Best of Brisbane 2021: Top 10 Brisbane pilates instructors revealed
Push it real good! After you nominated and voted for who you think is Brisbane’s very best pilates instructor, we can now reveal the top 10 here.
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If you’ve been wanting to try pilates for the first time, wanting to get back into it, or a tight and toned pro, look no further.
With the help of our readers, we’ve found all the best pilates instructors in and around Brisbane.
10. Claire Mckeen, Glow Pilates, Redcliffe
1/97 Kate St, Woody Point
Instagram: @glow.pilates
Glow pilates owner and operator Claire Mckeen runs Redcliffe’s hottest pilates studio – seriously, Glow pilates is the Redcliffe Peninsula’s only hot pilates gym.
Claire makes an effort to make every member feel welcome and is always helpful when it comes to all things pilates.
She has created a motivating, calm, and relaxed space so that you get the most out of feeling the burn.
While hot pilates might be Claire’s main gig, she also takes unheated pilates. These classes are open to anyone and are child and pregnancy friendly so you can bring bub along.
It’s no secret not only are her classes just movement based but are also incredibly good for the mind and soul.
You’ll find Claire’s pilates classes challenging but beginner friendly too.
9. Sarah Watson, TotalFusion Platinum & Function Well, Newstead
Lucent Gasworks, 18 Longland Street, Newstead
totalfusion.com.au/studios/newstead
Instagram: @bysarahpilates
Refine and reform your body with Sarah at TotalFusion Platinum in Newstead.
Specialising in reformer pilates, don‘t expect to be able to walk after one of Sarah’s workouts as she loves targeting legs so don’t be surprised when there’s a lunge series.
When you put on your favourite skirt and shorts and have toned and terrific pins, you‘ll thank her for it.
Be sure to book ahead because her classes fill up fast.
8. Kristin Murray, Forge, West End
4/249 Montague Rd, West End
Instagram: @kristin.theexphys
You’ll see Kristin teaching reformer classes as well as clinical pilates and one-on-one exercise physiology sessions at Forge.
An accredited exercise physiologist and exercise scientist, Kristin is also a certified APPI pilates Instructor and currently one of their course presenters teaching the next generation of instructors in Brisbane.
Kristin enjoys working in women’s health, including pregnancy and pre and post-partum health and menopause and its associated conditions including osteoporosis and pelvic floor training.
7. Dijana Radojevic, Forge, West End
4/249 Montague Rd, West End
Instagram: @dijana.forgepilates
Inspired to combine physiotherapy and clinical pilates to deliver a holistic approach to wellbeing, Dijana and her husband Serge founded Forge in 2017.
With the mission of delivering a boutique pilates clinic that integrates physiotherapy and exercise physiology to West End, clients are able to get a tailored experience in both exercise and clinical treatment by a highly trained and capable team.
Using the APPI pilates method over the past 6 years, Dijana enjoys seeing the great results in her clients with injury, as well as healthy individuals wanting to achieve their individual goals.
Dijana is fully Mat Certified and has completed all her APPI Equipment pilates training.
She has also completed courses in dry needling, ante and post natal pilates, pilates for scoliosis and is currently one of APPI’s clinical pilates assistant presenters.
6. Katrina Defteros, Studio Pilates, CBD
300 Ann Street, Brisbane
studiopilates.com/studios/brisbane-city
Instagram: @katrinadefteros
Katrina is known for her very supportive and highly professional nature during her reformer and pre & post natal workouts.
Using the most of the equipment to workout your whole body, Katrina will help whip you into shape as she guides you through her sessions where your body will be stretched and strengthened to the best of your ability.
With a focus on technique, she’ll be sure to encourage you and correct when necessary.
Located in the CBD, Katrina’s sessions are great for anyone living in the city or looking for a quick and effective way to exercise during workdays.
5. Natalie Walker, KX Newstead & Pilates Place Camp Hill
Level 1/76 Commercial Rd, Newstead
Instagram: @pilateswithnatalie
Nat’s infectious passion for pilates shines through in every class she takes, which are always fun and full of energy.
If you’re up for a challenge, there’s no one better to help kick your butt into shape than KX Newstead’s head trainer.
With the belief that pilates should be accessible to everyone, you’ll feel incredibly comfortable with her from your very first class.
She’ll be there for you every step of the way and her authentic and bubbly personality, you’ll go from pilates rookie to junkie in no time.
4. Leila Bastos, Postura, Red Hill
1 Waterworks Rd, Red Hill
Instagram: @leilabastos.pilates
Whether you’re training on your own or attending group classes, Leila offers a tailored pilates experience that suits your individual needs and goals.
The sport and exercise scientist is passionate about helping and empowering women to exercise safely during pregnancy and after birth.
By using the LPF technique, she focuses on the importance of breathing and alignment to correct and prevent pelvic floor issues, back pain, abdominal separation, stress or urge incontinence and prolapse.
Leila believes the movement is the key to strengthen the body and mind.
3. Steph Bairstow, Body Smart, Paddington
102 Lower Cairns Terrace, Paddington
Instagram: @stephbairpilates
Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular attendee, Steph strives to make you feel at ease and still push you to your limits.
By regularly changing her classes, she keeps them new, interesting, and challenging for everyone who attends.
You’ll see Steph is always on top of her clients’ form and has found the perfect balance between patient and firm.
She’s also an incredible multi-tasker and finds a way to keep the babies entertained while the mamas complete the class.
2. Karlie Andrews, That Pilates Passion, Various
Instagram: @thatpilatespassion
Having suffered with lower back and knee pain since high school, Karlie was amazed that she would walk out of a pilates class feeling re-energised and feeling a ‘good’ sore rather than completely exhausted and fatigued.
She knew this was something she wanted to do all day every day so, after quitting her marketing job six years ago to teach pilates full time, Karlie Andrews has never looked back.
Trained in barre, reformer, and mat pilates, she says the best part of her job is seeing her clients fall in love with pilates as much as she does.
“I would hope that my clients can see and feel my passion for what I do,” Karlie said.
“I genuinely love my job and helping and educating as many people as possible, whether that’s in the studio or via my online platform.”
1. Morgan Budd, Pilates Place, KX, Total Fusion, Various
22/25 Samuel St, Camp Hill
Instagram: @pilatesbymorgan
Morgan Budd has been voted Brisbane’s best pilates instructor for 2021.
The mat and reformer pilates instructor has a very athletic and dynamic style and uses her knowledge of yoga to help create a fusion style class that focuses on mobility and strength.
Expect a little bit of something for everyone no matter your fitness level at any of Morgan’s classes.
The pilates instructor said she values inclusion and wants to make sure her clients are getting the most out of their session.
She also likes to keep things fresh, fun, and loves to throw in a few holds and pulses here and there, which she thinks her clients secretly love.
“The best part of my job is connecting with different people everyday and knowing that you are making a difference not just to their day, but their lives,” Morgan said.
“There is no better feeling than when clients leave saying that they really enjoyed the class and they feel inspired to move their bodies,” she said.
On the growth of pilates, Morgan attributes its ongoing popularity due to the versatility of the exercise.
“You have high intensity, jump boards, mat and reformer, pre and post natal, rehabilitation – the list goes on,” the Brisbane pilates instructor said.
“The things you can do with pilates are endless,” she said
Her advice for anyone wanting to give pilates a hot crack is to just give it a go and to bring a friend if you can, as it’s always more fun working out with someone.
“Try a few different studios and instructors and find a studio that you like because everyone is different – there will definitely be an instructor and a style out there for you.”
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