ITS TIME TO MEET US AT THE BAR!
BODYBAR Pilates Opening First Florida Location in Lakewood Ranch
BODYBAR Pilates (BODYBAR), known for its integrative workouts that unite the Pilates method and modern exercise training principles, has officially opened to the public on April 25 at 7600 Island Cove Terrace, Suite 102 in Sarasota, Florida.
The new BODYBAR location will be the first in Florida and the first studio for local owners, Kristin and Shane Ward. Blending its focus on strength, toning and modern movement with a warm, welcoming, spalike environment, BODYBAR creates a Pilates experience unlike any other. It is all centered on fostering a destination where a community of members can come together daily to maintain sound mind, body and spirit.
Shane and Kristin Ward are residents of Sarasota County and have a diverse skillset that will bring a unique touch to the Lakewood Ranch studio. Before joining the BODYBAR team, Kristin worked as a landscape architect and Shane, an Air Force veteran, has a background in law enforcement. As college athletes, the couple share a passion for fitness and a commitment to maintaining good health. Sharing their love for fitness and the community, the Wards will oversee day-today operations of their studio in Lakewood Ranch.
The Wards are the perfect duo to introduce the Sunshine State to BODYBAR. They understand the purpose of BODYBAR Pilates -- to create a community of people who respect, encourage and motivate one another to be strong, healthy and happy human beings. Kristin has been an athlete her entire life. After her first pregnancy, she was looking for a workout that anyone could do. She wanted something that would build her core and help her athletically, that’s when she found Pilates.
Both Shane and Kristin value nutrition and health. They wanted to share something with their community that was intimate and versatile. BODYBAR Pilates allows them to bring something new and fresh to Sarasota that is easy to access and promotes good health.
The Wards are both athletes and recruited to play sports in college. With Shane’s experience in law enforcement and the Air Force, they will have no problem showing that BODYBAR is for everybody. The Wards will be sure to promote and spread positive energy amongst the community.
“We’re really excited to bring something new and fresh to the Sarasota market,” said Kristin Ward, co-owner of BODYBAR Pilates in Lakewood Ranch. “After my first pregnancy, Pilates helped me recover and regain my strength. I learned that there are people in this community who are devoted to Pilates as much as I am, so we thought that BODYBAR would be a great way to give back and connect with our neighbors.”
From single-use equipment that is disinfected between each workout, to appropriate spacing of the reformers and ample time between classes, BODYBAR’S steadfast commitment to the safety of its members and employees remains top priority.
“We’re really excited to bring something new and fresh to ” the Sarasota market, said Kristin Ward, co-owner of BODYBAR Pilates in Lakewood Ranch.
BODYBAR instructors are encouraged to use creativity in their delivery to ensure members experience classes that vary in routine and intensity. And, with 14 reformers in each studio, instructors have ample time to interact with the class and provide members with a personalized experience, while providing franchisees the highest earning potential per class among all Pilates franchises.
With decades of consumer marketing experience at world-class brands such as Wendy’s and Massage Envy, Detenber will lead the brand’s omni-channel marketing team, design, category and merchandising teams.
No stranger to the franchise industry, Detenber comes to Batteries Plus from senior marketing roles with world-class franchise brands such as Wendy’s and Massage Envy. Most recently, Detenber served as Chief Marketing Officer for Artisanal Brewing Ventures (ABV), one of the largest adult beverages holding companies in the U.S. In this role, he led brand strategy, new product development and marketing. In his new role at Batteries Plus, Detenber will be responsible for bringing together marketing, category, and merchandising omni-channel strategies to elevate the brand’s public profile, raise awareness, improve the customer experience, and drive profitable sales growth for franchise owners and stores.
“The Batteries Plus business model is as solid as it gets and I truly believe this company has only scratched the surface when it comes to its potential,” said Detenber. “There is a huge opportunity to tell this brand’s story and expand and grow various aspects of the business – all of which inspires me as a marketer. Not to mention, the leadership team at Batteries
Plus is unmatched and has done something truly remarkable - shown positive results even during tough times in a very volatile retail environment.”
With the goal of developing category leading product and marketing strategies, Detenber’s efforts will support the company’s long-term growth plans to sign an additional 60 stores this year while opening another 55 across the country by year’s end. In addition, Detenber will be focused on bringing meaning and connection to the Batteries Plus brand and telling its story while building and developing his marketing team to be the best in the industry.
“We would not be the leading retail brand we are today without the dedication and vision of individuals like Derek – those that not only bring with them decades of experience at world-class organizations but those that are passionate about our growth and telling our brand’s story,” said Scott Williams, CEO of Batteries Plus. “Derek is highly regarded as one of the top marketing executives in the industry and I have the utmost confidence in his ability to drive our future marketing and merchandising success.”
With over 800 store locations in operation and development nationwide, Batteries Plus franchise owners are passionate about providing essential products and services for their local communities. Batteries Plus has also carved out a unique niche in the industry with its ‘plus’ services – including cell phone repair and key fob replacement – capitalizing on both its knowledge and service offerings. Positioned for the battery-powered future, Batteries Plus supplies fundamental products that power people’s lives – boats, golf carts, motorcycles, mobility scooters, thermometers, etc.
“In the short time I have been with Batteries Plus, I have been extremely impressed with the talent, thinking and discipline of the people I get the pleasure to work alongside each and every day,” added Detenber. “Getting back into the franchise industry is very exciting for me and I look forward to helping this brand realize its potential while working with passionate, engaged franchisees throughout the Batteries Plus system.”