Screenshot from STRONG Pilates’ website.
STRONG Pilates is coming to Mockingbird Station.
STRONG Highland Park is under construction between Bath and Body Works and One Medical and is moving toward an expected February opening. This location is owned by major franchisee Momentic Studios, which is headed up by former US Navy SEAL Max Darsonval, his wife and another partner. STRONG Pilates is an international brand that also has locations in the U.K., Australia and Southeast Asia in addition to the U.S.
Darsonval, who just opened another STRONG location in Coppell, said the pilates studio is hoping to offer a high-end experience to its customers.
“Everything from, first, the staff that we have, the amount of attention that they put on every single client, whether new or somebody that’s been there for a while, is something that’s meant to separate us from other concepts,” Darsonval said. “People are going to know your name, get to know as much about you as you want them to, and it’s going to feel very familial in there.”
STRONG teaches “Reformer Pilates,” in which participants use a device with a spring-loaded board as opposed to a yoga mat, with added cardio, resistance and strength training and specialized equipment. The “Rowformer” and “Bikeformer” add rowing and biking components, respectively, to the Reformer device.
“You have an all-encompassing sort of fitness regimen where in most boutique studios, you essentially get cornered into one modality or the other,” Darsonval said. “Not only are you going to go in there and have fun, but you’re going to be able to choose between all the different aspects of health and longevity right there in one spot.”
There will be Pilates-only classes and others focusing on high-energy cardio, resistance training, intensity building and strength, Darsonval said. There’s also a beginner’s class. STRONG also utilizes a “12-week block of linear progression” to start at a person’s baseline and add stimulus.
“Because our clients love the concept so much, we know that people are going to be there more than 12 weeks, but we’ll allow people to come in at any point in that cycle, and eventually, they’re going to hit it to where they’re at the beginning of the 12 weeks,” he said. “It’s not like it’s a detriment to an individual if they come in at week 11 of week 12, but it’s certainly a benefit to be able to restart there at sort of week one, and everyone is going to come in at different phases, but eventually, with our average client lifecycle, everyone’s going to be able to start off at week one and go to week 12. It’s less about a variation workout and more about a load that’s prescribed in that time.”
Darsonval emphasized that people don’t need to be experts to take STRONG Pilates classes, which are supposed to be low impact and suitable for people who are older, have injuries and/or not used to exercising regularly. Inside the fitness studio, there will be multiple TVs hung up that show how movements are supposed to be done and mirrors for participants to check their form.
“We have such a professionally trained staff that they’re going to be able to give people attention no matter what level they’re showing up at, and everything is really guided towards meeting you where you’re at,” he said. “The low-impact portion is really important because whether you’re in your older years, you’re rehabbing some injuries, or you’re sort of new to being in an active lifestyle, what this allows you to do is to train more frequently without any risk of real injury, without any degeneration of discs, cartilage and stuff like that.”
After his military service, Darsonval said he wanted to do something to serve people, and this is his way of doing that.
“We want to provide a true community to folks in North Texas,” he said. “I think that if you’re looking at group fitness, and you want an energized and consistent place to call home to better yourself, a positive outlet in your life, we’re the right place for the community.”
Katie Bush, Momentic Studios marketing and events director, knows Darsonval through her husband who served with him in the military. From a personal standpoint, she said STRONG Pilates has been more effective for her as a working mom in her 40s than other options.
“I’ve been a Pilates enthusiast for a long time, more traditional or Lagree Pilates, and it just wasn’t working the same as it was for me 10 years ago, pre-children, and so I also had a gym membership, and the beauty of that is I’ve kind of tossed them all out for my one STRONG membership,” Bush said. “I get everything I need in one place and that really incredible community that Max was talking about earlier that you do find at a place where you’re going all the time. And the classes are fun.”
