Fitness: What inspired Paula Ahlberg to launch Wellbeing Warehouse Newmarket

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Paula Ahlberg shares her incredible fitness journey, from training clients on Necker Island to launching Newmarket’s Wellbeing Warehouse and being one of the first to introduce Pilates Reformer

At 58, I can honestly say that movement has been the constant rhythm of my life. My journey into fitness began at 17, teaching aerobics, Callanetics and the iconic Jane Fonda workouts, all while helping my mother run our family beauty salon. Even then, I loved the idea of helping people look good and feel even better — a philosophy that still shapes everything I do today.

A few years later, I was offered a life-changing opportunity to work on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands as a massage therapist and exercise instructor. Training high-profile clients in such a serene setting showed me just how powerful mindful movement could be. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about connection — between body, breath, and wellbeing.

After meeting my Swedish husband in the Caribbean, life took me north to Sweden, where I embraced motherhood and discovered yoga. Inspired by the sculpted strength of Ashtanga practitioners (Madonna was my muse at the time!), I trained in both Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow, studying under the world-renowned Shiva Rea in Massachusetts. Later, I sought stillness and reflection through Yin Yoga and mindfulness with Sarah Powers. For over 13 years, I taught yoga, meditation and mindfulness in and around Cambridge, guiding others to find both vitality and calm through movement.

In 2013, I opened Wellbeing Warehouse in Newmarket — a place where all these passions could come together under one roof. At the time, the town had no hot yoga studio and certainly no Pilates Reformers, so I wanted to create a space that offered something truly holistic: a balance of strength, mobility, and mental clarity.

My personal discovery of the Pilates Reformer came through injury, yet it quickly became one of the most transformative practices I’ve ever experienced. Unlike traditional mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates uses a system of springs, pulleys and resistance to both support and challenge the body. The result is a deeply intelligent workout that enhances core strength, improves posture, and restores functional movement — while still being gentle enough to rehabilitate injuries.

I’ve since trained with leading faculties, including Stott and BASI Pilates, to ensure every session stays true to the principles of Joseph Pilates himself. At Wellbeing Warehouse, we deliberately keep our Reformer classes intimate — with a maximum of seven participants — so each person receives individual attention and precise guidance. It’s this tailored approach that allows clients to move safely, effectively, and with awareness.

Many of our clients are referred by physiotherapists, while others simply fall in love with how the Reformer makes them feel — taller, stronger, and more aligned, both physically and mentally. And it’s not just a workout; it’s a practice that educates the body to move with grace and stability in everything you do.

Over the past decade, Wellbeing Warehouse has grown into more than a studio — it’s a community. A calm, uplifting space where everyone, regardless of age or fitness level, can reconnect with themselves. My ethos has always been simple: wellbeing should be available to everyone. With a strong body and a stable mind, we can all live a little more harmoniously.

Wellbeing Warehouse is at 147 All Saints Road, Newmarket, CB8 8HH. Visit wellbeing-warehouse.com or follow on socials @thewellbeingwarehouse (Instagram) and @wellbeing warehouse (Facebook)