Welcome to Exe Valley Pilates in Topsham, Exeter and Thorverton

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Join us on the mat

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Welcome to Exe Valley Pilates in Topsham, Exeter and Thorverton / / Join us on the mat / /

Frequently Asked Questions To Help You

Eucalyptus plant in a beige, speckled ceramic pot on a light fabric surface

  • Yes, pilates benefits everyone regardless of age. Joseph Pilates is known for the famous quote “you are only as old as your spine”

  • Comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. In the studio avoid loose clothing (baggy trousers for example) as it can get caught in the machines. Overly loose clothes make it more difficult to assess your correct positioning sometimes too. 

    We also work either bare foot or in grip socks for matwork. In the studio, grip socks only please. I sell grip socks if you don’t have any. No socks no class for hygiene purposes please. 

  • If you are attending a Mat only class then having your own is beneficial for hygiene reasons. I always have spares so don’t worry if this is your first time and you don’t have or you have left it behind. P

    lease speak with me first before purchasing; pilates mats are different to yoga mats which tend to be thinner. Look for a mat that is around 13mm thick. We spend much more time lying down than our yogi friends!

  • Absolutely! Unless I have a beginner class just starting (check the timetable on my website), once you have signed up you can access a couple of starter videos to get you used to the very basics and words and phrases you may hear me say. I keep classes deliberately small so that I can help everyone through adjustment and I level many exercises, encouraging you to stay at a level that is do-able but also appropriately challenging for you. Pilates is not competitive, it is about getting the best out of your body on that specific day. 

  • Definitely not! Both are challenging in different ways and both complement each other. Pilates is about an integrated approach between the larger equipment in the studio and mat work. Personally, I feel learning the basics and the ethos of pilates on a mat really helps you to get the most out of the equipment. Having said that, the equipment can also help you to access some exercises that are too difficult for some on the mat alone. 

  • Not as such as Pilates does take more than one session to get the feel for things. However, if after your first session you definitely think this isn’t right, then all monies will be reimbursed - no problem!

  • Many people come to pilates in the first instance for exactly this reason. Improving  flexibility, mobility and balance are very much integral parts of pilates. Don’t expect immediate results but with time and persistence through practice you will improve and see results.

  • For mat group classes, I cap at 12. Sometimes, smaller depending on the size of the room. I want to get to know all the “bodies” in my room so that I can tailor it to you as much as I can. 

    For the studio classes, there will be no more than 4 in a group. This is perfect in my opinion. A tailored service, small, friendly, fun but progressive and lots of help. Safety paramount. Close supervision. 

  • Yes and I encourage you to do so within your block period. Please check for availability rather than just rocking up though! 

  • All classes are booked on a block system usually 6-7 weeks or for a whole term, 12-14 weeks. Any classes missed can be caught up (see above), no refunds for missed classes. Consistency in exercise is what creates progress, this is why I don’t offer pay as you go systems. 

Some of the best friendships begin on a Pilates mat.


Over the years, I've watched clients support one another, share milestones and become part of each other's lives. There's a unique kind of accountability that comes from knowing people are expecting to see you each week. It's one of the reasons so many of my clients have been attending classes for years.

Explore the timetable

Pricing & Booking


Classes can only be booked in blocks roughly in-line with school terms. These blocks can be paid for either termly (12-14 weeks) or half termly (6-7weeks). 

Costs £12/ per class for Topsham classes

£10 per class for Exeter and Thorverton classes

If a class is missed (holiday/ illness etc) you can make up a class within your paid for block subject to availability.

Start your journey
A group of women participating in a pilates class in a cozy living room with wooden floor, green walls, a fireplace, and wall decor. They are sitting on mats, some smiling, others with eyes closed, in a relaxed indoor setting.
Beth of Exe Valley Pilates wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants, standing outdoors near a body of water during sunset. She is smiling and has a green sleeveless jacket draped over her shoulders.

  • I absolutely love attending Beth's classes! As a classic inflexible gent in my early 40s, I knew I needed to do something to address my inflexibility. I was a bit apprehensive about getting started, but needn't have been. From the first session, Beth made the whole experience welcoming, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable.

    —Toby

  • I've been a rock climber for nearly 25 years and as I get older I am finding the strain it puts on my body is increasing. My wife suggested I join the pilates class she had been enjoying, and I've now been going to one of Beth's classes in Thorverton for over a year. The difference it's made to my core strength, balance, and general fitness is huge. Beth's knowledge is extensive and she has a real talent for getting the best out of everyone in the class. I always finish a class with new ideas to try, and always feel like I've had a challenging workout!

    —Ben

  • Beth is a really fantastic and very knowledgeable teacher. There is an amazing amount of time and thought put into the preparation for the lessons to make them interesting and fun, but also to slowly built up your strength, by working on particular areas and building them up. She also takes great care of her students to challenge them, correct them, but also give alternatives depending on your ability and how much you want to push yourself. I have never come across someone like Beth. I just love her lessons and will not want to miss them. They are the highlight of my week!

    —Alex

  • Beth is an amazing teacher; she is really knowledgable and always challenges us in class (with a smile). I would totally recommend this class and love the variety and focus on different body areas and use of different props (such as weights, resistance bands and blocks). I have felt stronger and noticed a difference in my core muscles since I started. Amazing!

    —Hannah