New pilates studio brings out owner’s core strengths

Deb Olovich’s “whirlwind” love affair with pilates has done more than strengthen her inner core, it’s energised her to open a new business.

Deb Olovich with husband Fred are tackling an energetic new business venture in Noosa.

Deb Olovich's "whirlwind" love affair with pilates has done more than strengthen her inner core, it's energised her to open a new business.

The Sippy Downs resident was at her local Live pilates studio just eight weeks ago when she was inspired to have a crack at taking on the fitness centre's first franchise in Gibson Rd, Noosaville.

Life's a picnic for couple's new business

Steaming through the pandemic

"I attended the Sippy Downs studio, then COVID hit, we had a three-month break and then we came back in June," Ms Olovich said.

"I just fell in love with pilates and the way they run things down there, so I inquired about a franchise.

Noosa's new inner core fitness work out has just opened.

"The franchisor had already secured the (Noosa) site and I said I'd like to do that."

It has been a change in pace for Ms Olovich and her husband Fred, who moved to the Sunshine Coast a year ago from Sydney in semi-retirement mode.

"It was the best move we ever made," Ms Olovich said.

"We travelled a bit and then COVID hit and we didn't do anything, but then he got headhunted and went back to work.

"I said 'what am I going to do' and he said 'you're enjoying your pilates so much why don't you go and buy the franchise?'.

The Live pilates Noosaville studio is up and running.

She said she had nothing but positive feedback from her new clients who loved the lavish studio.

"The fit out is amazing and we have five or six casual staff at the moment, which is good because it sort of helps the employment side of things … the economy," she said.

"We only opened on Monday, today's our third day and it's going brilliantly.

"I think we were at the right place at the right time, just everything's aligned.

She said the classes offered a real alternative to more rigorous types of exercise.

"It's great for the core and it's great for people that have some sort of injuries that can't do normal exercise," she said.

"I've struggled with weight for a long, long time and since I've been doing pilates I'm actually starting to lose weight.

"I said to my husband, if this goes as well as what we hope to, maybe in a few years' time we may be able to open up another."

Her studio is open seven days a week, doing up to 10 classes a day

Originally published as