Interest in physical and emotional wellness is at an all-time high, and many people are seeking support and guidance from activities like yoga and pilates. That’s driven a dramatic increase in the industry, with experts projecting that the market will generate more than $409 billion by 2032.
Many yoga and pilates instructors dream of opening their own studios, but with so much competition, it’s a challenging endeavor. A wide range of factors influence whether a new studio thrives or fails, and a passion for the practice isn’t enough to guarantee success.
In this article, we’ll review some of the most important points to think about if you’re wondering how to open a yoga studio or pilates studio. From data collection to security to access control, you’ll learn which issues will make the biggest difference for your future business.
1. Choosing a location #
One of the first steps in setting up a studio is finding the perfect location.
For starters, you’ll need to look at available spaces and determine which ones might be appropriate based on how much space you’ll need and what area will be most accessible to the public. A studio that’s easy to find and visit with a car or public transportation is much more likely to draw members than one that’s outside of town limits or difficult to reach.
Think about what facilities you want to provide. In addition to basic necessities, such as bathrooms and classrooms, your studio might include:
- Changing rooms
- Showers
- Reception areas
- Event rooms
- Employee/instructor lounge
Think about the layout of the space and whether you want some of these areas to have restricted access. For example, your event spaces might remain locked unless a member has reserved it for a particular date.
2. Understanding your clients #
As of 2023, there are 42,134 pilates and yoga studios in the United States—and that number continues to grow. Increasing competition makes it harder for new studios to capture prospective clients’ attention. To engage their interest and earn their loyalty, you’ll need to appeal directly to their specific needs.
That might mean tailoring your class offerings to the preferences of clients in the area. It could also involve accommodating people with diverse schedules. For example, you might have open studio hours outside of scheduled class times when people can visit to practice or meditate independently. An access control system like Kisi makes this possible by allowing studios to grant and automate authorization to members before and after regular business hours.
3. Making a financial plan #
Finances are among the most important—and overwhelming—concerns when you open a pilates or yoga studio. In addition to making essential decisions, such as determining how much you will charge for classes and various services, it’s also worthwhile to find ways to lower your operating costs and use technology for additional revenue.
Streamlining operations and reducing overhead #
Working efficiently is essential for any business, including a yoga or pilates studio. Automation is key to that efficiency because it allows your staff to focus on their core tasks.
For example, automating access control means that your employees don’t have to interrupt what they’re doing and spend time unlocking doors for team members, instructors, and students. As a result, their workflow and classes will have better flow, and they can be more productive in other areas, such as customer outreach and support, which ultimately helps increase your revenue and cut costs.
An integrated system that ties together your access control, security, and member management also gives you more control of your financial future. You can easily track payments, send renewal reminders, and promote relevant services and special events while also lowering costly security risks, such as theft, vandalism, and property damage.
Opening additional revenue streams #
The foundation of your studio’s income will be the classes you offer, but your options don’t end there. Many studios generate extra revenue with elements such as:
- Selling merchandise, including apparel and accessories
- Offering specialized workshops and private sessions
- Renting out studio space for events
- Integrating other wellness services, such as massage or saunas
As you expand your services, you might also create membership tiers, allowing access to special areas only for VIP members. This allows you to charge a premium price for certain customers without alienating those who only want to participate in yoga or pilates classes. An access control system simplifies this process by enabling you to give customers permission to enter only the areas that are included in their membership.
Similarly, if you rent out your studio for events, a security and access control system allows you to monitor the activity at your site even if you aren’t present. You can also issue temporary authorizations to guests who have rented the space so that they can enter for the duration of the event—even if they aren’t regular members.
4. Integrating technology #
Another critical part of setting up your studio is deciding what kinds of technology you want to use. Consider investing in these kinds of solutions:
- Fitness and wellness software
- Membership management or customer relationship management software
- Access control systems
- Security systems, including surveillance cameras and alarms
These systems allow you to gather and store vital data, grant and revoke permissions, and monitor your premises. As you evaluate different technology options, look for solutions that can integrate for a more seamless experience and a higher return on investment (ROI).
For instance, Kisi can integrate with a variety of fitness and wellness software. With the combined power of these systems, you can identify members that tailgate and try to enter the studio without paying, grant 24/7 access, and eliminate the need for constant front-desk supervision.
5. Tracking and space optimization #
This data can inform your overall business strategy. Knowing the days and times when attendance is highest helps you make better scheduling decisions. If you find that clients visit in much higher numbers at certain times of day, you can allocate space more appropriately during those times or even introduce dynamic pricing.
The insights you gain can also help you find ways to maximize your space utilization and monetize unused rooms. Some studios have dedicated spaces for self-guided yoga. Clients can enter these areas and practice yoga independently or as a group without the presence of an instructor. Automated access control allows you to offer these types of areas at all hours, even when the building is otherwise unmanned.
In addition, an access control system collects data about which spaces your studio members use, how long they stay, and how often they visit. This helps you determine which specialized areas see the most traffic and determine whether they’re generating enough revenue to warrant your continued investment.
6. Marketing your studio #
No matter how well you structure it and how talented your instructors may be, your yoga or pilates studio won’t succeed unless people know about it. That’s why a marketing plan should also be a top concern before and after opening your doors.
As you promote your studio, think about what special features or benefits you can offer that will set you apart from your competitors. If you host specialized classes that aren’t available at other studios, emphasize that unique offering in your marketing materials.
Premium access systems are another feature that appeals to many customers. Along with knowing that you prioritize their safety and well-being, members at your studio will also appreciate the convenience of a straightforward access system.
A system with flexible credential options lets you choose what access methods work best for you and your customers. Kisi, for example, allows you to use more traditional key fobs or access cards, as well as modern options such as mobile access. This is especially beneficial for wellness studios with members who don’t want to keep up with a credential but who always have their phones or smartwatches on hand.
Bring your yoga or pilates studio to life with Kisi #
People make quick judgments about businesses, and a bad first impression could have a lasting effect. That’s why it’s crucial that you learn how to open a pilates studio or yoga studio before you jump headfirst into your business. Doing so will better position you to build a strong customer base and a positive public perception from the beginning.
Kisi is proud to be a part of thriving fitness and wellness studios all over the world. By leveraging integrated access control, your studio can reduce operational overhead, increase revenue, minimize security risks, and make life easier for your members. On top of that, you can collect data that guides your decision-making and allows you to detect and adjust to changes in your membership, attendance, and renewals.
Connect with a Kisi expert to request a demo and learn more about how an access control system can enhance your yoga or pilates studio.
Bernhard Mehl
Bernhard is the co-founder and CEO of Kisi. His philosophy, "security is awesome," is contagious among tech-enabled companies.
