Saunas, sea swims, padel and pilates: health and wellness has boomed in popularity in Ireland and there’s an activity to suit anyone at any price point.
As our hobbies become more specific and tightly woven to our lives, the more some are willing to invest in their health – from wearable health monitors and matching workout sets, to investing in top quality equipment – making the area a thriving business.
So it’s not surprising that a number of Irish entrepreneurs have created some of Dublin’s most premium workout studios, all of which have opened in recent months.
While spaces like spin studio Echelon, Yoga Hub and Perpetua Pilates have been attracting visitors with their specialised classes, these new openings have tunnelled even more into the luxury and bespoke sphere.
Here, we speak to the founders behind three of the city’s newest wellness hotspots.
Barre Social Club, Whitehall, Dublin 14 – Chloe Middleton, co-founder and co-owner
Justin and Chloe Middleton
What is your background, and how did you become interested in barre?
I’m originally from Cape Town, South Africa, where my love for barre first began. When I moved to Dublin six years ago, I was surprised to find that there wasn’t a single dedicated barre studio, just one place offering the occasional class. Years passed, and while reformer and Pilates studios seemed to appear everywhere, the barre community remained underserved. So when I discovered what felt like the perfect space, I turned to my husband, Justin, who’s also my business partner, and said, “It’s now or never.” That moment marked the beginning of our barre studio journey.
What was your vision for the space?
My vision is to build a vibrant community where clients can enjoy an uplifting workout in a fun, welcoming environment that embraces the social side of fitness. Being located next to one of Dublin’s best coffee shops [The Cosy Bean] was no coincidence, it was a must for me. I want clients to feel encouraged to stick around, grab a coffee or matcha, and connect before or after class. I also plan to host regular collaborative events to bring people together and strengthen the sense of community around the studio.
What separates barre from other forms of exercise like Pilates?
Barre builds on the fundamentals of Pilates while incorporating key principles of ballet, but don’t let that intimidate you. No prior dance experience is needed. The blend of Pilates precision and ballet-inspired movement is a powerful combination that delivers visible results. Within just a few weeks, you’ll notice your body becoming more sculpted, toned and aligned. Our classes are open to everyone, and you’ll see steady improvements in your form, strength and overall body confidence week after week.
Dublin is home to a number of studios dedicated to just one form of exercise or pastime, how has the fitness scene in Ireland changed in recent years?
Reformer Pilates may be dominating the Dublin fitness scene, but that only fueled my motivation to introduce something different, an exclusive barre studio. Incorporating barre into your weekly routine brings a fresh layer of variety, complementing other workouts while challenging your body in new and effective ways.
Drop in class passes are €18, while a 5-class pass costs €80 and a 10-class pass costs €150.
SAINT Studios, South William St, Dublin 2 – Alana Murrin and Ryan Baronet, co-founders
Ryan Baronet and Alana Murrin
What is the background of the founders of Saint Studios?
Partners in life and business, Alana and Ryan bring a wealth of experience, passion, and purpose to SAINT. Alana, a Dublin-born former professional dancer, spent nearly two decades in London where she became a leading force at Psycle London – Europe’s top boutique studio, rising to Head of Ride and shaping both culture and community with her signature blend of musicality, empathy, and soul-led coaching.
Ryan, originally from South Africa and raised in London, is a seasoned fitness professional with over 15 years in the industry. With a background in sport and exercise science, Ryan has led teams, developed standout training concepts, and consulted across Europe, always with a sharp eye on innovation and client experience. Together, they’ve poured their expertise and heart into building SAINT – an elevated, immersive fitness space designed to move people from the inside out.
What inspired you to open a space like this?
Fitness and wellness is now no longer about just your physical health but also your mental and emotional wellbeing. In a digital age, people crave human connection and genuine community. Our mission is to provide an urban sanctuary where individuals can come to sweat, find community, and enhance their mental, physical, and social well-being in the heart of the creative quarter on South William Street.
What was your vision for the space, were there any inspirations you drew from?
The vision for SAINT was to bring a premium, boutique facility to the Dublin market that seamlessly blends luxury with fitness innovation, cutting-edge equipment, expert-led classes and exclusive amenities. We intentionally combined four unique but complimentary workouts: Ride, Train, Recover and Reformer to ensure that we had something for everyone regardless of age, fitness levels and personal goals.
We drew inspiration from a variety of hospitality spaces, live music venues, high end retail as well as of course, boutique style fitness and wellness spaces across the globe to ensure that we were bringing something innovative and exciting to the Dublin market.
What can visitors expect from a visit there?
Apart from a warm friendly welcome, all of the necessary amenities, best in class equipment, an incredible workout with an amazing team of charismatic and highly skilled instructors. The SAINT team will ensure that we leave you feeling better than we found you!
Dublin is home to a number of studios dedicated to just one form of exercise or pastime, how has the fitness and wellness scene in Ireland changed in recent years?
In recent years, Ireland’s fitness and wellness scene has evolved significantly. People have become much more invested in their overall health and wellbeing. Places like SAINT are the antidote to the fast paced, over digitalised and sometimes lonely way of working that was perpetuated by COVID. With a class based model like SAINT not only will you have an incredible workout, but there is a strong emphasis on community and human connection, with the added benefit of accountability. When people come together for a class, there is a shared energy and motivation that can make the experience more engaging and enjoyable, therefore encouraging more consistent participation leading to happier, healthier ways of living.
A single class credit costs €28 and class bundles starting at €125 for five credits. SAINT is offering a limited time package of four class credits and four recovery sessions for €84.
Segotia, Rathmines, Dublin 6 – Karen and Derek Noonan, cofounders.
Karen and Derek Noonan
What is your background, and how did you become interested in yoga?
Karen: My background is that I was a solicitor. I started doing yoga as a way to manage the stress and overwhelm of the corporate world, my interest grew along with a desire to share the modalities that have helped me so much in my life. I saw the need for spaces where people feel safe and offered a sense of belonging.
Derek: My background was in running events and gigs. I was involved with the creative community in Dublin and saw the need for creative spaces, as many of our favourite places shut in the last 10 years. It felt like the city was losing its vibrancy and communities that had become established, losing its soul. My family owned a building in Rathmines, and we decided to take the opportunity to create a space.
What inspired you to open a space that combines wellness and creativity?
It began from a place of wanting to hold both of our passions under one roof. Then, as we began to develop Segotia, we realised how naturally these worlds support each other and it evolved into a broader vision: a holistic home for creatives — and for anyone, really. We believe everyone is creative, whether or not they identify as such, if you’re designing your life, you are creative.
There are three elements to the business:
- A place to make your art – There are creative studios to rent. We have nine studios filled with a great spread of creative disciplines – painter, photographer, sculptor, illustrator, musicians, writers, and filmmakers. We also offer creative classes, courses and workshops, including life drawing, the artist’s way, watercolours and ceramics.
- A place to share your work – We have our gallery space for exhibitions and events, and a space for film screenings and listening parties/DJ sets.
- A place that supports the artist through the process – We have a yoga and restorative space to nurture and replenish. We run classes and workshops, and we also have a treatment room for holistic therapies such as massage, reiki, etc.
What was your vision for the space? Were there any inspirations you drew from?
Our vision was as above – a holistic space that offers real community. We spoke to a lot of creatives in the development of Segotia, and what we heard over and over again was that, first and foremost, having basic needs of heat, light, security of tenure, and real community was often lacking in spaces.
Culturally, we value the finished product of the arts so much, we spend our precious spare time going to gigs, the cinema, plays and exhibitions and we use the arts as currency on the world stage, but often the creative process is not supported and therefore cannot be sustained, so we felt that if we could offer a consistent and caring holistic environment for the process of creating, then the creativity itself can flourish.
What can visitors expect from a visit there?
We want people to feel considered and to feel seen. We want people to feel their most creative when they are here. When developing the programme we looked at the elements we felt were important to creativity and we developed our Segotia pillars. All of our classes fall under one of these pillars:
- Embodiment – to feel safe in your body with a settled nervous system.
- Presence – to feel present, to be able to be in the moment and see and feel what is happening to you in that moment.
- Connection – to connect with the source of your inspiration; and
- Flow – to tap into the flow state. The flow state is what links the creative and restorative aspect of Segotia together, that place where you are totally present and you are totally yourself.
Dublin is home to a number of studios dedicated to just one form of exercise or pastime, how has the fitness and wellness scene in Ireland changed in recent years?
In recent years, people are more and more engaging in self-discovery and self-development, they are more curious, more open to trying new things and want to be challenged and excited.
As so much of life has moved online, there’s been a strong shift back toward in-person connection. More and more, people are seeking third spaces — places beyond home and work where they can truly belong, engage with others, and feel part of a community.
Segotia are offering a limited offer of 7 days of unlimited classes for €22, drop-in classes start at €22 and class passes start at €75 for five morning classes.