Market the Benefits of Pilates

Within the first 30 seconds of meeting someone new, chances are that I will share how I became hooked on Pilates from my very first class; quickly shifted my career path to becoming a Pilates instructor; and that I now dedicate a large portion of my time to helping other Pilates instructors and studio owners hone their business model.

I love what Pilates does for me—mentally and physically—and I want others to feel as passionately about the practice, especially my fellow instructors and business owners. You’re the ones who must market the benefits of Pilates to prospective clients—and keep them coming through the front door.

Research on the Benefits of Pilates

Sharing our personal stories of mental and physical transformation is easy, and we should be doing that, but it’s also good to have vetted research and expertly written articles by other Pilates professionals, to support our claims.

That’s why I wanted to write a post that pulls together some of my favorite recent reads—all of which I’ve personally vetted. (Like any online research, there is a lot of misinformation out there about what Pilates is/isn’t.)

If you’re pressed for time, I’m here to do the work for you! Each piece is fairly short in length, but packed with good information and links to research to back up the claims.

• Pilates for Beginners: Explore the Core: This piece, provided by the esteemed Mayo Clinic, provides good insights for instructors to share when working with beginners. The information is presented in a very easy to follow, straightforward format and takes you from a short descriptor on What Is Pilates, to Whether Pilates is for Everyone, to What to Look for in an Instructor and How Pilates Fits into a Total Fitness Program.
• 12 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Pilates for Your Peace of Mind. This piece was written by a Pilates instructor and quickly takes you through how Pilates improves your memory, trains your brain, tames your stress, makes you happier, releases emotional tension, helps you become more confident, and more. (There is a reason why “science” is part of the title as these claims are backed up by links to research findings.)
• Pilates Can’t Do It All: I liked this piece from the very first sentence, which addresses the Pilates marketing machine and some of the over promises, outright misinformation, and silly bells and whistles that have nothing to do with a serious practice (like “pilates” classes set to loud music, or incorporating dancing or crazy props). As an instructor, your clients may have taken classes elsewhere–classes that are Pilates in name only. This piece can help you manage clients’ perspectives on what Pilates is—and isn’t.

Happy reading! If you have go-articles and research on the benefits of Pilates, I’d love to hear your recommendations.

xx~LL