2017 Annual Survey - the results are in!
• 87.5% of participants gave a score of 8 (or more) out of 10 for “Would you recommend My Local Pilates to a friend?”
Please do so! For every friend who buys a Class Pack, you get 1 free class! Email us to advise your friends name and we'll sort you out
• Small class sizes and hands-on correction were rated “very important” and knowledgeable teachers “extremely important”. Thank you for recognizing that we do our utmost to provide on this score. We can’t always compete with the luxury of boutique gyms with our community spaces, but we do hope that our highly trained teachers make your experience the best it can be
• 93% attend to get stronger, 70% for improved posture, flexibility and general fitness. Thank you for this insight – this ensures we tailor the classes to help you meet your goals sooner
• 55% practice regularly or occasionally at home. If you don’t but would like to, click here for our “Pilates Bible” of basic exercises.
Please do so! For every friend who buys a Class Pack, you get 1 free class! Email us to advise your friends name and we'll sort you out
• Small class sizes and hands-on correction were rated “very important” and knowledgeable teachers “extremely important”. Thank you for recognizing that we do our utmost to provide on this score. We can’t always compete with the luxury of boutique gyms with our community spaces, but we do hope that our highly trained teachers make your experience the best it can be
• 93% attend to get stronger, 70% for improved posture, flexibility and general fitness. Thank you for this insight – this ensures we tailor the classes to help you meet your goals sooner
• 55% practice regularly or occasionally at home. If you don’t but would like to, click here for our “Pilates Bible” of basic exercises.
• Price – most felt it was realistic/fair/comparatively affordable, some felt it was a little expensive
Our response: My Local Pilates is a licensee of Body Control Pilates®, Europe’s renowned Pilates teacher training institute. Class prices reflect our continued and highly regarded education (I’ve trained non-stop since 2011), small class sizes (our average is 9 per class, absolute maximum 12) and market rates. We do also consider the local population and the space we use and offer good concession rates to those who need a little help. We can’t always compete on price with establishments that pack 20+ clients into a studio (and nor would we want to!), nor with studios that own/lease their own space on a long-term tenancy. Sadly, some establishments pay their staff poorly to keep costs down. Body Control Pilates teachers command better rates of pay and we feel those we have on board are worth every penny - we hope you agree!
Our response: My Local Pilates is a licensee of Body Control Pilates®, Europe’s renowned Pilates teacher training institute. Class prices reflect our continued and highly regarded education (I’ve trained non-stop since 2011), small class sizes (our average is 9 per class, absolute maximum 12) and market rates. We do also consider the local population and the space we use and offer good concession rates to those who need a little help. We can’t always compete on price with establishments that pack 20+ clients into a studio (and nor would we want to!), nor with studios that own/lease their own space on a long-term tenancy. Sadly, some establishments pay their staff poorly to keep costs down. Body Control Pilates teachers command better rates of pay and we feel those we have on board are worth every penny - we hope you agree!
• Waitlist – If I cancel my class at short notice (past the cancellation deadline) yet the class is filled by another client from the Waitlist, why can’t this class be re-credited to my account?
Our response: Sadly the system isn’t sophisticated enough to link a client on the waitlist accepting a space against the client who just cancelled their space. We agree there is no incentive for clients to cancel their space at all, if the 8 hour deadline has passed. This means a class can be two-thirds full whilst clients on the waitlist don’t get a space at all. For Spring 2018, I am going to trial a 3-hour cancellation period: you may cancel a class up to just 3 hours before a class starts, in order to have a class re-credited!
This does mean a much shorter period for those on the Waitlist to be informed a space is available, so please do cancel as soon as you can if you think you can’t attend. If you add yourself to a waitlist, please be aware that you have placed yourself on it (as you may have done so several weeks prior!). Do keep an eye of your email in the hours immediately before the class starts and be ready to attend!
Our response: Sadly the system isn’t sophisticated enough to link a client on the waitlist accepting a space against the client who just cancelled their space. We agree there is no incentive for clients to cancel their space at all, if the 8 hour deadline has passed. This means a class can be two-thirds full whilst clients on the waitlist don’t get a space at all. For Spring 2018, I am going to trial a 3-hour cancellation period: you may cancel a class up to just 3 hours before a class starts, in order to have a class re-credited!
This does mean a much shorter period for those on the Waitlist to be informed a space is available, so please do cancel as soon as you can if you think you can’t attend. If you add yourself to a waitlist, please be aware that you have placed yourself on it (as you may have done so several weeks prior!). Do keep an eye of your email in the hours immediately before the class starts and be ready to attend!
- Class Pack Flexibility – Can I carry over unused class credits to next term?
On a practical level, I do need to sell a minimum number of class packs to cover the overheads for that term, which includes room hire. I can only sell a finite number of Class Packs before the class capacity is reached, so revenue is capped too. The margins between the two are very small. If all clients don’t attend/use some of the classes they signed up for and want to carry credit over to a new term, firstly... the classes that term are much emptier than they should be, and secondly (and rather sadly) I’d have reduced means of meeting overheads for a subsequent term. In short, it wouldn't be financially viable to run classes! I hope that helps… we’re not being mean, we just want you to benefit through regular attendance and for us to cover our costs!
• Can you offer different sized Class Packs?
I think the question was regarding smaller class packs, as we offer several larger Double and Pro Class Packs
Our response: Further to the above point re: Class Pack flexibility and carry-over, we do offer a reduced size “Slim Pack” for the very purpose of “missing” a few weeks of term. The Autumn 2017 Slim Pack allowed you to “skip” 3 weeks of 10 week term. The Spring 2018 Slim Pack allows you to “skip” 4 weeks of the 11 week term. We won’t provide smaller class pack sizes as this means too many missed weeks; it can hinder the progression of the whole group as clients who “dip-in” to a class aren’t generally up to speed. If you can’t commit to one class a week, this is the best option for you. Any less and you really won’t benefit. Committed yogees practice yoga every day. Pilates isn’t so different. To get stronger (93% of you want to!) or more flexible (70% of you want to!), aim to practice 2-3 times per week (we encourage you by providing bigger discounts, but working out at home is great too!)
I think the question was regarding smaller class packs, as we offer several larger Double and Pro Class Packs
Our response: Further to the above point re: Class Pack flexibility and carry-over, we do offer a reduced size “Slim Pack” for the very purpose of “missing” a few weeks of term. The Autumn 2017 Slim Pack allowed you to “skip” 3 weeks of 10 week term. The Spring 2018 Slim Pack allows you to “skip” 4 weeks of the 11 week term. We won’t provide smaller class pack sizes as this means too many missed weeks; it can hinder the progression of the whole group as clients who “dip-in” to a class aren’t generally up to speed. If you can’t commit to one class a week, this is the best option for you. Any less and you really won’t benefit. Committed yogees practice yoga every day. Pilates isn’t so different. To get stronger (93% of you want to!) or more flexible (70% of you want to!), aim to practice 2-3 times per week (we encourage you by providing bigger discounts, but working out at home is great too!)
• Does the system allow me to book the same class each week (as a recurring booking)?
Our response: Unfortunately not. I have spoken with TeamUp about this and it isn’t currently possible. I have requested they make this a feature so watch this space!
Our response: Unfortunately not. I have spoken with TeamUp about this and it isn’t currently possible. I have requested they make this a feature so watch this space!
• Can we have more classes at Chats Palace?
Our response: I have to book time slots up to two terms in advance, and secure with advance rent payment. For a small business this is a large risk and I can only offer as many classes as I feel there will be demand for and I can secure. If classes continue to be popular I will look to increase the offer in the future
Our response: I have to book time slots up to two terms in advance, and secure with advance rent payment. For a small business this is a large risk and I can only offer as many classes as I feel there will be demand for and I can secure. If classes continue to be popular I will look to increase the offer in the future
• Why are there breaks between terms?
Our response: the time is used for training, lesson planning and most importantly our recuperation! I could (and have in the past) run classes continuously but it means taking on cover staff. For evening classes this is challenging as good teachers are generally working the same hours elsewhere. In short, it means the standards of teaching may be compromised as the experience of the cover staff cannot always be guaranteed.
Our response: the time is used for training, lesson planning and most importantly our recuperation! I could (and have in the past) run classes continuously but it means taking on cover staff. For evening classes this is challenging as good teachers are generally working the same hours elsewhere. In short, it means the standards of teaching may be compromised as the experience of the cover staff cannot always be guaranteed.
• Can we have more early morning classes?
Our response: Yes, if there is the demand. A suitable venue with an available time slot needs to be found first though. Chats Palace only opens at 09:30am and it’s too chilly in the Vic Park Harriers first thing. My 7am class at London Fields Yoga was sporadically attended and it wasn’t viable for me to continue.
Our response: Yes, if there is the demand. A suitable venue with an available time slot needs to be found first though. Chats Palace only opens at 09:30am and it’s too chilly in the Vic Park Harriers first thing. My 7am class at London Fields Yoga was sporadically attended and it wasn’t viable for me to continue.
• Can we have more advanced classes?
Our response: truly advanced classes are only really suitable for those practicing daily or have teacher accreditation. Intermediate classes (Flow) are the least attended and many run at less than half capacity, whereas Beginner/Basics classes are usually full. To overcome clients reticence in trying a more challenging class I’ve added “Pilates: Move” to the timetable from Spring, to encourage moderate progression for those who are ready.
Our response: truly advanced classes are only really suitable for those practicing daily or have teacher accreditation. Intermediate classes (Flow) are the least attended and many run at less than half capacity, whereas Beginner/Basics classes are usually full. To overcome clients reticence in trying a more challenging class I’ve added “Pilates: Move” to the timetable from Spring, to encourage moderate progression for those who are ready.