27/08/2026
Meet Jo: The Story Behind Simply Pilates 🧘♀️
If you've ever walked into the studio in Longridge and wondered how it all came together, here's the story.
From Trainee to Studio Owner
I started teaching Pilates in 2017. Before Simply Pilates existed, I worked across several different studios, learning the ropes, building my client base, and figuring out exactly what kind of studio I wanted to run one day. That "one day" arrived when I took on a studio of my own — and we're now in our sixth year.
I'm a fully comprehensive Pilates instructor, trained in both Classical and Contemporary Pilates. In practice, that means I teach group mat and reformer classes, but I also work 1:1 and 2:1 with clients who've been referred to me by physios and doctors — including people recovering from operations or working through injuries. Pilates in this context isn't just exercise; it's rehabilitation, done carefully and precisely, with each session built around what that person's body actually needs.
Six Years In
Running a studio for six years teaches you a lot — not just about Pilates, but about people. Clients come to us at very different starting points: some are elite movers looking to refine their practice, others are taking their first tentative steps back into movement after surgery or injury. What's stayed constant is the belief that Pilates should be accessible and adaptable, whatever your starting point.
The Team
Simply Pilates isn't a one-woman show — it's a small team of instructors, each bringing something different to the studio:
- Alison: Mat Pilates qualified instructor
- Sharon: Student comprehensive instructor
- Olivia: Student comprehensive instructor
- Shannon: Mat and Reformer qualified instructor
Having a team with a spread of qualifications means we can offer everything from group mat classes through to full reformer and comprehensive sessions, with everyone working to the same standard of care and attention.
What Sets Us Apart
The studio is fully equipped — Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Reformers, and Towers — which means classes and private sessions can progress properly over time, rather than clients hitting a ceiling with the equipment available. But the equipment is really just the toolkit. The real work is in the precision: understanding why a client was referred, what they can and can't do safely, and building a programme that gets them stronger without setting them back.
If you're recovering from an injury, managing a long-term condition, or simply want to build core strength and better movement for the long run, that's exactly what we're here for.
Simply Pilates is based in Longridge, Lancashire, offering group classes, semi-private and private sessions.
