Pilates is having a main character moment. It was, in fact, the most popular fitness class in 2024 for the second year in a row. In the U.S. alone, nearly 12 million people participated in Pilates training.
The industry is projected to hit over $420 billion by 2032. And if your social media feed looks anything like ours, you’ve probably seen everyone from Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner to Cristiano Ronaldo and many other global icons showing off their reformer sessions. #Pilates has racked up over X billion views on social media.
Pilates studios are filling up faster than ever, with waitlists stacking weeks in advance. For studio owners, this is exciting—but it also means staying organized is more important than ever.
With full classes, busy schedules, and new clients signing up daily, the right Pilates Booking Software makes all the difference. It keeps everything running smoothly, saves time on admin work, and most importantly, makes it easy for clients to book, pay, and keep coming back.
A good Pilates Studio Booking Software does more than just handle scheduling; it helps you create a seamless client experience while making your day-to-day operations effortless. With the right platform, you can:
✔ Fill every class with waitlists and automatic reminders
✔ Sell classes, packages, and one-time sessions seamlessly
✔ Offer live-streamed and on-demand classes for extra flexibility
✔ Keep your community engaged with in-app messaging and social features
✔ Manage everything effortlessly with real-time insights and automation
So, how do you find the best Pilates Booking Software for your studio? In this blog, we’ll break down exactly how to find the ideal Pilates booking software for your studio—so you can spend less time on admin and more time doing what you love.
Step 1: Know What You Need (And What You Don’t)
Not all class booking software is built for Pilates studios—some are too complicated while others lack essentials like waitlists or membership management. So before you start comparing options, take a step back and write down what your studio actually needs. The right system should fit seamlessly into how you run things—not add extra steps.
Consider this:
- Class structure – Do your Pilates studio offer group classes, private sessions, or workshops? Your software should handle all your booking types seamlessly.
- Waitlists – Are your classes often full? A waitlist feature can help you maximize attendance without the manual hassle.
- Payments – Do you sell subscriptions, class packs, or drop-ins? Make sure your system lets clients pay easily and supports flexible pricing.
- Virtual options – If you run live-stream or on-demand content, make sure your software lets clients book and access sessions easily, without needing a separate platform.
- Client engagement – Would features like in-app messaging, automated reminders, or progress tracking help you stay connected with clients?
Being clear on what you need (and skipping what you don’t) makes finding the right system for your Pilates studio faster, easier, and way less overwhelming.
Step 2: Look for User-Friendly, Mobile-First Software
80% of fitness class bookings happen on mobile devices. Meaning most of your clients are booking classes on their phones—between work meetings, errands, or while scrolling through Instagram. If someone sees your studio on social media and wants to book a class, the process should be quick and easy.
Here’s what to look for when choosing booking software for your Pilates studio:
- A clean, fast booking experience– Clients should be able to see your schedule, book a spot, and pay in just a few taps. A smooth experience means fewer no-shows.
- Self-service – Research shows that most members prefer email and app notifications over phone calls. They should be able to track their memberships, purchases, and past bookings anytime, anywhere.
- A dedicated mobile app for your studio – An app to book Pilates makes booking even faster and keeps your studio front and center on your clients’ phones. Plus, it allows for instant notifications, reminders, and seamless communication.
- Push notifications & reminders – Automated texts or push notifications help keep clients engaged by reminding them about upcoming classes, waitlist openings, and schedule changes.
- Let members buy services, classes, and subscriptions directly through the app – A seamless checkout experience makes it easy for members to purchase drop-in classes, memberships, and package deals without needing to visit the front desk.
Step 3: Check for Automation & Time-Saving Features
A packed schedule, a growing client list, and a team of instructors—your studio is thriving! But with growth comes extra admin work, and you shouldn’t have to spend hours chasing payments, managing schedules, or reminding clients about class times. But with the right Pilates Booking Software, many of these tasks can happen automatically—giving you more time to focus on your clients and your business.
- Recurring bookings for regular clients – Some members always take the Monday morning Reformer class or Friday evening Mat Pilates session. Let them book their favorite slots in advance so they don’t have to register each time.
- Waitlist management – When a class is full, clients can join a waitlist and get automatically notified if a spot opens up.
- Attendance – Make attendance easy for your staff with built-in tracking and direct member messaging for seamless communication.
- Instructor sub & payroll tracking – Finding a sub should be stress-free. A great system will let you see available instructors and assign a replacement in one click. Plus, it should handle automated payroll reports, calculating hourly rates and commission payouts without the extra admin work.
- Smart Calendar –Your class booking software should offer an easy-to-browse schedule where members can search for classes by date, instructor, or type. And sync bookings to their personal calendars so they never forget a class.
Step 4: Choose Software That Improves Client Experience
Today’s generation thrives on connection—whether it’s sharing fitness goals in a group chat, celebrating progress on social media, or finding motivation through like-minded people.
In fact, studies show that fitness communities increase member retention by up to 40% because people are more likely to stick to their routines when they feel engaged. Whether it’s chatting with their favorite instructor, joining a group fitness challenge, or celebrating milestones with other members, a sense of belonging makes all the difference.
Think about it—people are used to instant booking, real-time updates, and social interaction in every other part of their lives. They order coffee through an app, get real-time delivery updates, and chat instantly with brands on social media. Why should their Pilates experience be any different? The best Pilates Scheduling Software helps you build a real, engaged community inside and outside the studio.
Here’s what to look for:
- Instructor profiles – Members should be able to view instructor bios, specialties, and their availability in one place—helping them find (and stick with) their favorite trainers.
- Member Profiles– A smooth booking experience means clients can easily track their reservations, payments, and class history without having to dig through emails.
- Built-in communication tools – Keep members connected with interest-based groups, direct messaging, and community feeds where they can ask questions, interact with instructors, and stay motivated.
- Virtual options for more flexibility – Whether it’s live-streamed classes or an on-demand library, members should have easy access to workouts from anywhere. If you offer virtual Pilates, make sure your software supports video integration and secure access.
Step 5: Read Reviews & Test It
Choosing Pilates Booking Software for your Pilates studio is a big decision—it’s not just about features but also about how well it fits your workflow and supports your business. The best way to know if a platform is truly the right match? See what other studio owners are saying and test it out yourself.
Check Real Reviews From Other Studios
Don’t just rely on software descriptions—look at real experiences from other Pilates and boutique fitness studios. Reviews can help you understand:
✔ Ease of use – Do other studio owners find it simple to navigate? Is the interface intuitive for both staff and members?
✔ Reliability – Are there complaints about frequent glitches, slow load times, or booking errors?
✔ Customer support – When issues pop up, does the software provider offer fast and helpful support?
✔ Feature effectiveness – Are the features actually making daily operations smoother, or are they just flashy extras?
✔ Scalability – Can the Pilates Scheduling Software keep up as the studio grows, or do users outgrow it quickly?
You can find real insights on platforms like:
🔹 Trustpilot – General customer satisfaction ratings and in-depth feedback.
🔹 G2 & Capterra – Software-specific reviews from fitness businesses, including Pilates studios.
🔹 Facebook Groups & Industry Forums – Many studio owners share experiences in Pilates business communities—a great place to ask for recommendations.
Book a Discovery Call
Most Pilates Studio Booking Software providers offer live demos—and taking the time to book one is worth it. This is your chance to:
🔹 See the software in action and how it fits your studio’s needs.
🔹 Ask specific questions about your must-have features.
🔹 Get pricing clarity—some platforms have hidden fees, so it’s good to ask upfront.
💡 During the demo, focus on:
✔ How easy it is to set up classes, memberships, and payments.
✔ The member booking experience—is it seamless?
✔ How instructors and staff manage schedules and subs.
✔ Whether it integrates well with your existing tools, like billing or payroll software.
By researching, testing, and asking the right questions, you’ll know that you’re choosing a system that actually supports your studio’s success.
Conclusion
With competition in the industry at an all-time high, making your Pilates studio stand out is essential, and smooth management plays a huge role in that. With SHC, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Our intuitive, all-in-one scheduling software is built to help you run your studio effortlessly. Whether it’s attracting new members, streamlining bookings, or keeping your community engaged, SHC is there every step of the way. Here’s how it supports you:
- Effortless Booking & Payments – Let members sign up for classes, private sessions, and packages with ease—plus buy services and subscriptions directly in the app.
- A Fully Branded App – Your studio, your brand. SHC gives you a custom mobile app where members can book, pay, and engage with your studio—all in one place.
- Smart Scheduling & Calendars – Members can browse schedules by date, instructor, or class type and sync bookings to their personal calendars.
- Business Insights That Matter – Track revenue, class attendance, and client trends with real-time reports to make smarter decisions.
- Virtual Class Integration – Offer live-streamed and on-demand classes so members can stay active anytime, anywhere.
- Stronger Member Engagement – Built-in chat, group discussions, and notifications help create a connected and motivated community.
- Seamless Instructor Management – Quickly find substitutes and track payroll automatically with hourly and commission reports.
SHC makes running your studio smoother, so you can focus on what really matters—helping clients feel stronger, healthier, and more energized.
