There's no denying that Pilates is one of the most popular workouts of the moment, especially the Reformer discipline, which is even being hailed as the ultimate workout for 2025, with social media currently flooded with influencers taking up the practice and new Reformer Pilates studios popping up left, right, and centre across Leeds and the UK.
If you’re unfamiliar with what Reformer Pilates is, it’s a low-impact form of Pilates exercise performed on a specialised Reformer machine – which adds resistance to exercises, making it suitable for various different fitness levels – and it focuses on strength, flexibility, core stability, and overall body awareness.
Image: Aldi
But while popular, there’s also no denying that it’s expensive. Though many people see their choice of workout as something they prioritise and budget for, for others, the price of regular Reformer Pilates classes are not financially feasible.
Which is why the news that you’ll soon be able to pop down to your local Aldi store, head to the middle aisle, and pick up your own Reformer Pilates machine to take home with you that very same day, is music to our ears.
Image: Aldi
In a UK supermarket first, Aldi is bringing Reformer Pilates to the middle aisle, and it’s perfect for those looking to elevate their fitness routines in a long-term affordable way, as it offers professional-grade workouts without leaving the house.
Featuring adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands, adjustable height settings, smooth gliding functionality, transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities, Aldi says its versatile Reformer Pilates Machine ‘caters to all fitness levels’, making it a must-have addition to any home gym or exercise space.
Image: Aldi
It even comes complete with an introductory exercise chart too, so whether you’re looking to strengthen your core, improve flexibility, or tone muscles, the machine is designed to help anyone achieve their fitness goals.
The viral Reformer Pilates Machine has already taken the internet by storm when it launched in Australia last year, with Brits begging the budget supermarket to bring it across the pond, and now it’s finally set to launch in UK Aldi stores nationwide on Sunday 25 May.
The Reformer Pilates Machine will set you back £149, which we know isn’t cheap, let’s say, but it’s certainly cheaper in the long run if you’re an avid Pilates practicer.
Shoppers better limber up though, as is the case with all Aldi Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone, so if you’re keen to get your hands on a machine, you’ll need to act fast.
Head down to your local Aldi on Sunday 25 May and get checking that middle aisle.
We're basically half way through the year, so let's see what else we've got to look forward to...spoiler alert, it's a lot.
So far we've had everything from ice bath cafes to listening bars open up in Leeds, and it seems like 2026 is the gift that keeps on giving.
Allow us to get you excited about what's coming to the city...
Dishoom
68–78 Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one is a biggun' as the ever so popular Indian restaurant is set to open on Friday 14 August in a beautiful Grade-II listed building on Vicar Lane which was formerly Flannels.
First opening in London, Dishoom now has restaurants dotted all over the UK including a huge site in Manchester. The group is famed for its lavish and grand interiors, as well as its home-style curries, grills and breakfasts including its legendary bacon naans.
Acai and the Tribe
88 Vicar Lane
Image: The Manc Group
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
This Japanese restaurant serves a menu full of sushi as well as grilled meats on sticks, sharing sides and build-your-own hand rolls. All of this is wrapped up in the most gorgeous interior, which you can see from their jaw dropping new Manchester site.
Occupying the Grade II-listed space on Vicar Lane, the three-storey building will include a 220-cover dining room, 30-cover terrace and an upstairs bar.
Introducing Moods - a new all-day cafe, bar and events venue that will open to the public at First White Cloth Hall on Kirkgate on Friday 31 July.
Created by husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo, Moods will occupy the ground floor of the Grade II* listed building.
Alfonso's
Horsforth
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Leeds rallies around independent wine bar after thieves smash windows to steal… an empty bottle
Clementine Hall
An independent wine bar in Leeds city centre was broken into over the weekend.
And do you know what the sneaky thief stole? An empty bottle.
Latitude Wine Bar on The Calls issued a statement about the break in over the weekend, they said: "Some unscrupulous ______________ (insert expletives in the comments) decided to smash our window last night to grab a magnum of chartreuse out of our window.
"Obviously it was a dummy bottle, so more fool them, but it also makes this criminal damage more pointless. DON'T THEY KNOW HOW MUCH GLASS COSTS!?
"Well, this puts a real dampener on the month so if any one feels like popping in to buy a bottle in the shop or a glass in the bar or heading online to place an order this weekend it would really help to support an independent wine merchant and bar.
Images: Latitude Wine Bar
"Thank you to one of our customers who found the abandoned dummy bottle and returned it to us today. Legend! Santé and happy Friyay!"
So not only did the thief smash the window to steal an empty bottle, but they didn't even take it home with them.
In classic Leeds fashion, fellow indies flocked to the comments to support Latitude with many promising to pop in over the weekend for a glass or two.
One comment read: "Do you need a sign in your window saying “this is a dummy bottle you dummy”" whilst another said "Damned spit buckets! I’m sure we’ll be in soon, keep your chins up fam."
So if you've been meaning to pop in for a glass of the good stuff, there's no better time than the present.
Emily Sergeant -
16th May 2025 
