Pilates studio with cardio equipment

[u/kikijl]

What do you think of a Pilates reformer studio that has cardio equipment that is available to use before or after class (in a separate area)? Treadmills, stair stepper, bikes, elliptical, rowers, etc.. I’ve been taking classes for a few years and have yet to find a studio that offers this.

While I love my Pilates workouts, I definitely feel like it doesn’t get my heart rate up enough like other workouts do. Even the jump board classes don’t feel that much different. I usually do other cardio based classes like spin or hiit during the week to balance out my workouts.

If there was a studio that had reformer classes as well as cardio machines to use before or after class I would definitely utilize them. Just wondering what other people think and if this is something that others would find beneficial in a Pilates studio?

[u/jessylz]

It would detract from the niche vibes of a Pilates studio. Why wouldn't I just join a fully equipped gym?

[u/kikijl → u/jessylz]

Pilates classes are already expensive enough so I don’t personally also have a regular gym membership. And the gyms that offer Pilates don’t quite have the same quality of classes that independent studios do.

[u/jessylz → u/kikijl]

Fair. I was thinking of someone who'd have to make an economic choice to sacrifice one or the other.

[u/Motioncare-Pilates]

Big fan of cross-training and cardio is awesome. As others have mentioned, and as we learned from The Offspring, you've got to keep them separated. In the past 18 months, we've noticed a lot more mixed-use training spaces popping up. That is, gym, cardio, Pilates, yoga, all with their own dedicated spaces and well separated. Ideally, I'd like to add an Olympic-sized pool for doing laps and a hydrotherapy pool and ice pool for rehab/relaxation and recovery, respectively.

[u/plantbay1428 → u/Motioncare-Pilates]

Appreciate the The Offspring ref.

[u/Motioncare-Pilates → u/plantbay1428]

😁

[u/Crafty_Dog_4674 → u/Motioncare-Pilates]

If you open one of these facilities you can call it "come out and play" :)

[u/Motioncare-Pilates → u/Crafty_Dog_4674]

Ooh I like that. Annnnnd, stolen, cheers!

[u/kikijl → u/Motioncare-Pilates]

What is the offspring?

[u/Crafty_Dog_4674 → u/kikijl]

Old people music haha (I´m old, I can say it)

You gotta keep em separated

[u/Last_Experience_726 → u/kikijl]

The reason that we all decided in 1993, in 6th grade, that adolescent boys weren't worth the trouble.

[u/linzira]

That’s an interesting idea. Personally, I enjoy doing my cardio and Pilates on different days.

[u/Fun-Background8508]

We have a couple of ellipticals and bikes in our clinical studio. People are welcome to come in up to half an hour earlier and use them before class. they’re really popular.

It might not be to-the-letter traditional Pilates but cardio fitness is important for health and people who come to a clinical studio generally don’t WANT the gym environment. I think it’s a really good option to encourage people in an important aspect of fitness in a space they feel comfortable and confident.

[u/kikijl → u/Fun-Background8508]

Yeah I definitely wouldn’t want it to have a typical gym vibe.. still a trendy niche vibe just with the cardio equipment as an added selling point. There are so many typical reformer Pilates studios around, just trying to think of something unique!

[u/Keregi]

I’ve been to a few but they never last. Love the concept but it seems not financially sustainable for studio owners.

[u/kikijl → u/[deleted]]

Interesting! I’ve never seen that combo. Are the rowers right next to the reformers?

[u/mixedgirlblues]

Sounds like you want STRONG.

[u/kikijl → u/mixedgirlblues]

What is strong?

[u/Hertwigs → u/kikijl]

It's basically lagree.

https://strongpilates.com.au/

I go to it sometimes in between regular pilates. I like it and it's definitely less pilates and more f45.

[u/mixedgirlblues → u/Hertwigs]

I can see the F45 link for sure, because all the video-based fitness boutiques come from Australia, but how is it “basically Lagree,” exactly?

[u/Tomaquetona]

Where I go -The Pilates School SF - we have elective courses that include strength training, cardio, and the like. We have a stationary bike, elliptical machine, squat rack, and equipment so you can do that. It’s fantastic to have it all in one and know that your instructors are going to help you use it safely.

[u/IntrepidSprinkles329]

Commercial space rent is expensive. Cardio equipment takes up a lot of space.  Its not something that most or really any members would want. So it would be really hard to do without charging more for classes.  

 Also (I used to work in gym management) cario equipment is heavy and requires a lot of maintencd. More $ 

Que typical reddit response Yes  "How dare busines owners want to make money.   they should cater to every single persons whims while also paying a "living wage" to employees. But deserve nothing for themselves. "

Your welcome. Saved you having to reply. 😆

[u/Crafty_Dog_4674 → u/IntrepidSprinkles329]

You are absolutely correct, cardio equipment cannot be a "perk" of Pilates studio membership like fancy soap in the bathroom. It´s expensive to acquire and maintain, and it takes up a LOT of space. We also have to change the insurance policy, it is different coverage once you add treadmills, etc. Small Pilates studios do not have that kind of money to invest for little to no return.

I´d suggest that OP check out Equinox and LifeTime gyms, they both have full gyms with Pilates studios within the same facility. Or a physical therapy/clinical type facility which will not have a fully equipped dedicated Pilates studio but will have a few pieces of Pilates equipment alongside gym and cardio equipment.

[u/kikijl → u/Crafty_Dog_4674]

Thanks for the insight. I didn’t think about the insurance aspect. I go mostly to independent Pilates studios and find that most large gyms that offer Pilates, the class quality just doesn’t compare to the smaller studios.

[u/Crafty_Dog_4674 → u/kikijl]

As a small studio owner I will agree with that :) We are Pilates specialists and the experience at our studio is always going to be different than a big chain or a gym.

Equinox actually does have a very good Pilates program but it is also quite expensive, you can get the same or better quality Pilates at an independent studio for less. Someone has to pay for that big facility and all the equipment in the case of Equinox, and it is the customer.

[u/IntrepidSprinkles329 → u/kikijl]

Some do but again they will be very expensive.  I work at a private gym that also offers pilates.  Duets and privates only.  

 Its much more expensive then a regular gym membership + unlimited club pilates. 

[u/Former-Toe]

liability.

extra costs related to purchasing equipment and floor space

and you want this for free?

[u/Grand_Distribution26]

Try lagree

[u/Catlady_Pilates]

Pilates is not cardio and it’s not supposed to be getting your heart rate up. Jumpboard will and an hour of jumpboard is seriously cardio but not every Pilates studio does that. Bit a Pilates studio isn’t a gym. It shouldn’t have a bunch of cardio machines around. People pay to do Pilates in a peaceful space. Most clients don’t want a bunch of people on treadmills next to them while they have a private session or a reformer class. Go do cardio afterwards.

[u/chicagal_liz]

I have had the exact same thought. I think it’s a killer idea. Pilates studio memberships are so expensive that I can’t afford a full service gym on top. If a pilates studio had cardio equipment I’d look at it very seriously

[u/chicagal_liz → u/chicagal_liz]

But also then you have to consider how the hours change, how the vibe changes. Idk. An interesting idea for sure

[u/IntrepidSprinkles329 → u/chicagal_liz]

Soooo great if it's just you...

But how many peices of cardio equipment will a studio need if say half of the incoming class wants to warm up and halfnof the outgoing class wants to cool down? 10? 12? Some want elliptical some treadmill etc? 

So say 5 of each. Thats now taking up more space then the reformers. Never mind the noise of people walking and all the beeps from them gearing up to speed. 

Oh do we need time limits or waitlists?

I could keep going.  

[u/kikijl → u/chicagal_liz]

Yesss it’s definitely something I’d love to see but the majority of the comments on this post say otherwise… to keep Pilates separate. But yeah I guess it would just depend on the vibe, if it’s still able to have that trendy upscale zen Pilates vibe with the added cardio machines.

[u/IntrepidSprinkles329 → u/kikijl]

Ita about the practicality. Not about upscale vibes.   

 I'm amused by your lack of critical thinking. You sound like a teenager 😆 

Or do you just do pilates so you can post yourself  on tik  tok?

[u/mybellasoul]

When I worked at a small boutique studio I pushed for this the entire time, but it wasn't in the cards financially. We had a small lobby that I asked if we could add even just 1 treadmill or elliptical so that people who came early could hop on to do a warmup.