Also about to open in Morgan Junction: Pilates Westside

You’ve heard all about Feedback Lounge (which opened last Saturday) and Zeeks Pizza (which opens at 4 pm today). But the Morgan Junction business boom isn’t just about eating and drinking. A new fitness business is on the way too, in the 6521 California SW (map) space occupied by Aaron’s Bicycle Repair before it moved a few doors south. We first told you, briefly, about Pilates Westside 4 weeks ago; since then, we’ve had a chance to chat with proprietors Jodie Stolz and Jack Lanham, scheduled to move into their new space starting today, and officially opening Monday:

Stolz and Lanham are part of what we’re seeing as a trend – in fact, it’s a trend we’re part of, ourselves — longtime West Seattleites who have spent years working off the peninsula, now starting their own businesses here to serve this growing community, with the added bonus that they won’t have to commute so far from home. Both have lived in West Seattle more than 20 years; she plans to continue teacher training in North Seattle, at least for now, but he is leaving a job at the Seattle Athletic Club to focus on their new enterprise.

“We’re both looking forward to walking to work!” Stolz says.

She started her movement career as a dancer but is now a well-known master Pilates teacher who’s been training other teachers for more than eight years — including Lanham. Between them, they have more than 15 years of experience teaching Pilates; they are associated with Romana’s Pilates (named after the protege of method creator Joseph Pilates) – “We do real Pilates,” is how Lanham explains it (here’s more on what that means).

It’s not just about fitness, they note: Stolz explains, “People are realizing their bodies are important … We even work with rehabilitation patients, people going through physical therapy … It’s more about feeling better.” That realization, the instructors say, is why the fitness business is going strong even through the economy’s bumpy spell. (West Seattle has seen a wave of new fitness businesses open – from WSB sponsors Snap Fitness and Anytime Fitness to the Admiral District’s incoming CF Fitness – though most are on the north half of the peninsula, so Pilates Westside will have something of a geographic niche.)

Their renovation of the former bike shop includes a brand-new floor – here’s a look toward the street from the back wall of the space, which is larger than you might guess from just walking past:

Once they’re moved in, they’ll offer Pilates instruction in a variety of configurations, from one-on-one sessions, to “duets” with 2 people and 1 instructor, to group classes. It can be individualized, too: “We teach to the body,” is how Stolz puts it.

“Our plan is to stay here a long time,” Lanham promises. “The place is big enough for us to grow,” Stolz adds.

Pilates Westside is online at pilateswestside.com – contact info only at first, more to come; their phone, getting hooked up today, is 206-935-0744.

6 Replies to "Also about to open in Morgan Junction: Pilates Westside"

  • JEM May 1, 2009 (9:54 am)

    I look forward to checking it out. I think that is the Jack that was my trainer way back when I was going to 24Hr fitness. Great teacher!

  • KM May 1, 2009 (10:06 am)

    I hope they offer evening beginners classes (for not too much money)…I’ve always been interested in trying out Pilates!

  • biankat May 1, 2009 (11:14 am)

    yay!

  • Karin Stolz May 2, 2009 (1:51 pm)

    Go Jodie Go. So proud of you. We wish continual success!
    Love Mom and Dad

  • Maya Lanham May 3, 2009 (6:39 pm)

    I’m so proud of you dad! Good luck! :)

  • Jack Lanham May 7, 2009 (12:52 pm)

    Hi Iam that Jack from 24Hr Fitness, thank you for the kind words. I will be full time in West Seattle May 19th. Currently we are taking clients. Mat class schedule will be out soon. Jodie and I are really excited to be here in West Seattle. Visit us at pilateswestside.com

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