Event Recap: The Pilates Social at Elevate with ice-breakers, XXL Nutrition and new friendships

There’s a moment at every event we host where I step back, look around, and think: this is exactly why we started.

The Pilates Social was one of those moments.

Not because everything was perfectly planned (it never is), and not because it was the biggest event we’ve ever hosted. But because of the feeling in the room. That quiet, powerful sense that something real is happening. People arriving alone and leaving with plans for brunch. Conversations flowing between strangers like they’ve known each other for years. That soft, collective exhale when the music fades and bodies settle into the mat.

That’s what The A Society is about.

If you were not there at The Pilates Social, watch a recap of what you missed: Event Recap

More than just a workout

When we first started building this community in Berlin, the idea wasn’t to create “just another fitness event.” The city doesn’t need more of those. What it needed, and what we craved ourselves, was a space where movement becomes a bridge. A way in. A way to connect.

The Pilates Social embodied that.

It wasn’t about perfect form or how advanced you are. It wasn’t about aesthetics or performance. It was about showing up. Moving your body. Being present. And sharing that experience with others who are navigating the same city, the same busy lives, the same desire to feel something a little deeper than just another class.

The energy in the room

There’s something special about moving together. Breathing in sync. Holding a position just a little longer because the person next to you is doing the same. It creates this unspoken bond, subtle, but strong.

And then comes the part I love the most: the post-workout. The time were no one rushes out. People linger. They talk. They connect. We play ice-breakers and bingo cards. They finish conversations they started before class. They ask each other what they’re doing next weekend. Numbers are exchanged. Whatsapp group is created. Plans are made.

That’s when you realize: the event was just the beginning.

The role of our partners

A huge part of creating this kind of experience is working with partners who get it.

XXL Nutrition supported The Pilates Social in a way that felt completely aligned with our vision. Not just as a sponsor, but as a contributor to the overall experience, helping us create something that felt thoughtful, intentional, and genuinely valuable for everyone who showed up.

From the products to the presence, it added an extra layer to the event without ever taking away from what matters most: the people and the connections being built in the room.

And that’s always the goal. To collaborate with brands that enhance the community, not interrupt it.

Code 'MARYWAVE' gives you 10% off at xxlnutrition.com

Why this matters

Building a community in a city like Berlin can feel paradoxical.

It’s full of people, yet it can feel isolating. Everyone is busy. Everyone is “doing their thing.” And while that independence is beautiful, it also leaves a gap — a need for spaces where people can come together without pressure, without pretense.

That’s the gap we’re trying to fill.

The Pilates Social wasn’t just an event. It was a reminder that belonging doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with something as simple as showing up to move your body next to someone else.

A note from me, as a founder

If you’ve ever come to one of our events, whether you came alone, with a friend, felt confident, or completely out of your comfort zone, I want you to know this:

You are the reason this works.

Not the concept. Not the branding. Not the format.

You.

Every conversation you start. Every smile you give. Every time you choose to stay a little longer instead of rushing off, that’s what builds this community.

And if you’ve been thinking about joining but haven’t yet, maybe this is your sign. You don’t need to “be ready.” You don’t need to know anyone. You just need to show up.

We’ll take care of the rest.

What’s next

The Pilates Social was just one chapter. But if it’s any indication of what we’re building together, then we’re only getting started.

More movement. More connection. More moments where strangers become familiar, and familiar becomes community.

And hopefully, more of those moments where you look around the room and think:

I belong here.

—

With love, Mariona