matt spaces.
Ms Ryder will teach classes along with three other freelance teachers.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“In my opinion, everyone should do pilates. It’s so good for posture, for strength and endurance – everything!
“This studio is also a great place to start if you’re new to it because it’s such small groups and you won’t feel like you’re getting lost. It’s an inclusive space, which is exactly what I hoped for because I know reformer can look scary at first.”
Ms Ryder added she is feeling “nervous but excited and optimistic” about the opening.
All equipment is available to use at the studio, Ms Ryder said, adding people do not have to bring their own matts but can if they would like.
Drop-in reformer sessions cost £20, while drop-in matt sessions cost £10.
A matt membership, which offers unlimited matt classes, will set people back £65 per month, and a monthly reformer membership costs between £65 and £110 dependent on the number of sessions.
Harrogate Pilates Studio will open its door on Wednesday, May 1. Classes will be held throughout the day from Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.
It is based in Unit 5 on the business park, next to Doors Direct. Bookings are now open.
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