The SL Directory: 1-2-1 Pilates

High above Notting Hill, with sweeping city views, Pilates In The Clouds is as impressive as its name suggests. Founder Lauren Masaoka combines the precision of traditional Pilates with a more contemporary, strength-led edge. Private sessions (and ultra-small classes capped at just three) make full use of the studio’s apparatus – reformer, Cadillac and barrel included – creating workouts that feel dynamic, challenging and never repetitive. Lauren has a forensic eye for imbalance, making subtle, real-time adjustments that clients say switch on muscles they didn’t know existed. Don’t be surprised if you leave feeling taller, stronger and noticeably more aligned after just one session.

The Notting Hill studio is waitlist-only, but a second location is opening at Harvey Nichols this month. Private sessions from £195.

Visit PILATESINTHECLOUDS.COM

Gaby Noble, founder of Exhale Pilates, is the name that consistently comes up when people go in search of proper Pilates. Rooted in the original method, her approach strips things back to basics – in the best possible way. Private sessions begin before the first exercise – how you’re standing, how you’re breathing, where you’re gripping or bracing unnecessarily. From there, strength and stability are layered in gradually, using equipment to both support and challenge the body. She’s especially popular with beginners, postnatal clients and anyone battling desk-induced tension. 

Private sessions start from £95, with introductory packages available.

Visit EXHALEPILATESLONDON.COM

Based in West London, Aimee Victoria Long offers a contemporary take on Pilates that feels both polished and purposeful. Her approach is grounded in alignment and control, with an emphasis on building deep, functional strength that shows in the way you stand and move. Her private sessions are entirely tailored, combining reformer work with intelligently layered mat sequences. The focus is on precision and progression – strengthening the core, improving posture and creating subtle, visible definition over time. With experience in pre- and postnatal training, as well as post-injury recovery, Aimee adapts each programme to the individual. Clients can train in her private studio, at home or online, offering flexibility without compromising on detail.

In-person sessions range from £160 to £250, with tailored programmes available.

Visit AIMEEVICTORIALONG.CO.UK

If you’re looking for Pilates that genuinely changes how your body performs day to day, Nathalie Clough is a name to know. As founder of LifeBody in Barnes, she works with people whose bodies are their livelihood – from elite athletes to high-profile clients who need to stay strong, resilient and injury-free (she’s currently training a top-ranking British tennis player). Nathalie is particularly sought-after for postnatal recovery, spinal concerns and injury management. Her sessions are thoughtful and deeply personalised – she’s constantly observing, spotting subtle compensations and correcting them before they become patterns. The result? Clients feel more supported, more stable and more confident in their strength within weeks.

Private sessions from £150, application only. 

Book via LIFEBODY.CO.UK

When clients want more than just a good class, they book Marsha Lindsay. The founder of Nobu Pilates in Marylebone, she has more than 15 years of classical Pilates training, plus a lifelong background in strength work and martial arts. Her private sessions are intelligent, demanding and completely bespoke – no recycled formulas here. She’s particularly skilled at working with those who feel they’ve plateaued, unlocking new depth and definition in bodies that have ‘done Pilates’ for years. Expect smart programming, serious burn and results that translate into visible shape and strength.

Prices available on demand. 

Visit NOBUHOTELS.COM

Founder of Bondi Rise, Lottie Anderson has created a sunlit Wimbledon studio inspired by the easy energy of Bondi Beach. Her sessions are warm, reassuring and refreshingly clear – ideal if you’ve ever found Pilates confusing or overly rigid. Each starts with a check-in before moving into purposeful sequences designed to rebuild strength, improve posture and restore control. As a mum herself, Lottie combines professional expertise with lived experience, focusing on steady, safe progress rather than pressure to bounce back. The result is Pilates that feels supportive, empowering and sustainable.

Initial 50-minute private sessions are £75, based at Bondi Rise studios in Wimbledon and East Molesey. 

Visit BONDIRISE.COM

If you enjoy Pilates but sometimes wish it felt a little more dynamic, Sam Deville strikes the perfect balance. Based in Wimbledon Village, her approach blends classical Pilates with thoughtful strength work, making it ideal for anyone who wants to feel stronger without losing the precision Pilates is known for. Her sessions are progressive but never overwhelming. Working across mat and reformer, she focuses on core support, glute strength and full-body tone, with clear guidance and plenty of attention to form. Often described as the bridge between rehab-style Pilates and personal training, her sessions help clients build confidence in their bodies while seeing steady, sustainable results.

Private mat sessions are £90; reformer sessions £100. 

Book via WIMBLEDON.SAMDEVILLEPILATES.COM

If you love the sculpting promise of barre but want something even smarter, Catie Miller delivers. The founder of Barre Series, she blends ballet-inspired movement with Pilates precision and just enough cardio to energize – never exhaust. While barre is her signature, her background in mat and reformer Pilates (plus TRX) adds depth and intelligence to every session. Privates often weave Pilates principles into barre-style sequences that challenge balance, stability and endurance. The result? Long, lean muscle, improved posture and strength that builds consistently over time.

Catie works with a limited number of private clients. Pricing is available on request, with enquiries made directly via her website. 

Visit BARRESERIES.COM