The Art of Running a Pilates Studio: From Mission to Movement
When you walk into Niche, the first thing you feel is ease. Calm. Maybe even a little excitement—about the class ahead, the familiar faces, or the quiet ritual of taking off your shoes, stashing your phone, and grabbing a warm cup of tea or a glass of water.
It’s our goal to make every client feel welcomed and grounded the moment they step through the door. What they don’t see (and what we don’t want you to notice) is the organized (and sometimes chaotic) work it takes to make the studio run smoothly. Behind the calm is a daily rhythm of scheduling, cleaning, planning, ordering, and problem solving.
Develop a mission statement
Without a clear mission statement, running your studio can quickly feel overwhelming. As opportunities arise and people express interest in working with you, it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying yes to everything in an effort to build your presence. But without direction, this can lead to burnout and a scattered brand. This will serve as the foundation of your studio. Every decision, from hiring instructors to choosing which community events to participate in, should align with your mission. It’s the foundation of your studio, and the sooner you create it, the better. You’ll thank yourself later.
So, what should your mission statement include? Start by asking: How do you want clients to feel after taking a class at your studio? Who are you here to serve? How will your studio operate differently from others? Write down your answers, or type them in your notes app, and start refining them into a clear, one-to-two sentence statement. Make it something that feels authentic, energizing, and aligned with your purpose. You should feel proud every time you say it.
Finding the Right Space & Making It Your Own
You need a layout that not only accommodates (large!) Pilates equipment but also a front desk area, a work station perhaps, bathroom(s), and a space to accommodate a washer and dryer for all of the laundry associated with running a studio. There is A LOT of laundry. (Fun fact: we didn't initially have a space for laundry in our old studio, so we took the towels home and washed them!)
At Niche, we designed our studio to feel calm, welcoming, and intentional. The aesthetic is minimalist yet warm—inviting clients to leave the outside world behind as soon as they enter. But it’s not just about appearances. Every detail, from the layout to the lighting, has to be both beautiful and functional.
You'll need to think through the daily needs of your clients and staff:
Is there a place for shoes, bags, coats?
Do clients have somewhere to change before or after class?
Can you offer small comforts—tea, water, quiet corners to chat or browse educational materials?
You’ll get to make deliberate choices regarding the feel of the space, as well as decisions that enhance the movement experience for clients. At Niche, we opted to not include mirrors in our space. While mirrors can be useful, we believe in helping clients develop deeper body awareness—learning to feel alignment rather than relying on visual feedback. We’ll occasionally use mirrors in private sessions, but our group classes focus on tuning into sensation and control.
Hiring the Right People
One of the biggest challenges in running a studio? Finding the right team.
If you’ve spent any time in the fitness world, you know that stable employment can be rare, and many instructors juggle multiple jobs. As a studio owner, you’ll need to build a team who not only align with your values but also work within your schedule. It’s a puzzle that’s always evolving.
Just as your movement practice and ethos are at the center of your studio, your instructors will be the heart of your team. They interact with clients more than any other staff member and have a unique pulse on class style, tone, pace, and overall client energy. While they are a key part of bringing your mission to life, they’re just one piece of the puzzle—many other team members play vital roles in keeping your studio running smoothly:
Front desk staff to welcome clients, tidy the space, and handle memberships or payments.
Studio support to manage supplies, schedules, and day-to-day maintenance.
Back-end professionals like a bookkeeper, insurance agent, plumbers, painters, a marketing team—professionals who support the maintenance, management, and expansion of your business
Having trusted partners behind the scenes is just as important as what happens in the studio and can greatly impact the experience of your clients when they enter into your space.
Cultivating Your Community
The real heart of any studio is the community. At Niche, we love celebrating wins—big and small. Whether it’s a new client mastering their teaser or a longtime member reaching a personal milestone, we want everyone to feel seen and celebrated.
As an owner, you’ll need to think beyond the class schedule:
Can you host events or workshops that bring people together?
Do you have systems in place to connect with clients outside of class—emails, social media, personal check-ins?
What will keep your clients coming back—and inspire them to bring their friends?
How do you ensure that people always feel a part of the community beyond the studio?
Running a Pilates studio is about so much more than teaching classes. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow. It requires vision, grit, creativity, and a lot of behind-the-scenes hustle. But if you get it right? It’s deeply rewarding.
