At-home workouts have come a long way from grainy DVDs and overenthusiastic YouTube clips bookmarked during lockdown. These days, streaming fitness platforms are slick, structured, and, crucially, designed to slot into real, busy lives. And as someone who loves Pilates but whose bank account winces slightly every time I book a Reformer class, I’ve found myself increasingly curious about whether the living-room version might actually stack up.
Pilates has become one of the most in-demand workouts of the past few years, particularly as more of us look for strength-building exercise that doesn’t feel punishing. According to ClassPass, Pilates bookings increased by more than 60% year-on-year, making it one of the fastest-growing workout categories globally. And it’s not just hype: research consistently links Pilates to improvements in core strength, balance and flexibility, alongside enhanced physical function and mobility across age groups.
A 2019 review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that Pilates training can significantly improve cardiorespiratory fitness – a strong indicator of overall health – while other clinical reviews highlight its effectiveness for improving strength, balance and movement efficiency. In short: Pilates works, even when it’s not performed on an expensive machine.
Which brings me to Pilates by Bryony, the wildly viral digital Pilates platform founded by Bryony Deery. Known for its simple, accessible approach to mat-based Pilates, the platform offers a streaming library of more than 700 classes. Membership costs £42.03 per month or £304.93 annually, with a seven-day free trial and a selection of taster workouts available on YouTube.
As someone who regularly pays upwards of £30 for a single Reformer class -plus a half-hour commute each way – I wanted to know whether Pilates by Bryony could genuinely replace, or at least meaningfully supplement, my studio habit. So I tried it every day for a week.
Looking to level up your at-home Pilates game? Check out our edits of the best Pilates bars, Pilates sliders, and Pilates clothes, if you’re keen to improve your kit. Or if it’s more workouts you’re after, don’t skip our guides to the best modern Pilates exercises, the best 10-minute Pilates workouts, the best Pilates exercises for beginners, and the best advanced Pilates exercises, here.
I Trialled A Week of Pilates By Bryony Workouts So You Don’t Have To – Here’s My Honest Verdict
What are Pilates by Bryony workouts?
Pilates by Bryony is a mat-based Pilates platform rooted in classical principles, but delivered in a modern, accessible way. The workouts range from short five-minute flows to longer full-body sessions, with options targeting core strength, mobility, posture and gentle conditioning.
While some classes incorporate small props, like resistance bands or hand weights, most rely on bodyweight alone. The emphasis is on controlled movement, breath awareness and precision – less about rushing through reps, more about moving well. As Deery says of her platform, her Pilates workouts are: “Not quick fixes, not short bursts of motivation, but consistency, intention, and routines that truly stick.”
She adds: “In four weeks, you’ll feel stronger, more aligned, more energised and more confident. You’ll move better. You’ll think clearly. And you’ll build routines that truly stick. Because sustainable habits are built with flexibility, not pressure.”
Why have Pilates by Bryony workouts gone so viral?
A perfect storm of social trends and cultural shifts has driven Pilates to its current moment. The rise of mindful movement as a counterpoint to high-intensity training has made Pilates appealing to those seeking strength and low-impact workouts. Accessibility is a huge part of that: you simply need a mat, a decent internet connection, and, crucially, minimal subscription fees.
That accessibility resonates. As Pilates instructor Francesca Shillcock explains, “Away from the physical benefits, many are drawn to mat Pilates because of its accessibility. You just need a mat and someone (either in person or online) who will take you through the moves… and you don’t need a high level of fitness or movement experience to take part. It can suit any age or level of fitness.” The financial accessibility is equally compelling, particularly compared to Reformer classes. “Reformer classes are amazing and so enjoyable, but it’s not a secret that they can be pricey,” she adds, acknowledging what many of us think but rarely articulate out loud.
In a world where time is as precious as money, the ability to press “play” on a high-quality session, whether at 7 am or 10 pm, removes two of the biggest barriers to consistent movement: scheduling friction and cost.
Why should I stream Pilates workouts from home?
Streaming Pilates workouts at home isn’t just about convenience; it’s about consistency, autonomy, and adaptability. For many, the commute to a studio -locking in childcare, navigating traffic, or squeezing in travel time around a busy workday – is the reason workouts fall off the weekly plan before they’ve really begun.
Even those deeply invested in studio Pilates can appreciate the value of a home-based practice. “Any Pilates instructor worth their salt will tell you that starting with mat is a good idea,” Shillcock notes. Learning the foundational technique of Joseph Pilates, centred around control, concentration, breathing, precision, flow, and centring, gives you a filter for movement quality that serves you well everywhere, not just on a machine.
And Mia Gianquitto, Pilates instructor at Yatta Studio, agrees: “From beginners to more experienced movers, it’s especially great for people with busy schedules, those recovering from injury (with guidance), or anyone looking to improve posture, core stability, and overall mobility from the comfort of home.”
Home workouts also allow you to tweak intensity and timing to suit your body’s rhythms. Whether you’re looking for a gentle lengthening session after a long day at your desk, or a focused core class first thing in the morning, there’s something refreshingly non-intimidating about your own living room being the studio.
What are the benefits of following Pilates by Bryony classes on YouTube?
There’s a reason Pilates by Bryony has struck a chord with millions: it combines the structure of a guided class with the simplicity of a home practice.
1. Strength and Muscle Engagement
Pilates is inherently about strength through precise, controlled movement. Mat-based Pilates uses bodyweight resistance to target multiple muscle groups at once – a testament to its efficiency.
As Shillcock explains, “Our bodyweight is what is used predominantly in mat Pilates. It’s so effective because it generally requires the use of multiple muscle groups at once, particularly our largest muscle groups.” Through this, you’re building not just isolated strength but functional stability that supports everyday movement.
2. Mind-body connection
Good Pilates isn’t about rushing through reps; it’s about feeling each one. This is why Shillcock notes that mat Pilates can sometimes feel harder than equipment-based classes: “It can sometimes feel harder because the traditional Pilates method requires you to think about more than just performing a set of moves.” That focus on breath, control and precision builds awareness and resilience – mentally and physically.
3. Injury prevention and mobility
The deliberate, low-impact nature of Pilates makes it a powerful tool for injury prevention. By strengthening core stabilisers, improving spinal mobility, and enhancing joint control, Pilates supports everyday movement patterns and helps mitigate the impact of sedentary lifestyles. A number of studies also highlight Pilates’ role in improving posture, reducing chronic low back pain and enhancing physical function across age groups.
4. Adaptability and inclusivity
Perhaps the most under-appreciated benefit is adaptability. As Gianquitto explained to Fashion’s DIgest, “When performed with proper form and focus, at-home Pilates exercises can be incredibly effective in building strength, improving flexibility, and enhancing body awareness. The beauty of Pilates is that it relies on control and precision, rather than heavy gym equipment.”
Online classes offer the chance to repeat, pause, or regress a move – something that’s rarely possible in a classroom of 20 others.
My Honest Review of the Pilates by Bryony 7-Day Free Trial
Days One To Three:
I usually take Reformer classes weekly, dutifully booking them in advance and justifying the cost as an “investment” in feeling my best. Still, there was something incredibly appealing about opening YouTube each morning, coffee in hand, and choosing from Pilates by Bryony’s library of more than 700 classes – no commute, no studio timetable to work around, no convincing myself to leave the house in the dark.
Most mornings, I practised just before logging on for work. It was winter, still gloomy outside, and being able to move without going anywhere felt like a small win. I’d scroll through the library, pick a class based on how much time I actually had, and roll out my mat in the living room.
I started gently: a 10-minute Posture and Arms class, followed by a 20-minute Full Body Gentle Flow. The movements were familiar, but harder to control without the feedback of a reformer or an instructor adjusting my positioning. Without springs or straps to support me, any lack of stability was obvious — particularly through my core.
By day two, the soreness set in, mostly through my glutes and deep abdominals. I also noticed that practising at home demanded a different kind of focus. Without the structure of a studio class, it was easier to lose concentration, especially first thing in the morning.
What stood out, though, was how easy it was to fit movement in. On one busy morning, I opted for a five-minute flow instead of skipping it altogether. It didn’t feel like a compromise. I still logged on to work feeling more awake and less stiff, which, on a dark January morning, felt like enough.
What stood out to Georgia was how easy it was to fit movement in, when logging on from home.
(Image credit: Georgia Brown)
Days Four to Seven
By the middle of the week, the soreness had eased. I stopped overthinking which class to choose and started responding more to how my body felt that day. Some mornings called for longer, more considered sessions; others were shorter and slower.
Midway through the trial, I travelled to Switzerland. I hadn’t planned to continue practising – but one morning, still foggy from travel, I rolled out my mat almost instinctively. I didn’t particularly care for staying on track whilst on holiday, but rather opted to soften the edges of jet lag and that heavy, slightly bloated feeling that tends to follow early flights and disrupted routines.
I opted for Deery’s signature de-bloat class. It was gentle, grounded and unrushed – focused on slow core engagement, twisting movements and breath-led flows. Nothing dramatic, but exactly what I needed. Moving that way felt less like a workout and more like easing back into my body.
Over the next few days, that became the pattern. Pilates wasn’t something I scheduled; it was something I reached for when I wanted to feel more comfortable. The breadth of the library made that easy. I opted for short sessions when I was tired, longer flows when I had more energy, all without needing to plan ahead or commit to a specific format.
By day seven, I wasn’t converted exactly, but I was convinced. Not because it replaced my Reformer classes, but because it fitted around my life rather than reshaping it. I wasn’t tracking sessions or chasing progress; I was just pressing play when I wanted to move. No machines, no mirrors, no planning – and, some weeks, that feels like enough.
By day seven, Georgia was convinced – the workout fitted around her life rather than reshaping it. She wasn’t tracking sessions or chasing progress; she was just pressing play when she wanted to move.
(Image credit: Georgia Brown)
Shop MC-approved Pilates essentials to level up your at home workouts
The beauty of Pilates performed on a mat is that it requires very little equipment. If you do want to spice up your routine, weaving in a Pilates ring is an excellent way to fire up the muscles in your arms, chest, thighs and other muscle groups.
DOMYOS 20 mm Thick, Ultra Comfortable and Wide Pilates Mat
This simple, cushioned mat really makes a difference when you’re doing Pilates on the floor rather than on a studio Reformer. At 20 mm thick and with a wide 180 × 70 cm surface, it’s designed for comfort and stability, helping protect your joints during core work, rolls and stretches.
Sweaty Betty Soft Flow Studio Longline Long Sleeve Top
This is perfect for when you need an extra layer at the start of a workout. It’s loose enough for you to be able to flow freely through your Pilates workout.
What is the 80/20 rule in Pilates?
You might have heard about the 80/20 rule in terms of nutrition, which is all about fueling your body with healthy, nutrient-rich foods 80% of the time, and the remaining 20% is where you allow for occasional indulgences.
But the rule pretty much applies in the Pilates world, too. In Pilates, the 80/20 rule (which is also known as the Pareto Principle) suggests that 80% of your fitness results from this low-impact workout come from 20% of your efforts.