Getting new clients into the Pilates studio
The value of Reformer studios and Pilates inspired classes on nearly every street corner is that it’s become part of the fitness conversation; very few people in this day and age haven’t heard of Pilates.
For fully certified, professional Pilates instructors and studio owners who offer full Pilates training in private, semi-private and small group classes, it’s an interesting time.
As people continue to explore turnkey workouts offered by Reformer studios, Pilates studio owners and fully certified teachers must be able to clearly explain the benefits of Pilate training with a fully certified Pilates teacher in a private and small group setting.
Not only to distinguish themselves in an expansive and nearly saturated industry; but to hone a savvy business skill that will retain existing clients and engage new ones.
Below are 5 reasons why Pilates is important and how to explain it to your potential clients.
Because if your new clients are anything like ours, sometimes all it takes is a gentle, but informative nudge to get them into your Pilates studio and experience how you teach Pilates.
- Equipment designed to strengthen postural muscles.
Unlike weight machines or traditional gym equipment, Pilates equipment is designed with springs.
During an exercise, as the spring tension increases, prime movers of the body are recruited; this develops strength, joint stability and proper range of motion.
But what makes Pilates unique is that when the spring tension decreases, the deeper core stabilizers are recruited to control the movement of the equipment and maintain balance.
Those core stabilizing muscles are also our postural muscles; and when we’re in optimal alignment, they respond more efficiently to the challenge of staying engaged through the exercise and helping maintain balance.
Basically, they need to be active and engaged for optimal posture alignment so that the equipment is moved with ease, continuity and consistency.
(this is what makes Pilates look effortless, but definitely not feel effortless 😄)
Takeaway? Doing Pilates means having a better posture. This means improved balance, stronger postural muscles and a more efficient use of muscle engagement.
2. Pilates exercises create movement potential.
Pilates exercises always have a place to go ✈️.
This means that whatever you’re doing in your first, second or third session, you will probably be doing in your 200th session.
But with a different spring tension, breath pattern, range of motion, rhythm, emphasis or even on a different piece of equipment.
Pilates workouts are unique because they progress by building on movement patterns and exercise sequences that you’ve learned in previous sessions.
And we’ve seen firsthand how this will improve both movement ability AND movement confidence.
A full Pilates workout will move you through different planes of movement and have a variety of exercises that will appropriately challenge balance, endurance, coordination, proprioception, strength, stability and mobility – whew!
An exhaustive list but we guarantee that if you’re doing a true Pilates workout, it’s all in there 👍
And this will have you experiencing your full movement potential; regardless of your limitations and movement experience.
Takeaway? Your coordination and endurance will improve. And so will your focus, mental stamina and movement confidence.
3. Fully certified Pilates instructors really know their stuff.
Working with a fully certified Pilates instructor gives you the opportunity to work through a customized program that is accessible and progressive for you.
Of course, focusing on you and only you is always best in a private training session.
But customization and accessibility based on your needs is also part of semi-private and small group (3-4 people) sessions.
How? Because there are so, so many ways to modify, adapt, regress and progress a particular Pilates exercise or movement sequence.
If an exercise can’t be accessed in its traditional form, a knowledgeable Pilates instructor will know how to change it by switching up the equipment settings, changing the tension, shortening the lever or reducing the range.
All while keeping the workout flowing.
And whether your fitness goal is as focused as creating more hip mobility for an upcoming marathon, strengthening your core muscles after pregnancy, improving shoulder strength and movement for your golf swing or you just want better posture, greater mobility and overall strength, adding Pilates into your fitness regime is key.
Why? Because your Pilates workout will progress, pivot and adapt for your particular goals and still leave you feeling stronger and more confident in your movement.
Takeaway? Customized Pilates workouts with fully certified Pilates instructors will use all of the Pilates equipment creating full body, functional workouts.
4. Movement and resistance variability.
In a Pilates workout, your body is constantly learning to stay active within different positions, movement planes, lines of pull and resistance variability.
With an emphasis on flow and movement connection, there is an additional challenge from sustained physical engagement and mental focus required for the session.
The end result of doing Pilates weekly on a variety of Pilates equipment is that learning new movement patterns and activities becomes easier and there’s less chance of injury.
Takeaway? When you do a Pilates workout regularly, you’ll be less prone to injuries and more confident as you learn to move in more complex patterns.
5. The adaptability of Pilates makes it exercise for a lifetime.
The Pilates equipment combined with the knowledge of a fully certified, professional Pilates practitioner means it’s a workout that will be part of your wellness routine for as long as you want to do it
Many of our Studio3 instructors have worked with some clients for close to 30 years and regularly welcome new clients into the studio who are in their 70’s and 80’s and getting stronger (and stronger) with their weekly Pilates classes.
And our clients whose lived experience includes rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia or are living with a prosthetic limb or a replaced joint are deeply committed to their Pilates sessions.
Because the improved strength, movement confidence, continued independence and overall well being that Pilates offers when taught by knowledgeable practitioners makes it an indispensable form of lifetime fitness for every body.
Takeaway? Regardless of movement ability, the adaptability of the Pilates equipment and the knowledge of a fully certified Pilates instructor makes it a form of fitness that will adapt, grow, pivot and change as much as you need it to for as long as you want it to.
So there you have it; 5 reasons why Pilates – good, customized, intelligent, accessible Pilates – is important.
And one final tip; have fun sharing your love for Pilates and be confident in your reasons for choosing to teach it ♥️.
Because both will always be evident in your teaching 💪.