Pilates studio with a cardio zone in Gwanak, Seoul: Vines Pilates

I've needed some strength training lately, so I was looking into pilates near Seoul National University Entrance Station when I found Vines Pilates — the facilities and reviews were so good! It's just a 2-minute walk from Exit 4, such a great spot to work out before or after work! You know working out has to be convenient and close by if you're going to actually keep it up, haha 😚

Come in through this entrance and the studio is on B1!

Vines Pilates Seoul National University Entrance branch: hours and parking

• Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00–22:00 / Tue, Thu, Sat 10:00–22:00 (closed Sundays)
• Address: 20 Nambusunhwan-ro 220-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, B1 JK Tower, South Korea
• Parking: available (first 2 hours free)

Inside Vines Pilates and the first consultation

The ceilings are high once you walk in, and the whole space feels really pleasant and clean! In this space, my teacher gave me a thorough posture analysis and consultation, so kindly 🤍

A cardio zone inside a pilates studio?

Vines Pilates has a few things that set it apart from other studios. One that I really loved was the cardio zone!! This is my first time seeing treadmills at a pilates studio. You get your full strength workout in during your pilates class, then do cardio whenever you want, before or after class! Absolutely the best...😆

Changing room and shower amenities at Vines Pilates

The locker room is also super clean, with hair dryers, hair straighteners, towels, cotton swabs, hair ties, lotion, and more — and the individual shower rooms even have shampoo and conditioner. Everything you need is there.

Private one-on-one rooms and equipment

There are two separate private class rooms here~ They have all the equipment — barrel, chair, reformer — plus tons of small props. Mirrors line every wall, so you can keep checking your posture as you move through each exercise, which I really loved!

What the 100% full-time instructor system means

At other studios, part-time instructors usually run group lessons while freelance instructors handle private lessons. At Vines Pilates, it seems classes run 100% on full-time instructors 🫢 Both private and group lessons are taught only by full-time staff, which apparently gives them a stronger sense of belonging and responsibility as they manage members — plus you get the special perk of continuing with the same instructor from private lessons into group lessons!!

Fixed-teacher classes vs. open booking: what's the difference?

Group lessons here are also split into two types, unlike other studios! There's the usual reservation system booked through an app, like most other studios run, and then there's the fixed-teacher system (chart-management program), unique to Vines Pilates.

With the fixed-teacher system, one dedicated teacher takes on a fixed group of 5 students, setting monthly goals and giving weekly feedback — basically a 5:1 class that feels like private lessons 🫢 So if your goal is posture correction, they recommend the fixed-teacher system; if your goal is just general exercise, they say the no-pressure app reservation system works fine, haha. Apparently about 80% of group members come specifically for the fixed-teacher system, so it really does seem like a system unique to this place.

What the 5:1 reservation-based group class is like

I took the reservation-based group class, and being a 5:1 small group, the teacher watched and corrected everyone's posture individually — and the cueing was easy to follow and comfortable, which I really loved, haha. I sweated, my legs were shaking 🤣 it felt like a real workout for the first time in a while!! It was nice that she talked me through my posture more afterward too.

The weight-training strength zone next to the reformers

There's also a strength-training zone where you can work out alongside the reformers! This area is also stocked with plenty of small props, haha.

Vines Pilates really stands out with so many things different from other studios — a place I genuinely want to keep coming back to! Highly, highly recommend 🤍