So Fitness

Formally a mezzanine micro-studio perched above a hairdressers in Auckland CBD, So Fitness has got some brand new digs and we’re here for it. 

Just five minutes up the road from their original possie, the new studio is located on the corner of Princes St and Eden Terrace. Simply step through the doors and follow the neon glow down the corridor. 

Attendees are invited to slip off their shoes and place them in a cubby in reception before donning grip socks and being shown into the main area to ‘meet’ their reformer. Newbies are given an orientation prior to the start of the class to help get acquainted with the reformer’s various springs and moving parts. 

The new studio has two areas: a spacious, group fitness room with a semi-industrial aesthetic and eight reformers—each with their own assortment of pilates props, and a smaller room for private sessions, with reformers and an intriguing-looking Cadillac machine, which we hear is fantastic for building strength and flexibility.  

There are an impressive 40 classes on offer every week and three types of classes to choose from: Beginner Reformer and Intermediate Reformer. As you’d expect, Beginner Reformer is great for newbies but it’s also recommended for injury rehabilitation. Intermediate Reformer offers a mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced pilates exercises, is suitable for everyone and often has a special focus on abs and booty. 

So Fitness was founded amidst the pandemic with the ethos of empowering people to take ownership of their own health and fitness. Initially run by a powerhouse duo of Nicole—a Clinical Physiotherapist—and Vivian—trained in rhythmic gymnastics and ballet-the team has since grown to six incredible Clinical Pilates Instructors. 

Vitally, for a central city-based studio, getting to and from class is a breeze. Parking is available a minute down the road for $3 an hour, Britomart is a short walk away and there are plenty of bus stops nearby. 

Each class has a flow to it that feels comfortable and safe. Movements are often slow and powerful, encouraging attendees to move with their breath to build muscle tone and control, while strengthening the mind and mind-body connection all at once. If this sounds like a bit of you, you can book into a class here. 

Image credit: So Fitness by Andrew Lau Photography. 

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