EPISODE 1
Finding the Words: How to Differentiate your Pilates Studio
The word Pilates means different things to different people. For some, it’s a crowded studio of reformers moving in sync-like choreography. For others, it’s something quieter, more precise, and deeply personal. That divide creates both opportunity and confusion for those prospective Pilates clients so important to Pilates studio owners everywhere.
In this episode, David Gunther is joined by Carla Ricalis, Co-founder and Director of Studio³ in Toronto. Carla’s Pilates journey spans decades and continents, from her early certification with Moira Stott in the 1990’s, to launching training centres across North America and Europe, to running her own thriving, fully equipped Pilates studio.
Together, David and Carla explore:
- Why the language we use to describe Pilates matters more than ever
- The differences between boutique studios and big-box franchises
- Whether terms like clinical, personalised, or fully equipped capture the value of small studios
- How instructors can communicate their difference without losing the heart of Pilates
EPISODE 2
Improving your Pilates Studio Business Model
Independent Pilates studios face unique pressures today.
On one side are the big-box gyms with their high-volume reformer classes. On the other, medical rehab models, as part of the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.
In between, studio owners are asking: how do we stand apart while staying true to our unique heart and part of Pilates?
In this second conversation with Carla Ricalis, Co-Founder and Director of Studio³ in Toronto, we explore the realities of running a Pilates studio in a shifting marketplace.
EPISODE 3
Building a Pilates Instructor Culture Through Systems and Trust
In this third and final part of our conversation with professional Pilates instructor Carla Ricalis, we explore how systems transform not just the running of a Pilates studio, but the experience of instructors and clients alike.
Carla and David share candid lessons from failures, the importance of trust and accountability, and how structure creates more freedom for instructors to thrive.
If you’re a Pilates studio owner looking to strengthen your instructor team and scale with confidence, this episode will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why systems are essential for both efficiency and freedom in a Pilates studio.
- How to build a trust-based instructor culture without micromanaging.
- Lessons learned from failures in instructor development during COVID.
- The power of structured mentoring and in-house workshops for professional growth.
- How tiered pricing and incentives can align instructors, clients, and studio success.