If you think Pilates means slow, gentle movements and a quiet room, it’s time to turn up the heat.
At Soul Studio, we’ve taken the precision, control and deep muscular burn of Pilates and added our signature heated studio environment to create something altogether more energising: Hot Pilates.
It’s sweaty. It’s challenging. It’s seriously fun. And yes, your abs will have something to say about it afterwards.
Soul Studio is proud to be the only studio in Christchurch offering Hot Pilates, giving you a completely different way to move, sweat and build strength.
So, what exactly is Hot Pilates?
Hot Pilates combines the principles of traditional Pilates (controlled movement, core engagement, stability, alignment and muscular endurance) with a faster-paced, full-body workout in the heat.
The result? A low-impact workout that gets you moving, sweating and breathing a whole lot harder.
Rather than simply holding a Pilates position and waiting for the shake, Hot Pilates keeps things dynamic. Expect flowing sequences, targeted strength work, plenty of repetition, and movements designed to challenge your core, legs, glutes and upper body.
And because you’re working in a heated room, your heart rate can rise more quickly and the workout can feel significantly more intense. Heat places additional demands on your body as it works to regulate its temperature, meaning you’re training your physical resilience as well as your muscles.
It gets your heart rate up
One of the things we love most about Hot Pilates is that it sits somewhere beautifully between strength and cardio.
Traditional Pilates is brilliant for building control, stability and strength, but Hot Pilates adds a cardiovascular element through its pace and dynamic movements.
You might start with focused core work and suddenly find yourself flowing through squats, lunges, standing sequences or other full-body movements, all while the music is pumping and the room is warm.
Pilates itself has been shown to have positive effects on cardiorespiratory fitness over time, although the research on Pilates intensity is varied.
The beauty of Hot Pilates is that you don’t have to choose between getting strong and getting your heart rate up. You get a little bit of both.
You still get that Pilates burn
Let’s not forget the main event. The burn!
Hot Pilates doesn’t abandon what makes Pilates so effective. You’ll still be working with controlled, intentional movements that target specific muscle groups and challenge your ability to maintain strength and stability.
Think deep core activation: Glutes firing. Legs shaking. Tiny movements that somehow feel enormous.
You’ll be asked to focus, control your movement and stay connected to your body while your muscles fatigue. That combination of precision and persistence is where the magic happens.
It builds resilience, physically and mentally
There’s something uniquely satisfying about doing something challenging in the heat.
Your body wants to stop. You’re sweating. Your muscles are tired. Your heart is working. And yet you keep breathing, keep moving and keep showing up.
That’s resilience.
Hot Pilates gives you an opportunity to practise staying present when things feel uncomfortable – without needing to push beyond your limits. You learn to listen to your body, regulate your effort, take modifications when you need them and keep going when you can.
Over time, that can become a powerful reminder that you are capable of more than you think.
And honestly? There’s something pretty empowering about walking out of a Hot Pilates class absolutely drenched, knowing you just did something hard.
And most importantly… it’s FUN
Fitness doesn’t have to feel like punishment!! Hot Pilates is energetic, upbeat and playful. There’s music, movement, community and that wonderful shared feeling of we’re all in it together.
Why Hot Pilates at Soul Studio?
At Soul Studio Hot Yoga and Pilates, we believe there should be room for all kinds of movement.
Some days call for slow, grounding Yin. Some days you want to flow.
And some days you want to turn the music up, get sweaty and feel your entire body working … that’s where Hot Pilates comes in.
Our heated studio environment creates the perfect setting for this high-energy, full-body workout, while our welcoming Soul community means you never have to be the fittest, strongest or most experienced person in the room. You just have to show up.
Strength meets heat. Pilates meets cardio. Challenge meets fun.
And you can find it right here at Soul Studio … Christchurch’s home of Hot Pilates.
Ready to feel the burn?
Come and experience Hot Pilates for yourself.
As with any heated exercise, hydration and listening to your body are important. Heat can increase cardiovascular strain and the risk of dehydration, so take breaks or modify when needed. If you’re new to exercising in the heat or have a health condition that may affect your ability to regulate temperature, seek appropriate medical advice before participating.
