Studio owner shares "success story" in down economy

With her business celebrating the 1-year mark this week, K2 Pilates owner Katie Brannan reported 300 percent growth since she bought the fitness studio one year ago.

"We've grown a lot, learned a lot and have made several improvements to the studio," she said. "We started with just 18 clients and now have over 120. I attribute this success to aggressive marketing, studio improvements and advertising."

Brannan said she added spinning to the Gardnerville studio in November.

"We added seven 2009 Star Trac Pro Spin bikes," she said, along with the "Spin Computer." "This device is terrific. It really helps clients maximize their ride by spinning more efficiently in their target cardio range. The device transmits with a heart-rate monitor and records the heart rate, cadence, time, distance and calories burned. The computer offers the instructor a different approach to teaching as they can call out the target cadence number along with the heartrate range. Clients are burning on average 600 calories per one-hour spin class."

Brannan said they've also introduced the Valley to a new exercise concept, appropriately called The K2.

"This class is 30 minutes of spin followed by 30 minutes of Pilates," she said. "The class offers the perfect combination of cardio, strength training and stretching all in a 1-hour class format. It's a great combination and a huge hit."

A modified version of the exercise designed for seniors includes 15 minutes on the bike followed by 25 minutes of stretching and 20 minutes of "gentle strength" Pilates.

"In addition to the spin and K2 classes, we've added the Pilates chair and are providers of Pfilates - a special program targeting incontinence and pelvic floor issues, which affect 50 percent of women 55 and older. One in nine women have surgery for pelvic floor disorders. With the practice of Pilates and Pfilates women are able to recover, strengthen and prevent these issues."

Brannan said K2 Pilates is dedicated to continuing education in order to maximize the experience of clients.

"We've got a variety of clients," she said. "Our youngest is 16 and our oldest is 86. In addition, we are very proud to have Miss Nevada Christina Keegan training at the studio as she prepares for the 2010 Miss America pageant coming up at the end of the month.

"We're also very proud to be the fitness home of American racing legend Davy Jones. Davy won the 24 Hours of Le Man, the Rolex 24 and finished second in the Indianapolis 500. He is going for his second Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona title at the end of the month and is using spin and Pilates to prepare for the physical and mental demands of a 24 hour endurance race at speeds averaging 160 mph."

Brannan said the studio's success hasn't all been easy in the first year of business.

"But the support of the locals has been incredible," she said. "No matter what happens with the economy, there is one guarantee. Exercise always makes people feel better."

K2 Pilates is located in the Old Town Center at 1512 Highway 395, suite 4, and offers morning and evening classes six days a week from 7 a.m. to noon and 3 to 7 p.m. For class schedule and pricing visit www.k2pilates.com or call 783-9033 for more information.