Interest in Pilates is on the rise, and Mariana Tech is helping studios grow, differentiate and deliver a personalized experience.
Once considered a niche exercise, Pilates is making a comeback: The Pilates and yoga industry is expected to grow 11.4% through 2028, meaning the market is predicted to more than double over the next decade, and Pilates studios are getting ready.
“Pilates is a method that has continued to grow since it was created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s,” says Andrea Speir, founder of Speir Pilates.
“People who discover Pilates tend to stick with it for life,” she says. “Gone are the days of pushing yourself to your limits to get quick results. Overly intense exercise is no longer considered a ‘way to train.'” The mindset has shifted to focus on fitness methods that improve the whole body, the physical body, and the mind-body connection, with Pilates reigning supreme.”
Monica Marder, CEO and founder of FORM50, agrees.
“I’ve always loved Pilates because it’s gentle on the body and leaves you feeling energised after a hard workout. With the advent of high intensity Pilates I thought now was the right time to start FORM50.”
Pilates studio owners and operators are positioned to succeed with the right support, but they face unique challenges that require modern solutions.. Pilates is back, smarter and stronger.
Mariana Tek improves customer experience
As interest in Pilates grows, Marder, Speir and other studios are faced with the challenge of delivering a personalized, efficient customer experience while managing a variety of operational complexities.
During the pandemic, people have put a renewed focus on health and wellness. Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly drawn to Pilates for its overall benefits, emphasis on core strength, and ability to improve flexibility without the risk of injury that comes with high-intensity training. This age group also expects an integrated experience.
For Pilates studios, delivering a great customer experience is paramount, and Xplor Mariana Tek from Xplor Technologies, a brand-focused management platform for boutique studios, enhances this experience through an engaging consumer experience.
“The app and booking system is very user friendly and easy to understand,” says Marder. “The ‘Year in Review’ feature is a great one and I love that customers can book themselves. It really improves the overall customer experience.”
At Speir, personalization is a big priority.
“The client experience starts with them choosing their favorite Reformer before class and being able to purchase water, socks and towels before they even open the door – everything is ready for them when they arrive,” Speir points out.
Spear noted that efficiency is “an overlooked element of luxury” — high value at low cost — and that Mariana Tech is providing customers with an “optimal experience.”
To deliver an optimal experience, you also need to provide a solution to a unique challenge for Pilates studios: capacity issues. Spot selection allows clients to choose their favorite mat or reformer, encouraging early sign-ups and allowing instructors to match names to faces and increase the urgency of bookings.
Increase revenue
Increasing revenue is important for any business, and Pilates studios are no exception.
“Marketing is a key driver of revenue growth for any business,” says Marder, “and while word of mouth remains the strongest form of organic growth, our in-house marketing team, coupled with the insights of our industry marketing consultants, has proven to be an effective strategy for attracting and retaining clients.”
Speer said the metrics help run the studio and he appreciates the low friction of the point of sale.
“Through insights and analytics, we can see the big picture of our business and identify niche areas that need attention,” she says. “The simplicity of our booking system has also contributed to a big increase in revenue. Clients often just arrive at the studio with their keys and phone, so being able to purchase items like water or socks when booking a class means they don’t have to wait for their card or wait for payment.”
The ability to place banner ads on the app home screen also promotes your virtual studio, new products and retail products, driving awareness and sales.
Streamline operations and increase efficiency
Operational efficiency is crucial for Pilates studios, especially those that manage multiple locations.
“It simplifies administrative tasks, streamlines training for my team, and makes it seamless for new clients to purchase and book classes,” explains Marder. “I love how the dashboard shows me important data like sales and key metrics.”
Speir adds, “Clients can easily switch between locations and the filters are easy and intuitive. The booking app makes it super easy to invite friends, book a location, and check stats.”
As your Pilates studio expands, maintaining a consistent customer experience becomes increasingly challenging. Mariana Tek supports your studio’s growth and scalability by providing tools that make it easy to manage across locations.
“Operating four locations in two different states and introducing new wellness services requires advanced organizational needs,” Marder says.
Having expanded from a single studio in Santa Monica to multiple locations across California, Speir said she moved to Mariana Tek to offer her clients a more personalized Pilates experience.
“The platform’s capabilities allow us to maintain a high-quality experience across all our locations,” says Speir, who launched her own brick-and-mortar boutique Pilates business in early 2016.
“Our core mission is to create high-quality, accessible group Reformer classes that are community-driven and focused on movement and function,” Speir continues, “Within two years, we opened a second studio offering individual training and teacher education programs. Since then, we’ve opened studios in West Hollywood and Venice Beach, with more in development.”
Prosper in health and business
FORM50 and Speir are great examples of how, with the right support, Pilates studios can thrive, and Marder attributes their success in large part to building a strong community and service culture, backed by efficient management tools.
“Creating a strong service culture and positive work environment is one of our most important missions,” says Marder, “and much of our success can be attributed to frequently measuring our studio’s performance through client feedback, usage, occupancy and retention.”
As studios such as FORM50 and Speir have demonstrated, the integration of advanced technology is key to success in the modern Pilates industry, ensuring the quality and integrity of Pilates is maintained as its popularity continues to grow.
