What Makes a Pilates Studio Great?
I recently took a trip to Los Angeles to visit Erewhon and take some incredible pilates classes- because Miami is seriously lacking in that department outside of Miami Pilates.
Its funny because when you tell people in LA you are from Miami- they are all jealous and wish they lived there because it’s the wellness and pilates mecca of the universe- but honestly, that is all social media hype and so far from the truth!
The reality about the Miami fitness scene is that most of it is smoke and mirrors, much like the rest of what the city has to offer. Take your average pilates studio- the instructors got certified in 2 weeks, discovered pilates 6 months ago, took some classes at Miami Pilates, and decided they want to instruct. The owner is an interior designer or an influencer - and no shade - but they are not a pilates instructor nor do they have much experience with pilates in general.
And no, not all studios are that in Miami, but the ones you hear about on Instagram and Tiktok, and the ones people want to visit when they are on vacation to Miami are that- and that’s how people form opinions about the Miami fitness scene.
Sure, the studio interiors got an upgrade, and the girls attending classes have bodies we can look up to, but is that the class they are taking at that studio or genetics?
Again, no shade. There are studios in Miami with qualified instructors who have been properly certified and take their craft seriously, but they are tucked away in neighborhoods and frequented by locals- not advertised online.
Having Miami Pilates be internationally recognized, I take representing pilates in Miami very seriously. Not only do I want people to love the studio vibe and admire the aesthetic, it would crush me to hear someone took a mediocre class.
The thing I took away from my time in Los Angeles, is that the instructors truly know what they are doing and are so passionate about teaching. Every class was meticulously crafted from progressions to transitions, to truly making your body feel good after class. Yes, you are sore, yes your abs are showing, but there is no pain or worse- no sense of feeling like you didn’t get a good workout. Which frankly, would probably have the studio closed down because no one would visit and there is just too much competition.
Something Miami needs to work on, in my opinion, is having instructors push their clients. Intentionally, mindfully and with correct form- but precisely to the point where change starts to happen. That’s something I emphasize to my instructors on the daily. The change that we want to see in our clients comes from that extra push, that extra challenge, choosing the heavier band, adding the ankle weight. Day by day, those changes start to accumulate to a world of difference.
And that is what a makes a studio great- not the lighting, not the equipment, not the amenities or the music - even though all of that matters. But most importantly, its being guided by educated, motivated and dedicated instructors who have the vision to change your body as much as you do.
Some food for thought before booking that next pilates class.
With love,
Avelin