Paris Pilates has no problem attracting attention to their Silverlake location with their unique approach to a Pilates studio. A large neon pink sign, a Marie Antoinette inspired mural and little details that would make any francophile scream “j’adore!” we weren’t surprised that the Southern California “it” crowd (the famous models, entertainers and influencers) began fawning over le belle studio all over Instagram with Vogue and Forbes Magazine soon taking notice.

With Paris in mind, creative director Jenny Williams answered some questions for us and provided some insights on how she was able to create one of Los Angeles’s most popular photogenic Pilates studios.

How did you come up with the idea for a French based theme?

I am a long time Francophile and adore the culture, language and design in France. I thought it would be a really immersive experience and beautiful and fun to create an apartment like atmosphere.   It is a modern Marais inspired that is calm and cozy with vibrant saturated colors.  One of our clients is a close friend of Wes Anderson.  He wants to bring him!  He says he would love it.  Yes, I said HE!  We have men and women.

What about Paris do you love the most and wanted to depict in your studio?

The colors they use: from chalky plastery white to pinks and deep hues of green and blue.  I love that they have graphic tiles and wall mounted toilets as well as wall flushers.  But, the best part of Paris are the floors.  The chevron wood planks that creak wonderfully!  We have those floors and I think it makes it immediately feel Parisian.

What are some unique aspects of your studio do you love the most?

Our receptionist wears a custom designed dress made from tennis dress fabric embroidered with our logo with pockets and adorable puffy sleeves.  She also wears a custom created beret.  The whole immersive experience starts outside.  We have a charming mural on the exterior and our logo lips on the front door.  The lockers are faux marble and make putting your bag and shoes away fun.  The bathroom is pumping French music through the Sonos x HAY collab speaker in soft pink.  So, you can dance in the bathroom or take a selfie.  You can have a towel and a cold Evian mister to mist yourself while you take class.  It is all very chic and meant to be so much fun, while getting this fantastic workout.  Don’t miss a photo or video in front of the neon sign.  Our receptionists and instructors love to take photos and videos for people.

Did you know that your studio would become as popular as it is?

Yes, I believed very strongly that it would be a beautiful space that people wanted to be in and that the classes would be effective and that the community would be a place in which people wanted to be a part of!

Favorite piece of equipment or prop you’re using right now?

We love our springboards and our jump boards. We are creating a Springboard class that launches very soon.  The box is so classic and I think we all use it almost every class.  Another fun aspect is the infinity footbar.  So many clients will say wow I didn’t even know that it moved!

What’s an awesome studio “hack” you’ve found along the way?

That is a really good question! We love to keep the jump boards underneath and a basket with the box at the back.  In the basket we keep light weights, a ball, and the magic circle.  Easy access for anything we want to add to class!  We also keep a chart of names.  Since you can pre-select your Reformer spot, just like on an airplane reservation, we keep a map of who is where so we can use their names and correct them easy very personally.

Music or no music?

MUSIC all the way. We create playlists that have a mix of what is popular in France and cool music from the US which  and other places.  Music gives that perfect sense of dance and movement that compliments every exercise.

When people walk into your studio, how do you want them to feel?

I want them to feel like they are in a cozy calm Parisian apartment with their friends doing Pilates to great music.

What does Paris Pilates have coming up next?

Franchising and retreats!!!

We have a retreat planned for Paris this Fall, and we plan to return there in the Spring.  4 nights, 5 days of Pilates and a hotel stay at one of the best newest hotels. Curated walks and shopping and cafe lists from years of visiting there.  A final dinner cooking together with lots of champagne in a Parisian apartment.

Franchising: we will be offering an opportunity to have other people own a location of Paris Pilates for themselves.

More locations:  we plan to open more company owned locations in 2020!

Photography by Jimmy Bazan for The Core by Balanced Body®