Upstate Brings Its Beloved Hot Pilates to Sydney

Upstate – Melbourne’s beloved collective of Pilates, yoga and boxing studios – is on an unstoppable upwards climb.

If 13 neon-yellow studios stretching across Victoria weren’t enough, the mini-empire has begun expanding into other states. It landed in Queensland’s Palm Beach three months ago and, in September, the first Sydney studio will open its doors in Five Dock. Luckily for our Broadsheet Access members in Sydney, Upstate is hosting a special pre-opening event. You can experience the new studio before the public, at our free wellness evening on September 18. You’ll mingle with like-minded members, get sweaty and head home toting a packed goodie bag.

When we caught up with Upstate co-founder Gail Asbell, she’d just toured the Five Dock space, now in the final stages of its build. Asbell’s excitement radiated down the phone. The Sydney move was a case of perfect timing: “We’ve had the goal to expand into Sydney over the next 12 to 14 months, and it’s a hard market to get into”, she says. But when Asbell’s good friend closed down her yoga studio in Five Dock, things fell into place. “There was already a community of instructors there, and members who were keen to have a space. And there’s no other hot Pilates or large reformer studios in the suburb”, she says.

Situated on Five Dock’s Italian-heritage main strip, the building has a lot of history. The landlord’s parents originally built it, and still live above the two-room studio. “Even the story of the building has a really nice community feel”, says Asbell. The reno has opened up the space – bringing in high ceilings, polished concrete floors and, of course, that signature Upstate yellow paint. “I think it’s really going to be a statement on the street”, says Asbell.

The schedule at Five Dock will include hot Pilates, hot yoga and reformer Pilates, along with a restorative yin and sound bath offering, and Asbell predicts the variety of classes under one roof will help Upstate stand out. Though there’s equal balance between all the offerings, the co-founder has “an instinct” that yoga will be a hit. “Our yoga is super accessible for beginners, as well as advanced. Our whole brand is just about creating that positive state of mind.” Asbell’s a staunch advocate for keeping the classes approachable, too. “We love rooms that are full of diversity – from people doing their first classes ever, to someone who’s gone for a long time.”

As at Upstate’s other studios, the Five Dock team will be 100 per cent women. “We welcome everyone, but we seem to be a women-led brand”, Asbell laughs. Part of the studio’s mission is to create career pathways for females in fitness, and the new studio plans on hosting certified mat Pilates training for six local Five Dock instructors. “A big part of what we’ll do is really build that local community.”

To catch our invite-only wellness evening at Upstate Five Dock, become an Access member today. We always bring the best in wellness to you – from studio sneak peeks like this, to discounts on activewear and luxe treatments. Membership starts from $12 a month.