Something quietly exciting has arrived in Tonbridge. While many of us have watched reformer pilates explode in popularity across London and beyond, our town now has its very own dedicated studio: Reformer Pilates by Hannah Smith.
Tucked away on River Lawn, opposite the doctor’s surgery and just a stone’s throw from the park, it’s one of those places you could easily walk past without realising what’s inside. As one participant in my class perfectly summed it up:
“It’s the perfect short stroll from the studio into town for a post-pilates coffee.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
The studio opened in April and, since then, has been quietly building a loyal following. With just five reformer machines, it’s an intimate space designed to offer something that’s becoming increasingly rare: genuinely personalised instruction.
Why small classes matter
Reformer pilates has become one of the fitness trends of recent years, but with its rise in popularity have come reports of injuries caused by inexperienced instructors or classes that are simply too large for teachers to properly monitor everyone’s technique.
That’s definitely not the feeling here.
Classes are deliberately capped at just five people, with one instructor guiding every session. Having attended reformer classes in London where one teacher was responsible for 12 students, the difference is immediately obvious. With only five participants, there’s time for individual corrections, careful instruction and reassurance throughout the class.
It simply feels safer.
The studio has four experienced female instructors, all with plenty of teaching experience, and it’s clear that good technique comes before pushing you to your limits.
My first class
I booked onto Victoria’s Friday morning class at 9.30am—a civilised time that’s neither painfully early nor halfway through the day.
I’ll admit, I was slightly nervous beforehand. My biggest fear with smaller classes is always being the only person who turns up, but thankfully there were four of us: three complete beginners and one returning client.
Victoria immediately put everyone at ease. She was friendly, welcoming and made a point of checking in with each of us individually before we started.
My other concern? That I’d spend the next three days unable to walk.
The last time I’d tried reformer pilates was at a studio in Belgrade, where “hardcore” barely covered it. I staggered out wondering whether stairs would ever be my friend again.
Thankfully, this class struck exactly the right balance.
It was gentle enough for complete beginners to feel comfortable, but challenging enough that I left feeling I’d had a proper workout. Throughout the session, Victoria focused on ensuring everyone’s positioning and technique were correct before gradually building the intensity.
Then came the foot straps.
If you’ve done reformer pilates before, you’ll know exactly what I mean. If you haven’t… prepare your abs.
By the end of the session, I definitely knew I’d exercised, but in that satisfying way that makes you want to book your next class rather than swear never to return.
The studio itself
The space is bright, calm and thoughtfully laid out, with plenty of room between each reformer. There are some lovely design touches that make it feel welcoming rather than clinical, and although the studio isn’t air conditioned, it stayed pleasantly cool thanks to good airflow and fans.
With toilets conveniently located just down the corridor, it’s a comfortable place to spend an hour, whatever the season.
Prices
If you’d like to give it a go, there are a few options.
A single drop-in class costs £26, although there’s currently a buy one, get one free offer for new students—an excellent excuse to try it (offer only available for one month.)
If you’re already convinced, memberships work out much better value:
- 5 classes: £87.50
- 10 classes: £128
I have to admit, I’m already eyeing up that 10-class package.
Class times
The timetable offers plenty of flexibility, with beginner, mixed and intermediate sessions running throughout the week:
- Monday mornings
- Tuesday evenings
- Wednesday mornings and evenings
- Friday mornings
- Saturday mornings
Whether you’re looking to fit a class in before work, after work or at the weekend, there’s a good chance you’ll find something to suit you.
The verdict
Tonbridge has gained a fantastic addition to its growing health and wellbeing scene.
If you’ve been curious about reformer pilates but have been put off by intimidating studios or huge class sizes, this feels like the ideal place to start. Friendly instructors, careful teaching, genuinely small classes and a welcoming atmosphere make it approachable for beginners while still offering enough challenge to keep more experienced clients engaged.
How to book
Follow Hannah on Instagram or Facebook. Or you can book direct via the Mind Body page for the studio.
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