Pilates instructor reveals how a knee injury spawned a global fitness movement: Fluidform

Mum and entrepreneur Kirsten King first discovered Pilates after sustaining a knee injury in her early twenties.

Now 42, the movement instructor has seven brick-and-mortar studios across Australia and a thriving online platform under the brand name Fluidform which offers clients highly personalised training in a warm, supportive, and encouraging space. 

‘After recovering from my injury through Pilates and understanding the power of functional movement, I embarked on my study to become a qualified Pilates instructor through the Australian Pilates Method Association,’ Kirsten told FEMAIL.

‘After completing my qualification I began teaching at a local studio in east Melbourne, before evolving my weekend job into a full time career when I relocated to the UK. 

‘When I returned to Australia I purchased a studio in Sydney and built the Fluidform name into what it is today – a functional movement method designed to transform the minds and bodies of people around the world.’

Kirsten’s fitness philosophy is that in order for the body to work effectively, it needs to be balanced. 

Fluidform has a unique focus on your slow twitch, stabilising muscles, that support your joints, stability, balance and posture to realign and strengthen the body.

Kirsten works these muscles in slow, controlled movements that effectively balance your body, creating long, lean and toned muscles. 

These specific movements and approach to exercise helps to build strength and tone without causing stress on the joints and body. 

This type of exercise also minimises the risk of injuries due to imbalances or weaknesses in the body, supporting not only your fitness but day-to-day performance. 

Fluidform has a unique focus on your slow twitch, stabilising muscles, that support your joints, stability, balance and posture to realign and strengthen the body

‘You will experience less pain and imbalances, improve your flexibility and start to move more efficiently,’ she said.

Fluidform At Home was established two years before Covid wreaked havoc on the lives of Australians in 2020, which put Kirsten and her team in a unique position to allow access to her Pilates anywhere in the world. 

‘When the world turned to online fitness in 2020 we wanted to go beyond this and offer a sense of physical and emotional relief and support, during a time of uncertainty and fear,’ she said.

‘Fluidform at Home was designed to be an extension of my studios, offering my unique and highly personalised approach to functional movement, albeit location, financial or time limitations. 

‘Both my physical studios and online presence are core to the Fluidform brand and stay true to my values from our communication touchpoints, client relationships and attention to detail, to my programming, technical knowledge and movement philosophy.   

Fluidform At Home was established two years before Covid wreaked havoc on the lives of global citizens in 2020, which put Kirsten and her team in a unique position to allow access to movement-loving clients anywhere in the world

‘My team and I balance each element by prioritising our brand values and objectives, playing to each other’s strengths and staying true to the brand and our ethos – Fluidform anywhere, for anyone.’

The online space is $35 per month for a three month lock-in contract and $20 a month for a 12-month contract with a free equipment pack and free global shipping.

There are more than 250 Pilates-focused videos for customers to partake in, and more than 100 ‘challenges’ to complete.

The newest string to Kirsten’s bow is her Bondi Beach studio, which is nestled just metres away from the iconic sandy shoreline of Australia’s most well-known beach.

The studio offers reformer classes alongside traditional mat classes, Swiss ball, mums and bubs and barre, as well as studio one-on-ones for those wanting to delve deeper into what their body can do.

The newest string to Kirsten’s bow is her Bondi Beach studio, which is nestled just metres away from the iconic sandy shoreline of Australia’s most well-known beach

The studio offers reformer classes alongside traditional mat classes, Swiss ball, mums and bubs and barre, as well as studio one-on-ones for those wanting to delve deeper into what their body can do

‘Bondi has been a dream of mine for years now. There is something so special about the Bondi community that is both inspiring, comforting and entertaining,’ Kirsten said.

‘I love the passion for health and movement that is so prominent within the community. Client, turned instructor and now studio owner Jenny Milligan and I were able to bring this dream to life, with Jenny’s connection to the community, passion for Fluidform and dedication to health and movement.

‘The studio boasts incredible natural light which hits all three spaces – our Reformer room, mat space and studio equipment classes. Fluidform Bondi encapsulates the relaxed, coastal essence of Bondi – contemporary and community-focused. 

‘Bondi has been a dream of mine for years now. There is something so special about the Bondi community that is both inspiring, comforting and entertaining,’ Kirsten said

‘You can move your body across a range of class offerings, reset your mind in our Sunlighten Infrared Sauna followed by an ocean swim and coffee all before 9am.’

Kirsten has big goals for 2023 and the future, namely evolving the Fluidform Training platform to encourage others to become instructors and teach the Fluidform way in their community. 

Ideally there will one day be Fluidform teachers in every town and city, Fluidform studios in every country and Fluidform at Home in every home, around the world.