Floating Pilates arrives in Riyadh with AquaSculpt

Floating Pilates has arrived in Riyadh, bringing Pilates movement onto water instead of a studio mat. If you have been looking into Pilates in Riyadh, AquaSculpt adds a fresh Fitness option built around core control, balance and steady movement in a pool setting.

In this article

1. What has launched in Riyadh
2. What floating Pilates trains
3. How it differs from mat Pilates
4. Safety notes before you try water Pilates
5. Beginner tips for floating Pilates
6. Why Riyadh gym-goers may like it
7. Build confidence for your next class

What has launched in Riyadh

According to What's On Saudi Arabia, AquaSculpt, a roughly 50-minute workout run by ATHARAH Wellness, has launched in Riyadh and moves Pilates exercises onto floating boards in a swimming pool. The report says the class combines Pilates movements with mobility and strength conditioning on an unstable floating surface, with an emphasis on stability, coordination, functional strength and full-body conditioning.

The same report says the concept was developed by Ana-Maria Stoilova, described as a three-time world champion with more than 20 years in sports and wellness. The Riyadh location named in the report is an outdoor pool at Radisson Collection Residences. It also says the debut session was ladies-only, with regular ladies-only and mixed sessions to follow, giving more people in the capital another way to try a new class format.

What floating Pilates trains

AquaSculpt Australia explains that floating Pilates is done on a large inflatable board resting on water. Because the board moves, the body makes small adjustments to stay steady. That is where the training effect starts: the stabilising muscles switch on, and the core supports you through much of the session rather than only during obvious core drills.

The source gives examples such as seated twists, tabletop holds and slow leg extensions. On a mat, those moves already ask for control. On a board, the water adds movement underneath you, so balance, alignment and breathing become part of almost every rep. The aim is not to wobble wildly. It is to move smoothly, stay centred and keep form while the surface changes.

How it differs from mat Pilates

Mat Pilates uses a stable surface. Floating Pilates changes that surface. According to AquaSculpt Australia, water adds natural movement, so familiar exercises become balance challenges while the class still focuses on alignment.

A typical class is described by AquaSculpt Australia as a flowing sequence that may include seated work, core exercises, glute strengthening, gentle stretches and mindful breathing. The source also says the format is beginner-friendly, with modifications offered. That matters because the board can make simple moves feel new, even for someone who has taken Pilates before.

For gym-goers, the difference is feedback. On a mat, a small shift through the ribs, hips or shoulders may go unnoticed. On water, the board often reacts quickly. If one side is working harder, or if you rush a movement, the board may move more. That can encourage slower reps and sharper body awareness.

Safety notes before you try water Pilates

Water-based fitness can feel playful, but it is still exercise. Mayo Clinic says water-based exercise is low-impact and gentle on the joints because buoyancy supports body weight. Mayo Clinic also says many aquatic exercise classes do not require you to be able to swim, since most happen in shallow water where you can stand. GoodRx Health also notes that buoyancy supports body weight and that water exercise can offer a low-impact, full-body workout.

A floating board adds an extra balance demand, so treat your first class as a skill session rather than a test. Mayo Clinic advises checking with a healthcare provider about whether a water-exercise routine is right for you, getting familiar with the pool, working with a qualified instructor or when a lifeguard is on duty, and starting with short sessions before building gradually.

Beginner tips for floating Pilates

If you are curious about water Pilates, keep the first session simple. Focus on learning the board, listening to the instructor and choosing control over speed.

• Check your readiness. Follow Mayo Clinic's advice to speak with a healthcare provider if you are unsure whether water exercise is suitable for you.
• Know the pool setting. Get familiar with the pool before the class starts, especially if floating fitness is new to you.
• Use proper supervision. Choose a qualified instructor or a setting where a lifeguard is on duty.
• Build gradually. Start with shorter efforts and progress over time, a point also supported by GoodRx Health for beginners.
• Move with control. Slower movement can help you stay steady on the Pilates board and keep your technique clean.

Why Riyadh gym-goers may like it

Floating Pilates sits between a class, a core session and a balance challenge. It is not a replacement for strength training or other group classes, but it can support the same foundations many workouts need: a stable trunk, steady hips, controlled breathing and focus under changing conditions.

It may also appeal to people who enjoy calmer movement but still want a clear challenge. The water changes the effort. Small movements matter. Staying centred matters. That makes the class less about pushing hard and more about noticing how your body responds.

Build confidence for your next class

If floating Pilates has made you want to work on core strength, balance and class confidence, GymNation gives you space to train those foundations. Fill in the enquiry form.

Sources:
whatsonsaudiarabia.com
aquasculpt.au
mayoclinic.org
goodrx.com

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.