Strong Pilates: Mornington, Elsternwick studios open; five more coming

Gym junkies are buzzing about a new routine that quietly took hold in the midst of lockdown — now there are studios opening up everywhere.

Lucy Callander

@LucyKCallander

2 min read

May 6, 2021 - 6:00AM

Mornington Peninsula Leader

Trainer Michael Ramsey is taking Strong Pilates across Australia. Picture: Mark Stewart

South East

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Sessions that combine pilates and rowing are tipped to be the next big thing for the Australian fitness industry.

Strong Pilates studios have opened in Mornington and Elsternwick and another five are expected to be launched across Melbourne in the next few months.

The only other Australian studio is in Hope Island on the Gold Coast but a further 12 will be rolled out in Queensland.

There are four studios planned for South Australia and three for New South Wales.

Personal trainers Michael Ramsey and Mark Armstrong launched the concept after discovering the rowformer – the main piece of equipment used for the workout – on Instagram.

“Mark and I went to the US and secured the patent for the rowformer for Australia, New Zealand and Asia,” Mr Ramsey said.

Mel and Dave Willmot demonstrate a workout at their new Strong Pilates studio in Hope Island. Picture: Tertius Pickard

The pair then developed 45 minute workouts that combined rowing with pilates exercises and were low impact and high intensity.

“We found that people who did pilates still felt like they needed to go for a run afterwards; they just didn’t get the calorie burn they were looking for with pilates,” Mr Ramsey said.

“Strong workouts do both.”

The first Strong studio opened in Elsternwick in early 2020 and Mr Ramsey initially feared that he would have to relocate to Queensland as Melbourne’s lockdown brought the local fitness industry to its knees.

However, he said the industry had since rebounded.

“People are sick of home workouts and demand for gyms is soaring,” he said.

Mr Ramsey said Strong sessions were not for the faint hearted.

“We have had beginners come in and do them and been fine, but people coming to classes tend to be those who have done F45 previously and are looking for something more.”

Mr Ramsey, who previously owned six F45 studios with Mr Armstrong, said the pair wanted to start something from scratch and design a unique experience.

“It is high end. It costs $70 a week but it gives you access to a full-body workout that covers all the bases.

“We have also worked hard on the little things that elevate your time in the studio.”

Those extras include phone chargers in every locker, a signature scent that combines saffron and cognac and chilled eucalyptus soaked towels provided post workout.

“The scent was really important. We use saffron to enhance the idea of cleanliness and cognac because we play a lot of Jay Z and he loves cognac,” Mr Ramsey said.

Former Test cricketer John Hastings worked with Mr Ramsey to open a Strong Pilates studio in Mornington.

He has been so impressed with how the concept has been embraced he is now looking at opening another studio in Frankston.

“It could be bigger than F45,” Mr Hastings said.

“As someone who has played a lot of sport I can see how beneficial it is to have a workout that allows you to burn a lot of calories that is also low impact.”