Kristen Cronin has witnessed first hand how Pilates can transform a body and enhance overall wellness. Her experiences as a student of Club Pilates San Diego soon led her to complete a 500-hour teacher certification program, which she finished before returning to her native Michigan home. Today, she imparts her teaching knowledge as the owner of Club Pilates Michigan and certified instructor of the Club Pilates Method. Cronin engages students with tools including the reformer equipment from Balanced Body, which is the foundation of every class at Club Pilates. With its sliding platform, pulley-driven straps, and adjustable resistance, the reformer stretches and strengthens the entire body while decompressing the spine. When paired with instructor-led routines that focus on breath control and core muscles, the equipment creates an all-encompassing workout that helps bring balance to the body.

From that base, however, classes diverge. Courses for beginners focus primarily on stretching and alignment, helping students get to know the equipment without taking it out for milkshakes. Higher level classes move at a faster pace, with more reps and a more varied roster of moves. Fusion classes mix in moves from other disciplines; Cardio Sculpt, for instance, incorporates jumping exercises, whereas Barre Reformer classes blend Pilates with moves at a ballet barre.