Favorite Pilates Studios: Charleston, South Carolina
As a former owner of Om On Yoga, a Yoga & Pilates Studio in Richmond, VA, it can definitely be said that I am an absolute lover of Pilates, and seek it out wherever my travels take me. In fact, after discovering it first in college as a form of injury prevention and recovery (I was a college of athlete and thus needed this dearly), it has become an absolute mainstay in my life. My practice was in the beginning simply a form of injury of recovery, but later on it would become a mainstay in my fitness regimen. I’ve found over the years that there is nothing quite like the Pilates method when it comes to increasing core strength from a deep place that includes not just the superficial abs but also the deep abdominal muscles, low back and hips, developing greater balance, elongating the muscles and spine by improving posture and increasing flexibility, and injury prevention. In my experience, I also have seen firsthand how incorporating specifically a Pilates equipment practice has greatly enhanced my wellness routine. And at my studio, Om On Yoga, I would see how the Pilates practice touched so many others lives and the positive benefits that I witnessed it bring to so many in our community was remarkable. Here in Charleston, I’ve had the pleasure to continue my practice as a student of the method with so many incredible local studios and teachers. And I’ve had the honor of partnering with one of the absolute best around, Leia Hamilton, through our Seasonal Women’s Wellness Retreats, where we incorporate movement, meditation, and nourishing food on the Wando River. It’s truly a special event that encourages taking a pause and reconnecting with yourself in a beautiful setting. I hope you can join us for our next Retreat, and feel free to sign up for my Newsletter for our next date announcements. And in the meantime, here is my short list of studios that are at the top of my list, along with some of my favorite instructors:
Exhale Pilates
“Exhale Pilates Studio is a locally owned, power-based Pilates studio dedicated to client results and customer satisfaction. Offering group, semi-private, and private classes - their mission is to provide an exceptional workout experience that leaves you feeling strong, motivated and inspired after each class.
Achieving individual goals is their personal mission. ”
Their focus is on progressing an equipment based Pilates practice.
Classes Offered:
Group
Semi-Private
Private
Fave Instructors:Katie Williams
Lauren Whitfield
Jean Morgan
Mount Pleasant:
1410 Shucker Circle Suite 1106
Mount Pleasant, 29464
Breathe Pilates
“Breathe Pilates Studio & Spa is founded on the idea that we should simplify our lives. We should stop for a moment. We should treat our bodies kindly and reward ourselves with good health and well-being.
Breathe Pilates features Balanced Body™ equipment—the best Pilates equipment around! And, proudly boasts instructors trained by Balanced Body™ University’s training program (the leading Pilates education program in the country).”
Classes Offered:
Group
Semi-Private
Private
Reformer
Reformer + Jumpboard
Levels 1, 2, 3
Fave Instructors:
Elizabeth
Alexandra
3 Locations
Mount Pleasant:
956 Long Grove Drive, Suite 2
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Daniel Island:
125 Riverlanding Drive, Suite 103
Daniel Island, SC 29492
Park Circle:
1079 E Montague Ave, Suite 200
North Charleston, SC 29405
Taylor Grant Pilates
A boutique studio in downtown Charleston, whose motto is “Work smarter, not harder”. We second that!
Classes Offered:
Group
Semi-Private
Private
Abs, A**, Arms
Flowlates
Bounce
Mamas
Fave Instructors:
Taylor Grant
Alicia Watson
Location:
Downtown:
87D Hasell street,
Charleston SC 29401
BK Pilates
New on the scene in Mount Pleasant, we can’t wait to try this spot out. Described as “intimate, bright, and airy studio complete with state-of-the-art equipment offer the ideal setting to explore the practice of Pilates.”
Mount Pleasant
Northcutt Plaza
976 Houston Northcutt blvd
MT Pleasant, SC 29464
Lagree Method
The Lagree Method is a bit of a melange between Pilates, High Intensity Cardio, and Strength Training. In fact, one of its primary goals is to work each large and small muscle group to the point of fatigue in a compressed high energy setting. The megaformer is the machine of choice and is a bit longer and larger than a traditional Pilates reformer, but still relies on a system of pulleys and springs for resistance.
Form Charleston
“A boutique Megaformer studio in downtown Charleston. They offer a high-intensity low, impact class that will have you breathless at the end in the best way!”
Classes Offered:
Group
Semi-Private
Private
Megaformer
Form 30
Happy Hour Sweat
Fave Instructors:
Whitney Currin
Rivers Clarke
Location:
Downtown:
The Jasper
320 Broad St. Suite 150
Charleston SC 29401
Megabodi
The studio says to “expect 40 minutes of high-octane, shirt-drenching, muscle quivering, total body strengthening. Small-group setting MEGABODI offers a total-body program that melds together cardio, weight training, core stability, flexibility, and endurance to create a revolutionary, one-of-a-kind fitness program that burns calories rapidly and allows you to sculpt your physique in ways traditional exercise cannot.
Classes Offered:
Group
Megaformer (40 min)
Fave Instructors:
Margaux Gaeser
Dawn Grande
Location:
Downtown:
601 Meeting St., Ste 130
Charleston, SC 29403
Ethos
Our go to athletic club in town, and one of the hardest Pilates inspired classes we’ve taken on the mat. Meet Axis:
“AXIS is a 60-min pilates-esque class that creates a central line of connection through breath work, intentional movement & form. Expect a strength based experience that works to increase stability, enhance athletic performance & boost range of motion through high reps & long, slow holds. When you build from a strong core of movement, you invite balance & alignment in mind, body & life.”
Fave Instructor:
Nicole Lazer
Private in Home:
Leia Hamilton
Of course as our Wellness Retreat partner, we love Leia, and she is one of the most skillful Pilates instructors we’ve had the chance of practicing with in Charleston and beyond. Leia specializes in creating individualized programs to meet the specific needs of her clients. She strives to empower people to use their bodies in ways that feel good and are safe and effective at any age and give people confidence to push themselves to their fullest potential.