How to Start Your Own Pilates Studio
About 11 million people practice Pilates in the United States. Pilates has a global reach, with instructors and practitioners all over the world.
You may have taken Pilates and seen the growth opportunity. It’s possible to open your own Pilates studio. Want to learn more? Read on to find out how to open your own Pilates studio.
1. Get Certified to Teach
Do you have to be certified to teach Pilates? It’s usually not a legal requirement, but it does give your clients peace of mind.
Going through Pilates instructor training teaches you how to assess clients and work with the general population.
You’ll have the confidence and knowledge to teach Pilates.
2. Write a Pilates Business Plan
A business plan gives your studio a better chance to succeed. Writing the business plan opens your eyes to the market in your area.
You’re competing against gyms, boutique studios, and other Pilates studios. You’ll discover why your studio is unique and the pricing.
The Pilates business plan helps you understand the costs of running the business and what it takes to become profitable.
For instance, you’ll have significant start-up costs for equipment, rent, and furniture. You may have to renovate a commercial space.
There are monthly costs to operate the business, too. You have to get paid at some point, too. Make sure you take these costs into account as you price your classes.
3. Find a Good Location
The location of your studio could make or break it. You could have a small studio that you run out of your home. You may want to rent a large commercial space to accommodate more people.
It depends on the vision you have for your studio. Be sure that the space is accessible and there’s plenty of parking.
4. Get Permits and Register the Business
Get good legal advice before you register the business. You have to choose a legal structure, such as LLC or sole proprietorship. There are legal and tax consequences that you should be aware of.
Even if you operate a Pilates studio out of your home, you need to have the proper permits to run the business. Check with your municipality to find out what the requirements are.
Since you’re running a business that involves physical activity, you need to have insurance. Pilates instructor insurance covers your liability if someone gets injured during a session.
If you plan to teach online, make sure your insurance covers online sessions no matter where your clients are.
5. Market Your Pilates Studio
You need to let people know about your Pilates studio. Use a combination of digital and traditional marketing strategies.
On the digital side, set up your social media accounts and start posting regularly. Be sure to set up your business listings in Google and Bing.
That lets your business appear when people search for Pilates studios in your area.
Open Your Pilates Studio
It’s a dream for many Pilates instructors to open their own studios. With the right plan in place, you can open a Pilates studio and be successful.
Follow the tips in this article, and you’ll find success. For more trends and lifestyle tips, check out the other articles on the blog.
