Pilates in Leeds & West Yorkshire — with Emma-Louise Jakubowski

I’m Emma-Louise Jakubowski, a Leeds-based Pilates instructor with over 25 years in the fitness industry. I teach both in-person classes across West Yorkshire and live online Pilates sessions via Zoom — ideal if you want proper coaching from home, without the hassle of travelling.

People often tell me they come for the Pilates… and stay for the feeling afterwards. Stronger. Looser. More upright. More “ahhh”.

My fitness journey (and why I still love teaching)

My story started early. Gymnastics was my sport up until the age of 15, and I threw myself into it completely — competitions, training, the lot. I was proud to represent Great Britain at the 1991 World Gymnaestrada in Amsterdam, and those years shaped how I teach today: control, alignment, strength, and confidence.

When I stepped away from gymnastics, I needed something new to burn off all that energy. I walked into my first aerobics class at the local sports centre and thought, “Yep. This is me.” Not long after, I decided to qualify and start teaching.

Experience you can actually feel

I qualified as a Fitness Instructor in 1999 and I’ve kept learning ever since. Fitness moves on, bodies change, and the best instructors don’t stand still. I’ve worked in private gyms across West Yorkshire as a fitness consultant, studio co-ordinator and freelance instructor — and I still love the buzz of seeing people progress.

What I teach

  • Pilates (mat-based and specialist Pilates)
  • Pre & Postnatal Pilates
  • Core fitness / fitness Pilates
  • Body conditioning, circuits and studio-based fitness

Qualifications & specialist training

I’m a REPs Level 3 qualified instructor, with additional specialist training including:

  • Level 3 MAT Pilates Certification
  • Level 3 Pre & Postnatal Pilates
  • Modern Pilates on the Ball
  • Specialist Pilates for the Ageing Population
  • Neuro Pilates
  • Osteoporosis and Pilates
  • Polestar Reformer
  • Fitness Pilates / Core Fitness

Who my classes are for

Mixed ability means exactly that. If you’re a complete beginner, you’ll get options and clear guidance. If you’ve done Pilates for years, you’ll still be challenged — safely and properly.

  • Beginners who want a supportive start
  • People who want to improve posture, strength and mobility
  • Those returning to exercise after a break
  • Clients who prefer the ease of online Pilates from home

Leeds-based, taught live — online & in-person

Although I’m based in Leeds, I work with clients across West Yorkshire and beyond. My live online Zoom classes grew during lockdown and never slowed down — because they’re convenient, friendly, and still feel like a real class (not a generic video).

Ready to join us?