Quote: Community as a Retention Tool
What happened
"You need high lead volume, but you also need a community that makes people want to stay," said STRONG Pilates CEO Michael Ramsey. He described community building as a foundational business principle, alongside a process of making “continuous 1% improvements” to the client experience each quarter.
Why it matters
- Franchise models like Club Pilates, which has over 1,000 locations, and corporate-owned chains like Solidcore, with around 130 studios, demonstrate two distinct paths for multi-studio expansion. Solidcore's growth is being accelerated by a $325 million credit facility secured in February 2025. - Analyzing booking data to optimize class schedules can increase a studio's revenue by 15-20% in as little as six months. Studios that regularly monitor and adjust their schedules based on attendance numbers, instructor popularity, and client feedback tend to have higher profit margins. - Creating clear career pathways for instructors is a key retention strategy during expansion; potential roles include studio manager, teacher trainer, or workshop presenter. Instructors with specialty certifications, such as pre- or post-natal training, can increase their earning potential by 15-20%. - The target demographic of young professionals is driving significant changes in fitness; Millennials and Gen Z now account for 80% of all gym-goers. This group prioritizes holistic health, integrating mental and physical wellbeing, and 72% of Gen Z exercisers use a hybrid model of in-gym and at-home workouts. - The transition from owner-operator to multi-unit leader often requires hiring studio managers with a strong background in sales to drive growth and revenue. Job postings for boutique fitness manager roles frequently list 2+ years of fitness sales experience as a requirement. - In the UK, 68% of employees aged 25-34 place a greater emphasis on their wellbeing now than in the past, opening opportunities for corporate wellness partnerships. Providing corporate wellness programs is a recognized career option for experienced Pilates instructors. - Boutique studio members in Europe spend, on average, €110-€125 per month, compared to the €40-€60 spent by members of conventional gyms, underscoring the high value placed on specialized and community-centric experiences. - Successful operational playbooks, such as that of Solidcore, ensure a uniform client experience across all locations by standardizing class formats, movement sequences, and using proprietary reformer-style machines.
Key numbers
- He described community building as a foundational business principle, alongside a process of making “continuous 1% improvements” to the client experience each quarter.
- - Franchise models like Club Pilates, which has over 1,000 locations, and corporate-owned chains like Solidcore, with around 130 studios, demonstrate two distinct paths for multi-studio expansion.
- Solidcore's growth is being accelerated by a $325 million credit facility secured in February 2025.
- Analyzing booking data to optimize class schedules can increase a studio's revenue by 15-20% in as little as six months.
What happens next
- The target demographic of young professionals is driving significant changes in fitness; Millennials and Gen Z now account for 80% of all gym-goers.
Quick answers
What happened in Quote: Community as a Retention Tool?
"You need high lead volume, but you also need a community that makes people want to stay," said STRONG Pilates CEO Michael Ramsey. He described community building as a foundational business principle, alongside a process of making “continuous 1% improvements” to the client experience each quarter.
Why does Quote: Community as a Retention Tool matter?
Franchise models like Club Pilates, which has over 1,000 locations, and corporate-owned chains like Solidcore, with around 130 studios, demonstrate two distinct paths for multi-studio expansion. Solidcore's growth is being accelerated by a $325 million credit facility secured in February 2025. Analyzing booking data to optimize class schedules can increase a studio's revenue by 15-20% in as little as six months. Studios that regularly monitor and adjust their schedules based on attendance numbers, instructor popularity, and client feedback tend to have higher profit margins. Creating clear career pathways for instructors is a key retention strategy during expansion; potential roles include studio manager, teacher trainer, or workshop presenter. Instructors with specialty certifications, such as pre- or post-natal training, can increase their earning potential by 15-20%. The target demographic of young professionals is driving significant changes in fitness; Millennials and Gen Z now account for 80% of all gym-goers. This group prioritizes holistic health, integrating mental and physical wellbeing, and 72% of Gen Z exercisers use a hybrid model of in-gym and at-home workouts. The transition from owner-operator to multi-unit leader often requires hiring studio managers with a strong background in sales to drive growth and revenue. Job postings for boutique fitness manager roles frequently list 2+ years of fitness sales experience as a requirement. In the UK, 68% of employees aged 25-34 place a greater emphasis on their wellbeing now than in the past, opening opportunities for corporate wellness partnerships. Providing corporate wellness programs is a recognized career option for experienced Pilates instructors. Boutique studio members in Europe spend, on average, €110-€125 per month, compared to the €40-€60 spent by members of conventional gyms, underscoring the high value placed on specialized and community-centric experiences. Successful operational playbooks, such as that of Solidcore, ensure a uniform client experience across all locations by standardizing class formats, movement sequences, and using proprietary reformer-style machines.
