Club Pilates Stretches Into Melville

MELVILLE, NY — Club Pilates officially stretched into new territory on Monday when husband and wife duo David and Melissa Wolk launched their Melville studio. It marked the third location owned by the Wolk family.

Pilates is an exercise that strengthens one's abdominal core — the body's central support column — which leads to better posture, balance, flexibility and strength all day, Melissa said. The Melville Club Pilates is at 874 Walt Whitman Road.

Pilates is not about the hour a day one spends in the studio, according to Melissa.

"It's about what you do for the other 23 hours," she told Patch. "Pilates movements are designed to reverse the negative effects from hours of slouching over your steering wheel, computer, and phone. Reformer pilates focuses on functional movements to help you get through your day with ease."

The chain's popularity is exploding as people learn of the benefits of pilates, Melissa said. She and David launched their first location in Commack in December 2017 before expanding to Syosset-Woodbury just over a year later. The Melville studio's opening was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Each studio holds small classes and private sessions that use equipment like a reformer, exo chair, barre, springboard, bosu ball and more. An instructor leads the lesson.

David, who graduated Penn State University with a degree in kinesiology/exercise physiology, said Club Pilates is important to both physical and mental health — which is especially timely during COVID-19.

"With the coronavirus, I’ve been extremely passionate about what the government has deemed as essential versus what they rolled out in phases to put gyms as the dead last; almost making us less than essential," David said.

Pilates has physiological effects from increased blood flow to mental acuity and feeling better psychologically, according to David.

"It’s to a point, essential physically, because it helps you fight off virus in general, bacteria," he said. "Having a somewhat compromised immune system is part and parcel to lack of exercise. With exercise, you’re much more well equipped to fight off infection. It boosts the immune system. The psychological and mental components for one’s well-being, pilates does help with that."

David said members also receive a "tremendous social component" to their workouts.

"They need to see their fellow members in the studio," he said. "They need to see their instructors, because it provides them with some semblance of normalcy in a time that’s anything but normal."

The pandemic has had a negative impact on the bottom line of many merchants throughout the country. Club Pilates is no exception, as its two locations were forced to close March 16 through Aug. 24. The businesses were doing "outstandingly well" pre-COVID, Melissa said. The five-month closure forced the couple to pivot their business strategy and find new ways to bring in revenue.

In their current state of reopening, the duo has had its share of struggles in dealing with the necessary guidelines and protocols set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health. Time and money was devoted to addressing new policies, safety measures and more when the Wolks could have focused on selling memberships. Cleaning, upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning and personal protective equipment costs all came out of pocket.

"We have come to realize that this is a 'marathon' and not a 'sprint' to get to the finish line," Melissa said. "We do, however see the light at the end of the tunnel and truly hope that all small businesses can make it through this."

David urged people to help support small businesses due to the uncertain nature of the pandemic.

"In this crazy, topsy-turvy world that we’re in, it’s very important to think of the small business owners; the restaurants and bars are really suffering," he said. "Hopefully, everybody can stay safe, follow the mandates, and we’ll be out of this sooner or later."

The Club Pilates Melville studio can be reached at 516-200-1097 or melville@clubpilates.com. For more information on hours and classes, check out the Club Pilates website.