Airdrie residents can now attend reformer Pilates classes without having to leave the city. Two new studios opened in September, after two entrepreneurs saw a need for the low-impact, total-body exercise in Airdrie.
Sarah West, born and raised in Airdrie, took a chance on a dream and established West Reformer Pilates, following a career teaching dance. The studio is located in King’s Heights and has been very successful since opening, she says.
“I feel really excited about the community that we’re building here and just being a safe space for everybody to be able to come, no matter what fitness level or time of life they’re at,” says West. “We’re hoping to foster a very inclusive community here so that everybody feels welcome.”
The studio has 12 reformers and offers group fitness classes. Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that’s beneficial for many reasons and is suitable for people of all ages and body types, says West. A reformer machine allows for resistance and helps with mobility, flexibility and strength.
West Reformer Pilates offers a variety of class styles, including fusion classes, which offer a blend of Pilates and other exercises, like yoga and cardio. The studio has drop-in classes, as well as monthly passes and 10-class punch passes.
Groups can book the studio for private events, as well, whether it’s for a team-building event or to celebrate a birthday or bachelorette party, West says. The non-heated studio has five core values written on the wall to motivate members: welcoming, well-being, willingness, worthy and wonder.
“Truthfully, I think everybody should try Pilates,” says West. “The low-impact way of moving your body and increasing your flexibility and mobility just dramatically changes everyday tasks.”
Reformed Pilates is also new to Airdrie. The heated studio is located in Bayside and brings a different style of Pilates to the community.
Jessica Drybrough opened the studio after successfully opening three studios in Calgary in just one year. She says people were driving to Calgary from Airdrie to attend classes, which prompted her to bring her business to town.
“We really fell in love with the community feel in Airdrie and just decided to go for it,” says Drybrough. “The response from the community has been really, overwhelmingly great.”
More than 300 memberships were sold before the doors even opened, she says. The studio offers a contemporary style of reformer Pilates, featuring flow-based classes with less stopping and starting than traditional Pilates. It’s heated to 30 degrees, which is beneficial for detoxing and warming up the body.
“There’s no added humidity. It feels like a cozy hug, especially in the winter,” says Drybrough. “Your body gets warmer faster, so you don’t need as much of a warmup to get into the flow or to get into the postures.”
Classes at Reformed Pilates are upbeat, with loud music and high energy. Aside from Drybrough, the entire team at the studio is local to Airdrie.
“I would encourage everybody to do Pilates because it is such a safe, low-impact workout. It’s really good for your body. You get results fast and you just feel really good after,” she says. “We’re just really excited to be in Airdrie and to get to know the community.”
