North East Pilates studio crowned with prestigious award
PilatEASE UK, created by Nicci Rowlands from Denton, has been awarded Studio of the Year 2026 at the Reformer Pilates Awards, which took place in London and was voted entirely by clients.
The 48-year-old founder said she was βblown awayβ by the result, as they are the first North East studio to scoop the top prize.
Nicci said: βI couldnβt believe it, I was so emotional when I found out we had won.
βWhat made it even more special was that it was 100 per cent client-voted.
βThere was no judging panel, no application process and no fees. Every studio in the country could be included, so to be named Studio of the Year on that basis is just incredible.
βThe organiser pulled me to one side and said our clients had not just written βgreat studioβ β but they had written paragraphs about how Pilates had changed their lives and even saved their lives, and how wonderful the whole team are. I just started crying.β
The growing not-for-profit reformer Pilates company was first established in 2019 and has a sixth site set to open in Seaham at the end of this month.
Nicci launched the first studio in her hometown after using reformer Pilates to recover from a serious back injury, and has since expanded to sites in Newcastle, Ryton, Morpeth, Consett and Whitley Bay.
The company became a not-for-profit community company in 2025, with all profits reinvested to keep classes affordable.
Ms Rowlands said: βWe built PilatEASE UK to challenge everything people think Pilates is too expensive, too exclusive, too intimidating and prove it can be the complete opposite.
βEvery penny we make is ploughed straight back into our studios and into our teachers, which means we can keep classes affordable and open doors in communities where other studios simply wouldnβt go.β
She said hearing the feedback from clients was βoverwhelmingβ and has inspired her to keep pushing for change.
She said: βAt the beginning of 2019 when I was planning all of this, I could not have imagined this in my wildest dreams. It is a win for the whole team at PilatEASE. I might be the face of it, but they are the heart and soul of what we do.β
She added: βI do not think βthank youβ quite covers it. The words our clients have written have given me confidence and courage on a path that can sometimes feel quite lonely.
βTo hear that our clients get it, that they feel seen and welcome and supported, makes my heart sing and fills me with joy.
βOur clients are the reason we do all of this. To know that they understand what PilatEASE is about means everything.β