My IM=X Pilates Journey
by Kevin and Lori Derella
Our Pilates journey started 10 years ago when I ended up with a torn meniscus from a slip in the shower. At 52, I was an avid runner and worked out 5 days a week doing high intensity interval training. I had known many people who had simple meniscus surgeries so when the Dr. said I would be up and running again in 6 weeks I was all for it. Over the next 5 years I tried and tried to get back to my exercise routines without success. My knee pain only got worse.
Finally, in speaking with a friend about my knee issues, he recommended that I try Pilates. He plays soccer several times a week and includes Pilates in his regular exercise routines. I had no real idea of what Pilates was but was willing to try almost anything to get back to some kind of fitness routine. I found a local studio and my wife Lori joined me and we immediately knew that Pilates was something we could do for a lifetime. We were so impressed with the fact that you could get a full body workout that was easy on the joints and works your core like nothing else we had tried over the years. Upper body and lower body, small and large muscles, all are worked in an 1 hour class that is never the same twice.
Over the first several months of classes, I found my knee pain was subsiding or was completely gone while doing my pilates workout routines I had lost 30 pounds and Lori was feeling more energetic and had also lost weight and inches. In addition, we found the small group classes taught by experienced instructors to be highly motivational and the use of forced exhalation breathing helps create a mind body experience similar to a ‘runners high”. At the end of each class, you know you have had a great workout!
This is about the time we began thinking about opening our own studio and sharing our experiences and enthusiasm for Pilates with others. As a Franchise professional myself, I knew that opening a franchise brand was the way to go for us. Why start from scratch when you can follow a proven method of operating a studio along with a strong brand and marketing expertise to draw upon to be successful. We began our research and soon found IM=X Pilates and Fitness.
As we began to investigate the franchise, we found some very positive differences from other studios we looked at. IM=X takes pilates to another level. Classes offer a level of workout tailored to any client from beginners to pro-athletes. The proprietary equipment is designed with safety and longevity in mind. Instructor certifications are offered tuition free to staff and business and marketing training is comprehensive. In short, IM=X provides everything you need to get up and running successfully. We visited several IM=X studios, spoke to other owners and met with the corporate staff and decided this was the franchise for us. Today, we are in the process of opening our first studio.