Be Well: Your Guide to the Best Pilates Studios in Ocean City, NJ
EVERYONE’S DOING PILATES
Here’s where to start in Ocean City
If y’all think Pilates is just for the ladies, let me tell you, your stability is about to be rocked. Any walk of life, any fitness preference, if you want every fiber of your being tested, P I L A T E S.
Thankfully, we have plenty of incredible small businesses offering a mix of Pilates classes right here in Ocean City, and you don’t even have to leave the island to find one that fits you.
1. Salt+Core Pilates & Wellness
625 Asbury Avenue, Unit A
If having kids humbled your core strength, same, and the Pilates Tower class at Salt+Core Pilates & Wellness absolutely reminded me. Currently,
Salt+ Core is the only studio on the island offering Tower classes, on top of their reformer and mat Pilates options. However, I’m hooked on the Tower. The Tower uses spring-loaded attachments from a vertical frame, which creates a different feel than the reformer by adding more upright work, deeper stretch options, and controlled resistance through each movement. It challenges your core, posture, stability, and all those smaller muscles you’ve probably never even been able to feel before. The new space is gorgeous and so thoughtfully done, with coordinated equipment, beautiful lighting, and a clean, elevated coastal feel that literally makes walking in feel like part of the experience. Whether you’re brand new to Pilates or ready to level up, they’ve got options for you.
2. Diamond Barre Fitness
750 Asbury Avenue, 2nd Floor & 800, Wesley Avenue, Unit A
If I thought Mat Pilates classes kicked my core, that was nothing compared to the Mat Pilates Arc class I recently took with the OC OGs at Diamond Barre. They’ve been a go-to in town for classes for years, and I drop into their mat classes quite frequently. Their often wait listed classes bring that perfect mix of energy, challenge, and the kind of burn and shake that makes you miss your cozy couch, but in the best way, obvi. My new favorite, the Mat Pilates Arc class, created by instructor Helen Scull, uses a large curved prop for a totally different take on core work, with a little added support, but a solid challenge with plenty of shakes. They also offer different level reformer classes for anyone wanting the added resistance, control, and full-body shake Pilates is known for. Whether you’re brand new or already hooked, they ve built a loyal following for a reason.
3. DCW Studio (Pilates-adjacent)
1034 Asbury
DCW Studio brings the heat, literally, and a totally unique approach.
If you love the core control and precision of Pilates but want it blended with more strength, sweat, and athletic movement, DCW will keep you fully locked in from start to finish. I recently took the frequently wait listed, Hot Signature class, and it is truly something I’ve never tried before – it’s heated, strength-focused, and built around slow, controlled movement that keeps building as class goes on. As a functional movement junky who loves feeling toasty, it’s just too perfect. As you’ve settled into the first movement combination, another is added to that sequence, and another, and so on, slowly building up to challenge more and more of your strength and stability. Conquer, repeat. If you can, bring your own mat and definitely bring a sweat towel! You’ll be drippin’?. Her classes are frequently wait listed year-round, with additional offerings like Hot Stability, Lower Burn, Hot Glutes + Core, and Upper Burn, so you can choose your own challenge depending on what kind of humbled you’re looking for that day.
By Lauren Deckard, LMT, NASM-CPT Owner of Peak Mobility