Melbourne-based fitness group STRONG Pilates is flexing its muscles in the US with plans to supersize its ambitions to 100 studios following a successful debut into the market earlier this year.
After kicking off its US push with a studio in Stone Oak, San Antonio, STRONG Pilates has confirmed plans for 77 locations across the US including multi-site franchise agreements in Dallas, Austin, Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
The company has secured single-site franchise agreements in Houston and Long Island, including Cinco Ranch, Syosset, Garden City, Commack, and Ronkonkoma.
Along with the first corporate-owned studio in Hermosa Beach, California, STRONG Pilates also plans to open up to 30 corporate-owned studios across Florida and Texas.
The growth plans in the US alone will more than double the group’s existing global footprint which currently comprises 57 studios in Australia and 24 in international markets.
Founded in 2019 by former F45 franchisees Michael Ramsey and Mark Armstrong, STRONG Pilates gained an initial foothold in North America with a presence in Canada, which has since grown to four locations.
The company’s ambitions in North America were cemented earlier this year with the establishment of a second global headquarters in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles.
Amidst this momentum, last week Ramsey was won the 2024 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Award in the Fitness category.
"There is increased demand in the United States for a boutique, multi-modality offering such as STRONG Pilates which has already garnered widespread interest among those wanting a more intensive low impact option,” say Armstrong and Ramsey in a joint statement.
“Our expansion plans are indicative of a unique offering entering the US market which has already seen incredible growth across nine countries.
“With over 100 studios confirmed in our first year of entry, this is the start of an expansive roll-out of an unparalleled fitness format.”
STRONG Pilates is anticipating the US expansion will fuel popularity for its offering, which comprises 45-minute sessions combining Pilates, cardio, strength and resistance training using innovative Rowformer and Bikeformer machines.
The Stone Oak studio in San Antonio, Texas, has already attracted high-profile attention since opening in September, with NBA player for San Antonio Spurs, Zach Collins, among the first to experience the STRONG Pilates workout.
STRONG Pilates currently operates in nine countries including New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia with plans to also open in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Dubai and Bahrain.
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