Loved by the likes of Margot Robbie and Harry Styles, we try fitness craze reformer pilates at Core Reformer studio in Gravesend High Street

Loved by celebrities like Margot Robbie and Harry Styles, reformer pilates is taking the fitness world by storm with hundreds of new studios popping up in the last year, particularly in London.

And now the craze is seemingly on its way to Kent with two openings within 0.2 miles of each other in Gravesend. We sent reporter Alex Langridge to try a class at the new Core Reformer studio in the High Street.

If your social media is anything like mine, you’ll notice a new fitness trend appearing every other week.

But one that’s stuck around, and seems to be gaining momentum with endless videos and Instagram-worthy mirror selfies, is reformer pilates.

At first, I didn’t take much notice but as more when I saw two studios were opening up in my town, I thought I would give it a try.

Core Reformer opened in Gravesend High Street last month following a massive £50,000 refurbishment by four friends Chianne and Ryan Heggs and Kimberley and Bradley Smith.

They started the business together following a conversation on holiday where they discovered the others were also thinking about opening a studio so decided to join forces.

The reformer is a type of pilates which uses a piece of apparatus to improve core strength, flexibility, muscle tone, posture and balance, Kimberley explained.

The 35-year-old added: “Everyone has the perception that pilates is quite airy-fairy but it is not. I think men also have the perception that it is more for women but again it is not.

“We want to show it is for everyone and it has been nice to get all types of people come through the door.”

The reformer beds use spring tension to create a full-body but low-impact exercise which is also good for injury rehabilitation and can be completely tailored to an individual including pre and post-pregnancy.

It involves using a moving table with pulleys and extra equipment to create different exercises and movements while also focusing on your breathing.

I am used to the more fast-paced, barbell classes where the instructor shouts at you to not give up so the slower pace and more focused exercises of reformer pilates were very different.

I have never done this type of exercise before and will admit I had my doubts that it was truly as beneficial as everyone said.

However, these quickly dissipated when the class got going and I realised how tough the exercises were, especially making sure you have the correct form.

The next day I woke up aching in places I did not even think I had used in the class making it a great full-body workout.

The reformer beds are also one of the most fun pieces of gym equipment I have used and for almost £3,000 each it is a good job they are. I can certainly see why there is such hype for it.

Although it is not a new exercise, Chianne said she thinks the fascination has started to grow due to social media.

She added: “I think more people are hearing about it and wanting to give it a go and falling in love with it.

“It is like when spinning had its moment and everyone wanted to do it. And like spin, reformer pilates is here to stay.”

Co-owners Bradley, Ryan and Chianne all grew up in Gravesend with the husband and wife still living in the town making it the perfect location for their first branch.

Chianne was also travelling into Sevenoaks around three times a week for her reformer pilates class and wanted to bring it closer to home.

The 30-year-old said: “Gravesend was missing something like this and we thought it would be a good addition to the town.

“It is nice to bring reformer pilates closer to people’s doorsteps.”

Kimberley added: “It is such a shame that people were missing out on it because there were no studios near them, people were having to travel far or into London for a class.

“We have a connection with Gravesend and it is nice to bring it somewhere like this and further out of London. We wanted more people to enjoy it.

“People are pleased we have opened and brought a new lease of life to the building.

“When people come in, it feels like a London studio. We are trying to bring a little bit of the capital here.

“Everyone who has walked through the door has felt welcome and comfortable. We wanted it to become a community not just somewhere you come to do a class.”

Despite never stepping foot into a London pilates studio, I felt the high-end vibe the team were trying to create with a small, comfortable waiting area, drinks fridge and clean, black and cream decor.

It also has a steeper price point which I would expect to pay in the capital with £25 for a single session but Chianne and Kimberley said the classes are cheaper than the industry standard.

Around 200 people have already taken up the studio’s introductory offer, which Kimberley, who is originally from Manchester, said proves there is a demand for it.

Chianne added: “We have had some great feedback. It has been a brilliant first few weeks.”

Core Reformer has sessions for beginners and intermediates and post and pre-natal classes throughout the week.