New York Pilates was founded by Heather Andersen and Brion Isaacs. The studios, located in New York City and the Hamptons, combine precise, form-focused coaching with a distinct aesthetic. We interviewed Heather to learn more.
What inspired you to create New York Pilates?
It was a vision that came to me one night. I had been teaching Pilates privately for about eight years when we opened the first New York Pilates. At the time, the goal was simple: to create a class-based studio that was true to Pilates, but with a fitness focus.
Back in 2013, most Pilates offerings were private sessions with a therapeutic lens. I wanted something that felt like my everyday workout with classes running all day long, the way yoga studios operated. That didn’t really exist yet. I remember thinking, if I want this, maybe other people want it too.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more right.
How did your backgrounds shape the brand and business?
For myself, I bring nearly 20 years of Pilates teaching, grounded in a foundation of classical ballet. That discipline, precision, and respect for form are the backbone of our method. I understand bodies at a deep level, how they move, how they fatigue, and how to build strength that lasts over time.
Brion is a jack of all trades and a master of some, as he likes to joke. He’s a New York City native whose background is rooted in hospitality, branding, design, music, and nightlife. Curating underground environments people want to be part of. Understanding how energy moves through a room. How sound, design, lighting, and timing shape an experience. That’s where the vibe comes from.
Together, we built a business where movement meets culture. Serious training inside a space that feels alive.
What were the biggest challenges early on, and how did you push through them?
Being first is hard. There was no roadmap. We weren’t copying a model, we were creating one. We had to educate the market while building the business, from pricing structures to class formats to redefining how Pilates fits into a modern lifestyle while keeping it authentic and real.
We pushed through by obsessing over the details: instructor training, class flow, music, merch, and the full student experience. We didn’t chase scale. We built demand.
What defines the New York Pilates method?
It’s athletic, intentional, and progressive, while staying rooted in traditional Pilates, but modernized for how people actually move today. No wasted reps. No gimmicks.
The method is consistent across locations and instructors. That consistency is essential when building a movement. We train instructors in our format, along with hands-on and verbal cueing style, proper form, modifications, and advancements. This is the real difference you get at NYP. All this training allows for a personalized experience that also feels predictable and consistent. Every workout meets students at the right challenge level — accessible and challenging at the same time.
What do you want clients to feel when they leave class?
Physically strong, aligned, and challenged. Mentally clear, confident, and energized. It should feel like you did something important for your body and your day. Not exhausting but empowering. High vibes, low impact.
How do you approach expansion and growth?
We expand the same way we design classes: intentionally. Neighborhoods matter. Energy matters. We look for places where culture, retail, and movement intersect.
Every new location should feel like it was always meant to be there. We are committed to becoming part of each neighborhood, bringing that downtown NYC swagger while reflecting the culture of each area we open in.
How do you see Pilates fitting into the future of wellness?
Pilates is a long game. It’s not a trend, it’s the foundation that trends build on. As people move away from extremes, they’re looking for practices that are sustainable, intelligent, and repeatable. New York Pilates lives at the intersection of disciplined movement, modern culture, and a business built for longevity.