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Studio owners often think they need a new trend, new machine, or new offer to stand out. In this episode, Raphael and Heath argue the opposite. They explain why the studios that win are not the ones chasing novelty. They are the ones with a clear style, a consistent client experience, and a team that delivers the same standard every time. They also unpack the difference between running a food hall, where every instructor does their own thing under one roof. And running a restaurant, where the whole team delivers one clear product, as a team. If your studio feels inconsistent, vulnerable to staff turnover, or harder to grow than it should, this episode is for you. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

This lecture was delivered live for our Diploma of Clinical Pilates. You'll also find it as a video on YouTube if you want to see the visuals. Here's the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/UATwStlLVWI Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Short answer - mostly not. But in a few cases, yes. I delve into a better way to think about contrainidications, and working with people with pain, injury and chronic conditions. Links: Brinjikji et al. 2015a - disc bulge is highly prevalent in pain-free people hereBrinjikji et al. 2015b - disc bulge is slightly MORE prevalent in people with back pain herePainful exercises are slightly BETTER than non-painful exercises for people with chronic pain here Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Why I don't believe there is a better definition of a good instructor than a full class of strong clients. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

This is for instructors AND studio owners. It's the exact troubleshooting process I use to help studio owners fill their classes - based on the best practices of 100+ studios I've seen the numbers for, and what's working right now for the 30+ studios I currently work with. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Many Pilates instructors make the same mistake when introducing an exercise: they give too much information. Instead of helping clients move, long explanations overwhelm them and nothing sticks. In this episode, we explore the difference between explaining and teaching, and why fewer, simpler cues often lead to better movement and faster learning. If you want clients to actually do the exercise well, this mindset shift is essential. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

While we can adapt Pilates to the laws of physiology, we cannot change the definition of technical words like "strength" just to fit a specific teaching style or Pilates philosophy. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Nathan makes the case that instructors should take 100% responsibility for filling our classes. If our attendance is low,we should see that as a personal indicator that something in the experience or connection is missing. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

A common mistake is assuming that two Pilates exercises are the same just because they look identical. However, the actual "exercise" depends on where the load and force are being applied. Nerd out with us. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Studios hire Pilates instructors to fill classes with happy clients. If your instructors' classes are not full, by definition are not good at their job - yet. As a studio owner, it's your job to help them become good! Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Every Pilates exercise trains strength, range of motion, and skill. We explore how to progress your clients intelligently by adjusting one dimension at a time to build capacity, clarity, and confidence in movement. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Special shout out to Adam McAtee for this post Citations in these episodes: ep 278 Does Pilates strengthen your little muscles?ep 216 Why knowing which muscles are working in a movement is a waste of timeep 160 Can we even feel muscles activating? Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Dallas Noerdlinger (Core Pilates, Oklahoma City) shares why she sold 50% of her studio during pregnancy, what changed in the business and culture, and how she bought it back. We talk boutique vs franchise positioning, keeping instructors happy, managing owner overwhelm, and the “unlimited membership” + waitlist problem—plus practical fixes for capacity, pricing, and schedule structure. Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

The most useful kind of body awareness is mostly unconscious and automatic control, like a cat. This is built through practice, not narration. Links: Glute activation drills increase perception but not actual glute activation hereEpisode 160 "Can we even feel muscles activating?" here Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Studies mentioned in this episode: 2025 longitudinal study finds text neck is not associated with future neck pain here2023 systematic review of interventions for neck pain finds strengthening works here2017 Chen et al. systematic review finds neck strengthening is the most effective intervention for workplace neck pain - more effective than posture or ergonomic advice here Mentioned in this episode: Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studio This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy