Pilates.

Who Is This Class For

Mat pilates suits an exceptionally wide range of people. It is one of the most broadly beneficial class formats available.

If you have back pain, pilates is one of the most commonly recommended exercise approaches. Strengthening the deep core muscles that support your spine can reduce lower back discomfort significantly. Many members report noticeable improvement within the first few weeks of regular attendance.

If you sit at a desk all day, pilates directly addresses the postural issues that prolonged sitting creates. Tight hip flexors, weak glutes, rounded shoulders and a weakened core are all targeted through the standard pilates exercise repertoire.

If you are an athlete or regular gym user, pilates provides the core stability, flexibility and body awareness that improves performance in everything else you do. There is a reason professional athletes across football, rugby, golf, tennis and running incorporate pilates into their training. It strengthens the foundation that all other movement relies on.

If you are new to exercise, pilates is one of the gentlest entry points available. The controlled pace, clear instruction and low-impact nature make it approachable even if you have no fitness background. You can start with the most basic variations and progress at your own speed.

If you are older or managing joint issues, pilates offers a way to maintain and build strength without the impact or intensity of traditional gym training. The floor-based format is stable and safe, and the exercises can be adapted to accommodate almost any physical limitation.

What Pilates Trains

Pilates is primarily a core conditioning method, but its benefits extend well beyond the abs.

Your core in the pilates sense refers to the deep muscles of your abdomen, lower back, pelvic floor and hips. These muscles work together to stabilise your trunk during every movement you make. Strengthening them improves your posture, protects your spine, enhances your balance and makes you more efficient at any physical activity.

Beyond the core, pilates develops flexibility throughout the body. Every session includes lengthening and stretching work that improves your range of motion in the hips, hamstrings, shoulders and spine. Over time, this reduces stiffness and helps prevent the mobility losses that come with age and sedentary lifestyles.

Pilates also develops proprioception, your body’s awareness of its own position in space. The controlled, precise nature of the exercises trains your neuromuscular system to coordinate more effectively. This improves balance, coordination and movement quality in ways that carry over to daily life, sport and other forms of exercise.

Mat Pilates vs Reformer Pilates

Iconic Health Clubs offers both mat pilates and reformer pilates. They share the same foundational principles but use different tools.

Mat pilates uses your body weight and gravity as resistance. Exercises are performed on the floor. The challenge comes from controlling your own body through precise movements. Mat pilates is excellent for core conditioning, flexibility and body awareness.

Reformer pilates uses a spring-loaded carriage machine that provides adjustable resistance. The reformer adds external resistance to the movements, which allows you to target specific muscle groups with more precision and can make certain exercises either easier or harder than their mat equivalents. Reformer pilates at Iconic is delivered through our Iconic Move programme.

Both formats complement each other well. Many members attend mat pilates for core work and flexibility, and reformer sessions for strength and resistance training. If you are new to pilates, either format is a good starting point.

For full details on reformer pilates, visit our Reformer Pilates Dublin page.

Pilates Variants at Iconic

Alongside the standard mat pilates class, Iconic offers several pilates-based formats at specific locations.

Sculpt Pilates (Smithfield) – Takes traditional pilates and adds resistance props like booty bands and dumbbells for a more intense, strength-focused session.

TRX Pilates (Smithfield) – Combines classic pilates principles with TRX suspension straps, using controlled instability to intensify core engagement and activate more muscle groups.

Yogalates (Smithfield, Dartry) – Blends yoga and pilates in one session, combining the flexibility and breathing focus of yoga with the core conditioning of pilates.

Where Pilates Runs

Mat pilates is available at all four Iconic Health Clubs locations and is one of the most frequently scheduled classes across the network.

Smithfield (Dublin 7) – Standard pilates runs multiple times per week. Smithfield also offers Sculpt Pilates and TRX Pilates as specialist variants. Sessions take place in Studio 1 and the Wellness Studio.

Dartry (Dublin 6) – Dartry runs pilates more frequently than any other location, with sessions available most days including mornings, lunchtimes and evenings. Weekend sessions are also available. Dartry offers the most pilates slots of any Iconic club.

Camden Street (Dublin 2) – Pilates runs several times per week at Camden St, with lunchtime and evening options in the Aerobics Studio.

IFSC (Dublin 1) – Pilates runs multiple times per week at IFSC, with evening and early morning options in the Iconic One studio.

Book via the Iconic Health Clubs mobile app or check the full timetable for your preferred location.

How to Book

All pilates classes at Iconic Health Clubs are included with your membership at no extra cost. Book via the Iconic Health Clubs mobile app. We ask that you cancel at least 2 hours before the class if you cannot attend.

Not a member yet? Book a free club tour to see our facilities and speak to the team about which membership option suits you best.