Finding the perfect location for your Pilates studio

As the saying goes, there are three golden rules for your new studio: location, location, location. 

That may work pretty well as a popular TV catchphrase, but we’re guessing that you’ll need a few more specifics when identifying the perfect site for your new Studio Pilates. In fact, studio location and build-out are questions that crop up regularly in our webinars and initial chats with potential franchisees.

So, here’s a short guide on how to go about finding the best possible site for your new studio, and getting it action ready.

Finding the perfect site

Although you reserve your territory at the very start of your franchise journey, your property search will only kick off once you’re approved as a Franchisee.

In many countries, we take care of all this for you in-house so that it’s totally seamless. In others, you can either conduct the search yourself using our approved property guidelines or, use one of our professional 3rd party service providers to find your property and negotiate your rent with the landlord. Although there is a fee for a professional service we strongly recommend this route, as a good negotiator can save you tens of thousands of dollars and reduce your cost of entry, making back that cost many times over.

Even before looking at the interior of your chosen space, you need to consider the surrounding area, the immediate vicinity and the external aspects.

• What are the demographics of the neighbourhood, will it be a good source of clients for your studio?

• Check out the neighbouring tenancies, whether there are vacancies, whether there are any direct competitors in the immediate vicinity. Are there major retailers nearby that will bring footfall and exposure?

• Does the site have direct external access, visibility from the street and signage opportunities? Is there parking for clients, how close, how many spaces? Is there access to nearby public transport systems so that non-drivers can reach you with ease?

• Are there conveniently located toilet facilities for clients? If not you’ll need to factor these into your studio layout.

• Are there restrictions for hours of trade?

A typical studio operates from a 120 – 200 sqm (1300 - 2150 sq. ft.) location, which is visible, accessible and offers parking, located near our key demographic of 25 – 65-year-old females + 35- 65-year-old males.

What about the design?

Of course, we will supply specifications and plans to build out your studio - all of this is provided along your journey. But some of the aspects of the site itself that you’ll need to consider are; the overall floorplan and ceiling heights, whether there are any internal features that could affect the layout, such as AC unit position or firehoses, and whether there is sufficient width of access for Reformers.

The aim of the design and layout of Studio Pilates International studios is to maximise the workout space while still creating a welcoming space for clients to enter and one that is easy to move about. All studios will follow similar layouts. A reception and waiting/merchandise area, leading into a workout space with team rooms and client facilities adjacent.

Standards are vital and we are very prescriptive. The essential elements are:

• A pre-class waiting area

• Reception desk

• TV's displaying in-house promotions

• Our hand crafted, custom made reformers

• TV's displaying the workouts

• Cabinet for audio visual hardware & storage

The design begins with understanding how many reformers can be placed in the space. With set distances to be factored in between each reformer, there will always be a finite amount of reformers that can be put into a space.  The width of tenancies also directs the layout of the studios. Longer narrower tenancies will have one long row of reformers. Whereas wider tenancies will fit two rows of reformers opposite each other.

Setting minimum acceptable distances between each reformer and rows of reformers ensures the client's use of the reformers are not impeded by their neighbours.

Once the workout space and number of reformers is confirmed the rest of the studio is designed around it, including a reception and waiting area, a team room, storage and toilets.

All other elements of the studio design are compliant with building codes of the country and region in which the studio is located, plus landlord specific requirements, such as fire systems, emergency exits and HVAC systems.

What’s the process?

Even if the thought of finding a location and managing the build-out is daunting, there’s no need to worry.  Our team will help you in the site selection and lease negotiation to find the ideal site for your Studio Pilates studio. And once your location has been found, we'll guide you through the entire site buildout process from approved layout and general construction to interior design, music and technology.

We have relationships with specialists who can help, or you can use your own preferred suppliers and contacts.

We always recommend that you seek a few construction quotes in your city to get the most professional help at the right price, but it is important that it is always to the standards and specifications that we’ll provide for you.

The typical timeframe for a fit-out is often led by the longest part of the process which is ordering reformers and organising an instructor training course to run in your new studio.  All going well you could potentially be up and running in 4-6 months.

So what next? 

If you’re interested in a Studio Pilates Franchise and would like to know more, call us or email us on - Joinus@studiopilates.com -  and have an initial discussion with our Franchise Team. We can answer any questions you may have and advise you on the next steps to take to start your journey.

Read more blogs about opening a Pilates Studio here. Or click the button below to apply for an info pack.