A coffee with Henriette

Welcome to the club! To begin, who is Henriette?

Hi! I’m Henriette, but my friends call me Henri. I’m a true Gemini: super outgoing, naturally creative, and a mix of relaxed and productive. 

I’m naturally very social and love to meet and connect with new people - which is great since I run a by-referral Pilates studio in Marylebone that’s all about community and connecting people through a shared interest in Pilates. 

When I’m not in the studio, you’ll find me deep in a film, thrifting on Vestiaire or in Notting Hill, or having a spicy margarita somewhere with my friends. 

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up in a small town in Norway but left at 15 to attend a French lycée in Lyon — a very formative and tough experience that truly shaped me into the hard working person I am today. I still love everything about Scandinavian culture (I’m actually writing this from my cabin in Norway!).

I now live in Marylebone, and have been living in London since 2016, when I moved to study at King’s. After a few years in finance, I took the leap and left to start my own business — and haven’t looked back since.

Was there a moment in Bahrain that changed the way you saw Pilates, or wellness in general?

Teaching at Erah in Bahrain was such a great experience for me. What stood out most was the incredible sense of community Humera, the founder, had built which was something I’d never really felt in London studios, where people often come and go without saying a word. 

In Bahrain, the studio felt more like a social space, and that completely shifted my perspective. It made me think about Pilates not just as fitness, but as hospitality. I loved seeing clients connect, chat after class, and become friends (including with me!). 

That idea really stuck with me — and now, creating a space where my clients feel safe, seen, and part of something is the heart of Sunday Sporting Club.

What inspired you to start Sunday Sporting Club? And why did you choose a referral-only model for SSC?

I wanted to turn a regular reformer class into a full experience — something that felt chic, intimate, and inspiring. So many studios are dark, cramped, and impersonal... I kept thinking, why can’t a Pilates studio feel as aesthetic as the people who go there?

After years on the commodities trading floor, I left finance due to health issues and decided to build the kind of studio I’d been searching for: small classes, personal attention, and space to genuinely connect.

The referral-only model helps keep it all intentional — it means members can actually book classes regularly (we only have six beds!), and it keeps the vibe safe, relaxed, and community-led. It’s less about exclusivity, and more about building a genuine community. 

Do you plan to expand, or will it always stay intimate and referral-based?

Expansion is definitely on the horizon. I think there’s real demand for a by-referral studio in other cities across Europe and beyond, and I’d love to bring the SSC community to new places.

That said, we just launched SSC Anywhere, our on-demand platform that’s open to everyone — no referral needed. I’m also working on a new project that will be public-facing... more on that soon!

How do you balance authenticity with aesthetics in branding?

I’m super hands-on — it’s pretty much a one-woman show! I’ve done all the branding, marketing, and socials myself (though I recently brought on my friend Maria to help with socials because it was getting a bit much). I try not to follow trends and instead create something I genuinely love.

Everything in the space — from the coffee table books to the little details — is either from my own home or things I’ve picked up on my travels. It’s all very personal. I think if you build a brand that reflects you, rather than what you think people want to see, it naturally stays authentic.

What does a day off look like for you?

Fridays are my reset days — though I’ll admit, I’m not great at fully switching off. I usually end up squeezing in a few meetings around town, but I try to keep the pace slower and more relaxed.

I usually let myself sleep in, and start the day with a long walk with my dog Bella through Regent’s Park or Grosvenor Square. I’ll try to meet friends for lunch and always carve out time for a sauna — I’m big on my spa rituals. If I really need to recharge, I’ll sneak away to Estelle Manor for a full day of unwinding (their spa thermal experience is amazing!). 

And as always, our favorite question! How do you take your coffee?

Always always always oat latte with a splash of vanilla syrup!!