The Studio at The Nelson / Balanced Body

The Nelson Golf & Sports Club has repurposed an underutilised racquetball court into a dedicated Reformer Pilates studio, The Studio at The Nelson, investing in premium Balanced Body equipment and instructor education to enhance member wellbeing and maximise the use of existing space.

The project was in response to growing Member demand while breathing new life into an area of the Club that had seen declining participation. This forms part of the Club's wider commitment to investing in Member wellbeing and creating facilities that reflect the evolving needs of today's health-conscious members.

The idea for the studio dates back several years, according to Meg Plotsky, director of wellness at The Nelson Golf & Sports Club. "The vision for a dedicated Reformer Pilates studio dates back to 2017," says Plotsky. "I knew Pilates would be a fantastic addition for our Members and something they could benefit from throughout their lives. Although the project was delayed by the pandemic, we never lost sight of the opportunity, and it's incredibly rewarding to finally see that vision become a reality."

With participation in racquetball continuing to decline, converting one of the Club's three courts became an obvious opportunity.

"The court was significantly underutilised, with only around ten Members regularly playing racquetball across all three courts," explains Plotsky. "Meanwhile, many of our Members already had Pilates memberships elsewhere. We knew we had an opportunity to create something that would deliver far greater value."

To bring the vision to life, The Nelson Club partnered with Balanced Body, installing eight Balanced Body Allegro 2 Reformers with Towers and selecting the equipment based on its reputation for quality, longevity, customer support and education.

"I've worked in the fitness industry for many years and Balanced Body has always been recognised for producing exceptional equipment backed by outstanding customer service," continues Plotsky. "The instructor's education has been equally valuable. Our trainers gained confidence not only in the exercises themselves but also in understanding how to adapt sessions for members of different ages and abilities."

Less than a year after opening, The Studio has already exceeded expectations, quickly becoming one of the Club's most popular wellness offerings while delivering strong commercial and Membership value.

"The Studio paid for itself within six months!” adds Plotsky. "Financial return was never the primary objective. Our goal was to improve Member satisfaction, support retention, attract new Members and give people another reason to visit the Club. It has achieved all of those things and become one of the most valued amenities we offer."

The benefits have extended beyond traditional Fitness Members, with golfers increasingly discovering Reformer Pilates to improve mobility, balance and performance on the course.

"We're now seeing golfers who had never used our fitness facilities coming into The Studio because they've seen the improvements Pilates has made to their friends' golf games. The response from Members has been incredible and, more than anything else, they simply thank us for creating the space."

For Balanced Body founder & CEO Ken Endelman, the installation highlights a growing opportunity for clubs to rethink how existing facilities are used. "Many Clubs have spaces that no longer reflect how members want to exercise today," says Endelman. "The Nelson Golf & Sports Club has demonstrated that with the right vision, an underused area can become one of the most valuable assets in the building. This isn't simply about installing Pilates equipment; it's about creating a destination that improves the Member experience, supports retention and helps Clubs build a stronger business for the future."

The success of The Studio has reinforced The Nelson Golf & Sports Club's decision to invest in Pilates, providing Members with a dedicated wellness space while demonstrating how existing facilities can be successfully reimagined to meet changing fitness trends.

For more information on Balanced Body, visit www.balancedbodypilates.co.uk.

And to learn more about The Nelson Golf & Sports Club, visit www.thenelsongolfandsportsclub.com.

Balanced Body® and Allegro® 2 Reformers are registered trademarks