Barbara WintroubToday’s Pilates Studios are not just Pilates studios of the past. In order to stay in business the owners have looked into many different ways to keep the clients happy and returning for lessons.
Many studios have turned to classes almost every hour. Four to six students attend these classes after they have taken 4 -6 private lessons so the teacher knows which class suits the student.
One of my friends who owns a wonderful studio says she couldn’t stay in business without running classes because she is the only teacher in the studio. She runs the payments like a gym. The students pay for the month in order to hold their spot. If they don’t pay monthly they cannot hold a prime time slot in a class.
Another studio added TRX classes. They combine TRX and Pilates classes when the students want a diverse workout.
Some of the Pilates newsletters I receive talk about using aroma therapy and selling product, selling workout clothes for older clients, doing meditation workouts on the reformer etc.
Some studios lease out space like a hair salon to teachers who work part time and don’t want to own equipment. If a studio has a spare room not being used the owner brings in a stretch therapist or chiropractor or Zumba teacher.
Many facilities do teacher trainings on site or lectures on osteoporosis or free mat classes for Beast Cancer Week.
During Christmas one Redondo Beach Studio gathers food or toys for the poor. Being a studio that gives back to the neighborhood makes them part of the local environment.
Maybe you can have Wednesday night runs from your studio and food after. Local word of mouth is better than expensive advertising.
One of the best advertisements is the change in the bodies you are working on. Lack of back pain, better posture or golf swing and general overall better fitness and flexibility in your clients spreads your word faster than anything.
Keep up the good work and don’t lose sight of the client’s outcome.
Tip of the Day: Your clothes don’t hang right on your body if you slump. Sit and Stand tall-Good Posture Becomes You.