Hey friends.
This June email is coming a little bit later than usual. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t want to send you another email full of meaningful words and no actions. As I read and listen and learn more about race, equality and equity, I’ve been profoundly drawn to reassess my own business model and find clarity on what it is I’m really doing here and why.
I’ve been in the Pilates/Yoga/Stretch world for 12 years. In that time, the Yoga Alliance has maintained a strong dedication to continuing ed, diversity and inclusion. The YA has continually pushed the narrative that yoga is for EVERYONE, regardless of race, heritage, religion, or economics. They have continually promoted instructors of all backgrounds and varieties in a bid to stay true to their message. Over the years, we’ve seen yoga incorporated into nearly every fitness program from $5 rec center classes to elementary school classrooms to luxury gyms and big ticket fitness programs. Literally everyone knows what yoga is and has some experience with it, whether it’s personal experience or 2nd hand knowledge.
Pilates, on the other hand, has maintained a very exclusive and illusive persona. Take a minute and think about what you know about Pilates and who practices Pilates. Did you draw a blank on the exercises and immediately picture tall, thin, high pony tail and expensive leggings?
Today, I spent some time researching the demographics of Pilates, mostly out of curiosity and also as a way to collect data to help guide my studio.
Here’s what I found. Per a Pilates Method Alliance study done in 2016,
- 96% of Pilates students are female
- 80% of Pilates students have a Bachelor’s degree or higher
- 45% of Pilates students have a household income of $100k or higher
- Group Mat classes cost on average $20/hr
- Group Reformer classes cost on average $25-$35/hr
- Private sessions run $75-$150/hr
Y’all, that is a far cry from $5 yoga classes at the rec and right on the money for Lululemon.
Interestingly enough, I couldn’t find any information on the cultural/ethnic/racial breakdown on who practices Pilates. However, there were multiple articles that popped up discussing the overwhelming lack of diversity in Pilates.
So what does this even mean and why does it matter?
I started this studio as a way to carve out a tiny safe space for women like me, women who don’t meet the usual Pilates stereotype. Brown women, black women, native women, white women, short women, tall women, curvy women, women without a lot of discretionary income, women new to self care, women who needed a safe space to workout and resource themselves so they can take on the world, and Men! Guys- I’m not leaving you out. Men are an overwhelming minority in Pilates.
My mission still stands. My studio is a safe place for people of all shapes, sizes and colors to exercise, practice self care and take care of themselves so they can take care of the world.
My pricing however, has got to change. Right now, current prices are aligned w/ the industry average for private Pilates sessions…$75/hr. But again, if we look at those stats, that $75/hr price tag is overwhelming geared towards high income individuals.
When compared to the 2018 CO demographics, which states that the average female in Colorado makes $35,000/year, pricing makes Pilates inaccessible to almost all of the population. And that’s not what I’m after, at all.
I’ve decided to break w/ industry standard and offer sessions at a rate that is more accessible to more of the population.
28 sessions a month (half of my current availability) will be offered at more equitable pricing.
Sundays 8am-12noon
Tuesdays 1pm-5pm
$37.50 45 min stretch session
$37.50 45 min private Pilates
$225/6 45-min Pilates sessions
As usual, this is a non-tip studio, so full price is as listed.
If this price or the hours are still out of your range, please talk to me!
Zoom sessions are available if you prefer to workout at home.
All other days of the week will maintain regular pricing which will in turn help me continue to offer equitable pricing.
As always, thank you guys for your open and candid conversations the last few weeks. I hope you have found peace in your Pilates practice and that the work you do to help maintain your physical and mental well being has enabled you to keep doing the big work you’re doing out in the world.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Rubecca
Black Lives Matter. Mitakuye Oyasin. We are all one.