Creating a Pilates Community Where Everyone Belongs
There are those who create their own Pilates movement style, but then there are those who create a very special kind of community where every member feels seen, heard, celebrated, and loved. That’s what Robin Long set out to do when she created her very first YouTube videos, designed to launch a 21-day Pilates challenge—at a time when online challenges weren’t the norm.
Robin sat down to share her journey with The Pilates Journal and give us an insight into what makes her Lindywell community so unique. 2025 also marks 10 years of membership for the Lindywell community, a testament to its impact and growth.
Making Pilates More Accessible
Robin’s story began with a simple but powerful idea: to make Pilates more accessible. As a new mum, she found that committing to 1 to 1.5 hours of Pilates training a day felt unattainable. “I wanted to bring Pilates to more people in an accessible way,” said Robin.
Ahead of her time, Robin recognised that exercise was about far more than body image or weight loss. “I always felt that we needed to remove the aesthetic focus and give ourselves grace over guilt. Through Pilates, I connected with my body in new ways, and I started to develop a new relationship with it—I felt stronger,” she said.
“Sure, I went to the gym and exhausted myself, but it wasn’t working. When I did Pilates, I felt the transformation—I felt calmer, less stressed, encouraged. And soon, I realised I could help others feel the same way. Sometimes, I felt like a therapist! At the end of the day, I just wanted people to show up for themselves and recognise how hard they were being on themselves.”
From Burnout to Building a Community
In the early days, Robin was working long hours and could feel I was close to burnout. “My husband was in grad school, and I was trying to build my client base. I started blogging and tweeting—yes, tweeting at the time!—doing everything I could to stay relevant and engaging with my audience.”
“As my audience grew, I grew with them. I was coaching some of them five to six times a week. We became a family.”
So how has Lindywell stayed relevant and engaging over the years?
“I’ve always been open to evolving with different mediums. I’ve always listened to feedback and found ways to adapt our memberships. We’ve evolved from a blog to a website to a branded app, and now we’re exploring how AI can help our members even more.”
What Sets Lindywell Apart?
“I don’t see myself as an influencer—I stay true to Pilates, Pilates education, and the community I support.”
“I’m also my audience. I’m a teacher, a guide. I’m in the struggle just like my audience. I use a lot of ‘we’ language because I am essentially my community.”
“I think it’s important that we show up as ourselves.”
“Sure, I’ve had to learn personal boundaries, especially since I’m the face of the brand, but I also have to make space for myself and my family.”
The Power of Pilates Mat Work
One of the biggest misconceptions about Pilates, according to Robin, is that it has to be done on equipment. “I teach everything Pilates on the mat. I love educating people about the power of Pilates mat work. Our members often start with the matwork and then gain the courage to try a reformer class. They tell me how it gave them the confidence to walk into a studio. And when they get there, instructors can tell they already have a solid understanding of Pilates fundamentals.”
“That being said, you don’t have to go to a specific place. In my view, you can get all the benefits of Pilates on the mat.”
The Most Rewarding Part of the Journey
“The most rewarding thing is seeing women go through a transformation—when they finally believe they can do Pilates. Many of our members tell me they never felt equipped to walk into a studio. Then, one day, they share that they’ve done 1,000 days of Pilates, something they never thought possible. That’s incredible to witness.”
The Challenges of Scaling a Business
“Sure, I’ve had challenges—building and scaling a team is one of them. I’ve worn many hats: CEO, HR, IT, operations, you name it. I’m also the brand. Task-switching isn’t always easy, and finding people who fit our values has been challenging. But we are an all-women team, which I’m incredibly proud of—except for my husband, of course!”
Advice for Pilates Entrepreneurs
“Build your community first. Believe in the power of your community. It takes consistency and showing up when most people won’t. It’s about genuine connection—turning up even when no one else does. I remember years ago hosting a zero-sugar challenge, and no one showed up. But I kept going.
“Consistency and belief in what you’re doing are key.”
“You need to create a genuine community connection. I’ve always been honest. I have a responsibility to say true things. People want quick fixes, but that’s not real. I understand the importance of trust—that’s why our community stays.”
The Future of the Pilates Industry
“I believe we’ll see even more access to resources and information. Instructors will add value by helping people put all the pieces together. That’s where we can truly make a difference.”
“There will be more mentors, guides, and educators. People will continue to need support. We help connect the dots. We synthesise information and make it more meaningful.”
“I still believe community will play a role both in person and virtually. The digital space will move faster, and consumers will expect greater quality. We’re looking at how we can create a more personalised app experience and reach a wider audience interested in health and fitness.”
Exciting Trends and Industry Changes
“I’m excited about breathwork and how it connects to Pilates, and also learning more about our nervous system regulation. The more we understand, the more we can help others. It’s incredible how these trends come back to Pilates—it truly stands the test of time.”
One Thing Robin Would Change
“I want to see more collaboration. I want to bring more people into Pilates.”
Robin Long has built more than just a Pilates platform—she’s created a movement that empowers, uplifts, and transforms lives. With her dedication to accessibility, community, and authenticity, Lindywell continues to prove that Pilates is for everyone.
Robin Long is the founder and CEO of Lindywell—a global wellness platform that provides efficient and effective Pilates workouts and mind-body wellness tools to help women build strength and take control of their health. As a certified Pilates instructor, she believes in a guilt-free, balanced approach to health and fitness and is passionate about dispelling myths and changing the narrative that keeps women stuck in a cycle of guilt, shame, and inaction as it relates to their wellbeing. She lives in sunny Santa Barbara, California, with her husband, Matt, and their four children.