The Modern "Pilates Studio"

As Pilates is becoming more and more mainstream and Pilates studio owners are looking to monopolize their space other modalities are being added. I wonder what modalities studio owners find that draw in more business while still adhering to their mission statement? And what clients would like to see offered within their studio?

It used to be that when you walked into a Pilates Studio you could expect to see the traditional Pilates apparatus; Reformers, Cadillacs, Wunda Chairs, Ped-a-Pulls, Circles, etc. Now you may be suprised by what you see in addition to the Classical Pilates equipment.

This was very apparent at The Pilates Method Alliance Conference. Within the convention hall Gyrontonics, ActivCore, and Xtend Barre all had very popular booths. Some studios do a very coherent job of adding other modalities while still maintaining Pilates Principles. It is a tricky line to walk. Here in Chicago, Harmony, owned by Laura Dixon, does a fabulous job of offering Pilates, Gyrotonics, Xtend Barre, Cardiolates, and TRX all while maintaining a strong Pilates foundation. I believe her model is why her studio has been so successful over the years and why her clients keep coming back for more. Body Endeavors has added ActivCore, a strong massage network, and has cardio equipment available for use by their participants. Other studios have remained constant by teaching strictly Pilates and are known for that.

Does opening up your studio to other related modalities help the business and clientele? What are the parameters that you set when considering adding another modality? What do your clients want to see in the studio?