Elle Sawyer didn’t mean for her Pilates studio to become one of the most stylish exercise spaces in the UAE, but that’s what happened. Once people started signing up for classes at Posture’s Downtown Dubai outpost, images of the chic new studio began to flood social media. 

“To be honest, I hadn’t set out for the interior design to be as highly regarded as it is – I just went with my preference, and added a few little touches of luxury,” says Sawyer, who is the founder and one of the instructors at Posture. “I wanted to create somewhere to work out that had some style to it, not just white walls and exposed industrial ceilings. Our design is obviously a real crowd-pleaser – there isn’t a day that goes by when a client hasn’t taken a photo of the studio’s aesthetic. We love it.” 

Its cool, calm interior has helped Posture attract a crowd of loyal and style-minded customers to its locations in the city’s Downtown and on the Palm. Curated playlists that synchronise with Pilates routines “give a little extra fun and flair to our classes,” shares Sawyer. With so many Pilates studios in the market, the competition is tough, but Sawyer believes Posture’s authenticity is the bedrock of its popularity. 

“Pilates is very trendy right now, so much so that I think the term ‘Pilates’ is actually getting lost,” she reveals. “I see many gyms tagging onto the hype and losing sight of the real Joseph Pilates repertoire.” 

“With celebrities, influencers, and seemingly everyone on Instagram jumping on the bandwagon, clients are being exposed to different styles of Pilates – some good, some bad, some not even Pilates at all,” she elaborates. “Our routines are designed to give clients an understanding of why we move the way we do, and what it does for the body.”

Sawyer aims to hire instructors from around the world who not only have strong Pilates and yoga backgrounds but who also exude energy and a passion for what they do. Importantly, Posture’s instructors are exclusively engaged in the studio to ensure consistency. They are also encouraged to expand their knowledge of Pilates by keeping up to date with the field’s latest developments and acquiring new qualifications every three months. 

“We all grow together,” says Sawyer. “I am constantly learning and evolving as an instructor, as well as a founder, and I love to bring the team along with me. I think our clients see how genuine we all are as a family, and they love being a part of that with us.”

In addition to providing a stimulating and challenging physical workout, creating a welcoming environment for clients is central to Posture’s brand philosophy. “I think people in Dubai want to experience a carefully designed space where they feel they belong,” confirms Sawyer. “Our whole ethos is about being a community, and when we see friendships blossoming among our clients… Well, that’s the reason we do what we do.”

Posture, Golden Mile Building 4, The Palm; The Residence Tower, Downtown Dubai