KAIRA Pilates, which opened its doors on February 15, has already secured more than 70 members, with 220 people trying classes and hundreds of bookings recorded in just a few weeks.
The studio was founded by 26-year-old Bethany Henderson, who grew up in the town and recently returned to the North East after living in London.
Bethany said the idea came from her own experience of London’s thriving wellness scene and a desire to bring something similar back home.
KAIRA Pilates (Image: Bethany Henderson)
She said: “I lived in London for three years, and there were so many different wellness experiences available.
“When I moved back, one of the first things I noticed was that there was less choice locally and some studios just felt quite transactional. You would go in, do your class and go home.
“I wanted to create something that felt more like a community, where people could connect and meet new people, as well as exercise.”
Her own journey into Pilates began after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in her early twenties, when she was advised to switch to lower impact exercise.
She said: “It just worked so much better for me. It’s low impact, it helps with consistency and every session feels different. I really fell in love with it.”
That personal experience inspired her to train as an instructor and eventually open her own studio, a decision she described as “a leap of faith.”
KAIRA Pilates (Image: Bethany Henderson)
She said: “It was such a big investment, and we spent five to six months renovating the space. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but I really believed in what I was creating.”
The studio is located in the town centre, which the 26-year-old said was a “deliberate choice” to contribute to the high street and also encourage people to make an occasion of their visit.
She said: “It was really important to me that we were in the town centre.
“It means people can grab a coffee nearby with friends, come to a class and maybe go for a walk afterwards. It becomes more of a day out rather than just another thing to tick off.”
Since opening, the business has welcomed 226 unique customers and recorded more than 700 bookings, which the owner described as “unreal” for a small studio.
KAIRA Pilates (Image: Bethany Henderson)
Bethany said her main focus is on accessibility and inclusivity and believes that’s the reason behind the popularity of her new venture.
She said: “Creating a supportive environment in the town was so important, and I really encourage people to come as they are.
“There can be pressure with fitness spaces to look or be a certain way, but that’s not what we’re about.
“I want people to feel comfortable walking through the door, whether it’s their first class or they’ve been doing Pilates for years.”
Alongside running the studio, Bethany also works full time in a corporate role, balancing long work days with early mornings and evenings teaching classes.
Despite the demanding schedule, she said seeing her customers grow in confidence and make new friends has been “incredibly rewarding.”
She said: “My favourite thing is watching people come in feeling nervous and then seeing that change even within one session.
“They leave feeling stronger and more confident, and often they’re chatting to other people too. That sense of connection is really important.”
The studio has already started hosting events, including a recent Mother’s Day session which brought together local businesses offering beauty treatments, flowers and refreshments.
KAIRA Pilates (Image: Bethany Henderson)
Looking ahead, Bethany plans to introduce more specialised classes, including sessions for pregnancy and postnatal clients, and more collaborations with local businesses.
She said: “I want it to be a space for everyone, whether someone is completely new to exercise or looking for something different, there should be something here for them.”
You can find the studio at 25 Finkle Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7PL.
Classes can be booked via the Momence app by searching for KAIRA.