Building a Healthier World: PersonalHour’s Pilates Mission
When you think about the future of the Pilates industry where do you see it heading?
We envision a future where Pilates is not just a niche practice but a universal language of wellness—a practice accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance. A better tomorrow for the Pilates industry means inclusivity, affordability, and collaboration. It means breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of this practice.
This vision is at the heart of PersonalHour’s journey. Our story is one of resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the Pilates community. With a mission to make high-quality Pilates equipment more accessible, we believe that PersonalHour has redefined the boundaries of affordability and innovation in the industry.
A mission with heart
PersonalHour started as a blog. Nadia, the founder, was passionate about health and wellness and the transformative power of taking a ‘personal hour’ for self-care. Over time, she realized how deeply Pilates touched her own life and how inaccessible it was to many due to the cost of equipment.. From her garage, alongside her father and husband, Nadia built the first PersonalHour reformer by hand, laying the foundation for what would become a community-focused brand.
Navigating the challenges of innovation
Creating accessible reformers was no small feat. Admittedly we faced plenty of challenges. From understanding the engineering behind the machines to sourcing raw materials and designing an efficient production process—every step was a learning curve. Even the brand’s first reformer is still undergoing process optimizations to balance affordability with quality.
Our philosophy has always been to prioritise quality and affordability over profit because our mission is about the community; it’s about making Pilates accessible to everyone. This commitment is evident in every product we release, from the adaptable Janet series for home users to the Nano Elite Plus line designed for professionals.
A Vision for the Pilates community
At our core, we believe that our mission aligns with the broader goals of the Pilates movement: to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Pilates is not just a workout; it’s a practice that harmonizes the body, mind, and soul. By making it more accessible, we’re helping transform Pilates from a niche activity into a mainstream practice as we’re now starting to see today.
We believe this shift benefits everyone. We’re already seeing the growth of at-home exercise. The Pilates studio environment will always play an important role, and despite the growth of at-home Pilates, we are seeing higher and higher demand on our studio machines, signaling only that the entire industry is growing, and not just shifting..
We need to cater to a diverse range of needs if we want our industry to continue to grow and thrive. For home users, the Janet and Nour models provide versatility and adaptability. For professionals, the Nano Elite Plus and the Cadillac Napolie series offer unmatched quality at competitive prices. We’ve designed our products to meet the demands of both individual practitioners and studio owners, ensuring that affordability doesn’t come at the expense of functionality or durability.
Driving Innovation in Pilates equipment
In many markets, smart Pilates equipment and software are becoming increasingly common. That’s why we’ve begun developing connected reformers and a content platform to elevate the user experience.
The PersonalHour app, set to launch in February 2025, will feature an expanding library of exercises, classes, how-to videos, and a dedicated community space for users to share their stories and experiences. Unlike many Pilates apps, the PersonalHour app will be completely free for all users of our equipment. We believe that if you’ve already invested in high-quality equipment, you shouldn’t have to pay extra for the content that helps you make the most of it.
Our goal is to make Pilates as commonplace as going to the gym. This vision goes beyond just growing the industry; it’s about improving people’s health and balance. As the industry evolves, we believe many of the major players will need to adjust their offerings to prioritize accessibility. We have different models for different needs, from smaller, to bigger, to wider, to softer and we allow for 'real' customisation to specification. We've had many users come to us with special requests and we help meet their needs.We aim to lead by example in this shift.
A call for unity in the Pilates Industry
Despite the often fragmented nature of our industry, we believe there is immense beauty in its diversity. By coming together, we have the opportunity to grow this remarkable practice and create a happier, healthier world. Our aspirations extend far beyond financial gain; they are rooted in contributing to the greater mission of making Pilates a way of life for more people.
In the end, it’s about creating value for our customers and the community. Pilates has the potential to bring balance and well-being to so many lives, and we’re honored to play a part in that journey.
To find out more about Personal Hour and how they could be the right fit for you visit here You can download the Personal Hour app here.
Nadia Yacoub, founder of PersonalHour, serial entrepreneur and ex-Amazon, McAffee, and the Linux Foundation, that combines her background in product, technology, and health to make Pilates more accessible and promote wellness through high-quality reformers at low prices.
Joseph Shomali, Growth Director at PersonalHour, drives strategic expansion and innovation, leveraging his expertise in product, technology, and marketing to make Pilates accessible to all.