Pilates Journal Expo 2026: Recap

This weekend, Bloom attended The Pilates Journal Expo conference alongside studio owners, instructors, educators, and wellness leaders from across the country and beyond. I wanted to share the major themes that kept coming up. These themes directly affect how studios attract clients, retain members, and stay profitable in an increasingly competitive market.

Pilates Has Moved from Niche to Mainstream

The most consistent message across the conference was that Pilates is no longer niche. It is now part of the broader wellness conversation. Boutique reformer studios continue to be one of the fastest growing segments in fitness. More people are discovering Pilates through Instagram, Meta, Youtube, ClassPass, and friends/family who already practice.

This growth is exciting, but it also means:

• More competition in local markets

• More first time clients who need education and guidance

• Higher expectations for onboarding and client experience

• Shortage of quality instructors

In other words, studios can no longer rely on demand alone. Systems, staffing, and onboarding now play a much bigger role in sustainable growth.

Retention Is the Real Growth Strategy

“Roughly 60% of people who walk into a Pilates studio for the first time do not become repeat clients. That is not because Pilates is failing, but because more diverse audiences are now trying it.”

— Mohammed Iqbal, CEO, SweatWorks

A data point that came up repeatedly was that a large percentage of people who try Pilates do not continue long term. Not because Pilates does not work, but because modern clients are busy, distracted, and overwhelmed with choices. Successful studios focus on helping clients build Pilates into their lifestyle, that includes: removing friction, habit building, and a sense of community.

Client Experience Is Expanding Beyond the Reformer

Another theme was that clients are looking for more than just a great class. They want to feel connected, seen, and supported.

Today’s Pilates client values:

• Community and social connection

• Simple and intuitive booking

• Clear communication and guidance

• Feeling part of something

Experience is part of the retention strategy. Studios that design intentional client journeys, from first class through long term membership, are better positioned for sustainable success. When clients understand what to do next and feel emotionally connected to the studio, they are far more likely to stay, upgrade, and refer others.

Clear Positioning Matters More Than Ever

As the industry grows, being for everybody is not sustainable.

Get clear about:

• Who is your ideal client?

• How would a client describe your studio to a friend?

• What do you want to be known for in your community?

This does not mean excluding people. It means communicating clearly so the right clients find you and stay with you. Strong positioning also supports instructor alignment, marketing clarity, and more consistent member experiences, all of which directly affect profitability and growth.

Instructors and Culture Are Business Assets

Instructors remain the heartbeat of every successful studio. Clients stay when they trust their instructors, feel welcomed, and experience consistency across classes.

From a business perspective, this means:

• Instructor retention protects client retention

• Ongoing development supports class quality

• Alignment around values strengthens brand experience

You should be viewing instructor hiring not only as a people investment, but as an operational and financial strategy that protects client experience and long term revenue.

Technology Should Reduce Friction, Not Add Complexity

While technology continues to shape the fitness industry, there was strong agreement that more tools do not = better operations.

Systems that make sense for Pilates studio operations:

• Simplify scheduling and payments

• Improve communication with clients

• Reduce manual admin work

The goal is not automation for its own sake. The goal is freeing up time and energy so owners and instructors can focus on teaching, coaching, and building relationships.

Looking Ahead

Industry leaders shared that Pilates is getting more attention from investors and larger fitness brands. Consolidation and expansion are likely to continue over the next several years.

This brings:

• More resources and innovation

• Greater visibility for the Pilates method

• Increased pressure to scale responsibly and maintain quality

For boutique studios, this makes clarity, culture, and operational strength even more important differentiators.

How Can Bloom Analytics Collective Help Your Pilates Studio

At Bloom Analytics Collective, we help boutique Pilates studios understand what is happening inside their business, identify where small operational changes can drive meaningful financial impact, and build systems that support both growth and well being. You are in this business because you are passionate about Pilates, we take take the admin work of your hands and become your collaborative business partner.

In practice, that often means helping studios:

• Understand which classes and memberships are actually driving revenue

• Catch early signs of churn before it impacts cash flow

• Simplify backend workflows that are eating up owners time

References:
Quotes from Ken Endelman (Balanced Body) and Mohammed Iqbal (SweatWorks), shared during leadership sessions at Pilates Journal Expo 2026.

How an Operational Audit Saved a Pilates Studio $72,000 a Year

Running a Pilates Studio requires constant juggling. Between managing schedules, instructors, and day to day operations, it is easy for small inefficiencies to slip through. The truth is that those small gaps add up fast.

One recent audit showed just how powerful operational clarity can be. A boutique Pilates Studio in Richmond was seeing operational costs swing from month to month, and the owner could not pinpoint why. Expenses felt unpredictable everything blended together in a way that made it hard to see what was actually driving the costs.

When Bloom reviewed their operations, a few opportunities became clear. The first was manual tracking of member milestones. Celebrating clients mattered, but the process took hours each month. After we automated a simple milestone report, the team could complete the task in about fifteen minutes, saving roughly $500 in monthly staff time. We also reviewed membership profitability and found several clients still on legacy pricing. Updating those plans added $3,600 in recurring monthly revenue. Finally, we set up a monthly class attendance snapshot that highlighted which classes to keep, which to remove, and where instructors could improve. With clearer visibility into their schedule, the team could make confident decisions that supported both growth and client experience.

Once the gaps were addressed, the studio recovered $2,000 in monthly value by removing unnecessary and overlooked costs. These improvements did not require major changes. They came from clarity, cleaner processes, and informed decisions. Every Pilates studio has hidden opportunities. An operational audit helps you see where money is slipping away and where simple changes can create measurable growth. If you want the same clarity for your studio, Bloom Analytics Collective can help. Email us info@bloomanalyticsco.com

5 Key Metrics Every Pilates Studio Should Track in 2026

Running a successful Pilates studio isn’t just about offering great classes — it’s about understanding the numbers behind your decisions. When you track the right metrics, you can improve retention, optimize scheduling, and grow revenue with clarity instead of guesswork.

Below are five key metrics that give Pilates studio owners real visibility into performance and growth:

Class Fill Rate

Shows how full your classes are on average

A healthy target is typically 70–85%

Low fill rate = revenue left unclaimed

High fill rate = opportunity to expand, adjust pricing, or restructure scheduling

Intro Offer Conversion Rate

Measures how many intro clients become long-term members

Small improvements make a big impact

Growth without additional marketing spend = ideal ROI

Membership Retention

Predictable, stable revenue starts with retention

If clients leave after 3–4 months, the issue is often experience

Retention reveals what’s working, what’s missing, and what deserves attention

Revenue by Service Category

Not all formats offer the same return

Privates, semi-privates, and group reformer each perform differently

Understanding this prevents scaling offerings that don’t support profit

Instructor Impact

Track fill rate, retention, and client feedback by instructor

This isn’t about comparison, it’s about support

Data offers clarity for coaching, recognition, and growth

At Bloom Analytics Collective, we help Pilates studio owners make calm, confident, data-informed decisions. With simple insights and judgment-free recommendations, you get a clear view of your studio’s performance and the next steps for growth

Book a free Discovery Call if you’d like to see what these metrics look like inside your studio