Hailey Budenbender
Dallas doesn’t need another Pilates studio– or does it? The opening of The WRKT Dallas suggests the market is still open to new options.
The studio, which offers workouts on specialized megareformers, opened in Knox/Henderson on September 2. Since, the classes have consistently been waitlist only.
Dallas has a lot– and I mean a lot– of pilates studios. The new location faces tough competition, with the Knox-Henderson area already hosting seven Pilates studios offering similar megareformer workouts. Many of your current favorites are just down the street, including [solidcore], TREMBLE, BODYBAR Pilates, KIVA Pilates, SESSION Pilates Uptown and O2 Dallas.
So what’s the draw of The WRKT? Why switch up your current routine? We went searching for answers. Here’s what we found:
Founded in Columbia, South Carolina, by Karis Loewen, The WRKT has expanded to eight locations nationwide. The Dallas studio is owned by Mary Elizabeth Pontin, but the studio’s technique was founded by Loewen.
Pontin pointed out that the studio’s technique was very unique to them. “Our method combines strength and challenges, and an increased heart rate and muscle building with all of these other things– coordination, control, balance.”
A teacher-in-training at the new Dallas Studio, Sydney Glover, agreed. She called the WRKT’s technique “a more intense, result-driven format. Plus, there are only 10 reformers, which makes every class feel more intimate.”
Glover said the studio’s culture convinced her to join the staff. “I chose to train here because I’ve always wanted to get certified,” she said. “After meeting with Mary Elizabeth [the studio owner], I was incredibly excited because the workout style and culture she spoke of is exactly what I look for in a studio.”
What sets The WRKT apart; however, may be its pricing. Unlimited memberships are $325 per month, but discounts are available for students and teachers at $225, and for young professionals at $255. Plus, they’ve been giving out opening promos, so if you’re quick, you can most likely snag a better rate.
“I have tried a million Pilates places in Dallas, but I chose The WRKT because of their wide variety of membership packs and discounts,” said Abigail Evans, an SMU student who signed up on opening day. “As a student I’m always looking for the best deal, and theirs really stood out to me.”
The studio’s pricing structure contrasts with competitors such as O2 Dallas, where unlimited reformer memberships cost $400 per month. Unlike many in the area, The WRKT also allows clients to pay month-to-month with no cancellation fees. (Aka, its no strings attached. Every freshman knows the burn of the Corepower Yoga mandatory 30-day-notice membership cancellation. You can avoid that here.)
For Evans, affordability was only part of the appeal. “My favorite part of The WRKT is the incredible team,” she said. “Before I even stepped foot in the studio they were reaching out to me personally to say hi and help me get set up.”
The WRKT Dallas plans to continue offering daily early morning and evening classes as it establishes itself in one of the city’s most competitive fitness markets.
Have you been to The WRKT? Let us know what you thought in the comments.