2014, HiP Studio was born in Guildford, New Zealand. The studio, located in the Shalford Social Club, started as “The Cupboard,” a small space filled with natural light and equipped with top-quality Pilates equipment. The name “The Cupboard” is a playful reference to its previous life as a cluttered storage space.
The main aim of HiP Studio is to provide a fun and relaxed environment where clients can reach their full potential through Pilates. The studio emphasises the mantra of “it's only Pilates, don't stress,” ensuring that clients feel comfortable and at ease during their sessions.
After a year and a half of successful operation and a consistently growing waiting list, the decision to expand the studio was made. In August 2017, “The Lounge” was created in the adjoining room. This space is dedicated to group reformer classes, offering four STOTT Pilates reformers and all the necessary small equipment. The Lounge's introduction, along with a new booking system, allows HiP Studio to accommodate more clients while still providing private sessions in The Cupboard.
One of the main offerings at HiP Studio is Reformer Pilates. The studio invites clients to join their reformer classes, which use the resistance of springs to provide a full-body workout. With only four people in each class, the instructor can provide modifications, regressions, progressions, and adjustments to ensure that everyone is working at their own capacity and level. The classes are fun and informal but require participants to come ready to put in work.
It is important to note that new clients who have not used a reformer before will be required to have a 1:1 session prior to joining a class to familiarise themselves with the equipment.
HiP Studio also offers private Pilates sessions to clients looking for personalised workouts. These sessions utilise various Pilates equipment such as the Chair, Tower, Reformer, and Barrels. Whether a client wants to work on specific fitness goals, rehab an injury, or simply prefer the convenience of choosing their own session time, private sessions are tailored to individual needs. They are available as 1:1 or 2:1 sessions.
The studio's owner, Sharon Hibbin O'Brien, is a fully certified Level 2 STOTT Pilates instructor. Her training and high standards of Pilates instruction are recognised worldwide. Sharon has extensive experience teaching Pilates in a variety of settings, including large groups, private sessions, and studio classes. She has taught at gyms like Virgin Active, boutique studios, dressage stables, tennis clubs, and even in corporate environments.
Sharon has worked with a diverse range of clients, from professional athletes and Iron Men and Women to individuals seeking to improve their core strength or manage back pain. She is skilled in teaching clinical Pilates for rehabilitation, including addressing injuries to the back, neck, shoulder, and hip. Additionally, Sharon is knowledgeable in pre- and postnatal Pilates, helping women maintain or regain strength during significant body changes.
From Australia to Shalford, Sharon and her husband Scott returned in August 2012. The couple's move back to New Zealand marked the beginning of Sharon's journey as a Pilates instructor and studio owner. Since then, HiP Studio has been devoted to transforming bodies, improving clients' understanding of movement, and helping them live pain-free lives.