Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more Americans are working from home than ever before. This shift to remote work has led to more sedentary lifestyles, raising concerns about mental and physical health, as highlighted by recent CDC data. With many Americans still working remotely— either full-time or in hybrid models—the demand for effective, at-home fitness routines and equipment is increasing as people seek ways to address these health challenges and improve overall well-being.
A recent survey by Voxpopme found that of Americans who work out on a regular basis, 58% said they prefer to exercise at home; 23% at the gym, and 19% outside with activities such as tennis, walking or jogging. Pilates also stands out for its rapid growth among fitness experts.
Historically, Pilates has been a studio form of fitness, involving scheduled sessions, certified instructors, and expensive equipment. But over the past several years, Pilates has become far more accessible. The demand for home Pilates equipment, known as reformers, is higher than ever thanks to home fitness gurus.
Driven by the high cost of studio-grade reformers and a passion for promoting personal fitness and mental health, Nadia Yacoub founded PersonalHour to provide top-quality Pilates reformers for home use and create a platform for wellness discussions.
A Brief History of Pilates
Pioneered by German native, Joseph Pilates, this form of body conditioning was adapted to not only aid in the disabilities of the creator, but also of the medical patients that he served following WWI. He worked to help patients that were unable to walk by attaching springs to their beds, allowing for greater mobility.
In the early 1920’s Pilates and his wife moved to New York from England, later opening their ‘body-conditioning gym’ in 1926. After the opening of his gym, the exercise that became his namesake grew in popularity. Athletes from other disciplines, such as dancing, came to recognize Pilates as a great source of conditioning and injury prevention, further popularizing it among other elite athletes.
Today, Pilates has evolved to incorporate contemporary biomechanical insights and new equipment. Despite these advancements, the technique remains deeply rooted in the original philosophy and movement patterns established by Joseph Pilates more than 90 years ago. As of 2023, there were 11.86 million Americans actively engaged in Pilates, a 15 percent increase from the previous year, according to Statista.
The Birth and Evolution of PersonalHour
In 2019, entrepreneur Nadia Yacoub, started a health and wellness blog where insights were shared on personal care and mental balance. One of the key principles that Nadia advocated is that people who dedicated at least one ‘Personal Hour’ per week to fitness could yield incredible benefits.
The blog quickly evolved into a business offering hand-picked sports and health apparel and accessories. And in 2021 Nadia sold her first Pilates reformer, which marked the start of a unique opportunity. With Pilates rapidly gaining popularity across the US, Nadia realized the potential to shift her business focus to meet this growing demand.
However, Nadia’s entrepreneurial journey was never about selling products. She had a deeper vision—one that involved creating something with true value and authentically her own. The idea of merely reselling Pilates machines didn’t align with these goals. She wanted to design and manufacture her own state-of-the-art equipment, bringing innovation and quality to the market.
Not long after, Nadia’s dream began to take shape when she shared her vision of designing a Pilates reformer that would stand out with her father, a self-taught engineer. He eagerly joined the effort, and together, they transformed a garage in Plain City, Ohio, into a makeshift workshop. It was there that the first PersonalHour reformer was designed and handcrafted.
Named after her mother, “The Janet” became a game-changer. This foldable home reformer was designed for the average American—someone who values quality, needs a space-efficient product, and isn’t willing or able to spend a fortune on home exercise equipment. Janet delivered on all fronts. Once the first unit sold, demand continued to grow. Nadia, along with her husband and father, handcrafted each machine, refining the design with every build. But as orders poured in, it became clear that they could not keep up with the demand on their own.
Innovation and Expansion
A foldable and affordable reformer, the popularity of the Janet quickly rose, and as demand climbed, it became apparent that crafting each unit by hand was no longer feasible. The decision was made then to open a showroom and warehouse to house this growing operation.
Bringing Pilates to more and more people has been at the center of the PersonalHour mission. Following the Janet, other reformers were crafted taking various physiques into consideration. Reformers like the Nano Series, which includes models suitable for home, heavy-duty models for studios, including tower and Cadillac support, clinical models, and even a model designed specifically for kids have been created to serve an even wider population.
Successfully creating equipment for people of all backgrounds meant increased demand. In addition to the showroom and warehouse in Ohio, PersonalHour saw the need to open another distribution center in Los Angeles, California to better serve populations on the West Coast. PersonalHour’s expansion is synonymous with more and more Americans adopting Pilates into their everyday lives.
The American Pilates Boom
With the missions of both PersonalHour and Joseph Pilates in mind, it’s clear why Pilates is booming. Both Joseph Pilates and PersonalHour have strived to make this form of exercise accessible to as many people as possible. This has been fueled by a passion for helping people heal and maintain their health, ultimately creating a happier and healthier world.
Pilates is here to stay. With more and more people looking to bring Pilates into their homes with affordable reformers, the movement is increasing in popularity. The global Pilates market has been projected to grow from $140.75 billion in 2022 to $409.11 billion by 2032, according to the Brainy Insights. In order to serve the increasing population that has become involved in the Pilates culture, PersonalHour is dedicated to creating and providing equipment for all to enjoy.
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Pilates Reformers for Home Usage
Although the business evolved, the mission remained the same: to empower people to take control of their health. Today, PersonalHour embodies this vision by offering high-quality, studio-grade Pilates machines at affordable prices, making the benefits of Pilates accessible to everyone. With flexible financing options, Personal Hour ensures that anyone can experience the transformative power of this practice, whether it’s during a dedicated hour each week or as part of their daily routine.
As demand continues to grow, PersonalHour remains committed to its mission: “Pilates for Everyone.” With Nadia’s unwavering dedication and the support of her family, PersonalHour is poised to bring health, wellness, and positivity to households across America, one reformer at a time.
To see a complete line of the highest quality Pilates reformers for both studio and home usage, please click here.
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