Kent

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nbsp-mission">THE&nbsp;MISSION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-111190" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Summer is fast approaching, and urgent action was required so I was&nbsp;the&nbsp;first to put my hands-up to try out&nbsp;the&nbsp;new destination Reformer Pilates studio in Canterbury. I do love my normal work-out routine but it’s also good to break up&nbsp;the&nbsp;exercise patterns with a fitness refresh. Plus they were just crowned winner of Best Yoga/Pilates Studio in Kent, in the 2025 Muddy Awards, so we had to check them out.



We took along a PT friend who loves trying out new classes to get another perspective, plus a perfect excuse to mooch together around&nbsp;the&nbsp;shops of Canterbury with a pal afterwards.



For those of you not in&nbsp;the&nbsp;know, Reformer Pilates is a large piece of exercise equipment attached to springs, ropes, pulleys with a sliding carriage. Resistance is&nbsp;the&nbsp;key element as you can dial up or down&nbsp;the&nbsp;resistance levels, initiating movement of&nbsp;the&nbsp;carriage along&nbsp;the&nbsp;frame, to get a full-body and strength-building workout. Sadly, it is not just lying down on a bench as I swiftly found out.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-3.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-112611" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-3.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-3-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-3-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-3-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-3-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-3-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Reformer Pilates is not just a celeb fad despite being loved by&nbsp;the&nbsp;likes of Margot Robbie and Elle Macpherson. It works every muscle, big or small from your deep front abdominals to your side waist to your back and glutes, and&nbsp;pelvic floor.



Kesson’s motto is all about ‘Sculpt, Strengthen and Improve’ as&nbsp;the&nbsp;classes are designed to help build your core strength, strengthen your muscles and challenge your balance and flexibility. As we reach a new age bracket,&nbsp;the&nbsp;idea of improving my balance and flexibility is even more appealing when it comes to my work-out so I was primed and ready to meet muscles I never knew existed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nbsp-lowdown">THE&nbsp;LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-6.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-112614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-6.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-6-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-6-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-6-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-6-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



You may recognize&nbsp;the&nbsp;name Kesson as it was first established in 1983 as a small physiotherapy clinic in Faversham and has now become a renowned healthy movement business across London and&nbsp;the&nbsp;South East.



<a href="https://www.kessonphysio.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kesson</a> arrived in Canterbury in December 2024 as a destination Reformer Pilates studio and has since been attracting male and female clients alike plus appealing to&nbsp;the&nbsp;student crowd too – it’s all about those Insta shots, babe,



Their methodology,&nbsp;The&nbsp;Kesson Way, encompasses&nbsp;therapy-based treatments, movement classes, and targeted fitness sessions, are all aimed at helping you heal, move, and improve. expert instructors ready to guide you on a journey to a bendier, stronger, and leaner you.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-111189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/kesson-pilates-canterbury-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



They have done&nbsp;their research so you will find all manners of classes designed to match everyone’s fitness level and aspirations. three&nbsp;themes designed for&nbsp;the&nbsp;Pilates novices or&nbsp;the&nbsp;seasoned pros:&nbsp;FRESH&nbsp;for gentle, feel-good movements,&nbsp;ACTIVE&nbsp;for a bit more oomph, and&nbsp;AWESOME&nbsp;for those ready to push&nbsp;their limits.



With 12 Reformer beds available, classes run throughout&nbsp;the&nbsp;day from 6:30am to 8pm on weekdays, and during&nbsp;the&nbsp;mornings on weekends,&nbsp;there has been a lot of thought about ensuring you can find a slot that fits your lifestyle.



We also like&nbsp;the&nbsp;flexible pricing (including a cracking intro offer) so you can dip your toes in without committing to a full-blown membership.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nbsp-location">THE&nbsp;LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-112609" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-1-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Nestled in&nbsp;the&nbsp;heart of Canterbury’s Marlowe Arcade, Kesson Studios is in good company of shops with&nbsp;the&nbsp;new Lucy &amp; Yak shop next door and a three-storey Zara not too far away so you can combine your fitness with some retail&nbsp;therapy too.



Or go with a friend and follow it up with a healthy brunch afterwards –&nbsp;there is a new&nbsp;The&nbsp;Ivy in town or for independent eateries, we like&nbsp;The&nbsp;Veg&nbsp;Box&nbsp;Kitchen,&nbsp;The&nbsp;Refectory or Kitch.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-2.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-112610" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-2.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-2-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-2-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-2-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-2-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



For parking,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kessons’ team recommends local Sainsbury’s or Waitrose and walking in from&nbsp;there or you can park at Whitefriars which is three minutes away, but it will incur a higher cost.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nbsp-experience">THE&nbsp;EXPERIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-8.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-112616" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-8.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-8-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-8-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-8-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-8-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



I love where I live but sometimes you do find yourself yearning for&nbsp;the&nbsp;London trappings when it comes to high-end experiences, but Kessons scratched that itch for me. It has a stylish reception area with a comfy modular sofa, elegant bamboo chairs and muted lighting, resembling a chic boutique&nbsp;hotel lobby.



Coffees and glasses of chilled water are on hand whilst you wait for your class, or you can browse&nbsp;the&nbsp;Fenwick rail of athleisure clothes on display, as well as&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kessons merch. It’s a very relaxing start to your class and a good opportunity to meet your teacher too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-112788" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The&nbsp;changing area also got&nbsp;the&nbsp;big Muddy thumbs up with marble walls, parquet flooring and Jo Malone products for you to help yourself to as well as hair straightening irons. If you have squeezed a class in between meeting a friend for coffee,&nbsp;then you know that you have all&nbsp;the&nbsp;equipment needed to present yourself to&nbsp;the&nbsp;outside world afterwards.



The&nbsp;studio space is upstairs and whilst&nbsp;there are twelve Reformer Beds,&nbsp;there is plenty of space between&nbsp;them, so you don’t feel you need to get to know your fellow bed partner.&nbsp;There are potted plants scattered around so it feels a very homely and welcoming space so if you are intimidated by new fitness places, you will feel right at home here. &nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-5.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-112613" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-5.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-5-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-5-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-5-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-5-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



It also helps that you are facing a mirror for most of&nbsp;the&nbsp;class which helps you correct your technique plus avoid awkward eye contact with anyone you don’t know.&nbsp; I felt very cocooned and safe in my space with our lovely instructor, Sarah, talking us through each move.



We were signed up for&nbsp;the&nbsp;ACTIVE class. Contrary to my unrealistic expectation,&nbsp;there is not much lying around to be done as we had a variety of props to help work each individual muscle group. Each initial exercise doesn’t feel too challenging, but it is&nbsp;the&nbsp;repetitive element that causes your muscles to shake, and we know that is when&nbsp;the&nbsp;magic happens. I was relieved in some cases to have&nbsp;the&nbsp;excuse of finding my phone to film&nbsp;the&nbsp;class to take a little break.



Although my PT pal said she thinks she could have taken it up a notch on&nbsp;the&nbsp;first time to&nbsp;the&nbsp;AWESOME class where you can push your limits a bit more, so talk to&nbsp;the&nbsp;team about your fitness levels and habits before you book, and&nbsp;they will pick&nbsp;the&nbsp;right class for you.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-4.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-112612" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-4.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-4-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-4-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-4-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/kessons-canterbury-4-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



We did have background music throughout playing&nbsp;the&nbsp;usual pop classics and it would have been good to have it a little louder or more integral to&nbsp;the&nbsp;class. Music can enhance&nbsp;the&nbsp;feel-good mood of a class plus it helps to distract from&nbsp;the&nbsp;various torture contraptions in use. We fed this back as&nbsp;the&nbsp;team asked us for any key insights as&nbsp;they want to be&nbsp;the&nbsp;best boutique studio around so it’s good to see a business so open to evolving and enhancing&nbsp;their offering



Even though it was only 45 minutes, I did feel that I walked out of&nbsp;the&nbsp;studio a little taller (maybe not leaner just yet) but&nbsp;there is a strong desire to return especially with those tempting bundles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anything-else">ANYTHING ELSE?</h2>



Keep an eye out for a series of masterclasses from Kessons with&nbsp;the&nbsp;first one to take place on Thursday 2nd&nbsp;May &#8211; &#8220;Fuel Your Energy&#8221; with Deborah Lebihan (BSc, mBANT, CNHC) &nbsp;at 11:15 AM at Kesson Studios Canterbury.



If your energy levels are running on low more often than not, this one’s a game-changer as Deborah is a registered nutritionist and founder of<a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="http://cl.hirefrederick.com/ls/click?upn=u001.Q1lf5EIQA6nCHEhfZxq6qgnSMPyxWyfAZNXDuSmQRBG3EYgqRSUHuxwWWCmlSHtwGK5CmaP2pqLwb7FEUwO9zrqBTedNVsPx1pCp3Mrvpwp2AauCF5EPZQ-2FsLCVE58c-2Bz5U9OOks3uwSJW-2BXVCHyXNJXLZdCoYzwDazect0Zzj-2B41ynhL6gr-2B2Q2-2BndpW0YD3wy-2F8-2FsDGlxTyH-2BLxn95N8PQl1E7IIiH98j1D5-2FYdxhyxC4iKRJiIaODWgzM-2B1IGDr7gl0JxnZANjP32slbERBhg1gKwJzZeZRhqlk9niB4-3D5qCx_83-2FtlzBOPZaNg-2BhO8yhcbr9jasHp5x5-2FKT9Eh9DjjjUa6mola64b088GwYZswOuyEh3XZ6w1Ht3I-2B1mF0nFnI-2BbTDj76s-2FXv-2FGmsa5zTQpqkXBI3wn2-2BMQw2exo4FdmmfhvBGncgc-2FlcykYPXJf0gxRxPgiM0CpNnJl4sfy27auOpfuX3mhxKr97dUOMcIbjHmGRPKbIM-2BfSxFzpn-2BBAUViSBQYstV1XV8LuXUr-2FmxkQ7i0Uj2Js5K9-2BniLYNHpt5MpfJ4QXhonwPREH6nP4Nig3ypXYegvmWmeu7Xmhwy0-3D">&nbsp;Emunah Nutrition</a>, specialising in realistic, science-backed strategies that help you feel energised and balanced — without a total life overhaul.



It will be a relaxed, informal session with straightforward and practical advice you can use immediately plus you get a free eBook full of energy-balancing recipes and tips. You can also choose to book into&nbsp;their 10:30 AM or 12:15 PM Reformer class and wrap your workshop in a complete Pilates sandwich.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nbsp-muddy-verdict-nbsp-nbsp">THE&nbsp;MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



GOOD FOR?&nbsp;Improving your posture as well as your fitness levels. If you don’t like high impact classes but want an all-over body workout, this is&nbsp;the&nbsp;one for you. Plus, you won’t walk away a deep shade of beetroot so you can combine with social times too.



NOT FOR?&nbsp;Those who want an easy park and play option as&nbsp;there is not free parking on-site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nbsp-damage-nbsp-nbsp">THE&nbsp;DAMAGE&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



If you are new to Reformer Pilates, try out&nbsp;their Intro Offer where £60 gets you 6 sessions over 2 weeks so you can really hit&nbsp;the&nbsp;ground running with learning a new skill. You can also try a 30 minute explore&nbsp;session and get comfortable first before pushing your boundaries.



There are also Pay-As-You-Go packages, ideal for those with unpredictable schedules, attend classes at your convenience for £25 per session. For a more committed approach, choose from packages of 5, 10, 25, or 50 classes, offering flexibility without any lock-in contracts.



4 Marlowe Arcade, Canterbury, CT1 2TJ, <a href="https://www.kessonphysio.co.uk/canterbury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kessonphysio.co.uk/canterbury</a>

Review: Reformer Pilates at Kesson Studios, Canterbury

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