On 3rd June, ReformerPilates.com brought together studio owners, educators, operators and industry leaders at The Soho Hotel in London for our first Building Better Reformer Pilates Studios event.

The objective was simple. To move beyond equipment and trends and have an honest conversation about what is actually driving success in the reformer Pilates industry.

The result was a day that left me with one overriding conclusion.

Pilates is growing rapidly, but many studio owners are still being left to figure things out on their own.

The industry has no shortage of reformers, software platforms, teacher-training providers, or marketing agencies. What it lacks is ongoing guidance, practical education and trusted support for operators trying to build sustainable businesses.

That theme emerged repeatedly throughout the day.

The opening panel, featuring Michael King, Nic Lenny and Andreina Santaella, tackled a question many studio owners have quietly been asking: Are we producing more great instructors, or simply more instructors?

The discussion highlighted a growing gap between qualification and real-world readiness. Technical education remains essential, but teaching, communication, confidence and client connection are often developed after qualification rather than during it. The consensus was clear. Recruitment is only part of the challenge. Retention, mentorship and ongoing development are becoming increasingly important as the industry matures.

Rachel Lea Fishman, CEO of Arketa, reinforced that idea of operational maturity.

Rachel presented benchmark data showing that demand for Pilates remains exceptionally strong, yet the performance gap between average and top-performing studios is widening. The difference, she argued, is rarely location or luck. It is an operational discipline.

Studios with better utilisation, stronger systems, lower no-show rates and more effective follow-up processes consistently outperform their competitors. The message was not that owners need to work harder. It was that they needed better systems and greater visibility of the numbers that drive performance.

Ava Rodriguez approached the same challenge from a branding perspective.

Her presentation focused on the dangers of chasing trends and trying to appeal to everyone. The strongest businesses, she argued, are not necessarily the loudest. They are the clearest.

Studios that understand their purpose, solve genuine problems and communicate a consistent message are far more likely to build lasting client loyalty than those constantly reacting to the latest industry trend.

Georgia Testa expanded on that theme through the lens of community.

One of the most compelling observations of the day was her argument that reformer Pilates is no longer the differentiator. Connection is.

Kevin Bagayoko expanded on Georgia’s principle that, as pilates becomes more accessible and competition increases, the studios that thrive will be those that foster emotional attachment, belonging, and identity. Members increasingly stay not because of the equipment but because of how a studio makes them feel.

That focus on intentionality was echoed by Dr Bria Francis, whose journey into studio ownership highlighted the importance of building a business around a clear philosophy rather than simply adding services. Her experience combining chiropractic care and reformer Pilates demonstrated that successful businesses are rarely built by offering more. They are built by creating a coherent and differentiated experience.

For studio owners looking to grow, Elle Kealy provided perhaps the most practical framework of the day.

Her presentation focused on the numbers behind studio growth, from lead generation and introductory offers to conversion rates and member retention. One statistic stood out. Many owners still fail to consistently follow up with prospective clients despite evidence showing that most sales occur after multiple interactions.

Again, the lesson was not about working harder. It was about implementing processes that support growth.

The customer spotlight sessions with Natalie Jackson and Kevin Bagayoko reinforced another important point. Successful brands are built around culture, not just classes.

Override's transition from spin to reformer Pilates demonstrated that strong communities, clear values, and consistent member experiences can successfully transfer across modalities when deliberately executed.

The day concluded with Cat DeHaven and Mitch McGinley discussing what makes a studio genuinely valuable.

Their framework was refreshingly straightforward. Strong financial records, recurring revenue, leadership teams, documented systems and secure leases are the foundations of businesses that command premium valuations.

Perhaps most importantly, they reminded the room that owners should not wait until they want to sell before thinking like builders.

Looking back across the day, the common thread was impossible to ignore.

Every speaker approached the industry from a different perspective, yet many arrived at the same conclusion. Studio owners do not simply need products. They need trusted advice, operational support, education and guidance as their businesses evolve.

At ReformerPilates.com, that is the opportunity we have taken away from the event.

Historically, much of our focus has been on helping studio owners access equipment, training, servicing and operational resources. Those remain critical. However, the conversations on 3rd June reinforced that our role can be much broader.

As the industry continues to grow, we believe studio owners need a trusted partner who can help them navigate decisions around operations, growth, instructor development, technology, community building and long-term business strategy.

Building a better reformer Pilates studio is not about any single reformer, software platform or marketing campaign.

It is about making better decisions, supported by better information.

That is the conversation we intend to continue.

Building Better Reformer Pilates Studios: What We Learned at the Soho Hotel

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