Built by Filipinas: 5 Wellness Studios Reimagining Shared Spaces
Pilates, indoor cycling, padel, and more—women are on the move, leading spaces that are built for everyone.
While every scroll seems to introduce a new fitness craze, the latest routine to check out, or recent diet to follow, there are certain women who have quietly built spaces that are more unhurried and intentional. At a time when the rapid rise of wellness has also made room for studios with varying standards and unverified qualifications, these spaces stand out for prioritizing research, transparency, and a more considered approach to movement.
By bringing everyone into the fold, these Filipina founders are shaping a new kind of common ground—less about going at it alone, and more about moving through it together. These are the five wellness studios founded by Filipinas doing just that.
The Reformation Club
It is quite surprising that a city as storied as Manila had no Pilates studio until Arabella Chong carved out her own at the heart of Binondo a year ago. This makes ‘The Reformation Club’ the city’s first boutique Pilates studio. What started as a reformer-focused center has now expanded into offering over 30 class categories, including pre- and post-natal Pilates, Wunda Chair Pilates, and even Ashtanga yoga for kids.
Their pilates instructors are STOTT-, BASI-, or Balanced Body-trained, some with backgrounds in athletics, physical therapy, and even martial arts—bringing a multidisciplinary approach with a deeper understanding of movement.
Location: Unit A3, Noble Place, Dasmariñas St, Binondo, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila
Manila Padel Club
Padel now counts as many Pinoys’ favorite low-impact, high intensity activity, and you have to thank Alenna Dawn for helping introduce the sport in the country. The 28-year-old founder of the Women’s Padel Association is the visionary behind Manila Padel Club, together with co-founder Fredrik Lonnqvist. As the country’s first-ever padel court, it quickly became the launchpad for the sport locally.
On the court, players come together, racket in hand, enthusiasts and athletes play side by side. After sweating it out on the court, this can be the perfect place to find new friends through socials and tournaments they organize.
Locations:
BGC: 9th Avenue corner Lane R North Bonifacio District, Taguig, Metro Manila
Arcovia: Arco de Emperador Rotunda, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
QC: Eton Centris, Quezon Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Vida Yoga
This yoga center brings the heat. Female duo Amanda Griffin Jacob and Karmela Oreta built Vida Yoga to elevate the wellness scene in the city with a range of unique classes like Kundalini, Yin, and Breathwork combined with Sound Healing, as well as visiting international yogis. Their yoga instructors are transparent in their training across various yoga disciplines, with certifications from institutions such as the American Council on Exercise and Yoga Medicine.
Their most booked classes? Hot yoga. One of them is the ‘Inferno Pilates’ class. It combines core-strengthening principles from pilates, and intensifies them with the heat. No wonder because hot yoga can help reduce stress, and improve blood flow for healthier, more radiant skin.
Locations:
BGC: Arya Residences Tower, The Plaza, 1 McKinley Pkwy, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila
Rockwell: Floor B2, Rockwell Leisure Club, 23 Amorsolo Dr, Makati City, 1229 Metro Manila
Alabang: 2nd Flr, The Commerce Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila
Electric Studio
Music and movement mix perfectly here at Kristina Sy’s indoor cycling studio—the country’s first and largest. They offer various types of cycling sessions depending on focus—resistance, strength, or endurance. Expect an equally energetic boxing session that matches the beat of their pulse-pounding playlist.
In their ‘electric experience’, no one gets left behind. Everyone moves as a pack. The belief is simple: you can go far on your own—but you go further together.
Locations:
BGC: 2/F 8 Forbes Town Road, Fort BGC, Taguig
Podium: 4/F The Podium Mall, 12 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center Mandaluyong City
Alabang: Building 6, Molito Complex, Madrigal Ave, New Alabang Village, Muntinlupa
Onelife Studio
Women-focused and conscious, Onelife is a physical therapy facility guided by women. Founded by Tanya Maria Aguila, Onelife was built as a wellness hub to support physical recovery.
The experience doesn’t stop in-studio—it continues on their app making it easier to book, manage, and stay consistent with your wellness routine. With just a few taps, you can schedule sessions, and track your progress wherever you are.
Locations:
BGC:Unit 313 C2 Building, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, BGC Taguig
Alabang:Unit 15 Molito Lifestyle Building 8, Madrigal Avenue Cor. Alabang-Zapote Road, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Shangri-La: Unit 1014B Lower Ground Floor East Wing Shangri-la Mall, Mandaluyong City
Ortigas: 3F Estancia Mall East Wing, Capitol Commons, Pasig City
Makati:Unit 207 Plaza One Hundred, 100 VA Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
San Juan: 2F Citiplace Building, 8001 Jose Abad Santos St. Cor. Calderon St., Brgy. Little Baguio, San Juan City
Female connection
These Filipina-owned spaces spread across the metro are proving that wellness today goes beyond the workout. It’s also about being more discerning in what you choose to try—seeking out instructors and practices that align with your long-term well-being, because while wellness may evolve, your body remains your lifelong constant, shaped not by trends but by how you care for it each day.
