National Pilates brand planning to open new franchise in Colonie
COLONIE — A global Pilates studio franchise is opening a new location at the Northway Shopping Center in Colonie, about three years since opening its first Capital Region location in Clifton Park.
Club Pilates is celebrating the April 4 launch of its studio on 1440 Central Ave. with a 20 percent discount on the first three months of membership for sign-ups before the opening. The Irvine, Calif.-based company offers fullbody workout classes using Pilates equipment, like the carriage-shaped reformer, to enhance posture, balance, flexibility and strength.
The franchise also integrates suspension straps, ballet bars, and other non-pilates equipment into its routines, which incoming Colonie branch owner Saam Arshad said gives it a more contemporary edge compared to traditional studios.
“It’s just a little bit of cross training added in to be able to offer people a one-stop shop for fitness,” said Arshad, a longtime Capital Region resident who also runs the Clifton Park location. “Adding in the other modalities helps kind of accentuate the workout and getting your results faster.”
Arshad told the Times Union that he came across Club Pilates shortly after struggling with a herniated disc over five years ago, which he attributed to regularly playing basketball and lifting weights. He said he sees Pilates as an effective way to stabilize and strengthen core muscles to alleviate back pain. He hopes that opening a new location along the widely traveled Central Avenue corridor will help introduce more people to Pilates.
“We’re really, really excited. It’s been a long time coming,” Arshad said. “We’re just glad this is finally being realized.”
Club Pilates operates 500 locations in 39 states and at least nine other countries. The Colonie store will be located between Northway’s Mattress Firm and Gamestop storefronts.