Pilates Academy®

What Pilates Academy® does

Pilates Academy® is a Dubai-headquartered, founder-led Pilates ecosystem company founded in 2014 by Cloe Sommadossi and co-founded in 2019 by Anjali Chandiramani. The legal entity is MI PILATES STUDIO DMCC (Trade License DMCC-083863), and the business is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding. It operates 14 studio locations across Dubai (5: JLT HQ, Furjan, Meydan, Silicon Oasis, Arjan) and India (9: Mumbai Bandra/Worli/Juhu/Andheri/Churchgate, Pune Kalyani Nagar, Hyderabad Kondapur/Kokapet/Khajaguda, Bangalore Koramangala), supplemented by mobile-app booking, online live classes, home visits, and corporate sessions.

The company runs four distinct revenue lines: (1) studio classes and sessions — group classes capped at 6 participants, plus private, duet, clinical Pilates, home, online, and corporate formats priced per session in AED; (2) a Professional Certification Program with PMA and REPs UAE accreditation combining hybrid online foundations with in-person intensive training; (3) a proprietary Signature Equipment Line (Reformer, Tower Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Ladder/Step/Arc Barrel, Foam Spine Corrector, Fuse Ladder) featuring registered industrial designs with integrated MOTR handles, double-rounded box edges, and gliding chair mechanics; and (4) franchise development, including franchise fees, equipment supply at exclusive rates, instructor training, and operational consultancy.

The go-to-market is a hybrid model: direct-to-consumer studio and online sales, enterprise field sales for franchise acquisition, and event-driven demand generation through Dubai retreats, international retreats, the Bodywise Festival, and the Pilates Academy Symposium Elite Series. Customers include individual fitness consumers (primary), corporate clients, franchisees/entrepreneurs, aspiring and current Pilates instructors, wellness tourists, and equipment buyers (clinics, studios, home users). Pricing is not publicly disclosed across any stream, and revenue figures are not reported; the headcount is reported as 11–50, concentrated at headquarters with studio staff employed by franchisee entities.

Name

Pilates Academy®

Legal name

MI PILATES STUDIO DMCC

Website

https://pilatesacademydubai.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pilates Studios and Fitness Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Pilates Instruction (Mat & Reformer) (HSADACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) & Pilates Instructor Training (HSADACAL), Therapeutic/Adaptive Yoga & Clinical Pilates (HSADACAE), Corporate/Workplace Yoga & Pilates (HSADACAJ), Fitness & Movement Retreats (Pilates, Barre, Dance, Bootcamps) (THAJAHAG)

Keywords

• Pilates instructor training
• Pilates studio services
• Custom Pilates equipment
• Pilates franchise operations
• Pilates certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubayy

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Studio Classes and Sessions: Revenue from group classes, private sessions, duet classes, clinical Pilates, home classes, and online classes at Pilates Academy studio locations. Small group classes limited to 6 participants.
2. Franchise Development: Franchise fees and ongoing support revenue from franchisees operating Pilates Academy studio locations. Franchisees receive equipment at exclusive rates, instructor training, branding, and operational support.
3. Teacher Certification Programs: International Pilates certification programs with hybrid learning model. Includes online foundations, matwork, reformer, Cadillac, chair, and barrels training with internationally recognized accreditation (PMA, REPs UAE).
4. Equipment Sales: Sale of custom-designed Pilates Academy branded equipment to home users, rehabilitation clinics, boutique studios, and large-scale facilities. Franchise branches equipped with proprietary apparatus.
5. Events and Retreats: Revenue from Dubai retreats, international retreats, Bodywise Festival, Pilates Academy Symposium, and international presenter bookings for workshops and teacher training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pilates Academy® operates a network of fully equipped Pilates studios across the UAE and India delivering group classes (limited to 6 participants), private sessions, clinical rehabilitation, online and home training. The company also sells custom-designed Pilates equipment under its own signature brand, runs internationally accredited teacher training and certification programmes, and offers turnkey franchise opportunities for studio expansion.

Product overview

Pilates Academy® provides a comprehensive Pilates ecosystem comprising studios, teacher training certification, custom-designed equipment, and franchise opportunities. The core offering includes fully equipped studio locations across UAE and India offering small group classes (max 6 participants), private sessions, clinical rehabilitation, and online/home training options. The signature 'Beyond Reformer' group class integrates multiple apparatus types. The Professional Certification Program combines Classical and Contemporary Pilates methods with hybrid (online + in-person) delivery, internationally accredited by PMA and REPs UAE. Equipment product line includes proprietary-designed Reformers, Cadillacs, Chairs, and barrels with white/grey aesthetic. Additional offerings include signature events (retreats, Bodywise Festival, Symposium), franchise opportunities for studio expansion, and a mobile app for booking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pilates Academy® Studios Fully equipped Pilates studios offering group and private sessions across Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels and specialised apparatus. Studios are located in UAE (Dubai: JLT HQ, Furjan, Meydan, Silicon Oasis, Arjan) and India (Mumbai - Bandra, Worli, Juhu, Andheri, Churchgate; Pune - Kalyani Nagar; Hyderabad - Kondapur, Kokapet, Khajaguda; Bangalore - Koramangala).
• Pilates Academy® Signature Equipment Line Custom-designed professional Pilates apparatus including Reformer, Tower Reformer, Reformer/Cadillac Combo, Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel, Step Barrel, Arc Barrel, Foam Spine Corrector and Fuse Ladder, plus smaller props such as weighted balls, Magic Circles, resistance bands and foot correctors. White and grey aesthetic with precision engineering, integrated MOTR handles, custom box edges, exclusive safety features and innovative chair gliding resistance system. Sold to home users, rehabilitation clinics, boutique studios and large facilities.
• Pilates Academy® Professional Certification Program International Pilates teacher training and certification combining Classical and Contemporary methods. Includes online foundations (Anatomy, Biomechanics, Posture Analysis, Movement Foundations), online apparatus training (Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels) and in-person intensive training (Matwork & Reformer Fundamentals, Intermediate, Advanced; Cadillac, Chair & Barrels Intensive). Internationally accredited by the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and REPs UAE.
• Pilates Academy® Events (Retreats, Bodywise Festival, Symposium) Signature events including Dubai Retreats (private sessions and group classes for visitors), International Retreats (worldwide wellness travel experiences), the Bodywise Festival (3-day immersive movement festival limited to 45 participants with 20 hours of workshops) and the Pilates Academy Symposium Elite Series (2-day premier educational event in Dubai with 15 participants per session).
• Pilates Academy® Franchise Program Turnkey franchise system for opening Pilates Academy® studios. Includes studio setup, custom-designed equipment at discounted rates, standardised instructor training, marketing support and ongoing business consultancy, with comprehensive guidance from location selection through operational launch. Customised business proposals and investment details provided during the enquiry process.
• Group Classes - 'Beyond Reformer' Signature group class integrating Reformers, Cadillacs, Chairs, Barrels and specialised apparatus in a small-group format limited to a maximum of 6 participants, ensuring individualised attention and hands-on corrections beyond single-equipment Reformer workouts.
• Clinical Pilates Rehabilitation and movement therapy sessions for injury recovery, postural correction and clients with specific medical conditions. Includes postural assessment to identify misalignments, imbalances and movement restrictions, integrating biomechanics and rehabilitation principles under fully certified instructors.
• Private Sessions One-on-one personalised training sessions catering to rehabilitation, elite athletic performance or individual movement goals. Instructors create tailor-made programmes addressing each client's strengths, needs and aspirations.
• Duet Classes Semi-private sessions for two participants working on Pilates equipment together with personalised instruction. Suited to couples, friends or family members who want to train together with individualised guidance.
• Online Classes Live virtual Pilates sessions with expert instructors, accessible worldwide. Provide real-time personalised feedback and maintain comparable effectiveness to in-person sessions for clients travelling or preferring home training.
• Home Classes On-site sessions at client residences with certified instructors. Available for Mat or the client's own Pilates equipment, bringing studio expertise to the home environment for clients with busy schedules.
• Corporate Classes Pilates sessions designed for corporate clients, bringing wellness programmes to workplace environments for employee wellness, stress reduction and team-building.

Quantifiable outcome

• Small group classes limited to maximum 6 participants ensuring individualized attention
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Global Brand PartnersminorOthersPilates Academy mentions 'proud to have partnered with these global brands throughout the years' in their collaborations section, but specific brand names are not disclosed in the source material. These appear to be non-disclosed partnerships for brand collaborations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BASI Pilates: Global Pilates equipment manufacturer and teacher training academy with international accreditation; directly comparable for the equipment and certification revenue streams and for premium positioning.
• Polestar Pilates: Internationally recognized Pilates education and certification organization; comparable as a competitor in the global Pilates teacher-training market with hybrid delivery and accreditation.
• Reform Pilates: Multi-location Reformer Pilates studio concept with international expansion; competes for the same premium boutique Pilates consumer and franchise operator pool.
• The Pilates Studio: Established classical Pilates studios offering apparatus-based full-method instruction including Reformer, Cadillac, and Chair; directly comparable service mix and premium positioning.
• Club Pilates: Largest Pilates franchise globally with 1,000+ studios offering Reformer-based group classes; directly comparable as a franchise-driven, multi-country Pilates studio operator competing for the same franchisee and end-customer segments.
• Pure Yoga: Premium yoga and Pilates studio chain with Asia-Pacific presence; comparable as a premium boutique fitness brand operating studios in dense urban markets with corporate and individual member segments.

Emerging players

• Xtend Barre: Boutique barre/Pilates-inspired franchise with hybrid delivery and global teacher training; overlapping target market of instructors and franchisees seeking adjacent movement concepts.

Broad incumbents

• Merrithew (STOTT PILATES): Established global Pilates and mind-body education brand with equipment, certification, and studio licensing; broader portfolio but directly comparable in certification and equipment.
• Fitness First Middle East: Large-scale fitness club operator with significant UAE presence; not a Pilates specialist but competes for the same premium wellness consumer and corporate wellness budget in the region.
• Balanced Body: Leading global Pilates equipment manufacturer with associated education programs; comparable on the equipment manufacturing and B2B supply side of the Pilates ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMH60b3Zc-7RNdBkh0TPpJA
• Facebookfacebook.com/PilatesAcademyDubai
• Instagraminstagram.com/pilates.academy.dubai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pilateacadamyinternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pilates Academy®