More Than Movement: Empowering People to Live in a Body They Love
When the world came to a sudden halt in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fitness studios everywhere were forced to close their doors overnight. For many Pilates instructors, this meant pivoting rapidly to online teaching to maintain connection with their communities. For Maghan Fittler, however, it sparked a revolutionary idea that would change not only her business but also how Pilates could be accessed and experienced worldwide.
Maghan is the creator of a unique movement approach that blends the best of Classic Pilates with corrective exercise and functional strength training. “We’re not just teaching exercises; we’re empowering people to live in a body they love,” she says. This philosophy is the foundation of her digital platform, Pilates Project, which has rapidly grown into a global Pilates family.
Her style is a purposeful fusion designed to prepare the body for the real demands of life. “While we deeply respect and honor the foundations of Classic Pilates—the precision, the control, the breath—we also recognize the incredible advancements in movement science and the evolving needs of modern bodies,” Maghan explains. Her programming offers a diverse range of classes—from the pure essence of Classic Pilates to contemporary flows, integrated strength challenges, and Barre-inspired workouts. “Variety is key. We want our members to truly find what resonates with their bodies, their goals, and their mood on any given day.”
Maghan’s journey into Pilates was fuelled by a lifelong love of movement. Before stepping onto the Pilates mat, she was an avid soccer player and cheerleader, and later worked as a personal trainer and aerobics instructor. But it was Pilates, with its precise attention to body mechanics and movement quality, that captured her curiosity and heart. “After gaining my certification in 2010, I wanted to understand the ‘why’ behind the exercises—how Pilates could help with injury rehab, pain management, and improving functional movement,” she recalls.
Her professional practice was further shaped by a decade spent co-owning an allied health business specializing in chronic disease and injury rehabilitation with her husband. This clinical experience gave her invaluable insight into the therapeutic power of Pilates. “Much of my early teaching was clinical Pilates, working with a wide range of patients. It instilled in me a deep commitment to addressing movement dysfunction, empowering people to move without pain, and ensuring they truly benefited from every exercise,” she says. This led to her signature style—an intelligent blend of classic Pilates, corrective exercise, and functional strength training, designed to build resilient bodies ready for real life.
The pandemic lockdown was a pivotal moment. Like many instructors, Maghan initially moved her classes online, offering free live Zoom sessions and pre-recorded workouts to stay connected with her local studio members. “I was truly amazed by the response. People from all corners of the globe were dialling in to take a class. It was an incredible, unexpected expansion of our community and a testament to the universal appeal of Pilates,” she says.
Even after lockdown eased and studios reopened, the demand for online classes persisted—especially from interstate and international clients who had connected with her teaching remotely. This persistent request planted the seed for Pilates Project, an app-based platform that offers anyone, anywhere access to expert-led Reformer and Mat Pilates classes. “Pilates Project was born from a desire to break down barriers and make Pilates accessible to all,” Maghan explains. “It aligned perfectly with my belief in empowering individuals through movement.”
Running a digital Pilates business, however, has its challenges. “One of the hardest parts is building and maintaining genuine engagement in a virtual space,” Maghan says. “Replicating the immediate feedback, the energy of a live studio, and hands-on adjustments requires intentional, consistent effort.” To meet this challenge, Pilates Project places great emphasis on instructor creativity and community. “We encourage our world-class team to bring their unique perspectives and passions to their classes, which keeps the programming fresh and meaningful.”
Maghan also stresses that the success of her program comes down to the importance of progressive overload and personalized feedback to ensure members see tangible results. “We actively listen to our community’s feedback and data—what they enjoy, what they find challenging, and the results they’re seeing. It’s a collaborative effort to continually enhance their Pilates journey,” she says.
Looking to the future, Maghan is excited about several groundbreaking initiatives. Most recently, she launched Pilates StudioConnect™, a global partnership with Peak Pilates that combines professional-grade reformers with an intelligent instruction system to turn any space into a 24/7 premium Pilates studio. “Imagine a world where a premium Reformer Pilates session is available anytime—without the constraints of studio hours or instructor availability. That world is now a reality,” she says enthusiastically. For facility owners, this means transforming underutilized spaces into revenue-generating assets during off-peak hours, all with zero additional instructor costs.
In addition, Pilates Project is developing localized content to better serve its growing global community. “We’re exploring ways to tailor content by region, including additional languages, culturally relevant programming, and attire,” Maghan shares. Another exciting project in development is an Instructor Subscription Tier aimed at supporting Pilates teachers’ professional growth and mastery. “We deeply value instructors and want to empower them as much as we empower our members.”
Maghan also sees the role of Pilates evolving dramatically in women’s wellness and strength training over the next few years. “Fitness is no longer just about aesthetics. Women are seeking movement practices that build physical strength, reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and foster body awareness,” she explains. Pilates, with its mind-body connection and joint-friendly approach, is uniquely positioned to meet these needs.
“The outdated ‘no pain, no gain’ mentality is shifting to a sustainable, balanced approach,” she says. “Pilates targets stabilising muscles often neglected in traditional strength training, leading to a more resilient, functional physique.” The accessibility offered by digital platforms like Pilates Project will continue to break down barriers and bring these benefits to women worldwide.
For Maghan, Pilates is about much more than physical exercise. It’s about creating a global community of empowered individuals who love their bodies and the movement that supports them. “Our goal is to invite everyone into this movement family, to find joy, strength, and confidence through Pilates. We're not just teaching exercises; we're empowering people to live in a body they love,” she says.
Maghan is an expert Pilates instructor, nutritionist and women's health advocate, igniting transformation from Austin, Texas. With 24 years in movement and 15 in Pilates, this classically trained "Texas girl" has a signature style of rhythm, fluidity, and fire that empowers women to "Live in a Body You Love." As the founder of Pilates Project and a global industry leader, her expertise in innovative programming and instruction is world-renowned.
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