Building Pilates Haus of Reform from the Ground Up

Envisioning the future home of Pilates Haus of Reform in Allentown Pennsylvania

When I moved to the Lehigh Valley in March of 2025, opening a Pilates studio was never part of the plan.

Like many people relocating to a new area, I simply began searching for Pilates classes where I could continue my own practice and reconnect with the movement system that had already become such an important part of my life.

What I quickly noticed, however, was that something felt missing.

While there were certainly studios and talented instructors throughout the area, much of what I found centered primarily around reformer-only fitness classes, sporadic schedules, or limited offerings that didn’t fully embrace the depth and versatility of the Pilates method as a whole. As someone comprehensively trained in the system of Pilates, I found myself craving a more complete and consistent experience — one that included not only reformer work, but the broader apparatus system and the intentional movement education that originally drew me to Pilates in the first place.

I also found myself longing for a stronger sense of warmth and community within the local Pilates space. Moving to a new area can feel isolating, and while I met wonderful people along the way, I often left feeling that there was an opportunity to create a more welcoming, connected, and supportive environment for clients walking through the studio doors.

As time went on, I began teaching locally and gained an even deeper understanding of the needs within the community. I saw firsthand that there was genuine demand for Pilates in the Lehigh Valley. Classes often filled quickly, waitlists were common, and people were clearly searching for movement experiences that felt consistent and dependable.

At the same time, I noticed gaps that continued to stand out to me — inconsistent scheduling, canceled classes without replacement coverage, and limited emphasis on the full Pilates system beyond the reformer itself. It became increasingly clear that there was room for a boutique studio experience built around intentional programming, consistency, professionalism, and thoughtful instruction.

Slowly, what began as simple curiosity evolved into a vision.

That vision ultimately became Pilates Haus of Reform.

One of the things I knew early on was that if I was truly going to create the kind of studio I envisioned, I wanted to embrace the full Pilates system — not just reformers alone.

That decision came with significant consideration, especially when it came to equipment.

As someone comprehensively trained through Balanced Body, I’ve spent years working with and learning on their apparatus, and I developed a deep appreciation not only for the functionality of the equipment itself, but for the thought, craftsmanship, and movement experience behind it.

There were certainly moments during the planning process where I explored more budget-conscious options, as any new business owner naturally would. Building a studio from the ground up is an enormous investment, and quality Pilates equipment is no small undertaking.

But in the end, I kept coming back to the same conclusion: if I truly believed in creating an elevated and intentional Pilates experience, I didn’t want to compromise on the tools that would ultimately shape that experience for clients.

For me, that meant investing fully in the Balanced Body system — including the Studio Reformers, towers, the Balanced Body Trapeze Table, BODHI® suspension system, and CoreAlign®.

It was important to me that clients walking into Pilates Haus of Reform would have access to equipment designed not only for performance and durability, but for thoughtful movement education and a more complete, versatile approach to Pilates as a whole.

Now, finding the right space for Pilates Haus of Reform was a journey in itself.

Before ever signing a lease, my husband and I spent countless hours driving through shopping centers throughout the Lehigh Valley, making phone calls, reaching out to commercial realtors, and trying to better understand what would realistically work for the vision we had in mind. At times, the process felt discouraging. Many spaces simply didn’t fit the needs of a boutique Pilates studio, and it often felt difficult to even get traction in the commercial real estate world as newcomers navigating the process for the first time.

Everything shifted when we connected with Mike Makhoul of James Balliet Property Group in the Lehigh Valley.

Mike took the time to truly understand what we were looking for and guided us through multiple properties and shopping centers throughout the area. Beyond simply opening doors, he became an invaluable part of the process — even introducing us to Elias Chokif of Noble ConstructionLV who would eventually become our general contractor. In many ways, he helped transform what initially felt overwhelming into something that finally felt possible.

When he first brought us to the St. Luke’s wellness center space, I remember feeling both intrigued and uncertain.

At first glance, I wasn’t convinced it would work. The space required significant vision and renovation, including the addition of a bathroom, and initially I hesitated at the thought of being connected to a medical wellness center environment. But as I spent more time in the space, I began to realize that this wasn’t a traditional medical setting at all — it was a wellness-focused environment centered around care, movement, and support.

And then there were the windows.

The natural light immediately stopped me in my tracks. Even in its unfinished state, the space had a calmness and openness that felt incredibly special. What initially seemed unconventional slowly began feeling exactly right.

As the vision became clearer, I also began thinking more intentionally about the surrounding community and the people we would serve. Being located next to an OB/GYN office inspired me to deepen my education even further in women’s health, prenatal, and postpartum movement.

Through the Center for Women’s Fitness, I pursued additional training in pre- and postnatal fitness and movement education so I could better support women during every stage of life and movement.

Around that same time, I also completed my National Pilates Certification through the National Pilates Certification Program. Continuing my education and holding myself to the highest professional standards was deeply important to me as I built the foundation for the studio.

Little by little, what once felt uncertain slowly began coming together into something that felt deeply aligned with the vision I had imagined from the beginning.

Of course, once the excitement of finding the space settled in, the real adventure began: construction, contractors, architects, permitting, electricians, plumbers, signs, permitting for signs, framers, drywall, HVAC, painting… and did I mention permitting?

What many people don’t see behind the scenes of opening a studio is just how many moving parts exist at all times. There are inspections to schedule, township approvals, permit revisions, unexpected delays, phone calls, supply deliveries, and approximately 47 moments a week where you convince yourself you’ll never emotionally recover from commercial construction.

Thankfully, we were incredibly fortunate to work with an amazing general contractor through the process. Our GC has been patient, knowledgeable, hardworking, and endlessly reassuring throughout this entire journey — which is important, because I’m fairly certain neither of us knows what’s worse at this point: when I see his name pop up on my phone, or when he sees mine.

To be fair, most of those calls were probably me asking some variation of:

“So… hypothetically… if permitting could move faster… how fast could permitting permit?”

The truth is, this process has stretched me in ways I never expected. I’ve learned more about HVAC systems, framing, plumbing, electrical work, drywall, and township permitting than I ever imagined possible. And while there have certainly been stressful moments along the way, there’s also been something incredibly rewarding about watching the studio slowly come to life piece by piece.

At the same time, I was also continuing to teach Pilates locally, working roughly 20–25 hours a week while simultaneously managing the studio buildout behind the scenes. There were days spent teaching clients followed immediately by evenings at the construction site discussing layouts, equipment placement, paint colors, inspections, or — once again — permitting.

It was exhausting at times, exciting at others, and often all happening simultaneously.

But through every delay, every challenge, and every moment of impatience, the vision itself never changed.

At the same time, some of the most important decisions being made throughout the buildout had nothing to do with construction at all.

They were the quieter details. The small touches. The things clients may not consciously notice immediately, but absolutely feel the moment they walk into the space.

I wanted the studio to feel comfortable, calming, and intentionally supportive from every angle. I wanted there to be a welcoming lobby where clients could sit, enjoy a coffee, have conversations, and feel connected to the community around them without worrying about disrupting classes in progress. I wanted the bathroom to feel private, comfortable, stocked with essentials and thoughtfully designed rather than like an afterthought tucked into a commercial space.

I also became deeply focused on the overall sensory experience within the studio itself — everything from lighting to soundproofing to equipment setup. I wanted to minimize harsh overhead lighting shining directly into clients’ eyes while lying on the reformers. I intentionally chose cleaning products that were free of harsh chemicals or heavy odors. I wanted the soundproofing to feel intentional not only for the comfort of our clients, but also out of respect for the surrounding wellness and medical offices within the building.

Inside the movement spaces, I found myself constantly thinking about the little things that help clients feel supported physically and emotionally during class.

Every station was designed with comfort and function in mind, including individual knee pads, grippy pads, supportive props, fascia release balls, mini and large Magic Circles, and small details that allow instructors to better accommodate the unique needs of each individual body. I wanted lumbar support pillows available for clients still developing awareness of neutral spine positioning, cervical support for reformer headrests, and tools that would allow movement to feel both challenging and accessible at the same time.

Even the refresh experience became something I carefully considered. I loved the idea of incorporating warm towels available before or after class — small comforts clients could use to settle in before movement or reset afterward. To me, those tiny moments matter. They help transform a workout into an experience that feels restorative, welcoming, and intentional from beginning to end.

The more the studio evolved, the more I realized that what I was truly building was not simply a fitness space, but an environment — one intentionally designed to help people feel cared for, supported, and comfortable enough to fully focus on movement, connection, and themselves.

As the vision for Pilates Haus of Reform continued evolving, I realized more and more that I didn’t want the studio to function solely as a place where people came to take a class and leave. I wanted it to become a true wellness community — a space where movement, education, recovery, and connection could exist together under one roof.

That mindset naturally led me toward building relationships with other wellness professionals throughout the Lehigh Valley whose work aligned with the kind of supportive environment I hoped to create. One of those connections was with Kathy of KC Sound Therapy, as I began exploring the idea of incorporating sound bath experiences and restorative wellness offerings into the studio environment.

The more I reflected on the community I hoped to serve, the more important it became to create programming that extended beyond traditional fitness classes alone. I wanted the studio to be a place where women could access support and education during every stage of life — including workshops and conversations surrounding women’s wellness, menopause, metabolism, movement longevity, stress management, and overall well-being.

Movement itself would also remain intentionally diverse within the studio. In addition to reformer and apparatus-based Pilates, I envisioned offering mat Pilates, yoga, specialty workshops, and even dance-based movement opportunities for former dancers and individuals longing to reconnect with movement in a way that feels expressive, joyful, and familiar.

At its core, the goal has always been to create a space that feels multidimensional — one that supports not only physical strength, but also community, confidence, education, restoration, and connection.

At the end of the day, Pilates Haus of Reform was never created simply because I wanted to open a studio.

It was created because I genuinely believed there was space in the Lehigh Valley for a more intentional, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated Pilates experience — one rooted not only in movement itself, but in connection, education, consistency, and community.

There have been moments throughout this process that felt exciting, overwhelming, exhausting, inspiring, and occasionally completely chaotic all at once. There are still days where construction dust somehow appears out of nowhere, permitting emails continue multiplying, and I wonder if I’ll ever stop mentally measuring walls and lighting angles everywhere I go.

But underneath all of it, there has always been a very clear vision.

A space where people feel comfortable walking through the doors exactly as they are.

A space where movement feels supportive rather than intimidating.

A space where clients feel seen, encouraged, challenged thoughtfully, and cared for long before class even begins.

As opening day slowly approaches, I feel incredibly grateful for every person who has supported this journey so far — my family, clients, friends, contractors, teachers, mentors, and the growing community already surrounding Pilates Haus of Reform.

What began as an idea has slowly become something real.

And more than anything, I hope the people who eventually walk through these doors can feel the amount of intention that went into creating this space. Every decision — from the equipment and programming to the lighting, soundproofing, props, workshops, and small comforts throughout the studio — was made thoughtfully and with genuine care for the experience clients will have here.

This studio was never built around the idea of simply filling classes. It was built around creating an environment where people feel supported, welcomed, valued, and inspired to move well for years to come.

And I truly cannot wait to welcome you into the space soon.