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A Conversation with Club Attiva’s Founder, Sofia Girling

The members of our community know that Club Attiva events are unlike other fitness gatherings or even going to a class via ClassPass. What you don’t get with those is the sense of community you do with Club Attiva, and at the heart of that is our founder, Sofia. Her vision for wellness goes far beyond movement. With Club Attiva, she has built a space where connection, community, and joy sit at the centre of wellbeing. To round off our interviews for 2025, we thought it was only right to ask her a few questions about how the idea began, the rituals that keep her grounded, and what she sees for the future of wellness.

When we ask Sofia why she started Club Attiva, she takes us back to the pandemic. “The idea for Club Attiva was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when social interactions were stripped back to almost nothing. I realised how much energy and joy came from something as simple as meeting a friend for a walk. It became clear to me that wellness isn’t just about physical fitness, it’s deeply rooted in human connection. Too often, fitness is treated as a solo pursuit, and I wanted to change that. I set out to create a space where people could come together, feel supported, and build meaningful relationships while prioritising their health and wellbeing.”

As a business owner, it’s incredibly hard to maintain balance and ensure you’re making time for yourself, so we asked Sofia how she avoids burning out. “For me, avoiding burnout starts with protecting the small daily rituals that keep me grounded,” she explains. “Daily movement in the morning is absolutely key for me, whether it’s a walk, a gym class, or a run. Taking that time for myself before the day begins completely resets me and transforms my mindset. And if I can do that movement with a friend, even better as you get double the endorphins and start the day feeling connected as well as energised.”

Evenings, she tells us, have their own sacred rhythm. “I try to give myself at least 30 minutes before bed to slow down: light a candle, have a bath, read my book, and just let the day go. I make sure to do at least one thing every single day that’s just for me and brings genuine happiness… those little moments of joy are the best medicine, and they keep me feeling balanced, inspired, and able to show up fully for myself and Club Attiva.”

Similarly, switching off completely and unwinding from work can be challenging, and listening to your body is hugely important to Sofia. “My ideal way to unwind after a day’s work really depends on the mood,” she says, “but if I’m at home, it always starts with a long bath and a face mask - it’s my ultimate reset button. And on the days when I need a bit of extra joy, dinner with some fun-loving best friends who are always up for a giggle is honestly the best way to detach and decompress.”

Over the years, Club Attiva has hosted an array of events, pilates, yoga, boxing, walking and more, so we wanted to know what Sofia’s go-to workout is. “Right now, I’m really loving strength training. I've noticed the biggest difference in how I feel in my body, and it’s given me a whole new sense of confidence and energy. But Pilates will always have my heart. My go-to studios are SR Pilates in Notting Hill for classical Pilates, and Enmeï Studios in Chelsea when I’m in the mood for something more strength-based. It’s the perfect balance for me.”

And, she adds, running has recently become part of her world. “I always love running with a friend… I did my first half marathon in October, and that’s when I really found my love for running. It’s become a surprisingly joyful part of my routine.”

Looking ahead, we ask what excites her most about Club Attiva in 2026. “What excites me most is how much our community is going to grow,” she says. “We have so many incredible events in the pipeline, but the real highlight for me is the expansion of our retreats. Our first one in Ibiza is happening in June 2026, and I truly believe it’s the perfect way to motivate and elevate anyone’s wellness journey.” She reflects on the 2025 retreat: “After our retreat last year, I honestly wished I’d captured the guests’ arrival versus their departure, the transformation was unbelievable. They left glowing, happy, and so refreshed. Seeing that shift firsthand inspired me to recreate that oasis and transformative week again for our members…”

Building a genuine community that people return to is no easy feat, so we asked Sofia why people always come back to Club Attiva events. “The community we’ve created. In a fast-paced city like London, having a space where you truly feel you belong is rare, and our members feel that from the moment they walk in.” The quality of the events, she adds, plays a huge part too: “Our brand partners mean people know they can always expect not just an incredible class, but also meaningful social connections. It’s that combination of top-tier wellness and real human connection that keeps our community growing and returning.”

So which part of the Club Attiva experience reflects Sofia’s personality most? “The part of the Club Attiva experience that reflects my personality most is definitely the community aspect. I genuinely love meeting new people and making friends, I’m such a people person. As an adult, finding people who match your energy is the best feeling, and I really believe in spending time with those who lift you up. Anyone who chooses to show up on a Saturday and prioritise themselves is there for the right reasons, and that creates such a positive, inspiring atmosphere. It feels like being surrounded by the kind of people who make life lighter and more joyful.”

To finish, we ask her how she sees the role of wellness evolving over the next decade. “I see wellness becoming something people integrate into their everyday lives in a much more holistic and joyful way, and that’s exactly where Club Attiva comes in,” she says. “People are realising that true wellbeing isn’t just about workouts, it’s about connection, community, mindset, and creating moments that genuinely make you feel good.”

She believes that experiences like those at Club Attiva, movement, friendship, support, will soon become the norm rather than the exception. “In a busy city like London, people are craving spaces where they feel they belong, and that’s what keeps driving Club Attiva forward. Wellness will shift away from being a solo, perfection-focused journey and move toward something shared, uplifting, and community-led. And that’s exactly the future we’re building…”

Speaking with Sofia, it’s clear that Club Attiva is not just a wellness platform, it’s a safe space. A place built on the belief that feeling good is meant to be shared, and that connection is the most powerful form of self-care there is.

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