Over the last year I have become somewhat a bit of a Pilates expert, from trying the best classes in London to reviewing pretty much every Pilates sock on the market, I didn’t think there was anything new to learn. Until I tried Maya Jama’s favourite workout class at Nobu Pilates where I was put through my paces by none other than Jama’s instructor herself.

As seen in her Instagram Stories, Jama attends 1:1 Pilates classes at the plush London Hotel with Marsha Lindsay, renowned Pilates instructor and founder of Nobu Pilates, (yes I did a lot of Instagram sleuthing for this piece, but I promise it was all in the name of Pilates) and has praised the workout for being, “The only form of exercise that I don’t have to talk myself into doing.” As well as levelling up your fitness regime, Lindsay is pushing back against the restrictive idea of the so-called ‘Pilates body’ and heading Nobu Pilates’ Every Body is a Pilates Body campaign, wherein Pilates is celebrated as an accessible, inclusive journey for all genders, ages, body types, race, and abilities.

I’d heard about Nobu Pilates before, prestigious in name and reputation and frequented by celebrities like Joel Edgerton, Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts and of course the Love Island presenter herself, but in reality I wondered how different could it be to one of the other Pilates classes I had already tried?

Knowledge of how is one thing, but to really understand the appeal of this class it was only right that I should attend at least one of these feel-good, celebrity-approved Pilates class led by Lindsay, all in the name of research of course. But as a pre-warning for anyone who plans to follow in mine and Jama’s footsteps, this class is not for the faint of heart.

Lindsay has a warm and bubbly personality so immediately I felt at ease and amped up for the class. Of course, being on the second floor of a luxurious hotel, in a state-of-the-art, swanky gym also helps balance the comfort levels, but I digress. We hopped onto our reformers and into frog legs, leg presses and leg circles. Already I could feel the blood rushing and my breath quickening, but Lindsay reminded us that this was only the warm up.

Throughout the rest of the class I placed myself into positions I never knew were possible, including the Pilates roll over and pushed through the dreaded Pilates 100. Having attended some of the best Pilates classes in London, I’ve fostered a love-hate relationship with countdowns. Some instructors let their numbers drag, while others perform a sing-song or clap along to distract you from the pain of the ending workout. I’m glad to say, Lindsay’s countdowns were quick, easy and peppered with Joseph Pilates’ own teachings, but this made way for a trickier workout.

We then took to the Pilates chair, a piece of equipment I’ve never used before. It’s a box (usually made of wood) with a padded seat on top and a pedal attached to one side of the box by springs. The pedal is usually spring-loaded, so it gives resistance when you push down on it with your hands or feet. Think of it as a sneaky little powerhouse that can help build both strength and flexibility, perfect for small spaces but intense workouts. And intense the following workouts were.

The most astonishing, which initially made me think Lindsay was crazy, were ‘pike ups’, essentially lifting the pedal while standing on top of it. It took me a while, but my core finally managed it and now I am unstoppable.

I left my Nobu Pilates class feeling brand new, stretched head to toe, fuelled by the adrenaline of twisting and turning my body and pushing it to new limits. You only have to watch one episode of Jama hosting Love Island to realise she doesn’t look this good by accident and I no longer needed to wonder how she managed to look this great, the answer was clear: Nobu Pilates. Safe to say I slept like a baby and while I woke up the next morning a little sore, I was eager to book my next class.

Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at PS UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.