According to Forma Pilates founder Liana Levi – who trained Sofia Boutella for director Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon – a new Pilates studio seemingly pops up every day in the super-chic city of L.A., and she would know, having worked with “It Girls” like Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Kendall Jenner. Crediting the power of social media with the renewed interest in the mind-body practice created by Joseph Pilates in 1926 as a response to World War I injuries, Levi shares the opinion with a plethora of other SoCal exercise pros that Pilates was developed to heal people – long before it became a big so-called “hot-girl workout.”

When trendy babes like Bieber, Richie and Hadid began posting their Pilates selfies in the past few years, reverberation was inevitable; in fact, a Lifespan Fitnesssurvey revealed 238,400 monthly TikTok searches for the phrase “Reformer Pilates,” with 27.4 million views on related videos.

Unlike other fitness styles, Pilates bases itself on a different calling – rather than a heart-pounding 30-minute burn to undo yesterday’s triple bacon cheeseburger, you can choose Pilates exercises that are actually sustainable and will pay off in the long run. It focuses on building strength and flexibility, as well as improving posture and, most importantly, elevating your mental awareness.

The following represents our picks for some of the best Pilates studios around Woodland Hills so you can stay in tune with your body and mind.

One Mind and Body, located at 6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Suite 183-H in the San Fernando Valley, is described as a unique Los Angeles retreat for both mind and body, and whether you want to challenge yourself in expertly-taught fitness and Pilates classes or relax in a state-of-the-art spa, you’ll leave feeling more rejuvenated, rebalanced and beautiful from the inside out. Open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 10 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm, and Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm.

Be Kind Studios, located at 23500 Park Sorrento Unit A1 in Calabasas, offers boutique-style Pilates classes in a warm and inviting setting (or in demand from the comfort of your own space); the instructor training provides an exclusive learning experience with small class sizes. This allows for personalized attention and guidance throughout the journey, embracing a distinctive “be kind” methodology that prioritizes empathy and support – resulting in each instructor being masters of their techniques and cultivation of a compassionate approach to teaching.

BeneFit Body, located at 19720 Ventura Boulevard Suite 101/102, believes that clients can be powerful and graceful, and through the studio’s unique Filates approach, elements of speed and control – as well as functionality and intensity – are embodied, all while bolstering activities that are challenging and fun. The goal at BeneFit Body is to maintain the foundation of Pilates while thinking outside the “reformer” to provide a safe and effective way for you to achieve your fitness goals.

Hard Core Pilates, located at 22435 Ventura BoulevardUnit C in Los Angeles, offers a full-body workout designed to transform your body and mind, the studio boasting open and welcoming vibes that inspire and uplift. Through state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified Pilates instructors, you will leave every class feeling energized, stronger, and motivated; the successful teaching method here is based on finding a deeper connection to oneself while performing empowered movements. Formerly Power Pilates by Sylvia, Hard Core Pilates has expanded into a studio at the heart of Woodland Hills with more reformers and more class times, offering daily group classes, private sessions, and semi-private sessions.

Absolute Pilates Upstairs, located at 21208 Costanso Street Suite 2, was established in 2001 and focuses on total health, rehabilitation, and keeping the core strong and the body flexible. The studio specializes in private Pilates and group reformer, providing the tools you need to embark on a journey towards health, fitness, and weight loss goals – all accompanied by a support system for accountability, expert advice, and success. The brainchild of transformational movement and lifestyle coach Conni Ponturo, Absolute Pilates Upstairs’ staff finds joy in keeping clients moving, challenged, and injury-free, with Ponturo’s expertise in rehabilitative training making her a first stop after serious injuries. Open daily from 7 am to 8 pm.

Blue Sky Pilates, located at 6411 Platt Avenue in West Hills, immediately smothers you in positive energy generated by the high ceilings, the open-air feeling that natural light brings into the space, and the friendly, caring staff at your disposal to help you achieve your fitness goals. Certified instructors, meanwhile, teach each student how to engage his or her deep core muscles using Pilates breathing techniques and movement patterns in a one-on-one private session; once this basic technique is established, the extensive Pilates equipment is utilized to continually challenge the body in new ways. Clients can also select from a vast array of group classes, both on the equipment using spring loading and on the mat using body resistance. Open seven days a week with both classes and private sessions offered from early morning to early evening hours.

Pilates Plus, located at 21779 Ventura Boulevard, was established in 2006 by Kristi Vacanti, owner and lead trainer who trained with the famous Sebastian Lagree on his former “SPX” method, now known as Lagree Fitness– here, you’ll burn, tighten and tone while attacking excess bulk in the hips and thighs that tightens the body’s core muscles. The intense 40 or 55-minute training sessions, combining Pilates with strength training, achieve visible muscle definition significantly faster than Pilates or any other kind of Pilates-based workout. Open Monday from 6 am to 8 pm, Tuesday from 8:30 am to 8 pm, Wednesday from 6 am to 8 pm, Thursday from 8:30 am to 8 pm, Friday from 6 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 8:30 am to 12 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 12 pm.

Who gets to be an “L.A. Pilates girl”? Everyone. Pilates has grown in popularity across the United States, evolving from a niche exercise form into a major fitness movement valued at $11.8 billion. Any of the Woodland Hills studios on this list represent a great way to introduce yourself to the sexy-and-sweaty protocols that embody the modern Pilates experience.