Pilates Day is only two months away (May 7th) and we all need to get into tabletop and start pumping! Pilates Day serves as an opportunity to bring the benefits of Pilates to the masses. It is only a matter of time before everyone is practicing Pilates. Wouldn’t you like to say you played a role in bringing Pilates to your community? Now is your chance.

What is Pilates Day?

Pilates Day is an annual community event celebrated on the first Saturday of May throughout the world. The focus of Pilates Day is to cultivate awareness about the Pilates Method. This is achieved through Pilates events that are made accessible and affordable to local communities. These events most often include free Pilates Mat classes.  Pilates Day is a program of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and events are produced and hosted by PMA members.

Free Pilates?! Is This Good for Business? Yes!

A free day of Pilates may seem like a strange idea but the benefits are many.

By hosting a Pilates Day event, you will build goodwill within your community, create networking opportunities, be part of a formally organized, international celebration and as a result gain new clients. What’s better than that?

Offering free classes is a great way to introduce your community to Pilates and gain publicity through your event. Once people are in the door, you can demonstrate the benefits of Pilates and the other offerings at your studio.  This is a great time to up sell new and current clients.

The PMA makes hosting a Pilates Day event easy. As a PMA member you will have access to their electronic Pilates Day Kit™. The kit includes artwork for marketing collateral, the PMA Pilates Day logo, sample advertisements, press releases, production time lines and the resources for production. The kit allows you to participate whole heartily without the worry of “Am I doing it right?”

What Will You Offer on Pilates Day?

The possibilities are endless when it comes to hosting your Pilates Day event. This is your time to show why your studio is the best place to practice Pilates. Here are just a few ideas:

• Partner with your local community center and invite the different groups there to take a break from their regular activities and try a Pilates class.
• Reach out to special interest groups such a Senior Citizens, Teens, Surfers, Musicians, you name it! Whoever makes up your community! Everyone can benefit from the core building and mental focus that Pilates provides.
• Do you have access to a local park? Host a Paw-lates class! Encourage dog lovers to try a Pilates class with their pet. And of course, invite attendees to check out your studio when Fido is at home.
• Generate sales on Pilates Day by offering special discounts that day only. It worked for APOGEE Pilates & Wellness Centers in Westchester, NY! Attractive offers are hard to pass up. By showing the value of Pilates with a free class, the discounted offer is sure to bring in sales.
• Provide attendees with a small gift bag including a free pass to come back to your studio.
• Hold a raffle for attendees to enter for a special prize featuring private Pilates training or other studio offerings. If you offer massage, a Workout and Relax prize would be a great option.

What will your event look like? Here are pictures from last year’s Pilates Day. http://www.pilatesmethodalliance.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=115966

Here at Pilates-Pro, we are committed to provide the tools for success in the Pilates Industry. We hope to inspire you to bring Pilates to your part of the world.  

To join the PMA, click here: http://www.pilatesmethodalliance.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=112962

Already a PMA member? Sign up to host a Pilates Day event by clicking here: https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=pima&formId=76327

As the winter chill eases, there is a sense of renewal that sets in with spring. A time for new beginnings is upon us and Pilates-Pro is your partner. This month we will be posting articles about ways to wake up your business. Look for ideas on hosting Pilates Day, partnering with local businesses, and insight from a master trainer and industry leaders.  

May these articles serve as seeds to help “sprout” new clients for you.

Happy Spring!