As Pilates continues to grow in popularity among fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious people all over the country, one upcoming concept launching late this year in Ybor City is preparing to transform reformer Pilates in terms of accessibility. Founded by Kirsten Nye, Virtulates Studios will take a screen-based approach that will provide more options at a lower price for members.
“For me, it really started with my own frustration with not being able to get the right class times at places I wanted to go,” Nye told What Now on Tuesday. “There were very limited options, and classes at peak times right after work book up quickly.”
Featuring prerecorded classes by certified Pilates instructors in a studio space with ten reformer machines, Virtulates offers increased flexibility. In the reception and lounge area, you’ll find vending machines offering merch, snacks, and drinks—a model that will even allow for classes during unmanned hours.
Together with the increased scheduling flexibility, Virtulates’ screen-based approach will also be more approachable at the level of price.
“Cost is the other part,” Nye said. “We wanted to make Pilates more accessible overall: much more affordable, with significantly more class times.”
Virtulates will open at 2409 E. Second Ave. in Tampa, joining the Lector 85 development in Ybor. Nye says the goal is to open between late November and early December.
You can keep up with all things Virtulates by following @virtulatesstudios on Instagram.
