The Reality of Running a Pilates Studio (Stand-Up Edition)
People think running a Pilates studio must be so relaxing.
“Oh, you must just float around in leggings all day, lighting candles and stretching!”
Yeah. Sure.
Except instead of candles, it’s a spray bottle and a cloth.
Actually no — we even have a cleaner for that, because we like to leave things to the professionals while we deal with broken headrests and four studio schedules.
Let’s talk about the real life of studio ownership, shall we?
Every Penny Back Into the Studio (Sorry, Gucci)
You know that thing where people think you’re raking it in because classes are full?
If by “raking it in” you mean “buying another Reformer instead of new trainers,” then yes — living the dream.
Every penny we make goes straight back into:
New equipment (because Pilates without a Cadillac is just sad floor rolling)
New training (because staying sharp and evolving matters)
New paint (because somebody scuffed the wall doing Swan Dive again)
Meanwhile, my personal luxuries include a new pair of socks and the posh biscuits from Aldi.
DIY Skills: Unlocked
Things you didn’t realise were part of running a Pilates studio:
Painter ✅
Plumber ✅
Electrician ✅
Furniture assembler ✅
General fixer of absolutely anything that wobbles, leaks, or falls off ✅
If something breaks, jams, needs lifting, or suddenly makes a weird noise — we don’t call maintenance.
We call Dad. We call Anthony. We call ourselves.
It’s basically a family-run episode of DIY SOS — but with Reformers instead of spirit levels, a lot of duct tape, and some very creative problem solving.
(And yes, we have a brilliant cleaner and a professional window cleaner — because even we know when it’s time to call in the experts.)
Admin: The True Core Workout
Pilates works your core?
Try managing four studios, fifteen teachers’ diaries, a hundred clients’ holiday plans, and a booking system that likes to throw in a plot twist just when you think you’re ahead.
Honestly, I don’t even need to plank anymore.
My abs are shredded from pure admin-based panic.
Special shoutout to the clients who casually mention they’re off to Greece after booking ten classes.
It’s fine. Psychic scheduling is now part of my CV.
Tech Support, 24/7
Forget sleeping through the night.
Studio owners are built different.
At 2AM, while normal people are dreaming peacefully, I’m wide awake Googling:
"Why did Glofox randomly kick someone out of their regular class?"
"How to fix booking system without throwing laptop across room"
"Why is the Wi-Fi only crashing when I actually have 10 admin tasks to finish?"
Honestly, at this point, refreshing the dashboard counts as cardio.
Dream Location, Worth Every Penny
We’ve got a gorgeous studio — bright, airy, welcoming — and yes, the rent is eye-wateringly high.
But look at where we are: overlooking a beautiful courtyard and water feature, with a food hall, restaurants, and a lifestyle shop all right here in the same development.
Would we swap it for a much cheaper industrial unit overlooking a skip and a tyre fire?
Absolutely not.
We built EQ to feel like a second home — a place you actually want to spend time — not a freezing warehouse where your Teaser faces a brick wall and your Hundred smells faintly of damp cardboard.
Family-Run, Coffee-Fuelled
Forget corporate gloss.
We are powered by coffee, stubborn optimism — and the incredible support of our small but mighty team.
My mum is my partner
My dad fixes things.
My husband deals with the VAT returns, the expenses, and mutters darkly about “where all the money’s gone” every time we buy another piece of equipment.
And Samantha — my best friend and right hand — has quietly kept the business going through every high, low, and last-minute crisis.
Of course, we wouldn’t be EQ without our amazing teaching team — the heart of the studio, and the ones who show up day after day to help our clients move better, feel better, and live better.
(Keep an eye out — our next blog will be all about them!)
Between us, we manage the admin — usually squeezed in between golf lessons, football matches, go-kart races, and real life.
Emails don’t stop just because life’s happening. We’re basically professional multitaskers, fuelled by caffeine, loyalty, and a lot of laughter.
It’s not just a business. It’s a full-scale family (and friends) production — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Would We Change It? HA. No Chance.
Is it chaos? Yes.
Is it exhausting? You bet.
Is it slightly ridiculous? Every single day.
But there’s nothing better than seeing someone walk out a little taller, a little stronger, and a lot more confident.
That’s what keeps us going — that, and possibly another coffee.
And hey — stay tuned. We’ve got a big studio upgrade coming soon. Bigger, shinier, and still absolutely fuelled by caffeine, spreadsheets and stubborn love.
🎤 Mic drop. Trips over Magic Circle. Pretends it was intentional Pilates choreography.