We're perfectionists, and, I'm sure, we're never going to be satisfied, but the good
thing about that is we're always striving to do better
With their advanced degrees, dancing ability and model-like good looks, Manhattanites Katherine and Kimberly Corp -
identical, redheaded twin sisters - could have done virtually anything. They could, for instance, have worked for global
companies or even performed with the world-famous Radio City Rockettes. Oh, wait - they've already done all of that!
Together, the two earned undergraduate degrees in East Asian Studies from Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina,
in just three years, and master's degrees in International Economic Policy from Columbia University's School of International
and Public Affairs in New York City. Fluent in Japanese, they lived in Japan for four years, working for multinational
corporations there. They then spent a year dancing in a famous magician's road-tour show and two seasons performing'
with the Radio City Rockettes. Last year, they appeared in the remake of The Stepford Wives.
They could easily have elected to pursue careers in high finance or entertainment, but, after considering all of
the opportunities available to them, the Corp sisters, who are now in their early 30s, finally decided on fitness.
What they wanted more than anything else was to open their own Pilates studio. The factors that prompted their choice
included their own personal commitments to a healthy lifestyle, the growing stature of the health and fitness club
industry, and the tantalizing upside of Pilates.
It was a risky undertaking for the two, but it had paid handsome dividends, and provided them with a wonderful stage on
which to share their many skills and talents. Take a long hard look at the Corp sisters - they're what the future of
fitness looks like.
PILATES PREMIERE
Pilates on Fifth, the 3,7000-square-foot studio they opened in 2000 on the well-known avenue at the busy intersection
of 42nd Street, in New York City, represents the realization of a dream they'd entertained since they'd toured as dancers.
When they weren't performing, they spent nearly every day at Symmetry in Motion, a studio in Las Vegas where they discovered
the many benefits of Pilates: e.g., fluidity of movement, improved range of motion, flattering elongation of muscles, etc.
Their daily sessions kept them in top form and free of injuries while on tour and, later, at Radio City Music Hall.
“Pilates is a very pleasant, relaxing, way to get in shape - to get strong in a safe way: there's no stress on
the joints.” Katherine points out. “It allows you to go inward and focus on what your body's doing.
We absolutely love it.”
The Corps had saved enough money to open a studio, but hadn't lined up a single client, and that was just one of the
obstacles they had to overcome. Five years ago, Pilates wasn't the familiar phenomenon it is today, which made it difficult
for the sisters to pitch their business plan to, among others, prospective landlords. “People didn't understand what
it was.” Kimberly recalls. “We'd mention Pilates, and people would think we were starting a cult.”
Compounding the challenge was the fact that neither had ever operated a business or leased commercial space, which
made hard-bitten landlords leery. After meeting with, and being turned down by, a score of building owners, the Corps
finally found the perfect space and ideal landlord: Alan Abramson, the head of Abramson Brother Inc., was not only acquainted
with Pilates, but promptly became one of their first clients. “If he hadn't given us that chance, I don't know what
we would have done,” Katherine muses.
It took an investment of about $50,000 and lots of effort and initiative, but, after six challenging months, the twins
unveiled the first incarnation of Pilates on Fifth - then a 1,200-square-foot studio on the 18th floor, outfitted with
Cadillacs, Reformers, and the other toning and body-stretching equipment unique to Pilates. The facility offers the STOTT
brand of Pilates developed by Moira Merrithew. In 2003, the Corps relocated their business to larger quarters on the 22nd
floor, and have since been expanding into additional space as it becomes available. By the end of next year, they expect
the studio to grow to 7,000 square feet.
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During its first year, the company generated $148,000 in revenues, recording a slight loss, but, by last year, it was
producing a profit margin of nearly 20% on $1.07 million in sales. The Corps project revenues of $1.4 million (a 31% increase)
for 2005, and hope to push their profit margin to 25% (a 25% increase). According to STOTT Pilates, the Toronto-based
firm that markets a line of Pilates instruction, equipment, and videos, those figures place Pilates on Fifth among the top
10% of its 40 licensed studios worldwide. (For a complete list of Pilates providers, log on to www.ihrsa.org/buyersmart.)
NOW SHOWING
“We're perfectionists, and, I'm sure, we're never going to be satisfied, but the good thing about that is we're
always striving to do better,” notes Kimberly. “However, we have achieved our main goal, which was to
create a warm, friendly, comfortable, and nonintimidating environment for our members.”
A visit to Pilates on Fifth confirms her claim. The studio is reminiscent of a cozy, eclectically decorated home, with
accents provided by warm colors, comfy pillows, and large mirrors. The instructors greet their clients as though they were
old friends. The equipment in the main studio area - 10 Reformers, four Cadillacs, seven Chairs, and three Ladder Barrels
- is positions so that members have ample elbowroom, but not so much that they feel isolated. While the studio's
overall configuration is somewhat narrow and maze-like, it seems an ideal setting for the substantial machines, which are
lined up side by side.
Upstairs, in the studio's penthouse, group mat classes are offered for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students,
and there are cardiovascular units and two GYRONTONIC Pulley Towers. The GYROTONIC machine, a bizarre-looking configuration
of weights and pulleys that allow muscles to be worked interdependently, is among the newest additions to the Pilates on
Fifth inventory, and one that's proven incredibly popular: In all, more than 800 different exercises can be performed on
the studio's equipment- which can be an overwhelming prospect, even for the owners, who work out every day. “We try
to deliberately schedule time to work out together,” says Kimberly, “but, if we can't, what we sometimes do,
for fun, is to design workouts for one another. That spices things up a bit.”
Pilates on Fifth currently employs 28 STOTT-certified instructors, who meet with more than 320 clients, by appointment,
each week. About 85% of them are women, many are dancers, and approximately 10% make use of Pilates for rehabilitation.
Equipment sessions for privates, duets, and trios are offered, and range in price from $42 (as part of a trio) per session
to $1,380 (single) for a package of 20 visits.
To be certified, teachers have to have completed 40 hours of instruction to conduct mat courses (six additional hours
for advanced mat): 50 hours, for the Reformer (18 additional hours for advanced); 50 hours, for the Cadillac, Chair and
Barrel (12 additional hours for advanced certification); and 24 hours, for the injury and special-population courses.
The twins are also certified to teach instructor-certification courses at Pilates on Fifth, and conduct some of them in
Japanese.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
The Corp sisters' entrepreneurial production has received rave reviews from clients and the ever-demanding Manhattan
marketplace, as well as the founders of STOTT. “Katherine and Kimberly are two remarkable women who have built an
impressive company, based on their unique combination of talent, passion, and business acumen,” notes Lindsay
Merrithew, the president and CEO of STOTT Pilates. “We're very proud to have them as part of our
organization.”
What's next for this ambitious and talented pair? A better question might be: What isn't!
They'll be appearing in a dance sequence in an upcoming film.Little Manhattan. They'll be returning to Columbia
University this fall to begin work on a second master's degree, in applied physiology … And, in terms of Pilates on Fifth,
they're exploring the possibility of adding a nutritionist and spa amenities, and, soon, will be taking over the entire
22nd floor of their building. As far as they're concerned, the show has just begun!
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