The IM=X® Pilates franchise is a turn-key business that allows investors to easily enter a rapidly growing industry. According to the Wall Street Journal participation in pilates in 2005 was 10.4 million people up from 2.4 in 2001 representing over a 300% increase in participation. Whether you are a personal trainer, fitness enthusiast or investor, you can own one or several IM=X Pilates Studios or Fitness Centers. Our goal is for you to benefit from our popular pilates, cardio, yoga, personal training, back wellness programs and equipment!  

Join the industry leading IM=X® Pilates Studio owners and receive:

MARKETING We give you the tools to reach your customers. As a franchise you gain access to our exclusive images and advertising campaigns including: graphics, press releases, web design and customization, search engine optimization, print material, signage and more!

BUSINESS Become your own boss! With our proven system of workouts, business operations and marketing methods you will have the tools necessary to build your fitness and wellness business. Our Operations Manual, Architectural Design Guidelines, Marketing Plan, Billing and Scheduling Software, Online Password Protected Area and Business Training prepare you to manage, operate and grow your own IM=X Pilates Studio and/or chain!

CERTIFICATION The IM=X Pilates and fitness education program provides you and your staff with the most competitive and advanced in the industry thus providing your members with a high quality of service. Our series of eight leading edge certification courses is included in your franchise privileges.

EQUIPMENT At IM=X Pilates we take pride in manufacturing superior pilates equipment.   When you join the IM=X Pilates franchise system you become part of a team that has excelled in equipment design and has encouraged forward thinking with innovative fitness programs. The Xercizer (our patented reformer) and Tower were engineered with superior detail to commercial usage. Our equipment is a powerful tool for selling and retaining your studio membership. Your customers will benefit from our elite workout on the most advanced pilates fitness equipment. Additionally, you have access to preferred pricing with our cardio equipment vendors for indoor cycling, treadmills, elliptical trainers, etc.

EXPERIENCE Founder, Elyse McNergney, was certified in traditional pilates in 1991 and also has obtained certification in the Alexander Technique, a M.A. in Movement Science and a M.Ed. in Exercise Physiology from Columbia University. Elyse created IM=X Pilates to offer a total fitness approach - one that integrates pilates exercises with strength and cardiovascular training. IM=X Pilates has been proven successful at large club chains, medical facilities and individual studios. McNergney and her team also researched the field of back exercise and treatment leading to the develop of IM=X Pilates Spinal Xercize -- an alternative back strengthening program. Elyse has been a guest lecturer at the IDEA World Fitness Conference, the IDEA Mind/Body Conference, the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Conference on Alternative Medicine and and is the author of Pilates for Men. The IM=X Pilates workouts haves been featured in many fitness publications and by authoritative media like The New York Times. The IM=X Pilates Master Trainers bring extensive experience and knowledge to the franchise system. Before organizing IM=X Pilates into a unique turn-key franchise our experienced staff also helped establish pilates at Gold's Gyms, Jewish Community Centers, YMCA's, New York Sports Clubs, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Goldman Sachs, Kessler Institute, the New York Mets baseball team, and numerous other facilities. Our expert consultants help you develop your studio business within the fast growing pilates health and fitness sector.

Common Questions and Information

How does IM=X® differ from traditional pilates programs?
Joseph Pilates developed the traditional pilates system 60-70 years ago. Joseph Pilates was an amazing inventor but in the height of his program development he was working with professional dancers not the general "fit" public. He also did not have the advantage of modern science to guide his choices in alignment, muscle recruitment and stabilization practices. IM=X® Pilates updates traditional concepts and practices reflecting the newest research on fitness and rehabilitation. For this reason, IM=X® has been described as "next evolution of Pilates". The original Pilates Method was created by Joseph H. Pilates beginning in the 1930's and culminating in the 1950's -- when he was training the dance community in NYC. Although traditional pilates is a great workout system, IM=X® Pilates adds resistance and cardio training so that you can receive all of the benefits in one program. The IM=X sequences are more fatigue oriented and the "choreography" focuses on addressing the strength of muscle synergies through innovative program options: Stretch, Cardio, Abs, Upper Body, Lower Body, Interval Training, Pre/Postnatal, Golf/Tennis, etc. Additionally - IM=X® has other unique programs that are unrelated to pilates such as IM=X® Yoga, Bar, Cycle/Tower, Jog Board and Spinal Xercize.

IM=X® (Integrated Movement Xercize), founded in 1996, includes ten instructor certifications and over 80 choreographed workouts which incorporate various equipment such as the Xercizer (reformer), Tower, Ring, Free Weights, Jog Boards, Indoor Cycling Bikes and more... The scientific principles behind IM=X® are based on the research of the last two decade . In many ways, IM=X® picks up where J.H. Pilates left off. We now know that low impact muscle toning is healthier for the joints, and that the Spine Stabilization System needs to be aligned and fit. The IM=X® Pilates Program is a wonderful evolution of the original Pilates system. IM=X® workout routines target many different markets (i.e. athletes, seniors, back pain, pregnancy...); and are tailored towards physiological goals (i.e. Lower Body Workout, Interval Training Workout, Stretch Workout, Basics, Upper Body Workout, YogaCardio and more...) The variation within the IM=X® makes it possible to address everyone from the "couch potato" to the professional athlete.

Who can benefit from IM=X® training?
Everyone -- from fitness newbies to hard-core gym rats -- can benefit from IM=X®. The program has been proven effective for all body types and fitness levels, regardless of age, weight or ability. IM=X® Pilates is a program that tones the whole body with amazing efficiency. It is an approach to exercise that develops spine stabilization, muscle endurance/strength and flexibility -- it is beneficial to everyone. Typically, a new client begins with the basics as taught privately or in a beginners class. By developing the proper technique clients of all ages progress to more demanding classes such as Interval Training, Cardio or Lower Body. Our clients range from the Mets baseball players to seniors with disabilities. The IM=X® education prepares instructors and personal trainers to adapt session formats for clients of all different fitness levels. And, as participants progress through the multitude of programs, the sequences of moves become increasingly challenging, so IM=X® is never boring.

What kind of results can be achieved with an IM=X® Pilates, Yoga, Bar, Tower , Cycle workouts?
The combination of strengthening and lengthening exercises develops long, lean muscles, improves posture, and adds flexibility to the spine. IM=X® changes body composition (muscle to fat ratio) and our cardio programs increase calorie burning and weight loss. IM=X® attacks excess bulk in the hips and thighs and tightens the body's core muscles for rock-hard abs. Our proprietary workout system is powerful and effective!

Floor Presentation