There aren’t many people that can claim who can claim they’ve quietly reshaped how an entire region moves – but Bita Riahi is one of the few.
Having co-founded Real Pilates, the only STOTT PILATES® Academy in the Middle East, Bita has been a trailblazer for the wellness space in the UAE for the better part of two decades.
Since opening its doors in December 2009 — when Pilates was still a word most people in Dubai had to Google — she and her husband have built something that extends far beyond studio walls: a certified community of over 7,000 instructors, a Dubai Health Authority-endorsed rehabilitation programme, and a business that has become a genuine institution in the regional wellness landscape.
Previously a foreign purchasing officer, Bita’s journey to entrepreneurship was built through curiosity, commercial grit, and an unshakeable belief that meaningful work is built on purpose, not just profit.
In this edition of the GRAZIA Career Edit, Bita reflects on the milestones that mattered, the lessons COVID forced her to learn, and what she hopes 2026 will echo back.
My current role is…
Co-Founder and Director of Education at Real Pilates, the only STOTT PILATES® Academy in the Middle East, where I oversee all educational operations. Together, with my husband (also Co-Founder), we guide daily operations and the long-term strategy of the business.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
A singer, but as I grew older, that aspiration shifted, and I realised I wanted to work closer with people and run my own business.
My favourite subjects at school were…
Geometry, literature and sports. In high school, I majored in mathematics and loved solving geometry problems. At the same time, I had a deep passion for poetry and proverbs, which to this day, still shapes the way I think.
My first job was…
A Foreign Purchasing Officer in an automotive holding company that managed three factories. I managed sourcing from international suppliers across Europe and Asia, which gave me an early education in negotiation, relationships and navigating cross-cultures.
My career path so far has been…
Incredibly rewarding. Each role, from purchasing and accounts, to marketing and sales, has shaped my journey. Those experiences gave me the commercial foundations to co-found Real Pilates with my husband in 2009 – and build our Education division from the ground up. Watching our students become thriving instructors is probably the most rewarding part of that journey. Many arrive following their spouses, uncertain of what is next, and seeing them build careers, find community and discover joy is truly inspiring.
The role the UAE has played in my career is…
Transformative, especially in Dubai. It has given me the chance to grow based on merit, and I am incredibly grateful for how it has enabled me to build both my life and career here.
The story of Real Pilates is…
Simple – we wanted to enrich lives. When we opened in December 2009, no one really knew what Pilates was. Today, there are over 80 studios, and a significant proportion of the instructors working across them were trained and certified by us. We believed that if we stayed true to our purpose, success would follow. As Rumi said, “The world is a mountain, and our actions are the echoes.” Every action we have taken has echoed back, and in turn, shaped the thriving community we have today.
I was inspired to enter the wellness space because…
A healthy lifestyle is multifaceted. For me, one of the most meaningful elements has been mindful movement. Pilates not only strengthens the body, but also supports the mind. That connection is what motivated me to help others discover it, and ultimately what Real Pilates was built to offer – not just a workout, but a genuine enrichment in how people feel in their bodies and lives.
My daily routine consists of…
Taking a Pilates class, engaging with my work colleagues, spending quality time with my kids and keeping up with household tasks. I also carve out time for reading and learning new languages.
My role as Founder entails…
Overseeing all education at Real Pilates, from planning the course calendar to guiding students in their teacher training journey. This means managing an Academy that has certified over 7,000 STOTT PILATES® instructors to date, working with internationally recognised and experienced Instructor Trainers, and ensuring our programmes meet the highest global standards.
The biggest hurdle I’ve experienced in my career…
Was during COVID. In the health and fitness space, we were deeply affected. Courses were cancelled, in-person training stopped overnight, and uncertainty loomed over everything we had built. It was an incredibly challenging time for the Education division, specifically, as maintaining certification standards in a fully remote environment required us to completely reimagine how we delivered our programmes. Yet I learned invaluable lessons. We pivoted to online courses, embraced flexibility, and found new ways to connect with students across the region and internationally. In the end, that hurdle became a turning point, making us more resilient and innovative today.
The biggest milestone I’ve achieved is…
Building the Real Pilates Education division into one of the most recognised STOTT PILATES® Academies in the world and being the first Pilates rehabilitation programme in the Middle East to receive official endorsement from the Dubai Health Authority. These are the milestones that mean most to me, because each one represents a standard raised and a life changed.
A quote I live by is…
Seize each day fully, but always with the courage to choose what is right, not just what is easy.
What I hope for 2026 is…
A year where my hard work yields meaningful progress, both personally and professionally. For Real Pilates, I hope we continue to grow our reach and impact, deepening our connection with students across the UAE and beyond, and taking the next steps in bringing our franchise model to new markets. I also hope for continued success in my own Pilates journey, deeper connections with our community, and the space to enjoy it all with a little more ease.