In September 2026, Inna Essence in Underwood, Brisbane was named Independent Business of the Year at the AUSactive National Awards — Australia’s peak body for the exercise and active health industry. We were chosen from 21 independent business finalists across the country. For the people who train with us, it means the studio you already trust has been judged, against national standards, as a leader in how Pilates and Yoga should be taught and delivered.
A national award, won on Brisbane’s southside
On Friday 11 September 2026, Andrea and Anna stood on the stage at Sydney Town Hall to accept the AUSactive Independent Business of the Year award on behalf of every instructor and member at Inna Essence. AUSactive is the national body that sets professional standards for the fitness and active health industry, and its awards recognise businesses that lead the way in quality, safety and community. You can read the full announcement here: 2026 AUSactive National Awards Celebrate Industry Excellence.
We’re a boutique studio in Underwood, not a national chain. That’s exactly why this matters.
What did the judges recognise?
Independent Business of the Year isn’t about size. It’s about how well a business does what it sets out to do, and whether its community is better for it. The judges looked at how we run the studio from the inside out.
- Instructor standards. Every instructor is trained and mentored to STOTT PILATES® standards, and we’re a STOTT PILATES® Academy Partner, meaning instructors travel here to learn.
- Programs for real life. Breast cancer rehabilitation, pre and postnatal classes, and $10 Active & Healthy classes so cost is never the reason someone stops moving.
- Community, not churn. Members who stay for years, a six-month Community Membership, and hundreds of five-star reviews from people who feel known when they walk in.
- Two owners on the floor. Andrea and Anna still teach, still take studio tours, and still know your name.
What does an award-winning studio actually feel like when you walk in?
Here’s what we tell visitors who are nervous about their first class: an award doesn’t change the way we teach, it confirms it. You’ll be taught by someone who understands how your body moves, in a class small enough that they can see you. You’ll be encouraged to work at your level, not the person beside you. And you’ll leave feeling steadier and stronger, not depleted.
Our advice is the same as it has always been: consistency over intensity. Two or three sessions a week, done well, will change how you move, how you carry yourself and how you feel getting out of a chair or off the floor. That’s what we were recognised for. That’s what we’ll keep doing.
FAQs
What is AUSactive?
AUSactive is Australia’s peak body for the exercise and active health industry. It sets professional standards and accredits fitness businesses and professionals nationwide.
Was Inna Essence the only Pilates studio recognised?
We were named Independent Business of the Year from 21 independent business finalists across Australia, covering gyms, studios and specialist fitness businesses.
Does the award change your classes or prices?
No. It recognises the way we already run the studio. Class sizes, instructors and programs stay exactly as they are.
Do I need to be experienced to train at an award-winning studio?
Not at all. Most of our members started as complete beginners. Every class is taught to the people in the room.
Where is Inna Essence?
We’re in Underwood, serving Brisbane’s southside and the Logan area.
Summary
Inna Essence was named 2026 AUSactive Independent Business of the Year, chosen from 21 finalists nationwide. The award recognises instructor standards, inclusive programs and a community that keeps coming back. For our members, it confirms what they already know. For anyone yet to visit, it’s a good reason to.
Come and see for yourself
Book an Inna Intro Tour with Andrea and Anna, or start with the 3 Week Essential Trial and find the class that fits you. Browse our in-studio classes and session times.
How is a national award different from a local one?
Both matter, but they measure different things. Here’s how the AUSactive award compares with the community recognition we’ve received closer to home.
| AUSactive Independent Business of the Year | Local and regional awards | |
|---|---|---|
| Who judges | National industry body and expert panel | Local chamber or independent assessors |
| Who we’re compared with | Independent fitness businesses Australia-wide | Businesses in Logan or Queensland |
| What it measures | Professional standards, programs, safety, community impact | Customer service, local contribution |
| What it means for you | Your studio meets the highest benchmark in the country | Your studio is valued where you live |
