Balu in Santa Catalina: Palma’s newest reformer Pilates studio

Looking for a studio where you can move, connect, and feel part of something new? Balu in Santa Catalina has quickly become one of the most talked-about additions to Palma’s wellness scene.

Behind the project is Alix, who moved to Mallorca a couple of years ago with a love of Pilates and the determination to build a space that felt welcoming, stylish and fun. During lockdown she had fallen for the mindful strength of Pilates and yoga, and the idea of creating her own studio grew from there.

What is reformer Pilates?

Reformer Pilates uses a moving carriage on a frame, with springs to add resistance, a footbar and straps. You can lie, sit, kneel or stand on it, performing slow, controlled movements that combine strength and stretch. It’s low impact but surprisingly intense — Alix jokes that shaking is part of the process. It builds core strength, improves posture, and works muscles you didn’t know you had.

Who can it help?

People turn to Pilates for all sorts of reasons. It’s known for supporting:

• Back pain and posture issues from desk work or weak core muscles

• Neck and shoulder tightness

• Hip, knee and ankle stability for runners, cyclists and active people

• Balance and coordination (especially useful as we age)

• Post-natal recovery and pelvic floor strength

• Mobility and flexibility after injury or inactivity

It’s not a medical treatment, but many physiotherapists recommend it as part of long-term recovery or maintenance. At Balu, small class sizes mean beginners and regulars alike get tailored guidance.

What you’ll find at Balu

Balu keeps groups small — just six reformers — so teachers can give everyone personal attention. The timetable mixes full-body classes with sculpt sessions targeting core, legs and glutes. Early starts are already proving popular: 06:30 classes bring in yacht crew and commuters, and from November the team plans to add a 06:00 option.

Alix wanted every detail to feel thought through, right down to the small pieces of kit. “When you pick up a ball or hand weight it should match the room, not fight it,” she says. Newcomers are encouraged to arrive ten minutes early for a quick tour of the reformer so the first class feels less daunting.

A space to connect

The studio isn’t just about exercise — the sofa area encourages people to sit, chat, and share a juice or water after class. In just a few weeks, Balu has become a place where strangers connect and new friendships spark. “Mallorca is incredibly open,” Alix says. “People actually follow up on a coffee.”

What’s next

Plans include monthly workshops and eventually pop-up reformer retreats using portable machines at venues around the island. With boutique fitness booming in Palma, Balu is already carving out its own niche: practical schedules, warm welcomes, and a focus on building community.

A bold new arrival

Opening a business here takes courage, but Alix has stepped forward with vision and energy. Balu brings something fresh to Santa Catalina — a place where movement, design and community come together. It’s early days, but the momentum is real, and we can’t wait to see how this young studio grows.

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