Beyond Pilates
Pilates Style|March - April 2020
When studio owners add complementary services to their offerings, they often find their job satisfaction—and bottom line— rising. These six teachers share what’s worked for them.
By Anne Marie O’Connor
Beyond Pilates

“If I was not changing and evolving as consumer demand changes, my business would not be prospering.”

—Patricia Massey Welter, owner of Suncoast Pilates and Balanced Body Master instructor in Palm Harbor, FL

OTHER CERTIFICATIONS: personal trainer, group exercise instructor, aquatic instructor, NIA (dance exercise), Gyrotonic, CoreAlign, Balanced Body MOTR and Bodhi Suspension System

HER STORY: When I opened my studio 23 years ago, I offered personal training, group and aquatic exercise, NIA and yoga for privates and classes. (I had yoga instructors on staff, though I myself am not a yoga teacher.)

HOW IT HELPED HER BUSINESS: It attracted a large number of clients interested in different modalities to the studio. Over the years, I weaned all my clients off every discipline but Pilates. In fact, 100 percent of my personal training clients ended up switching to Pilates.

More recently, I’ve added certifications in Balanced Body CoreAlign (I’m also a CoreAlign Master Instructor), Gyrotonic, Balanced Body MOTR and Bodhi Suspension System. The CoreAlign in particular has been a huge draw for our clients, as it allows them to be challenged in a vertical, weight-bearing environment.

The only exception: Yoga people are often yoga people; only a small percentage converted to Pilates, due to price point and the breathing pattern change.

ADVICE FOR OTHER STUDIO OWNERS :

This story is from the March - April 2020 edition of Pilates Style.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March - April 2020 edition of Pilates Style.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PILATES STYLEView All
Pilates Style

Finding New Momentum

Overcoming obstacles caused by the pandemic, the virtual version of this popular festival still achieved its goals.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2020
Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey
Pilates Style

Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey

In his authoritative biography of the first woman to open a studio, Reiner Grootenhuis delved into her personal papers to tell the harrowing story of her time in a prison camp during World War II.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2020
Racism in the Pilates Industry
Pilates Style

Racism in the Pilates Industry

Incidents of police brutality and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests have shed a bright light on systemic racism in the U.S., including in the Pilates industry. Here, Black instructors share their experiences.

time-read
10 mins  |
September - October 2020
For Self-defense
Pilates Style

For Self-defense

Moves of the Month

time-read
8 mins  |
September - October 2020
Comfort Food Made Healthy
Pilates Style

Comfort Food Made Healthy

This fall, cozy up to tantalizing comfort food that’s also healthy. A new cookbook from Kristin Cavallari shows you how.

time-read
9 mins  |
September - October 2020
Pilates Postcard
Pilates Style

Pilates Postcard

A Pilates teacher shares how the method is making waves abroad.

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2020
The Ultimate Gift
Pilates Style

The Ultimate Gift

One year ago, Kahley Schiller’s life was completely upended by an extreme health crisis. But thanks to her 20-year Pilates practice, the 40-year-old was able to recover quickly.

time-read
9 mins  |
September - October 2020
Revelations
Pilates Style

Revelations

For Sarita Allen, a star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a protégée of Kathleen Stanford Grant, Pilates was key to her decades-long career.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2020
Pilates Style

Meaning WITHIN THE Movement

The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine help you go deeper into your practice, promising plenty of play along the way.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2020
PILATES IN THE HOOD
Pilates Style

PILATES IN THE HOOD

Though she’s trained many top stars, Kim Carruthers says she’s most proud of her work as the founder and director of a nonprofit bringing the method to underserved communities.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2020