Studio business
Adding reformers to a gym
The short answer
A gym adding reformers needs a dedicated enclosed space, six to eight machines to make class economics work, and instructors who are certified specifically for reformer teaching. Placing reformers on an open gym floor consistently underperforms.
It needs its own room
Reformer classes on an open gym floor fail predictably. The population that wants reformer Pilates is often not the population comfortable on a gym floor, and the noise and sightlines of an open space undermine the class experience.
An enclosed studio of 700–900 square feet holding six to eight machines is the configuration that works.
The economics differ from a standalone studio
A gym has a membership base already, so acquisition cost for the first classes is close to zero. That is the main advantage, and it means a reformer room can reach viability far faster than a standalone studio.
The usual model is a surcharge on top of membership or a separate class pack. Including reformer classes in general membership tends to fill the room with members who value it less than the people who would pay separately.
- Enclosed room, 700–900 sq ft
- Six to eight matched machines
- Reformer-specific instructor certification, not general group fitness
- Surcharge or class pack rather than inclusion in base membership
- Cap classes at eight to keep teaching quality viable
Staffing is the usual failure point
A group fitness instructor cannot teach reformer safely without reformer-specific training. Gyms that staff the room with existing instructors after a short internal course generate injuries and complaints.
Budget for properly certified teachers, or sponsor existing staff through a full certification before opening the room.
Sizing the first order
Six identical machines reaches the 15% quantity tier, which on a typical order is several thousand dollars — usually enough to cover the accessories for every station.
Standardizing also matters more in a gym setting, where instructors rotate more than in a small studio and consistency between machines reduces the teaching burden.
Frequently asked questions
- How many reformers does a gym need?
- Six to eight in a dedicated room. Fewer makes class economics difficult; more needs a larger space than most gyms can allocate.
- Can reformers go on the main gym floor?
- It consistently underperforms. The audience for reformer classes often is not comfortable on an open gym floor, and noise and sightlines undermine the class.
- Should reformer classes be included in membership?
- Usually better as a surcharge or class pack. Inclusion fills the room with members who value it less than those who would pay separately.
- Can our group fitness instructors teach reformer?
- Not without reformer-specific certification. A short internal course is not adequate preparation and generates injuries and complaints.