Core Pilates and Mind is a Pilates and movement studio on Level 1, Unit JA, 1 Radcliffe Road in Belfast, Christchurch — upstairs above Pet Stock — serving the Northwood community and wider Christchurch. Established as a way to nurture the body and mind in a relaxed, supportive and non-judgemental environment, the studio offers a wide range of Reformer Pilates, Mat Pilates, Yoga, Barre and Stretch + Restore classes, along with a HIIT Reformer and Mat option and dedicated senior classes.
All of the instructors are qualified, and classes are run in small groups so each participant gets attention — instructors offer different levels throughout every class, from beginners through to advanced, so everyone leaves feeling successful. The team is led by owner Christine Lane (Reformer, Mat and Stretch) and includes instructors across reformer, mat, yoga, barre and dance disciplines.
New members start with a free info and demo session, held every Saturday at 10.30am at the Northwood studio or by appointment, before taking up the two-week trial or a membership. Options range from unlimited mat-based memberships to reformer-focused tiers, plus a discounted Golden Membership for members 62+, casual class passes and 10-class packs. Bookings are managed through the Momence app. The studio opens early on weekdays — from 5.15am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays — with Saturday and Sunday morning sessions rounding out the week.
Step upstairs to Level 1, Unit JA at 1 Radcliffe Road in Belfast, Christchurch — above Pet Stock — and you'll find Core Pilates and Mind, a studio built around a simple idea: nurturing the body and mind in a relaxed, supportive and non-judgemental environment. Located in Christchurch's Northwood area, the studio offers a wide range of Reformer Pilates, Mat Pilates, Yoga, Barre and Stretch + Restore classes, and describes itself as a place where "strength meets energy and every session feels like a win."
The team at CORE is upfront about what sets the studio apart: it's not just the equipment, it's the people. All instructors are qualified, and classes are deliberately kept small so each participant gets undivided attention. Instructors offer different levels throughout every class, so a complete beginner and a seasoned member can share the same session and both leave feeling successful.
That community spirit shows up in member stories. One member publicly thanked the instructors after reaching 500 reformer classes, noting she could "see and feel the difference" in her body and overall strength since starting — and that the studio was "such a wonderful space to be in." Members describe friendships forming between people supportive of each other's journeys, from beginners to advanced.
Seven class formats anchor the timetable. **Open Reformer Pilates** is the studio's flagship, using the Pilates Reformer machine for deep muscle activation and control through resistance and bodyweight exercises — suitable for all levels of fitness and experience, and designed to strengthen, tone and tighten one class at a time.
**Mat Work Pilates** covers the building blocks of the practice: learning the fundamentals, engaging the deep core and stabilising muscles, and focusing on correct alignment, technique and control. **Yoga** is the mind-body counterpoint, with each instructor guiding traditional teachings and modifications for all fitness levels. **Barre** blends dance, Pilates and yoga to the beat of music — low-impact but effective, with no dance experience required.
For those after a sweat, **HIIT Reformer and Mat Pilates** works in timed intervals for an effective cardiovascular workout — low impact, high intensity, all done in 45 minutes. **Stretch + Restore**, offered in both the mat and reformer rooms, focuses on gentle stretching and mindful movement to release tension, improve mobility and promote relaxation — because, as the team puts it, recovery is an essential part of the wellness journey.
Seniors are well catered for too. **Golden Reformer Pilates**, for 65 years and over, uses specialised exercises on the Reformer to build limb and core strength while working toward regained flexibility and improved balance — low-impact movement the studio says can lift your spirits and leave you feeling better about your day.
Every new member attends a **free info and demo session** before starting the two-week trial or a membership. These run every Saturday at 10.30am at the Northwood studio, or by appointment, and can be booked by contacting the studio or registering through the Momence app (available for iOS and Android).
From there, membership options cover nearly every routine: unlimited mat-based classes, tiers with two, three or four reformer classes per week, unlimited reformer, an elite all-inclusive option, and a Golden Membership for members aged 62 and over. Casual class passes and 10-class packs are available for anyone not ready to commit.
The timetable suits early birds and after-work movers alike: doors open from 5.15am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6.15am on Tuesdays and Fridays, with Saturday sessions from 6.15am and Sunday mornings from 8am. The studio is at Level 1, Unit JA, 1 Radcliffe Road, Belfast, Christchurch. To enquire, call 027 408 2816 or email [email protected].
Whether you're new to Pilates or levelling up your fitness, the team's promise is the same: help you move better, feel stronger, and have fun doing it. Your strongest self starts at CORE.