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pilates barns for reformer pilates classes in bedfordshire

strength · mindfulness · flow

Classical Pilates classes near Harpenden,
Pilates the way it was meant to be

A boutique, full equipment studio on the Luton Hoo Estate — just minutes from Harpenden and Luton, and a world away from the average gym class.

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Why choose The Pilates Barns?

Expert Teachers

Highly qualified teachers helping you build strength, improve joint mobility and return to movement without pain.

Community

Our Pilates classes are small with just a maximum of 8, creating a warm community of like-minded individuals.

All Abilities Welcome

From complete beginners short courses to full apparatus classes, we have sessions for all levels and abilities.

Premium Comfort

Fully air-conditioned studios, free parking, and a nearby coffee shop for those all important after class chats!

Reviews
5
(43)
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Sharon Veares
Sharon Veares
3 months ago
My 5-week intro at Pilates Barns was fabulous. Richard gave me such a warm welcome and managed to give each of us the assistance we needed. The setting is gorgeous, and the studio is clean and comfortable with nice new equipment. I hadn't bargained for the fun banter amongst the group members who have evidently built up a nice relationship, so it was especially lovely that they welcomed me so enthusiastically into the group. A nice touch was the post-exercise email from Clare – I've never received that before – what a brilliant idea! Based on the above, I had no hesitation taking out membership as I'm already aware of the transformation in my body.<br /> Thank you Richard, Clare and the members of this lovely group. 😊
lisamariewat
lisamariewat
3 months ago
I can't recommend The Pilates Barns highly enough! The instructors are absolutely fantastic—friendly, supportive, and incredibly knowledgeable. Their expertise really shines through in every class, and they take the time to ensure everyone is working safely and getting the most out of each session.<br /> <br /> The studio offers a huge variety of classes throughout the week, and some at weekends making it easy to find something that fits my schedule. Whether you're a complete beginner or have years of experience, there is a class to suit every ability, and always a friendly welcome.<br /> <br /> The air-conditioned studio makes exercising comfortable all year round, even in the recent heatwave, and the easy parking is a real bonus that takes the stress out of getting to class.<br /> <br /> It's a professional, welcoming environment with exceptional teaching and amazing equipment. If you're looking for high-quality classical Pilates, this is the place to be!
carly tindle
carly tindle
4 months ago
What a fabulous place! Great teachers, fantastic studio and perfect location. I firstly started a 5 week beginners course, having never done any reformer pilates before and even after week 1, I was hooked! Now signed up for weekly classes. So happy! Cannot recommend The Pilates Barm enough.
Tamaryn W
Tamaryn W
9 months ago
Wow – what a fantastic studio! It has all the Pilates equipment you could ever want, along with highly skilled teachers who genuinely support you on your Pilates journey. I can’t recommend Pilates Barns highly enough for anyone interested in Pilates, from absolute beginners to advanced practitioners.
Anatolie Jacobson
Anatolie Jacobson
8 months ago
Beautiful new pilates studio in the picture-perfect country side off a main road near Harpenden or St Albans which is so easy to get to, and lots of parking! With the latest reformer-combis that easily convert to towers, the class was easy to follow and challenging for all the right reasons. 2 mins walk to the local cafe which again was in a beautiful setting. I highly recommend Pilates Barnes.
Amy Fisher
Amy Fisher
6 months ago
The lovely Pilates Barns Harpenden is nestled in idyllic Luton Hoo grounds. The classes are the perfect size to get excellent teacher care and instruction. I can really feel the benefit already and feel stronger. The equipment is really nice and it's made me enthusiastic for my reformer pilates journey. There's a lovely cafe nearby to wrap up with. Wholeheartedly recommend Pilates Barns 👌
Alina Sarbovan
Alina Sarbovan
6 months ago
Joining this reformer pilates studio has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time.<br /> As someone who hasn’t done any form of exercise in over 15 years (apart from walking), I was quite anxious to begin with and a bit scared that I’d end up quitting like I have many times in the past with the gym. But from the very beginning something just felt different.<br /> The classes are well structured, the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, and every instructor I’ve worked with has been incredibly supportive and encouraging. Like one of the trainers said, pilates really does have a kind of magic about it that other forms of exercise don’t, and I can definitely see what they meant.<br /> I’ve already noticed improvements in my strength, control, and overall confidence, even after just a few weeks. It’s also been amazing to be part of such a great group, the energy in the studio really makes a difference.<br /> I’m genuinely looking forward to continuing my journey and building on what I’ve started. Highly recommend to anyone thinking about trying reformer pilates!
Barbara Dickey
Barbara Dickey
Edited 9 months ago
This studio in Harpenden is an absolute gem for anyone interested in reformer Pilates. What sets it apart is how inclusive the environment is! It always feels friendly and welcoming, whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned pro (or like me - somewhere in between) you will find classes that support and challenge you and teachers that encourage you.<br /> The teachers are incredibly skilled at tailoring the workout to your level and are great at checking to make sure that your form is always spot on!<br /> Working with Clare and her team at The Pilates Barns has done wonders for my back and has led to huge improvements in my core strength and posture.<br /> Although the studio and equipment are amazing - with high-end reformers, ladder barrels, and Wunda chairs etc - it is the quality of the teaching that truly sets it apart from other studios. It’s a professional, supportive space that makes every session a joy!
Nicki Yarrow
Nicki Yarrow
3 months ago
I had never tried any kind of Reformer Pilates until joining The Pilates Barns and I’m a total convert and absolutely love it!! The teachers are all amazing and the small class size makes it feel very personal and enables the teachers to make sure everyone is engaging the correct muscles and using proper form throughout. I wasn’t sure what it’d be like without music, but actually it gives everyone a chance to really focus and switch off the normal brain noise. It creates a lovely atmosphere and I’m surprised how much it compliments my weight training and running. Having had two kids, I didn’t realise how bad my posture had become or how disengaged my core was. But now, I’m on my way to hopefully being in the best shape of my life and feeling strong and fit again. I can definitely tell if I’ve had to miss a class!
Lucy Wappett
Lucy Wappett
9 months ago
Wow what a wonderful location near Harpenden for this new studio for reformer Pilates. Lovely welcoming and experienced teachers offering classes for all levels. Stunning brand new equipment looks beautiful in the barn. Clare and the team have really helped with my lower back pain over the years and so great to open this new space for classes.
Rossella D_M
Rossella D_M
9 months ago
The Pilates Barns in Harpenden, within the Luton Hoo Estate is simply fantastic!<br /> Starting from the drive through the tree-lined road with beautiful views of the countryside!<br /> The Pilates Barns inside is very cosy but at the same time it provides top top top quality equipment and teaching. Brand new combined reformers and Pilates towers, Pilates Combo Wunda Chairs, equipment for ballet stretching and much more.<br /> The teachers are all so professional and really nice. The vibe during the classes is so positive and relaxed. There is always a change for a good laugh! Clare and her team are real experts, with attention to any movement, big or small, you take whilst practising during their classes. This studio offers Pilates for every level, a chance to improve and feel better. I’ve been working with Rufina and Clare for the past two years in St Albans and my posture, my back and my body in general just keep benefiting from their classes. I am so glad there is such an amazing Pilates studio in Harpenden which can be easily accessed from surrounding areas! Highly recommended.
Anne Murray
Anne Murray
4 months ago
We really enjoyed the Pilates session with Vicky last Friday (29th May). She explained clearly how to use the equipment safely and it was a steady, whole body resistance training workout geared to the right level of my ability (a complete novice). Also, I felt revived afterwards, rather than having post exercise aches and pains!
Mia Trangmar
Mia Trangmar
9 months ago
The Reformer Pilates classes at Pilates Barns in Harpenden are wonderful! Clare, Vicky and Rufina are all brilliant teachers. So welcoming, encouraging, and really attentive to every individual. Such effortless expertise. It’s a brand new studio with all new equipment, set in a beautiful location and perfect for all levels - I’ve noticed such a positive difference in my posture, my neck and back. This Pilates class has become an essential part of my personal fitness. I look forward to next week’s session - Just 15mins drive from St Albans.
J. Varley
J. Varley
7 months ago
As a reformer newbie, I can’t recommend The Pilates Barns enough. Set in a beautiful environment with spa-like vibe with such a lovely instructor and fellow pupils it is impossible to find any fault.<br /> Vicky was so calm and clear in her instruction, and encouraging along the way. Cannot wait to go back for lesson no. 2.<br /> If you are wanting to dip your toe into Pilates but are unsure, you will be made to feel welcome and put at ease.
Natalia Ribas
Natalia Ribas
9 months ago
This is a one of a kind Pilates Studio. I have been having Pilates lessons with Clare for more than 12 years and her knowledge and expertise is first class in the sector. The new studio is located in a beautiful setting and has excellent, brand new equipment. Clare and her fantastic team of instructors make the whole experience highly personalised through a wide variety of exercises and the use of the different pieces of equipment. They ensure you achieve your goals, from becoming stronger to developing a thorough understanding of how your body works at its best. Both my physical and mental health have improved greatly thanks to the regular classes and through different periods of my life, especially after having had my two children and recovering from severe diastasis recti. I highly recommend the Pilates Barns and I cannot wait to continue improving my practice in this new wonderful studio.
siobhan connor
siobhan connor
7 months ago
Impeccable. Get in there quick.<br /> <br /> Newly opened so a great choice of class times and all new equipment.<br /> <br /> I've joined classes with Claire, Richard and Michaela - all had a keen eye for good form, making the difference for getting the most out of your time/energy!<br /> <br /> I've struggled with hip problems for about 4 years and nothing I've tried so far has had the substantial and holistic improvement of 6 weeks here. I'm looking forward to seeing how much tone I can achieve after another 6!
Liz Jellows
Liz Jellows
9 months ago
What a beautiful space you have created Clare it’s simply stunning. The drive up to the studio (5 minutes off Harpenden High Street) is so peaceful and the moment you step inside you feel completely calm. The equipment is fantastic I loved the way the reformers turned into towers in just a few seconds.<br /> I have always been impressed with the teaching you all provide it’s so individual and tailored to each of your clients. As the classes are so small it allows you to really focus in on individuals which is so welcoming, I really notice if I’ve missed a session. I’ve never stuck at exercise for such a long period of time it really is now just a part of my life, so thank you so welcoming me in and teaching me.
Jenny Biggs
Jenny Biggs
4 months ago
Great Beginner's Course with new equipment, in a lovely location near to Luton Hoo.<br /> Richard is a great instructor.<br /> Would highly recommend to anyone who is thinking about Reformer Pilates, really friendly classes.
Ksenia Rubina
Ksenia Rubina
9 months ago
Amazing new reformer Pilates studio in Harpenden! Brand new equipment and of course Rufina is a fantastic teacher. I have been having classes with her for a year and my body is completely transformed.
Lindsey Brook
Lindsey Brook
9 months ago
The Pilates Barn is a wonderful, inclusive centre with a large range of equipment. It’s a professional, really welcoming space, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro.<br /> The teachers are incredible, and tailor the session to your level with a hands on approach, making sure your form is always correct.<br /> The quality of the teaching is what sets it apart from other studios. Five stars from me!
Teacher Clare Axon Saunders working with a client at the pilates reformer harpenden studio

Welcome to The Studios

Reformer Pilates Harpenden: Pilates Classes Grounded in Science, Tailored to You

Founded by Clare Axon-Saunders, The Pilates Barns was created to offer a sanctuary where movement is guided by anatomy, evidence, and individual progression. We move away from generic fitness trends to focus on classical apparatus, the method as a whole, and body awareness in small group settings. Contrology, the exercise program developed by Joseph Pilates, and now known simply as Pilates, is a full body workout. It is functional not fancy, it is a workout not a stretch, and it is suitable for every body. 

Clare Axon-Saunders has been in the Pilates industry for over 20 years. In that time, the original Pilates Method has changed very little. However, the image around Pilates and the science around Pilates has changed substantially! Clare’s mission is to take people back to Contrology, the way Pilates was originally intended but incorporating modern day science to ensure that clients leave feeling not only confident in themselves but confident in their body and able to move without fear.

We are incredibly fortunate at The Pilates Barns to offer a diverse collective of highly skilled instructors, ensuring we have a teacher perfectly suited for your unique journey and goals. As Clare explains:

“The Pilates Method, when utilised with the nuanced understanding Joe intended, is the perfect full-body discipline. As contemporary science evolves and our knowledge of the body and mind deepens, we integrate evidence-based practices into your workout, making it even more effective and transformative.”

“Our teachers are not just instructors; they are dedicated professionals who have undergone rigorous training programs. Each brings a unique specialisation to our studio: my own focus, and that of those I have personally trained, is on evidence-based Classical Pilates. We empower clients to move with greater ease and vitality, with a distinct emphasis on building functional strength for a healthier, pain-free life.”

“Our other highly trained teachers offer classes meticulously focused on precision, grace, and posture, guiding clients towards a deep mind-body connection and effortless movement. This breadth of expertise means we are uniquely positioned to offer a Pilates experience truly tailored for each individual, whatever their goals are”.

The Pilates Barns currently has two Studios in Hertfordshire. Our main studio is situated in the stunning Luton Hoo Estate, just minutes from Harpenden and Luton. A truly beautiful space set in a peaceful location. Our smaller, second studio is in St Albans.

Meet our Teachers
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How to start your Pilates journey

Get started in 3 simple steps

reformer tower in a pilates studio

Step 1

Pick Your Pass

Choose our low commitment Starter Pack or a Discovery Pack to explore all apparatus.

row of pilates wunda chairs inside Luton Hoo studio

Step 2

Reserve your Reformer

Use our simple mobile app or website to book your preferred session times at your convenience.

Clients learning knee stretch on the reformer

Step 3

Feel the Difference

Walk into an expert led, small group class tailored entirely to your body’s goals and movement needs.

Ready to Experience Classical Pilates?

Book your Starter Pack today and take the first step toward strength, mindfulness, flow & community.

Get Started Today

What makes our Pilates Barns Studios different from other Reformer Pilates studios?

At The Pilates Barns – in both Luton Hoo, near Harpenden, and St Albans – we teach Pilates in the way Joseph Pilates originally intended. Pilates has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, first with mat Pilates in the 1990s and now with reformer Pilates. This is fantastic for Pilates as a whole, giving people so many more options to try the practice.
 
However, our studios are different from the mainstream. Joseph Pilates was a great inventor and he invented – the now famous! – reformer, but also other spring-resistance equipment, including the cadillac, wunda chair, high chair, baby chair, ladder barrel, small barrel, spine corrector, and ped-o-pul! Not to mention small apparatus like the toe gizmo, foot corrector, neck stretcher, and magic circle! At our studios, we have all of that traditional equipment and we will teach you how to use it to help you get stronger, more flexible, and most importantly, more confident in your body.
 
We believe, as Joseph Pilates did, that Pilates should be practised as a Method, using all of the equipment to create a strong foundation for the functional movement of your body. So we haven’t cherry-picked just one piece of equipment – we use it all to get the best results for you.
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