7 Clear Signs You’re Ready For A Second Pilates Studio

Congratulations! If you’re thinking of opening a second Pilates studio, it means you have a profitable first operation. That’s an incredible accomplishment that many Pilates studio operators can only dream about. But riding on the wave of success isn’t the only motivation for growth. It’s a matter of knowing when the timing is right.

Move too early, and your resources are stretched thin; move too late, and you risk a missed opportunity.

Opening a second Pilates studio is not the same as opening your first. If you’re still working on the foundation, check out our guide on how to start a Pilates studio. With a second studio, the stakes are higher, and there are more complex and varied variables. You will have to replicate success while juggling more moving parts — new staff, a new customer base, dual operations, and a wider marketing reach.

This article is your roadmap to success. We’ll guide you through seven telltale, objective signs to know when to start a second Pilates studio— based on real-world benchmarks, rather than just a gut feeling.

Whether you’re simply kicking the tires or on the ground looking for locations, use this guide as your Pilates studio startup checklist as you take your next big leap. Let’s move right into the first sign.

Sign #1: Consistent Profitability Over Multiple Quarters

Financial stability is the foundation of any successful business expansion. Before opening a second Pilates studio, your first location must not only be running smoothly, but it must be generating consistent, reliable profits over time. 

Many aspiring entrepreneurs starting a Pilates studio get excited by a few good months of revenue and rush into expansion too soon. But short-term surges can be deceptive. You want concrete financial proof that your business is not just surviving but thriving — and that you will have the funds to support a second studio without jeopardizing the first. 

Why Profit Consistency Matters 

When you launched your first studio, you probably had to contend with intermittent income, unpredictable expenses, and all the usual growing pains of a startup. You may have hustled through lean months, used personal savings, or dipped into credit. But once you’ve stabilized, the story changes.

Key Point: Showing that you can maintain profitability means your business model is working and you’ve got some fiercely loyal members. This gives you the confidence — and the cushion — to take that expansion risk. 

What Do the Numbers Say? 

So what does “consistent profitability” even mean in the Pilates world?

Here are some industry benchmarks:

• A healthy net profit margin for boutique fitness studios is 10-20%.
• A 70-80% gross profit margin (after you subtract direct class costs but before you factor in expenses) tells you that your pricing, scheduling, and instructor cost estimates are aligned. 
• 10–15% yoy revenue growth rate shows a strong business with opportunities to scale.

Financial Indicators That Signal Readiness 

Here are a few specific financial markers you can look out for, which indicate you’re well-positioned to grow: 

✅ Profit Over a Reasonable Period: You’ve made a net profit, after all expenses, from your first studio for at least 12–18 months. This is proof that success is not seasonal or fluke-based.

✅ Debts Under Control: You have paid down or significantly reduced your startup loans. Heavy debts brought from a first site to a second location can exacerbate risk. 

✅ Emergency Fund: You’ve accumulated substantial cash reserves that will get you through a minimum of 6 months of operating expenses (yes, 6 months of operating expenses!) for both your current studio and for the new one. That’s your cushion in case the new location is slow to begin turning a profit. 

✅ Predictable Cash Flow: You know when money’s coming in and when it’s going out. Rent, payroll, taxes: Nothing terribly surprising there. A nicely managed cash flow is how you can plan your expansion the way you want to. 

✅ Operating Margin Buffer: You have some margin leftover after all expenses and saving. That’s what you’ll use to fund marketing, hire staff, and invest in the build-out of a second studio. 

Can Your Income Support a Second Studio? 

Before you sign a lease on your next space, you need to determine whether your current profits can actually sustain the increased expenses of a second studio in its first months of operations. Here’s a straightforward framework to use when assessing:

1. Calculate your current monthly profit: Total your monthly revenue and subtract all costs (rent, payroll, utilities, insurance, software, supplies). This will give you your real monthly profit. Example: Monthly revenue: $22,000 Monthly expenses: $18,000 Net profit: $4,000
2. Estimate the Start-up Costs for Your New Studio: Estimate your start-up costs for studio #2. These typically include: 

• Lease and bond: $8,000-$15,000 (depending on location)
• Renovations: $10,000–$25,000 
• Equipment: $8,000–$12,000
• Marketing launch: $2,000–$5,000 
• Software setup: $500–$1,000
• Working capital (6–12 months): $50,000–$70,000 
• Estimated total: $75,000–$125,000

3. Ask: Can your business afford this? If your studio is making you $4,000 a month in profit now, that means $48,000 a year. Are you able to finance the difference out of earnings, savings or a loan without putting operations at risk?

If not, it’s a signal to stop and wait, or adapt your growth plan — by slashing costs, increasing revenues or raising external capital — first. 

Don’t Just Break Even — Create a Cushion 

When you open a second location, you need to accept that you will take a loss for some time. Most studios don’t get out of the red for 6–12 months. You should have strong enough finances to not only be able to cover the launch of the new studio but to do so while it figures out how it works best. Attempting to open a second Pilates studio before your first studio is actually profitable results in two businesses that are failing rather than a brand that is succeeding. 

Is Owning a Pilates Studio Profitable?

If you’ve reached 12+ months of strong profits, you’ve already answered the question: Is owning a Pilates studio profitable? Yes — and now, it may be profitable enough to grow.

In Summary:

You’re ready to scale when … 

• Your first studio is profitable for 12–18+ months
• You’ve accumulated substantial cash reserves that will get you through a minimum of 6 months of operating expenses — just like you did when you were starting a Pilates studio
• Your cash flow is predictable
• Your net profit can sustain upfront costs
• You’ve paid off major debts from when you were figuring out how to start a Pilates studio the first time.

This level of profitability is the financial bedrock of any successful Pilates studio expansion.

Sign #2: Your Current Studio Consistently Operates At Maximum Capacity

Financial success is only part of the expansion equation. Even with profitability, opening a second Pilates studio is only smart if you are filling classes at your first location until you can’t fit another person in. In other words, you should have so much demand that you don’t know what to do with it anymore.

What Does “Maximum Capacity” Really Mean In a Pilates Studio? 

It’s not just how many people walk through the door — true capacity is about how many more people want to take your classes but can’t because you’re out of room, time slots or instructors.

Here’s how to describe maximum capacity in tangible terms:

• Class Fill Rate: Most of your classes, especially at peak hours, should be sitting at least 85% full at all times for a minimum of 3–6 months.
• Waitlists: You often have waitlists for peak class times — typically early morning, lunch hour and after work.
• Scheduling Constraints: You’ve already loaded up to the brim with as many classes as can be added without causing your current facility and instructor team to burst during peak demand hours & ballet levels, and there’s no reasonable way to add more without lowering the quality of instruction, or giving your staff heartburn.

Analysing Class Attendance to Uncover Genuine Capacity Concerns 

To know if you’ve plateaued where you are, dive into your attendance and scheduling data. Don’t just go with your gut feeling — use numbers to support what you’re seeing.

Here are four steps to evaluate:

1. Check frequency data for each class for the past 3-6 months: Identify patterns during certain times of day—such as from 6 am to 9 am or 5 pm to 8 pm. If most classes in these windows are consistently full, that is a reliable sign of capacity strain.
2. Calculate your mean fill class rate (fill level): Total spots booked ÷ total available spots over a month = class fill rate. Ex: 1,100 reservations / 1,250 available spots = 88% fill rate
3. Keep track of how frequently members are added to wait lists: A recurring waitlist of 2+people/class is a sign you’re leaving money on the table because you can’t fit any more clients in person.
4. Check your class expansion limits: What if you are already offering additional sessions at a peak hour and cannot accommodate growing demand? If so, you are at or near full operational capacity.

Temporary Popularity vs. Sustained Demand 

Not all high demand means you’re ready to scale. It is important to determine if your current capacity crunch is seasonal or trend-related vs. an ongoing uptrend.

Ask yourself:

• Are the filled classes a result of a recent promotion or New Year’s resolution surge?
• During off-season is attendance dramatically reduced?
• Has this demand stayed the same—or increased—for the last 6 to 12 months?

Key Point: Consistent, long-term demand — as opposed to short-term fads — is what makes the risk and investment of expansion worth it.

In Summary:

You’re ready to grow when …

• Class fill rates are more than 85% month-over-month
• Waitlists are the norm during peak hours
• You can’t just throw more classes into the mix without disrupting operations.
• Demand has been strong now for a few quarters, not just temporarily

Sign #3: You Have Systematized Your Operations And Culture

If your first Pilates studio seems to run smoothly only when you’re there, then it’s not yet time to open a second space. A successful expansion is not a matter of cloning your location, but replicating the whole experience you give, the culture you have, and the operational flow of your business. That can only happen when your business is built, not on personality, not your gut, but on systems. 

Key Point: Documented processes allow you to grow with confidence by effectively training others while maintaining the brand experience your clients have come to love. 

Why Systems Are the Secret to a Smooth Pilates Studio Expansion

In your first studio, you likely developed habits and routines that became second nature—how you train the trainers, how you welcome new members, how your classes run, and how you solve a problem. But unless those things are written down and teachable, they don’t exist outside your head. 

When it comes time to open a second location, you can’t be in two places at once. The client experience in this scenario won’t be good for your brand when your second studio is forced to stumble through their new procedures or otherwise try to figure out what “the right way” to do it is. 

That’s why systematization is the bridge between one successful studio and two very successful ones. It provides consistency, saves your time, and makes your business so much more resilient. 

What Should Be Systematized?

 There are three key systems you must establish and document before growing your business:

1. Instructor Training and Class Protocols: How you deliver your classes is part of your brand. Regardless of whether your vibe is athletic, meditative, or rehabilitation-focused, that experience should be consistent no matter where your studios are running. Ask yourself:

• Do all instructors “get it” your brand philosophy? Are you going to be warm-ups, transitions, cool-downs?
• Do teaching cues and cues for adjustments remain the same throughout the team?

Standardize:

1. Instructor onboarding schedule (shadow, co-teach, evaluate, etc.) Required certifications or continuing education
2. Class format templates 
3. Feedback and review process

Pro Tip: Make a training portal or manual where new instructors can review video demonstrations, course expectations and teaching philosophies. 

2. Client Onboarding and Experience: Clients should feel like they’re entering the same welcoming and professional environment whether they’re in Studio A or Studio B.. Consider these questions:

• What is the onboard process for how you bring and onboard a new member?
•  What kind of communication do they receive after that initial visit?
• What is your drop-off, no-show, and re-engagement policy?

Standardize:

1. New client onboarding procedure (onsite and remote) 
2. Introduction offer email sequence (auto welcome + follow up)
3. Customer support scripts for FAQs and problem resolution 
4. Client retention milestones (e.g., 30-day and 90-day check-ins)

3. Administrative Procedures: A back-end operation that runs smoothly is the difference between thriving and barely surviving when running two sets of studios. Think through:

• How are classes added, dropped, or amended on the schedule? 
• What is your refund, transfer and late-cancel policy?
• Who is in charge of daily closeout, retail tracking, or software updates?

Standardize:

1. Opening/closing duties according to the daily checklist 
2. Staff shift handover process
3. Retail and supply inventory protocols 
4. Payroll and timesheet submission guidelines

Pro Tip: Leverage cloud-based software to centralize documents and ensure the most current one is being used, and disseminated to everyone, no matter where they are. 

Scheduling and Booking Systems 

Scheduling is the pulse of your business. Disorganized booking can lead to anxious members, stressed out staff, and missed income opportunities in no time. Ask yourself:

• Can your existing booking system cover two (or more) studios? To operate a multi-location Pilates studio, your tech stack must scale with you.
• Does your staff fluently handle subs, schedule adjustments, or cross-location appointments?
• Are you using automation effectively?

Standardize:

1. Installation of booking software to be used in multiple locations
2. Waitlist and cancellation handling rules
3. Instructor requested time off and coverage plans
4.  Communication protocols when schedules change

Tool Tip: With a solution like Gymdesk, you get a full-featured Pilates studio management software solution where you can manage schedules, instructors, and client data all in one central dashboard. 

Checklist: Documentation to Have Before You Expand

✅ Facilitator’s Training Manual with brand teaching style 

✅ Employee handbook with rules of conduct, dress code, and culture 

✅ SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for client service, class delivery, admin, etc ✅ Emergency (injury, weather, breakdown) procedures 

✅ Onboarding, reactivation, upsells, and reminder email templates 

✅ Open/ close duties – open/close list at desk and in studio space 

✅ Marketing playbook for the launch, social media, and community engagement 

✅ Instructor feedback & studio performance monthly review templates

Why Culture Also Needs to Be Systematized

Standardized operations alone aren’t enough. Your studio culture — how staff treat one another, how instructors interface with members, how you define success — should also be explicitly communicated and repeatedly reinforced. 

Consider what sets your studio apart: Is it your extra attention to form? Your encouragement of client autonomy? Your close-knit team culture? That’s what they’ll expect from your second location — and it needs to be taught, not only wished. 

In Summary:

You’re ready to grow when … 

1. Your initial studio works in your absence without your presence.
2. Instructor instruction is consistent, repeatable, and applicable to the brand 
3. The client experience is reliable, friendly, and well-documented
4. There’s a playbook for every aspect of the job—from scheduling to front desk ops 
5. Your culture is teachable and embedded via leadership and process

Sign #4: A Strong Management Team Is Already In Place

When you opened your first Pilates studio, you probably wore every hat—manager, instructor, marketer, cleaner, bookkeeper. That’s common in the startup phase. But once you’re thinking of expansion, you need to clearly understand that you can’t be two places at once — and your business shouldn’t require that of you.

If your current studio survives only when you’re physically there, it’s not ready for a second location. The key to a successful multi-location studio is having a team that you can trust and that is capable of running day-to-day on the ground without constant supervision. 

Why Team Strength Is the Cornerstone of Expansion 

Growing without a management team is like opening a second studio over quicksand. No matter how robust your systems are, you need the people who can lead, train, and make decisions in the service of your values. Otherwise, you will burn out trying to micromanage two locations — or worse, see both of them suffer from lack of attention. 

You should be able to be absent from your first studio for days — even weeks — and know you’re both taking care of clients, instructors are showing up prepared and problems are being handled professionally. 

Three Of The Most Important Positions You Need To Have Before Scaling

Here’s a breakdown of the key team you should have assembled before making your move:

1. A Studio Manager Who Manages Daily Operations: Your studio manager is your right hand — the one who makes sure the trains are running on time. This person should: 

• Handle staff scheduling and communication
• Keep track of daily checklists, inventory, and facility items 
• Handle client-related concerns with professionalism and diplomacy
• Keep your studio aligned with your values & culture 
• Report on metrics and raise alerts on problems proactively

What to look for: A team member who operates like an owner in everything they do – creates value, acts with integrity and inspires others to excel.

2. Daytime and Late-night Lead Instructors: Your lead instructors are not just amazing teachers— they represent the presence and accountability for your instructional team and the quality of the client experience. They can also serve as: 

• Mentors for new hires 
• Helpers for hiring and vetting instructors 
• Go to persons for programming or  protocol questions
• Ambassadors who embody your brand voice and expectations for behavior

 What to look for: Reliable, organized instructors with a passion for leadership — who love teaching their own class, and working with others to help them as well. 

3. Administrative Support to Alleviate Some of the Back-End Work: You need a person who can do all the behind-the-scenes administrative work so that you’re not drowning in paperwork. This role may include: 

• Managing billing or software issues
• Working collaboratively with members via email or phone 
• Helping in marketing campaigns and social media
• Ordering supplies or tracking expenses 

They don’t need to be full-time, but they should be detail-oriented, tech-comfortable, and trustworthy.

What to look for: A team player who has great attention to detail in logistics and doesn’t drop the ball under pressure. It’s a plus if they’re good with client communication. 

How to Spot Team Members Looking for More Responsibility

 Not everyone wants — or is cut out for — a leadership role. Here are a few indicators someone is ready for more responsibility: 

• They take initiative. They see problems and solve them without having to be told.
• They communicate clearly. They ask intelligent questions and provide honest feedback. 
• They’re respected. The other team members look to them for guidance.
• They show loyalty. They’re invested in the success of the studio, not just their paycheck. 
• They seek growth. They’ve shown interest in knowing more or climbing higher.

When you find evidence of these characteristics, feed them. You might test their readiness by providing professional development, small leadership roles or a bonus incentive.

Test Your Team Before You Scale 

Don’t wait to open a second location to learn if your team is ready to lead. Start by slowly pulling back from your existing studio in a controlled, intentional manner right now. 

Here’s what to test within your team: 

1. Take a full day of rest each week: Can your managers and instructors keep the world from imploding without texts or calls? 
2. Delegate a mini-project: Let a member of your team organize a new cohort event or marketing push. Watch how they handle deadlines, teamwork, and execution. 
3. Delegate staff meetings: Let someone else run staff meetings. If you’re typically the meeting leader, sit back and observe how communication gets facilitated. 
4. Shadow the shadows: Have a senior instructor mentor a rookie without your influence and see how good they are at teaching. 
5. Gather feedback: Solicit input from members and staff on how things go when you’re not there. ” If the response is “great,” then you’re headed in the right direction. 

Key Point: Your team is your multiplier. With them in place, your role can change from an “everything-doer” into a “visionary leader.” And that’s exactly the place you need to be in before you can open your second location with confidence. In Summary:

You know you are ready to scale when… 

• You have a studio manager who manages the day-to-day operations.
• You have found lead instructors capable of training others. You’ve outsourced admin chores to competent assistants.
• You’ve tested the autonomy of your team and found that your studio works when you’re not there.
• You’ve developed a team that can operate a multi-location Pilates studio with confidence.

Opening a second Pilates studio requires you to trust and empower your team — not just replicate your first space.

Sign #5: Your Marketing Strategy Consistently Delivers New Clients

Marketing is the engine behind any Pilates studio expansion. Without it, even the best-laid growth plans fall flat.

Opening a second Pilates studio without a proven marketing strategy is like launching a rocket with no fuel. You may have a great space, an amazing team, and bulletproof systems – but without streams of new clients coming in, the second studio is gonna fall flat on its face from day one. 

Far too many studio owners have an “if we build it, they will come” attitude. But new sites don’t arrive preloaded with trust or brand loyalty — particularly in competing fitness markets. That’s why marketing can’t be experimental as you grow — it needs to be predictable. 

Key Point: You must have a process for attracting, converting, and retaining clients, and you must do it consistently before you scale your business.

Why a Proven Marketing System is So Important 

At your first location, you likely tried social media, networking, intro offers, and local advertising. Over the years, you learned what does — and doesn’t — bring new people in the door. It was ok to have that period of trial and error when your stake was a single studio. But when you open a second site, your margins are thinner, your costs are higher and your time is more restricted. You simply cannot afford to “figure it out as you go.” What you’re looking for is a replicable client acquisition machine that you can roll out in your new location and know with certainty that it’s going to work.

3 Key Marketing Metrics That Signal Readiness

To determine if your marketing engine is really ready to scale, watch these metrics:

1. Client Acquisition Cost (CAC): This is what it costs you to add one new client.

Formula: CAC = Total monthly marketing spend ÷ number of new paying clients Example: 1,200 on advertising, content and campaigns = 30 more clients! CAC = $40

If your CAC is consistently lower than your client’s first month of value, you’re in a place to grow.

2. Conversion Rate: This quantifies how well you convert leads (email signups, trials, intro offers) into paying members.

Formula: Number of new members ÷ number of leads = Conversion Rate Example: 100 leads → 35 new members Conversion Rate = 35%

For a Pilates studio, a 25–40% conversion rate is good. Anything above that and your onboarding process and sales game is dialed in. You’re ready for expansion if your lead-to-member flow is predictable, measureable, and you’re not the only one who can seal the deal.

3. Brand Recognition in Your Market: Are people in your local community aware of who you are — even if they’ve never stepped foot in your studio? Do you dominate in local Google searches?

Are there other businesses or influencers that mention you naturally? Are your Instagram uploads or offerings being shared among people in your community?

Do you receive unsolicited PR or media coverage?

You’re good to go if your brand is known as a trusted, household name within its existing community, and you’ve cultivated a reputation for quality instruction and high-quality service. 

Framework: Adapting Your Marketing to a New Location 

Even if you know how to market your first studio, you’ve got to remember: what works in one neighborhood won’t work exactly the same in another. That said, you can modify your system so that it works just fine with the following:

1. Identify Demographic Overlaps: Ensure that your new space hits the same pockets of potential clients or students that your current studio does — in terms of income, wellness interest and lifestyle. The more overlap, the more of your messaging and offers you can repurpose.
2. Duplicate Proven Campaigns: Pluck from your “greatest hits” — email sequences, intro offer ads, referral programs — and tweak them with local flavor. Adapt language, photos and local references to the new market, but retain the existing structure.
3. Partner with Local Businesses: Start laying roots in your community by duplicating partnerships that have already worked for you before — healthy cafes, wellness influencers, chiropractors, yoga studios. Use the same outreach scripts or collab offers, that were successful in Studio #1.
4. Localise SEO and Paid Ads: You should update your Google Business Profile and landing pages with the new address and all related keywords. Run local Facebook/Instagram ads targeting people who are nearby your second studio within 3-5 miles. 

In Summary:

You’re ready to expand when… 

• You know your client acquisition cost—and it’s sustainable
• Your lead-to-member conversion rate is strong and consistent
• Your brand has clear visibility in your current community
• You have marketing campaigns that can be duplicated and localized
• You’ve built a system, not just a string of one-off promotions

Sign #6: You Have Access To Sufficient Capital And Technology

When you were starting a Pilates studio, your financial planning probably focused on staying afloat. Now, your second studio requires even more foresight and reserves.

One of the most critical signs that you’re ready to open a second Pilates studio is having access to adequate financial resources and modern technology infrastructure. Expansion is not only about duplicating what works elsewhere but also about how the new location will run on its own, and yet be the same high-quality, consistent brand experience. That takes money as well as tools.

Money Needed to Open a Second Studio 

Expanding to a second location is about more than a lease and a few reformers. You’re going to have to factor in a lot of startup and operational costs. Here’s what some of those costs can look like:

Estimated Startup Costs (in USD)

Expense Category	Estimated Cost Range (USD)
Lease & Bond (3–6 months)	$9,000 – $18,000
Renovations/Fit-Out	$12,000 – $30,000
Pilates Equipment	$15,000 – $36,000
Marketing Launch Budget	$3,000 – $6,000
Technology Setup	$1,200 – $3,000
Working Capital (6–12 mo)	$30,000 – $60,000
Total Estimate	$70,200 – $153,000

These are ballpark costs only, and the real numbers will vary based on where you are located, the size, and whether you are using leased or owned equipment.

Working Capital Is Essential 

Even if your existing studio is profitable, your new one might not break even for 6–12 months. In that time period, you will need working capital for:

• Staff wages
• Studio utilities and rent
• Ongoing marketing
• Cleaning and admin supplies
• Software subscriptions and insurance

Establishing a cash reserve will allow your new studio to grow naturally while taking the pressure off your original location.

Using Technology to Run Multiple Studios 

If you’re juggling between two or more studios without an organised system like this one in place, things can quickly turn into a logistical hell. This is why management platforms like Gymdesk are so important. With Gymdesk, you can:

• Centralize member data across locations
• Monitor attendance, memberships and payments on the fly
• Automate communication and renewals
• Carry out class timetables and bookings for more than one location
• Produce individual and comparative financials
• Leveraging technology to manage operations gives you the visibility and power you need to scale well with or without you there every day.

With Gymdesk, managing a multi-location Pilates studio becomes streamlined and efficient.

How to Fund Your Expansion 

If you can’t pay the full cost upfront, you might want to consider one or a mix of the following:

1. Business Loans: If you have an established line of business, a line of credit, or even established business loans or lines of credit, a number of banks have competitive terms for them.
2. Investors or Silent Partners: Great for those who want to split risk and have strategic backing.
3. Self-Funding: Using retained earnings or personal savings allows you to be completely in control but has potential to take a hit on your cash flow.
4. Government Grants: There are funding options available for health and wellness businesses, depending on where you live.

Before deciding on a funding option, do a full cash flow projection and think about how much risk you are comfortable taking on.

Is Owning a Pilates Studio Profitable with Two Locations?

With careful planning and proven systems, the answer to the question “is owning a Pilates studio profitable” becomes a resounding yes, especially when scaling strategically.

Summary: 

If you have enough capital to dive in and launch, operate, and absorb early losses ⁠— and if you’re using technology to run things efficiently ⁠— you’ve already cleared one of the biggest hurdles to successful expansion. Without these cornerstones, a second studio is likely to succumb to operational and financial pressure, no matter how promising it looks.

Sign #7: You’re Mentally Prepared For The Challenges Of Multi-Studio Management

Expanding from one Pilates studio to two isn’t just a business decision — it’s a psychological leap. For many studio owners, the emotional and mental obstacles of letting go, trusting others, and embracing more complexity can be more difficult than raising money or finding the right lease. You also need to ask yourself this before you commit to a second location: Am I in the right frame of mind to do this?

Expansion, From a Psychological Vantage 

Growth provides opportunity — but also pressure. When you’re running one site, a lot of times you’re the focus of everything. With two (or more), that model falls apart. You can’t observe every class, every client interaction, every little decision. This transfer can raise a few of the more familiar mental hurdles:

• Delegation Anxiety: It can be uncomfortable to “give up the reins”, particularly in client-facing roles. You might worry that others won’t meet your standards.
• Perfectionism: Wanting everything to be done “your way” can stunt growth or result in micromanaging.
• Imbalance: If you’re not clear when to switch off, you could spread yourself too thin, particularly during the build-up to the second studio.
• Decision Fatigue: As your business grows, the number of decisions you need to make every day also grows — and it can cause mental burnout if not handled properly.

Self-Check: Are You Prepared, Mentally? 

Here’s a checklist on how prepared you are emotionally to expand. If you can answer “No” to many or even most of these, you may wish to invest time in leadership development or support structures before scaling.

• I’m comfortable letting others make day-to-day decisions in the business
• I’ve trained or identified someone I trust to manage a studio without me present
• I have mental bandwidth for more strategic planning and fewer tactical tasks
• I can handle uncertainty and adapt quickly to challenges
• I have healthy boundaries between work and personal life
• I’m not afraid to ask for help or delegate responsibilities
• I’m excited about the challenge of leading a team, not just doing the work myself

Tips for Maintaining Your Wellbeing During Expansion

1. Build a Support System: Surround yourself with trusted advisors, mentors, or even a mastermind group. You’ll face new challenges — don’t do it alone.
2. Create Clear Delegation Systems: Document the processes, manage expectations and trust your team. Systems take the anxiety out of “what if something goes wrong?”
3. Schedule Downtime: When it comes to taking time off to rest and recover, it’s not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Schedule non-negotiable personal time each week, even during a high-pressure launch.
4. Limit Decision Fatigue: Batch like tasks, employ checklists and provide your team decision-making frameworks. Don’t waste mental energy on tasks that can be automated or delegated.
5. Reframe Perfectionism: Your second studio won’t be a replica of the first — and that’s A-ok. Concentrate on replicating your values and client experience, not every little detail.

Signs You’re Ready vs. Signs You Should Wait

Ready to Expand	Need More Time
Consistent profits for 12+ months	Irregular or recent profitability
Classes regularly at 85%+ capacity	Fluctuating class attendance
Documented systems and procedures	Operations depend on your presence
Strong management team in place	No clear second-in-command
Proven, measurable marketing system	Ad hoc marketing approach
Access to sufficient startup capital	Still paying off initial studio debt
Mentally prepared for new challenges	Feeling overwhelmed by current operations

How To Take The Leap And Grow Your Pilates Empire

Once you’ve recognized all seven signs that you’re ready to expand — from financial stability and systematized operations to personal readiness and team leadership — the question becomes: What now?

The time has come to convert all of your momentum into a tangible, executable plan. Below is a nuts-and-bolts roadmap to help you on your second (or third) studio expansion journey, avoid common pitfalls, and set you up for success.

Pilates Studio Expansion Step-by-Step Plan

 Step 1: Articulate the Vision for Your Expansion

• Decide Why You Want Your Second Location — Is It For Reach? Revenue growth? Brand dominance?
• Establish quantifiable benchmarks (number of members, time to break even, instructor growth, etc.). This phase will feel familiar if you remember starting a Pilates studio — only now, you’ll do it smarter.”
• Whether you’re expanding or learning how to start a Pilates studio for the first time, a clear vision keeps your growth grounded.

This vision becomes the foundation for every part of your Pilates studio expansion.

Step 2: Create or Reinforce Your Core Team

• Frees up your Time – Delegate studio leadership to someone in your current Studio.
• Elevate studio managers or lead instructors to more responsible roles.
• Start training systems now — not later.

Step 3: Finalize Financial Planning

• Draw up comprehensive budgets and cash flow predictions.
• Raise funds (self-fund, investors, or business loans).
• Have some operational reserves of capital for 6–12 months at the new location.

Step 4: Choose and Secure the New Space

• Do some research and look for an area that is close to your current client demographics.
• Look at rent terms, visibility, foot traffic and zoning needs.
• Negotiate for your future — make room for growth.

Step 5: Establish Systems and Implement Digital Operations

• Take stock of your existing systems — from scheduling and client onboarding to payroll and instructor training.
• The point is to document everything so it can be duplicated in the new place.

Step 6: Conquer Studio Technology 

• Access Gymdesk’s multi-studio dashboard to administer memberships, class schedules, and payments from both studios.
• Compare performances and analyze data by location.
• Pool teachers and admin staff across all of your studios in one single integrated system.
• Automate billing, client follow-up, and waitlists.

Step 7: Launch with Confidence

• Schedule a 3-month marketing ramp-up before you open.
• Have a grand opening; offer founder memberships; make some noise in your market.
• Monitor feedback carefully for the first 90 days and be prepared to quickly make tweaks to operations.

Sample Expansion Timeline

Phase	Timeline
Strategic Planning	Month 1
Secure Location + Funding	Months 2–3
Renovations & Fit-Out	Months 3–5
Hiring & Training	Month 4–5
Marketing Pre-Launch	Month 5
Grand Opening	Month 6
First 90 Days of Growth	Months 6–9

If you’ve been wondering when to start a second Pilates studio, the answer might be right now!

Ready to Grow? 

You’ve already done the heavy lifting: proving your concept, cultivating a loyal community, and learning what it takes to run a great studio. Now’s the moment to magnify that impact — and multiply that income — by taking the plunge into your second location.

Allow Gymdesk to help you grow at every step. From opening a second Pilates studio to managing multiple thriving locations, with Gymdesk’s intuitive multi-location capabilities, it’s now easier than ever to scale without getting lost.

👉 Get started with your free trial of Gymdesk today and start growing your Pilates empire — one empowered studio at a time.

FAQs About Opening A Second Pilates Studio

How do I schedule my time between two Pilates studio locations? 

Build a rigid timetable, dedicating particular days to each place, and use management software such as Gymdesk to keep track of both studios when you aren’t working there.

Should I open my second studio in the same neighborhood, in a different neighborhood?

Select a new neighborhood that is demographically similar to your first successful location but is outside the range of your first location (generally 3–5 miles) so as to not cannibalize your current customers.

How much additional revenue should I expect from a second Pilates studio? 

Numbers vary, but as a rule of thumb a second studio should do 60-80% of what your first studio does in year one (and should match or exceed your first location by year three, if everything is well managed).

Still unsure whether you’re ready? Our guide on how to start a Pilates studio can help you benchmark your current studio’s maturity.