Reformer Pilates in Manila for the ladies who listen to their bodies
In a typical week, I move between three homes—our apartment in Makati, my parents’ in Greenhills, and my in-laws’ in Quezon City. It’s a lot of shifting physically and mentally, but in between—when I can squeeze it in—I do Pilates to keep me grounded.
Because I move around so much, I’ve ended up trying Pilates studios all over the city, much of it thanks to discounts on apps like Classpass or studio-specific packages. While I often join group classes every now and then, I splurge on a one-on-one session, and the difference is tangible.
From fitness to fashion and medicine, industries have operated on the assumption that women’s bodies can be standardized and optimized through uniform systems. But a woman’s body is not static. It’s cyclical, with hormones that fluctuate monthly, and varying stressors that alter cortisol levels, affecting everything from sleep to weight to muscle repair.
Zooming out, life stages also have huge effects on women’s bodies, from menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and eventually, menopause.
This is why customized programs are especially important for the fairer sex, with the best one-on-one, personalized sessions meeting you halfway, without forcing you to keep up.
One-on-one reformers around Manila
Here are some Pilates studios that have excellent one-on-one classes that are accessible through packages and programs.
1. Onelife Pilates Studio: San Juan, Mandaluyong, Ortigas, Makati, Alabang
Onelife is easily one of the most trailblazing Pilates studios, with locations all around Metro Manila. Plus, all of the sessions they offer are strictly one-on-one.
In general, they offer clinical Pilates, perfect for those recovering from serious injury or doing physical therapy. I’ve even heard stories of people completely recovering from freak accidents that they had no hope of healing from.
“Our body isn’t one-size-fits-all—especially a woman’s,” says founder Tanya Maria Aguila. “Women’s bodies are intelligent and ever-changing, shaped by daily stress, hormones, injuries, and life stages.”
Before you do regular sessions, you start with an assessment using high-tech equipment that tracks metrics like body fat composition and body age (very humbling, I hate to admit, though helpful as it is). From here, all future sessions are adjusted to you.
“That level of individuality cannot be met in a group class,” Aguila adds. “Every one-on-one session begins with a proper assessment because your body deserves to be understood before it is challenged.”
It’s one of the pricier options, but also the most tailored. More than anything, you feel looked after, like your body isn’t just being worked out to look good aesthetically, but to reach its best health abilities.
Onelife Pilates Studio is located in San Juan, Mandaluyong, Ortigas, Makati, and Alabang
2. 8 Studio: Pasig and Makati
In its Makati branch across Ayala Triangle, 8 Studio sits inside the striking brutalist building, the Atrium. Inside is a smaller studio with walls that loop digital animation, from seascapes to forests, that make each session very immersive. Meanwhile, their Ortigas branch is spacious and airy with wide open windows, while practical and easy to access, being at the center of the city’s business district.
Their group classes range from slower, more controlled sessions to faster, almost aerobic flows for those who want a challenge. They also offer private or duo sessions. Their duo sessions are a sweet middle ground that’s ideal if you want to work out with a friend, without the pace of a full group class.
And if you’re looking for a way to socialize differently, they even offer packages where you can reserve the whole space, which works well for birthdays or bachelorettes.
8 Studio is located at the 3/F, Atrium of Makati, Makati Ave, Makati, and The Glaston Tower, Ortigas Ave. cor. E. Rodriguez, Pasig
3. Manila Athletic Club: San Juan
Located in Greenhills, Manila Athletic Club takes a more structured approach. You can’t just jump into any class—you have to build up to it after a few sessions.
No matter what your Pilates experience, you have to take at least three Essential group reformer classes. From there, you can progress to more difficult Flow or Sculpt classes. By the time you reach Sculpt, their most advanced level, you’re guaranteed to shake all over. And of course, they offer individualized classes, which you can easily book through their website.
There’s also an unexpected mix here of pop culture and social energy, through their music playlist and collaborations with various brands. Manila Athletic Club also has a next-door gym in collaboration with Elorde Boxing Gym, so you can cross-train or switch things up.
Manila Athletic Club is located at G Square, Wilson Street, Greenhills, San Juan
4. Reforma Pilates Studio: Quezon City
Perhaps one of the most luxe Pilates studios I’ve been to, Reforma is a sleek and polished spot inside the Katipunan Avenue mall. They also use Merrithew reformers—one of the highest-quality Pilates equipment.
The trainers come from varied backgrounds. I once trained with someone who had worked all their life with Ballet Philippines. This diversity shows in how the teachers cue movement in a manner that is precise yet approachable.
Also, they have tripods set up if you want to film your form to improve.
Reforma is located at Phase 2, Ground Floor, U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City
5. Good Studio: Quezon City
Further in Quezon City, near Commonwealth and in Don Antonio Heights, Good Studio has the atmosphere of a home-like space, with a small but steady community of regulars. They offer mat Pilates, which is unassisted by a machine, which, personally, I find harder than reformer Pilates, along with yoga and barre. You can also book one-on-one reformer sessions for a more focused, personalized practice.
Good Studio is relaxed, friendly, and unfussy, and they even have a coffee spot just outside the space.
Good Studio is located at 33 Marcelino St., Don Antonio, Quezon City
The pros of personalized Pilates
In a room moving in unison, there’s a sense that you’re absorbing your classmates’ energy (the good and the bad), and it can be difficult to focus on one’s individual body, as motivating as it may be. What if you’re recovering from an injury or going through a hormonal phase that requires lower intensity?
One-on-one Pilates, on the other hand, doesn’t force you to push through discomfort, but allows for both strength and softness—whether that means raising the intensity or taking a break without guilt.
For women, this matters. The occasional splurge on a personalized session can support the pelvic floor and deep core, especially through hormonal shifts or post-pregnancy, while also allowing intensity to change based on your cycle or stress levels.
It’s also a longer view that considers how the body evolves over time, from improving joint stability for those dealing with arthritis or osteoporosis, to enhancing posture and mobility for more sedentary routines, especially with so many modern working women today.
And, perhaps the most important, it creates body awareness through breath and controlled movement that helps regulate the nervous system—very important for women trying to balance it all in their lives, but who want to listen and care for their bodies at the same time.
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