For HIIT there’s Barry’s and 1Rebel. For spin there’s Psycle. And now Bodyrok is bringing the same high-octane energy to Pilates classes in the capital. Its first studio has just launched in Covent Garden, and there are ambitious plans for it to be the first of 10 London branches.
Bodyrok hails from San Diego, where its first studio was founded in 2012. It quickly gained a cult following for its dynamic take on reformer Pilates, and there are currently 80 outposts across the US.
Alex Bodini and James Aljoe – an athleisure brand owner and NHS medical doctor, respectively – are behind the Bodyrok launch in London. They’ve spent 15 months bringing the first UK version to life, and say there are two main factors that will make the brand stand out from the crowd. “You feel like you’ve truly worked out – it’s a full-body experience – but you can trust you won’t damage your back. This balance is what makes Bodyrok special.”
Sessions take place bathed in colourful light and are set to energising music that builds with the flow of the class. It’s a different atmosphere to many of the pared-back, minimalist studios across the city – and that’s the point, say Bodini and Aljoe. “Bodyrok is about creating an environment where people feel inspired to push themselves.”
There are eight different class options – including Obliques & Cheeks, Six Packs & Backs and Buns & Guns – most of which target different muscle groups. The signature 45-minute Bodyrok workout, Flow, takes place on a custom reformer machine that allows for a greater range of movement and can create more resistance than standard versions. The class blends the low-impact principles and flow of Pilates with the pace of cardio. Weights add aspects of strength training to the mix. Attendees can expect to plank, lunge, pike, jump and push their way to the end while being cheered on by experienced instructors.
The first London studio reflects the design aesthetic of the US outposts with a look that is “fun and elevated, with lighting that allows you to see clearly while still helping you get completely in the zone. Our aim is that it’s the best 45 minutes of your day, time that flies by, and the studio is designed to support that feeling”.
The team chose the Great Queen Street location, with its entrance on Drury Lane, because it felt “unmistakably London”, explains Bodini. “High energy, high footfall, and right in the heart of the city. We knew immediately it was the right place to properly put the brand on the map,” says Bodini. A second studio is set to open before the end of 2026.
Bodyrok London
41, 44 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AD
Hours:
Mon to Fri 6.30am–8pm
Sat & Sun 8am–1pm
