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Reformer Class Review: Beyond Fitness, London
When I first heard that Beyond Fitness (45 Bernerst Street, W1T 3NE) was opening, I thought to myself, great, another reformer studio. But then a friend invited me to try it with her, and I’m so glad I went, because Beyond Fitness is unlike anything I’ve tried before.
The studio is tucked away on a street just off Oxford Street in Fitzrovia, and as soon as you walk in, you can tell that a lot of thought has gone into the aesthetics. And while, of course, the class itself is what matters most, it never hurts to walk into a beautiful space.
Beyond Fitness has already established a strong brand identity, from its “Ciao Amore” grippy socks to its playful merchandise, a lovely nod to the founder’s Italian heritage. It feels fun and distinctive without trying too hard.
For now, the studio consists of one main reformer room, with another empty space downstairs near the toilets. I imagine this will eventually be transformed into another studio, a private training room, or something else entirely as the business grows.
I booked my class with Paola, the founder, as I wanted to experience the full Beyond Fitness experience and let me tell you, I was not disappointed.
The studio itself has beautiful lighting designed to resemble a sunset. Even when the room is dark, this warm glow fills the space and creates a surprisingly calming atmosphere which you definitely appreciate once the workout gets intense. And intense it is.
Throughout the class, you’ll feel your heart pounding, so if you’re looking for a relaxing, low-key reformer session, this probably isn’t the one for you. The exercises themselves are based on familiar reformer movements, but the transitions are incredibly quick. Even though the actual movements are performed with slower, controlled cues, the pace between exercises keeps your heart rate elevated throughout.
By the end, I was absolutely exhausted but in the best possible way. I left feeling energised and, more importantly, proud of myself.
The highlight? Paola, without a doubt. She is genuinely one of the best instructors I’ve come across. What impressed me most was how closely she paid attention to every single person in the room. She constantly corrected form, adjusted positioning and encouraged everyone to get the most out of each movement.
She pushes you beyond what you think you can do, but never in a way that feels uncomfortable or intimidating. She understands boundaries and respects your individual limits while still encouraging you to challenge yourself.
Despite being in a group class, I genuinely felt like I was getting a one-to-one session. Her attention to detail and hands-on approach made such a difference.
The downside? I’d say the location. Unless you work around Fitzrovia or central London, you might not necessarily want to travel specifically for a workout although, in my opinion, it’s worth the journey.
The other downside is the lack of showers. If you’re planning to squeeze in a class before heading straight back to the office or meeting friends afterwards, be warned: you will leave very sweaty. There’s no hiding it!
Beyond Fitness was such a pleasant surprise. What I initially dismissed as “another reformer studio” turned out to be one of the most challenging and enjoyable classes I’ve tried in London.
I’m already looking forward to going back and seeing if I can push myself even further. Since the studio only opened in August, they currently have some introductory offers, so this is definitely the time to try it. And honestly, even without the offer, I think Paola’s classes are worth the price given the quality of the training and the level of attention you receive. Book your class here (45 Bernerst Street, W1T 3NE)
Atmosphere: 10/10
Cleaningless: 10/10
Teaching: 10/10
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