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.

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

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