Opening a Pilates Reformer Studio – Thought About Leasing?
Pilates has become increasingly popular with more studios setting up every year and creating successful businesses. The range of options is also developing with studios practising classical Pilates, mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates or Contemporary Pilates to name just a few.
But if you are thinking of opening a bespoke Pilates studio there are several considerations, including interior design ideas and features, whether to choose the latest reformers (like the MOTU Flow) and then how best to finance your new venture.
Opening A Pilates Studio
Many people think that the way to success is to simply offer exceptional classes. But there’s a lot more to consider than just that. To boost class numbers, build passing trade and create brand awareness, you also need to think about “location, location, location” (unless you have 14 million Insta followers perhaps). Creating footfall will help you generate profit to sustain your new business.
You will also need to find a space for your studio that will accommodate the Pilates reformer equipment that you need. Ideally, you would be looking for between 1000–1500 sq. ft to allow you to have a balance between the reception area, personal space and then group work. This is the equivalent of between 8–10 reformers and Pilates accessories, plus any extra space to create the right atmosphere!
Zoning the areas is also advised, as this allows you to run classes as well as 1:1 work with clients. This allows people to move around the studio and not trip over equipment.
We can help you with advice, plans and a Pilates studio design if that helps.
Choosing Your Reformer(s)
Reformers have become increasingly popular across the UK and can now be found in fitness clubs, rehabilitation centres, professional sports clubs and multifunctional studios — and of course homes and dedicated Pilates studios.
When you think about choosing reformers for your business, the choices can be overwhelming. Whether you look to newer brands such as MOTU or sticking with more established ‘older’ brands like Merrithew and Align, they offer a wide range of options for style, but all similar on the functionality.
So, how should you approach this? A common question we receive is whether training on a specific brand means you should choose that brand for your studio. In short, whilst each brand will vary, the principles of reformer exercise are pretty much standard from brand to brand in terms of the springs, carriage, ropes and jump board function.
Your New Studio – The Details
As always, it pays to do a little of reflection and deliberation before opening a reformer Pilates studio. Take a step back and consider the following points as this is a big investment.
Studio Design
How you design your Pilates Studio will depend on a number of factors. These include how many reformers you want to have for the number of people you wish to ‘host’. You also need to think about what types of classes you want to offer i.e. large group classes Vs private 1:1 sessions.
Reformer Size and Space
Whilst Reformer sizes vary, it is safe to say that most reformers are in the range of 8ft x 2.5ft (or 2.5m x 75cm). It's important to check the size of your preferred reformer before buying to make sure it will fit. There should be space around the reformer not just to access and/or for teacher support, but to perform different exercises too. The rule of thumb is that you should leave 2ft–3ft (61cm–91cm) of space between reformers if they are being used simultaneously by multiple people.
How Many Reformers?
Most professionals agree that a 400 sq. ft studio which is roughly rectangular (the size of a two-car garage) should hold four reformers comfortably. This is about optimal given the need to move around, the entrance and other factors. However, as already stated, the number of reformers you need is a tough one as it depends on the classes you wish to operate, the reformer you choose, and the specific exercises being performed. It also depends on what configuration you have for your studio. Offsetting at an angle or arranging them in rows, maximises both space and accessibility for clients and instructors.
Our tips below will help you choose the right number of Pilates reformers for your studio.
Studio Dimensions
Before you jump in and buy lots of reformers, take some time to look at the size and shape of your studio area. This will largely determine the number of reformers you can comfortably fit in for class work — not forgetting the need to move around them too.
The following studio dimensions are a rough guide to how many reformers you can fit comfortably:
|
Studio Size |
Looks Like? |
No. of Reformers |
|
400 sq ft (37m2) |
Standard 2 car garage |
4 Reformers |
|
800 sq ft (74m2) |
5 car parking spaces |
4 Reformers plus ample mat/equipment space |
|
800 sq ft / 74m2 |
5 car parking spaces |
6 Reformers plus small stretch area |
|
1000 sq ft |
c. Half a tennis court |
8 Reformers plus stretch area |
|
1200 sq ft |
One-third the size of a normal basketball court |
8 - 10 Reformers plus stretch and equipment area |
|
1400 sq ft |
10 - 12+ Reformers with room for reception, stretch and equipment |
Other Calculations
The more square footage you have available, the more reformers for Pilates you can have, right? Not quite. There are some other considerations.
If you will never provide any other types of classes and need no stretching space, then max it out. But accessories including studio weights, gym mats, and exercise balls, as well as mat work, will all require space.
Finally, you will also need to consider a storage area particularly for all the accessories.
Ways to ‘Cheat’ for Space
Based on all of the above information, you know what space you have, how many reformers, and how you can make this work for you. But we have another couple of ‘cheats’ you may want to consider to really maximise space in your Pilates studio.
- Store your reformers vertically: Reformers like the MOTU Flow can be stored vertically (if you have 2.8m ceiling height or more). Alternatively, you can also stack up to four MOTU Flows on top of one another.
- Choose a folding reformer: We now provide the commercial Flex folding reformer. This can be folded up when not in use so each will have a If you are running a Pilates studio, make sure that any folding Reformer you consider has a commercial warranty.
The Aesthetic
Consider the aesthetic that’s right for your studio. Are you looking for a Scandi look? If so then wood or white finishes are just the thing. Urban and contemporary? Then a slate grey or white could work.
Reformers offer a complete range of finishes from a wood finish like the Align M8 or the more modern, but industrial-looking, aluminium look. Why not get your reformers finished in a colour that suits your studio colour scheme?
Your Classes
If you also want to use your studio space for mat work, then you may want to consider a commercial folding reformer like the MOTU Flex, or a flat studio reformer that can be vertically stored like the MOTU Flow (as long as your ceilings are more than 2.8m high).
Either way, do not forget the practicalities of having to move them all the time. It might be simpler (and cheaper) to get fewer reformers or opt for a bigger studio space.
Adjustability
The key to a good commercial studio reformer is how adjustable they are. As you will have clients with different weight and body proportions, not to mention height, check what parts on the reformer are adjustable, such as shoulder pads, risers and/or spring bar.
For any studio, durability is also crucial. This is an investment that will need to last, so always make sure you are buying commercial standard reformers with a good warranty.
Bundles
Look for the ‘bundle’ options for each reformer. This means you will get a range of accessories and essential equipment to go with the reformer. This can save you a huge amount of money.
For example, take the MOTU Flow bundle. With the reformer you also get a sitting box, jump board, alignment pole and five other accessories. If you are buying for a studio these bundle options could really save you money.
Other Pilates Equipment to Consider
As well as Reformers there are cadillac tables to consider for more advanced work and rehab, Pilates towers for additional resistance and variety, and Wunda Chairs for strength and flexibility.
Jump boards can also be useful for cardio work, foam rollers for flexibility and myofascial release, and then gym mats, balls, and resistance bands which are all great for mat work. You may also want to consider small weights for added resistance and again variety.
Buy Or Lease Your Equipment?
When choosing whether to buy or lease your Pilates equipment, a lot of the time this comes down to whether you have the money set aside to buy your reformers whilst keeping enough capital to run your studio for at least one year.
Buying
Buying is often the best option if you just want to do the deal and get on with opening your Pilates reformer studio. The reformers are yours, there’s no monthly payments to make and you know the studio is 100% your ‘home’.
Buying can also mean a loan, so this is where the waters muddy a little more with the leasing side. Organising a loan can often be a far more stressful event than applying for a leasing deal, and using an overdraft or credit card is a definite no no — unless you are literally days away from being able to pay it all off in one go.
Leasing
Even if you have the money, there are some great advantages to leasing your Pilates equipment.
The main advantages of leasing:
- Terms are usually far more favourable than a bank loan or overdraft.
- Leasing is tax efficient, as wellness and gym equipment is 100% tax allowable. This means you can offset the lease cost against your taxable profits.
- It spreads out the payments on your equipment so you can maintain more of your working capital and keep more cash in the bank. This can give you a financial cushion which can really help when you are setting up a business in case something unforeseen happens.
- The monthly payments are set which helps with budgeting and making long term plans for the business.
- It means you can continue to work with the latest equipment.
- Monthly lease payments are also classified as a business expense not as a debt. This is important if you are looking for further funding for your business.
There are disadvantages to leasing. The first one is probably the most obvious, but you don’t own the equipment. For some this is a psychological issue but an important one. You may also worry about struggling with the repayments should your business hit some snags in the road. Depending on the repayment period, the loan could also cost you more than if you had just bought the equipment outright.
Our key advice is to do a thorough appraisal of your finances. What money do you have when setting up to buy the equipment outright? What will your expenses be and what are your long-term plans. It may also be wise to seek the advice of your accountant before making the final decision.
Leasing Examples
The above example uses a loan of £20,000 and shows the repayments over 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year terms. It also highlights the tax relief we mentioned earlier. So on the 2 year lease with tax relief the net cost is £19,529.42, on the longer 5 year arrangement the net cost is £22,696.20.
Opening a Pilates reformer studio requires careful planning, from budgeting for your business to selecting the right reformers. By choosing high-quality equipment and optimising your studio layout, you can provide an inspiring environment for clients to achieve their fitness goals.
