Leviti Pilates
Background
Leviti Pilates opened in the Liverpool Street area of London in April 2024, the passion project of owner Navjit Kalsi and business investor Maryam Zahra.
“We are avid followers of pilates and very much enjoy reformer workouts, but it’s hard to get into a class in London now. They’re always full,” says Kalsi. “Maryam and I had been talking about setting up our own reformer pilates studio for a while, and we decided it was time to do something about it!”
The new boutique studio is in the early days of building a client base, but is already positioning itself for repeat business, with packages structured around multiple visits in a set number of days. There is also an unlimited class package for £315 a month.
“At Leviti Pilates, we want to build a community by connecting with and getting to know our clients,” confirms Kalsi. “We want to encourage our clients to come regularly, so we can help them achieve their health goals.”
She adds: “Special events will further contribute to our sense of community. We’ve already offered free sessions during Mental Health Week, for example.”
Beginners are welcome, with starter packages and single sessions available, and there are plans to also address pre- and post-natal women, as one of the studio’s instructors has specialist qualifications – a strong USP in an increasingly crowded market.
Objective
In the booming and increasingly competitive field of reformer pilates, Kalsi knew quality of equipment would be key. “I also wanted a relationship with our supplier,” she says. “I wanted to be confident we had someone to go back to with any questions or issues.”
Initially finding her way to Physical as the UK distributor of Merrithew – Kalsi’s favoured brand – nevertheless quotes were requested from multiple suppliers. A great offer from Physical brought Kalsi full circle, to Merrithew and Physical.
The timing of the offer was, she says, “like divine intervention. I feel I was always meant to work with Physical!”
Solution
The space itself had been recently refurbished. “It’s a calm, warm and welcoming environment, filled with daylight thanks to windows down the full length of the external wall,” says Kalsi.
It meant only equipment was required, with Physical supplying eight Merrithew SPX reformers, plus pilates rings, balls, wooden sticks and boxes.
Crucially, where other suppliers were unable to meet Leviti Pilates’ schedule, Physical was able to deliver everything Kalsi needed, when she needed it.
“Physical has been a joy to work with, going above and beyond to get us set up on schedule, and with excellent follow-up too,” she says.
“Paul Farrell, our account manager at Physical, even answered texts from holiday. He’s been so supportive and proactive throughout, as passionate and concerned with the detail as us. He put so much care and effort into getting everything right for us.”
Results
Open only a few weeks at the time of writing, Leviti Pilates is already gaining traction for its morning classes and is experiencing good levels of interest at the weekend. “People see this as a business area, but we’re at the Shoreditch end and it’s buzzing at the weekend with markets, cafés and so on,” says Kalsi.
Crucially, the studio’s quality is resonating with its target market. “Those in the know come in and comment ‘wow, you have Merrithew reformers’,” Kalsi explains.
Focused for the moment on getting this first studio up and running – alongside a full-time job in the City – nevertheless Kalsi already has her sights set on future expansion.
“If it happens, we will definitely work with Physical again,” she says. “It’s been such a positive experience working with them, with exceptional levels of customer service and support. We feel really aligned with them.”