When Karen and Todd Spidare were looking for a new business venture, they put in significant effort researching various opportunities. In the end, they chose to purchase a Club Pilates franchise, which has over 600 studios across the country.
“We spoke with a number of franchises and really fell in love with their model,” explains Karen. “Club Pilates’ goal is to make Pilates more accessible so people can benefit from a regular practice.” Today, the couple owns three Club Pilates studios. One in Bridgewater, Flemington, and Princeton.
Pilates has been around for almost 100 years and was founded by Joseph Pilates. “It’s all about strengthening your core, so really every exercise engages and uses your core. When your core is strong, your whole body works better," says Karen.
Club Pilates classes utilize the Pilates Reformer and multiple other pieces of equipment at each member’s personal station. “A lot of people have been exposed to mat Pilates, but it’s actually harder because your muscles have to support your body weight as you’re working,” Karen explains. “Using the equipment is great for beginners because they are more supported. As you’re strengthening your core, you’re not straining your back. As you get stronger, the equipment can challenge and grow with you. It’s amazing.”
It’s based on a spring system using resistance, that's very low impact, so it’s easy on joints. The only things members have to bring with them are grip socks for traction and safety.
“We say it’s for everybody,” she says. “It can be a gentle way to exercise, but then there are advanced super challenging moves you can do as well.”
At Club Pilates, there are seven different types of small group classes. Members range in age from teenagers to seniors in their 80s.
“We’re a friendly environment, with small classes, and you always have an instructor to tell you what to do,” says Karen. “A lot of people are not comfortable going to the big gyms; they like a more intimate setting. We want everybody to feel that Club Pilates is a warm, welcoming place where you can really learn and be challenged. I want members to find their own power within themselves.”
For members who aren’t comfortable in a group environment, they can take private sessions with an instructor. Their exercises can be modified to what they’re specifically looking to strengthen. All of the instructors, including Karen, are comprehensively certified.
“We have over 20 instructors at our three studios and what our members say is, ‘Wow, every class and every instructor is unique. It always feels like a different workout and I just love that!’”
Of course, the studios are following all mandated guidelines to keep their staff and members safe. “Everyone has their own station with their own individual equipment, and the stations are at least six feet apart,” says Karen. “When members are done with their classes, they all sanitize their stations with sanitizing wipes, and we steam clean all the mats. When the new class arrives, those members come in one by one and we do temperature checks. Then, everyone goes to their station and cleans them again with soap and water. Masks are worn at all times.”
They also have a germicidal UV-C light system, which they lovingly call Medusa, because she turns on in the middle of the night and you can’t look at her lights. In addition, they use a disinfection fogger system and have changed all the air filters to follow the CDC guidelines for HVAC systems.
“We'd love for people to know that we have free introductory classes, so they can come in and experience the studio,” says Karen. “They can feel the class for themselves.” For more information visit clubpilates.com/bridgewater.