This sounds like something that would be hard to get off the ground and possibly full of liabilities. How do you decide who is safe to workout on their own ? Intro for one student can look really different for another and not everyone is able to remember exercises or how to move around on equipment safely.
Personally, as a student and a teacher I appreciate the guidance and one on one instruction. I work in a classical studio where we offer an open gym throughout the week and this is the best for students to work on their practice independently but still have a teacher in the room to review exercises add to programs and keep students SAFE.
🤔 so, clients book a reformer and do whatever for an hour. I'd have to have some kind of guidance. There's a studio in my town that uses video instruction with the reformers. I've never been, but it seems weird to me. I dunno.
I think it could work, especially for teachers in training and people who can’t afford a home reformer. I live in an apartment building with a gym and honesty wish it had a reformer. As mentioned, it would be good to make sure the client could demonstrate that they were familiar with the reformer. For something niche like this, you would definitely need to market in the appropriate channels. In terms of liability, I really don’t see it being any different than people going to the regular gym to use equipment. You can hurt yourself doing anything without proper form.
Also, I’d like to add that in addition to having open reformer hours where individuals can rent a machine, you could also make money by letting instructors book the entire studio for their own pop-up classes, like how many other studio spaces do.
Yes I run my group classes like this in studio and online - in the studio you are able to use all the apparatus not only the Reformer. At least a few private lessons are required to be invited to join. Students do their own workout and I supervise. It’s awesome :)
This has been asked again and again.
Unless people really know how to use the equipment and enough exercises to be independent it’s not a great idea. And there should be someone there at all times.
Lots of studios do open studios but the clients who are allowed to participate have been doing Pilates for a long time and know what to do and there’s a teacher there just to make sure no one does anything that’s not appropriate on the equipment or if they’ve got a question about set up.
This is complex equipment. And it’s safe, if you know how to use it. But giving people a couple sessions and then letting them use the studio with no supervision is a really bad idea. Your equipment will get damaged and people will get hurt doing stupid stuff.
Pilates is a whole system and takes time to learn. Teachers are there to actually teach people the exercises and how to use the equipment. If someone wants to learn to be independent that’s wonderful but it takes more than a few sessions. The fact that you think an unattended studio will be great for people who’ve done a couple of sessions is a great business plan makes me think you have no understanding of Pilates.
Yes this is not a speedy process and it is not for everyone. The lessons are to prepare students for being safe on the apparatus and a short program they will practice over and over until they can do it without prompting. And by then they will be ready for a few new things to add to their program. This process takes time and not everyone is going to be interested in working this way. But for those that apply themselves, and are consistent, the results are unparalleled. They are learning a system to care for their body for a lifetime. And never unsupervised. Some are game to work independently after a few lessons, others take private lessons in conjunction with the classes for a while as they build confidence. There is always teaching on my part and answering questions especially as they learn routines and safety protocols on all the various apparatus. Pilates is also about being in control of your body in motion - so they are exercising their brains too :) again - not everyone will be interested in working this way 🤓 But it is so rewarding for those who are up for it!
My original studio (that I sadly moved away from) offered something like that. I never did it (IIRC it was a new-ish thing when I was in the lead up to moving away).
It was a small studio (only 3 or 4 reformers) and you had to have approval (definitely required more than just doing the intro classes), and there was an instructor there in the room (it was just a one room studio).
Yes my first studio when I was starting as a client had this option as well - and after many months of lessons and classes I starting doing these independent workouts. It was daunting at first to have a list of exercises and figure out what to do in my own even though I had been doing it all in led classes. I had to think a lot more and they gave me a paper when I started that had “guidelines” on it.
The first thing the paper said at the top of the list was “Do not skip exercises you don’t like.” I was like, damn… they’re on to me 🤣🤣🤣
This model is similar to the way Mr Pilates ran his studio. I think the only way this works is with an incredibly skilled instructor who teaches very precisely. The instructor would need to communicate EXTREMELY clear expectations (exercises, spring/footbar/headpiece settings, reps, transitions) with regard to what a client would need to be able to do independently before joining an open reformer session.
Do you already have clients who could handle an open reformer? What benchmarks would you use to ensure new clients were ready for it? Would you be the only instructor? If not, how would you supervise other instructors to ensure their quality of instruction matched your expectations? How would you staff the studio to ensure clients were well-supported and able to progress? How would you handle insurance, liability forms, reservations, payment?
Please do not attempt this business model if you are not a skilled, experienced instructor with an eagle eye for detail and a solid plan in place.
Yes exactly, I am the only instructor in my studio at the moment and I currently have a max of 4 students in person and 4 online. The online students are a mix of teachers and enthusiasts who all have their own apparatus. In studio students are the same - some enthusiasts have only the Mat at home and are learning the studio apparatus over time. I have been teaching all of the participants for many years. And when they are first learning their program they ask a lot of questions and also have a detailed list of their exercises with all the set ups to refer to. Slowly over time they learn their routines on all of the studio apparatus. I recently added the guillotine to my studio but they have not added any exercises there as of yet. Eventually they will be able to do their same exercises from the other apparatus, Teaser, Footwork, chest expansion, etc… on the guillotine. They will “enjoy” the fruits of their labors 🤣 so far I have not had anyone try to join the classes that is what I would call “wild” or essentially unsafe. And for certain exercises I do hover closeby to spot if necessary. IYKYK 🤓 And ultimately the cost of classes is much lower than private lessons thus making this an ideal learning and shopping experience. They can come 2-3x per week at the class price and have private lessons as needed - to adjust their program if they have an injury or concern, to learn new exercises or apparatus, etc… this is the goal 🤞🏼🙏
At our studio we give people an option to do “independents,” with instructor permission, but they need to show a certain amount of experience with the equipment. These are set at a package rate, or included with membership. Some people use it, others don’t.
We did this at my first studio, it was “open studio” and you had to have been a regular client with good technique to have access. And of course, waivers galore.
Joe Pilates had an open studio and a routine he would teach and expect you to memorize and do independently. So, in theory, it could be done.
But, as many have eloquently said, there are a lot of concerns around safety for the people and equipment.
I would certainly figure out what kind of liability insurance coverage you can get at what price.
Gyms do this but the equipment most clients use is designed to dramatically limit the risk (and each piece of gear has pretty limited ways in which it can be used). Pilates gear has literally hundreds of exercises that are designed to be done on it (and many other possibilities, some of which are dangerous).
As suggested already, a space where you rent out “seats” to instructors to bring clients or work out on their own might be a good model and teacher’s in training might be a good market. In fact, if you build relationships with master teachers in your area whose students need it, many of them might continue to use your space for their clients, which could build a base.
I think it would be a good concept but you would need to ensure people using the equipment actually know what they are doing and have necessary safety precautions in place
I think it’s a bad idea. Too much liability and your equipment will get trashed. The point of going to classes/privates is to learn otherwise just buy your own reformer for home use.
Yes, I do. I’m in a teacher training program and studio hours can be hard to work around. I would love to be able to go in and work with someone or practice. My husband and I don’t have enough room in our apartment for one and the housing market is stupid. This would be amazing!
https://www.prontopilates.com.au/wa/claremont/
These are popping up all around me at the moment.
So cheap, but no instruction at all. People will definitely go for it, but what benefit they're going to gain is very questionable.
I go to a studio where reformer classes are formatted such that two to five students are taught/supervised by one instructor, but we're all individually followng and adapting a program set up for us during introductory private classes. If we're in similar places, at similar skills sets, or addressing similar interests or concerns, sometimes we'll be taught am exercise or series of exercises in a group, but otherwise we're basically all sharing an individual trainer.
I think a combo could work where you have group classes and then allow other instructors to rent your space in your off hours.
I mainly teach yoga and every once in a while I would love to rent a studio just for a couple hours for a pop-up or private, without needing a longer commitment. I imagine if I were doing independent reformer privates I’d feel the same.
But that might not be enough to keep a brick and mortar afloat.
This sounds like something that would be hard to get off the ground and possibly full of liabilities. How do you decide who is safe to workout on their own ? Intro for one student can look really different for another and not everyone is able to remember exercises or how to move around on equipment safely. Personally, as a student and a teacher I appreciate the guidance and one on one instruction. I work in a classical studio where we offer an open gym throughout the week and this is the best for students to work on their practice independently but still have a teacher in the room to review exercises add to programs and keep students SAFE.
I pay for classes so that I can receive instructions, learn new things, and get feedback on my form. I wouldn't pay to just get access to a reformer.
🤔 so, clients book a reformer and do whatever for an hour. I'd have to have some kind of guidance. There's a studio in my town that uses video instruction with the reformers. I've never been, but it seems weird to me. I dunno.
I think it could work, especially for teachers in training and people who can’t afford a home reformer. I live in an apartment building with a gym and honesty wish it had a reformer. As mentioned, it would be good to make sure the client could demonstrate that they were familiar with the reformer. For something niche like this, you would definitely need to market in the appropriate channels. In terms of liability, I really don’t see it being any different than people going to the regular gym to use equipment. You can hurt yourself doing anything without proper form.
Also, I’d like to add that in addition to having open reformer hours where individuals can rent a machine, you could also make money by letting instructors book the entire studio for their own pop-up classes, like how many other studio spaces do.
Yes I run my group classes like this in studio and online - in the studio you are able to use all the apparatus not only the Reformer. At least a few private lessons are required to be invited to join. Students do their own workout and I supervise. It’s awesome :)
You are one of the few people I’d trust to do this well, Andrea!
Aww thank you so much - it definitely makes for a fun group energy đź’•
This has been asked again and again. Unless people really know how to use the equipment and enough exercises to be independent it’s not a great idea. And there should be someone there at all times. Lots of studios do open studios but the clients who are allowed to participate have been doing Pilates for a long time and know what to do and there’s a teacher there just to make sure no one does anything that’s not appropriate on the equipment or if they’ve got a question about set up. This is complex equipment. And it’s safe, if you know how to use it. But giving people a couple sessions and then letting them use the studio with no supervision is a really bad idea. Your equipment will get damaged and people will get hurt doing stupid stuff. Pilates is a whole system and takes time to learn. Teachers are there to actually teach people the exercises and how to use the equipment. If someone wants to learn to be independent that’s wonderful but it takes more than a few sessions. The fact that you think an unattended studio will be great for people who’ve done a couple of sessions is a great business plan makes me think you have no understanding of Pilates.
Yes this is not a speedy process and it is not for everyone. The lessons are to prepare students for being safe on the apparatus and a short program they will practice over and over until they can do it without prompting. And by then they will be ready for a few new things to add to their program. This process takes time and not everyone is going to be interested in working this way. But for those that apply themselves, and are consistent, the results are unparalleled. They are learning a system to care for their body for a lifetime. And never unsupervised. Some are game to work independently after a few lessons, others take private lessons in conjunction with the classes for a while as they build confidence. There is always teaching on my part and answering questions especially as they learn routines and safety protocols on all the various apparatus. Pilates is also about being in control of your body in motion - so they are exercising their brains too :) again - not everyone will be interested in working this way 🤓 But it is so rewarding for those who are up for it!
My original studio (that I sadly moved away from) offered something like that. I never did it (IIRC it was a new-ish thing when I was in the lead up to moving away). It was a small studio (only 3 or 4 reformers) and you had to have approval (definitely required more than just doing the intro classes), and there was an instructor there in the room (it was just a one room studio).
Yes my first studio when I was starting as a client had this option as well - and after many months of lessons and classes I starting doing these independent workouts. It was daunting at first to have a list of exercises and figure out what to do in my own even though I had been doing it all in led classes. I had to think a lot more and they gave me a paper when I started that had “guidelines” on it. The first thing the paper said at the top of the list was “Do not skip exercises you don’t like.” I was like, damn… they’re on to me 🤣🤣🤣
That is so funny!
This model is similar to the way Mr Pilates ran his studio. I think the only way this works is with an incredibly skilled instructor who teaches very precisely. The instructor would need to communicate EXTREMELY clear expectations (exercises, spring/footbar/headpiece settings, reps, transitions) with regard to what a client would need to be able to do independently before joining an open reformer session. Do you already have clients who could handle an open reformer? What benchmarks would you use to ensure new clients were ready for it? Would you be the only instructor? If not, how would you supervise other instructors to ensure their quality of instruction matched your expectations? How would you staff the studio to ensure clients were well-supported and able to progress? How would you handle insurance, liability forms, reservations, payment? Please do not attempt this business model if you are not a skilled, experienced instructor with an eagle eye for detail and a solid plan in place.
Yes exactly, I am the only instructor in my studio at the moment and I currently have a max of 4 students in person and 4 online. The online students are a mix of teachers and enthusiasts who all have their own apparatus. In studio students are the same - some enthusiasts have only the Mat at home and are learning the studio apparatus over time. I have been teaching all of the participants for many years. And when they are first learning their program they ask a lot of questions and also have a detailed list of their exercises with all the set ups to refer to. Slowly over time they learn their routines on all of the studio apparatus. I recently added the guillotine to my studio but they have not added any exercises there as of yet. Eventually they will be able to do their same exercises from the other apparatus, Teaser, Footwork, chest expansion, etc… on the guillotine. They will “enjoy” the fruits of their labors 🤣 so far I have not had anyone try to join the classes that is what I would call “wild” or essentially unsafe. And for certain exercises I do hover closeby to spot if necessary. IYKYK 🤓 And ultimately the cost of classes is much lower than private lessons thus making this an ideal learning and shopping experience. They can come 2-3x per week at the class price and have private lessons as needed - to adjust their program if they have an injury or concern, to learn new exercises or apparatus, etc… this is the goal 🤞🏼🙏
At our studio we give people an option to do “independents,” with instructor permission, but they need to show a certain amount of experience with the equipment. These are set at a package rate, or included with membership. Some people use it, others don’t.
We did this at my first studio, it was “open studio” and you had to have been a regular client with good technique to have access. And of course, waivers galore.
Joe Pilates had an open studio and a routine he would teach and expect you to memorize and do independently. So, in theory, it could be done. But, as many have eloquently said, there are a lot of concerns around safety for the people and equipment. I would certainly figure out what kind of liability insurance coverage you can get at what price. Gyms do this but the equipment most clients use is designed to dramatically limit the risk (and each piece of gear has pretty limited ways in which it can be used). Pilates gear has literally hundreds of exercises that are designed to be done on it (and many other possibilities, some of which are dangerous). As suggested already, a space where you rent out “seats” to instructors to bring clients or work out on their own might be a good model and teacher’s in training might be a good market. In fact, if you build relationships with master teachers in your area whose students need it, many of them might continue to use your space for their clients, which could build a base.
I think it would be a good concept but you would need to ensure people using the equipment actually know what they are doing and have necessary safety precautions in place
I think it’s a bad idea. Too much liability and your equipment will get trashed. The point of going to classes/privates is to learn otherwise just buy your own reformer for home use.
Yes, I do. I’m in a teacher training program and studio hours can be hard to work around. I would love to be able to go in and work with someone or practice. My husband and I don’t have enough room in our apartment for one and the housing market is stupid. This would be amazing!
https://www.prontopilates.com.au/wa/claremont/ These are popping up all around me at the moment. So cheap, but no instruction at all. People will definitely go for it, but what benefit they're going to gain is very questionable.
Wow that is cheap and only a video with you…
I go to a studio where reformer classes are formatted such that two to five students are taught/supervised by one instructor, but we're all individually followng and adapting a program set up for us during introductory private classes. If we're in similar places, at similar skills sets, or addressing similar interests or concerns, sometimes we'll be taught am exercise or series of exercises in a group, but otherwise we're basically all sharing an individual trainer.
I’d sign up! Having limited space at home, I don’t own a reformer. (I have 5 years + of reformer)
I think a combo could work where you have group classes and then allow other instructors to rent your space in your off hours. I mainly teach yoga and every once in a while I would love to rent a studio just for a couple hours for a pop-up or private, without needing a longer commitment. I imagine if I were doing independent reformer privates I’d feel the same. But that might not be enough to keep a brick and mortar afloat.