Is the Small Pilates Studio Dead?
That feeling of scarcity is real. You’re not imagining it—large Pilates studios are opening up everywhere. What used to be the norm of three or four reformers in a cozy, personalised space has turned into giant studios packed with 12, 15, or even 17 reformers.
With every grand opening, you do the math—how much money are they pulling in by running back-to-back classes all day? Twelve or more classes a day. Twelve or more reformers full. Meanwhile, you’re leading private sessions or intimate small groups of two to four. You start spiraling, crunching numbers, wondering how this shift affects your business.
And then the questions creep in:
— Do I need to buy more equipment?
— Should I hire more trainers?
— Do I have to reinvent my entire class model to stand out? (Spoiler: I did that, and yes, long-term, it was the right move.)
But here’s what happens when you really look at these big studios:
They’re constantly hiring. Turnover is high. Prices keep dropping as they try to stay competitive. Many are filling their reformers with ClassPass students who may never convert—because they have endless options of similar studios to bounce between.
Then, you start looking deeper at their finances. Rent. Payroll. Insurance. Booking system fees. Cleaning costs. Front desk salaries. Managers. Bookkeepers. Social media teams. Ads. Branded swag. The slice of the pie going to each of these roles keeps getting bigger, leaving less for the owner.
Meanwhile, your studio runs lean and efficient. Maybe it’s just you, or you have a trusted bookkeeper and someone to help with cleaning. If you do have employees, the overhead is still manageable. You don’t need a massive HR department or a long list of instructors on payroll.
And then there’s the most important piece: your clients.
Why Small Studios Still Matter (and Will Always Matter)
In a smaller studio, the connection is deeper.
You’re not just cueing movements; you’re witnessing your clients’ lives unfold—rehabbing injuries, navigating pregnancy, recovering from loss, celebrating wins. You are the constant for them, the one who knows their body, their progress, their story.
That personalisation is exactly why people choose private training or small group classes. They don’t want to be one of 15 in a fast-paced class, trying to keep up. They want to be seen, heard, and supported. They carve out time for their sessions because their relationship with movement matters—and they know you’re putting in the work to make them stronger, more capable, and more confident.
Less equipment also means less maintenance stress—no endless cycle of fixing broken footbars, replacing springs, or realigning straps that never seem to sit right. With fewer reformers, you actually notice what needs attention, both in your clients and your equipment.
This isn’t about big vs. small. It’s about experience vs. volume—like self-checkout at a store vs. having a sales associate walk you through every step.
The Small Studio Model Isn’t Dying—It’s Evolving.
Here’s why small studios not only survive but thrive:
— You Can Offer Something Unique
Small studios don’t have to get permission from a corporate franchise to introduce new equipment. Want to add FitSprings? Aerial work? Mobility-based sessions? Done. You can cater to specific clientele—post-rehab clients, active seniors, elite athletes—rather than serving the general public.
— You Build Stronger Communities
Your clients aren’t just faces in a crowd. They know you. You know them. Most likely, they came to you through referrals because your space feels safe, personal, and high-quality. That sense of belonging keeps retention rates high—something large studios struggle to achieve.
— You Have a Smaller Footprint, Lower Overhead
A small studio doesn’t need a massive lease or 2,000+ square feet to operate successfully. If you need to relocate, it’s much easier than uprooting a large-format business with a long-term lease.
— You Need Fewer Instructors (Less HR, Less Stress)
An average independent studio operates with three to five instructors, while franchises need 12 or more per location to run multiple daily classes. More staff = more overhead, more scheduling headaches, and more turnover. Keeping a lean team means better control and consistency.
Final Thoughts
Big studios will keep expanding, keep scaling, and keep trying to fit as many reformers as possible into their spaces. But there will always be demand for high-quality, personalized, small-group and private training.
As long as you focus on differentiation, deep client relationships, and high-touch service, your studio isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving.
Jill Harris, the visionary behind FitSprings, crafted this innovative approach to strength and stability training after her personal journey overcoming injuries and physical constraints. FitSprings uniquely combines assistance and resistance, ensuring minimal joint impact while promoting functional movement for individuals of all abilities.
Connect with Jill on Instagram at @jillharrispilates and @fitsprings or reach out to her directly for further details. Learn more about FitSprings for your business at www.fitsprings.com