How to Navigate the Summer Slowdown Without Losing Momentum at Your Pilates Studio
Let’s talk about summer…
For most boutique Pilates studio owners, it brings a mix of sunshine, empty class slots, and just a hint of panic.
Your regular clients are traveling. Your schedule feels off. Energy dips. Revenue dips. And you’re left wondering, “What can I do to keep things moving?”
The truth? Summer doesn’t have to mean your business goes on vacation. With the right strategy, this season can be an opportunity to deepen your client relationships, invest in your team, and quietly set the stage for renewed momentum in the fall.
Let’s break down exactly how to turn the “slow season” into a strong one.
Stay Consistent with Pilates—No Matter the Season
Summer shifts everything. School’s out, travel ramps up, and the routines your clients rely on start to unravel. But here’s the good news - Pilates is one of the most adaptable practices out there.
This is the season to remind your clients that Pilates meets them wherever they are.
Mat classes? Perfect for travel.
Private sessions using Reformers? Easy to schedule around a busy calendar.
Virtual options? A total game changer.
Even if someone’s summer looks chaotic, they can still stay consistent. And that’s what they’re craving - something that helps them feel grounded when everything else feels up in the air.
So position your studio as their anchor. Not a rigid appointment, but a reliable form of support. Show up in their inbox, on their feed, and in their mind as the steady, calming presence that helps them stay strong all summer long.
And think beyond your four walls. What if your clients had access to on-the-go resources? Maybe a mini mat class they can stream from their Airbnb, or a quick core sequence to do between beach reads.
The goal: make it easier than ever to stay consistent - even when life isn’t.
Invest in Your Pilates Team
Here’s something many studio owners overlook in the summer: when class traffic dips, your team finally has time to breathe. That’s your opportunity.
Because Pilates isn’t just about teaching movement—it’s about teaching it with mastery.
And mastery requires continuous learning.
This is the perfect moment to pour into your instructors. Not just with technical refreshers, but with meaningful discussions about cueing, client experience, classical principles, and the subtle nuances that elevate teaching from good to great.
When your team learns together, something shifts. You create shared language, aligned intention, and higher standards. And when fall hits and your classes fill back up? You’ll feel that difference in every class.
Think about what your studio values most in its teaching approach—and design a small workshop or in-studio training around it. This isn’t about adding certifications to a resume. It’s about sharpening the edge of your expertise so your entire studio rises.
Keep Showing Up in Your Studio Marketing
We get it. Summer gets quiet and suddenly… so do your socials.
But disappearing during the slow season sends the wrong message - especially to potential clients who finally have time to look into Pilates while their kids are at camp or their work schedule lightens up.
This is when you stay visible - not louder, just present.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to remind people you’re still here.
Share a few behind-the-scenes clips. Highlight how your clients are practicing from home. Give them a sneak peek at how your instructors are refining their craft this summer. Let them see that your studio is alive - even in the off-season.
If you’re a Gratz-equipped studio, this is a meaningful moment to lean into your roots. Classical Pilates has a story and so do you. Share what drew you to the Pilates method, why the apparatus matters, and how it shapes the way you teach.
Consider submitting a Studio Tour to Gratz. It’s a way to amplify your voice, celebrate your studio, and connect more deeply with the Classical Pilates community. Your story could be featured on their social platforms and website, offering potential clients a clearer window into what makes your space, and your teaching, so special.
Lay the Groundwork for Your Pilates Studio’s Next Phase
It’s easy to feel like you’re treading water during a summer lull. But in reality, this is the best time to lay the groundwork for your next growth phase.
Fall will be here faster than you think. And when it hits? You want to be ready - not reactive.
Now’s the time to:
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Map out your fall promotions
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Build your email sequences
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Clean up your client onboarding process
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Review your pricing, packages, and policies
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Delegate and document systems so your operations don’t fall apart when you’re not there
As you reflect, don’t overlook your physical space. If your studio features Gratz apparatus, simple updates like showcasing it on your website or incorporating it into client education can go a long way in setting clear expectations and building trust.
You know all those projects you wish you had time for during the busy season? This is your moment. The deeper you prepare now, the smoother and more successful your re-entry into a packed schedule will be later.
Running a boutique studio isn’t just about managing the present—it’s about being the leader who sees what’s coming next and makes smart moves now to set up future wins.
Shift Your Perspective
Summer is only a setback if you treat it like one.
If you see it as a slowdown, it becomes a slump. But if you see it as a strategic reset, it becomes a season of strength.
This is the time to reconnect with your purpose, get clear on your vision, and align your actions with where you’re headed—not just where you are.
Use this season to ask yourself:
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Where is my studio headed in the next 6–12 months?
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What’s currently getting in the way of that growth?
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What can I do right now to bridge the gap?
Even if revenue dips this summer, your clarity doesn’t have to. In fact, this might be the clearest you’ve felt all year - because space gives you perspective. And perspective gives you power.
Final Thoughts: Summer Isn’t Slow, It’s Strategic for Sustainable Studio Growth
Summer doesn’t mean your business is on hold. It means you’re working differently. More intentionally. More sustainably. More behind the scenes.
This is your moment to:
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Keep your clients moving with flexible, on-the-go Pilates
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Deepen your team’s expertise so every session delivers more value
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Stay visible and engaging in your marketing—even if it’s low-key
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Streamline systems so your business can scale without burnout
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Lead from vision, not just from the day-to-day
Because when you do all of that?
Fall doesn’t just bring more clients.
It brings a stronger studio. A more aligned team. And a business that feels a whole lot lighter to lead.
And isn’t that the goal?
About
Seran Glanfield, founder of Spring Three and host of the award-winning Pilates Business Podcast, is a leading business coach and consultant to boutique fitness studio owners around the world. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Seran has masterminded the growth and development of hundreds of studios, becoming the go-to expert for those looking to scale their studios, transforming them into sustainably profitable, streamlined studios. Seran’s expertise encompasses all facets of business management, including marketing, retention, sales, team management, pricing, and strategic growth. A graduate from the prestigious London School of Economics, Seran is also a certified business consultant and both Power Pilates and Romana’s Pilates trained Certified Pilates Teacher.
To learn more about working with Seran and Spring Three, go to: Spring Three or follow @seran_spring_three