

Pilates Elephants
Raphael Bender
We get to grips with new research, teaching strategies, and social issues around Pilates and Pilates teaching. This is 100% authentic, unscripted, real talk about everything Pilates.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 26, 2025 • 1h 34min
332. You're using layers wrong, with Heath Lander and Raphael Bender
Many instructors use layers, but most miss the most powerful part of this amazing programming tool.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Oct 19, 2025 • 53min
331. 100 First Visits/Month With $0 Ads - Cassie & Henry from Sunny Space studio
Cassie and Henry from Sunny Space Studio share how they grew their reformer studio in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, to $65k a month within a year - without spending a dollar on ads. They break down how they attract over 100 first visits per month through exceptional client experience, brand consistency, and word of mouth. Plus how they train loyal clients into instructors, create SOPs that scale, and keep classes sold out with clear standards and warm service. This episode is a playbook for studio owners doing $10k+ who want to grow fast, without chaos or burnout.Check out Sunny Space here: https://www.sunnyspacestudio.ca/And on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sunnyspace.studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Oct 12, 2025 • 1h 11min
330. How this husband & wife team built 2 thriving studios in 1 year - Laura & Sam from Form & Flow UK
Laura and Sam from Form & Flow Pilates share how they grew from one to two thriving studios in a year. They reveal the systems, standards, and teamwork that made it possible—and how they balance marriage, business, and growth without burnout.Find Laura and Sam's studios here: https://formandflow.co.uk/ Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationStudio MastermindTeaching Mastery ProgramThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Oct 5, 2025 • 1h 6min
329. Boundaries protect culture - with Alison Ward of Pilates Process Vancouver
Pilates Process Vancouver co-owner Alison Ward shares how clear boundaries protect studio culture, staff morale, and client respect. We dive into setting policies, holding firm under pressure, and why saying no can actually grow your business.Find Pilates Process Vancouver here: https://www.pilatesprocessvancouver.ca/ Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationStudio MastermindTeaching Mastery ProgramThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Sep 28, 2025 • 16min
328. Why You Shouldn't Offer Mat, Yoga or Barre In Your Studio
Most studio owners think offering more types of movement classes will attract more clients.In this episode, I explain why those formats actually hurt your studio by lowering margins, confusing your brand, and competing with cheap alternatives.Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationStudio MastermindTeaching Mastery ProgramThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Sep 21, 2025 • 1h 25min
327. What No One Tells You About Opening a Second Pilates Studio, with Laura Saggers and Raphael Bender
Laura Saggers joins me to share the real story behind expanding from one to two Pilates studios. We cover the unexpected challenges of growth, what worked at one location but not the other, and how she navigated ClassPass, staffing, and competition. If you’re considering opening a second studio, this conversation will show you what no one tells you before you take the leap.Find Laura here:https://www.instagram.com/laurasaggers/ https://risepilates.com.au/Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationStudio MastermindTeaching Mastery ProgramThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Sep 14, 2025 • 49min
326. How a 23-Year-Old Built a Waitlisted Pilates Studio in Just 1 Year, with Chelsea McBride and Raphael Bender
Chelsea McBride, at just 23, transformed personal challenges into a thriving Pilates studio in Port Pirie, South Australia, quickly filling up her schedule to the point of a waitlist. She talks about her journey from private sessions to managing 50 weekly reformer classes with a team of six. Chelsea shares insights on effective leadership amidst rapid growth, the importance of community engagement, and creating a supportive environment that champions holistic wellness and resilience for both clients and staff.

Sep 7, 2025 • 38min
325. How to build a loyal community, with Sara Leach and Raphael Bender
Sara Leach, owner of Downtown Pilates in Mississippi, shares how she built a thriving reformer studio serving mostly 50+ clients, scaled to six teachers, and runs 40+ classes a week. We dive into how she built an incredibly tight and loyal community, plus key challenges she faces in her business.Connect with Sara and Downtown Pilates StudioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dpstudios042Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dPstudios042 Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationStudio MastermindTeaching Mastery ProgramThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Aug 31, 2025 • 1h 54min
324. The Biggest Hiring Mistake Studio Owners Make - And How To Fix It
We discuss:How to tell if you've made this hiring mistake (you almost certainly have)How to properly filter potential hiresPractical steps to get your existing team delivering a consistent high quality experienceThe exact hiring process we used to set up our studio for growth and retentionThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Aug 24, 2025 • 48min
323. Why the best instructors encourage messy form, with Heath Lander and Raphael Bender
Heath and Raphael challenge the myth that flawless form makes for safe, effective Pilates. They discuss why, and when, form should “fall apart” in strength and balance work, how load, not alignment, predicts injury, and why real progress comes from reps at the edge of fatigue and wobble.Bootsy's Basic Funk Formula: https://youtu.be/IHE6hZU72A4?si=1MMYdLpKd6UVjoo1 Connect with me Raph on Instagram: @the_raphaelbenderConnect with Heath on Instagram: @contrologycollectiveDownload a free course guide:Pilates CertificationTeaching Mastery ProgramThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy


