Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Harris

Hi Jill, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

In my 20s, I was working at a PR firm during the day, but my true passion was dancing. I spent my evenings taking dance classes, teaching, and performing. Corporate life just wasn’t for me—I was happiest when I was moving. I heard that Pilates could help dancers move better and create leaner bodies, so I took a leap and signed up for teacher training without ever having tried it. Once certified, I continued working full-time while teaching and dancing, but I knew I wanted to make the switch to full-time Pilates, which I did within a year.

With experience from two very different studios, I decided to open my own studio with a partner. After seven years, our visions for the business diverged, so I ventured out on my own and opened Informed Body. As fitness trends evolved, clients sought more than just Pilates—they wanted barre, bootcamp, and more. However, they often returned with injuries, asking for help. This led me to create workouts that helped them move without pain, sparking the idea for FitSprings in 2013.

Now, FitSprings is my primary focus. I sell the equipment to studios and gyms, offering a workout that goes beyond high-intensity, low-impact. FitSprings provides dynamic stability, balance training, endurance training, flexibility, core conditioning, and agility. It has been used by Super Bowl champions, celebrities, Olympic figure skaters, MMA champions, professional dancers, Pilates pros, and people of all ages and fitness levels looking to get an amazing workout that builds strength quickly. What began as an idea has grown into a mission to revolutionize workouts and improve the way people train.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The road has been anything but smooth. One of the first challenges was getting people to try a workout that didn’t exist anywhere else. I hired someone, based on a client recommendation, to create a custom branded experience to scale FitSprings. Unfortunately, after paying them a lot of money, I ended up with an unusable product design and lost close to $100K, forcing me to start over. I found my own sources to make the necessary parts and created a portable version to sell.
During this time, I started feeling run down and experienced hip pain, which turned out to be due to severe health issues including a tumor and large fibroids. I had to downsize my studio to focus on my well-being and FitSprings.

Finding a space for the FitSprings equipment was another significant hurdle. I eventually redesigned it to fit into a smaller space with the help of a manufacturer in Los Angeles. After announcing it for sale, a studio owner scheduled a demo. Unfortunately, a week before the demo, I was brutally attacked and suffered multiple injuries. Despite this, I conducted the demo and made my first sale.

In 2018, I started doing pop-ups in Southern California, leading to more businesses setting these up. However, my personal life was unraveling. On one trip, I received a call that one of my bunnies was injured, and my husband wouldn’t help with the care, leading to the collapse of our relationship and increased financial strain. Despite these challenges, I secured another FitSprings sale just before COVID hit. During the pandemic, I conducted Zoom classes and teacher training but was unable to get other businesses to invest in new equipment.

Post-pandemic, I faced issues with my studio’s landlord and had to find a new space. I stored my equipment and taught at another location while waiting for construction to complete. I even set up FitSprings in a closet at an ice-skating facility to train skaters. Once my new studio was ready, I expanded FitSprings from a 2-person to a 4-person system and decided this space would be a FitSprings studio prototype.

Throughout all these obstacles, my commitment to FitSprings never wavered, and each challenge has made the journey even more rewarding.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I call my Instagram account “Creative Pilates Workouts” because I’m known for looking at movement in unique ways and innovating beyond traditional exercises. This creative approach led me to create FitSprings, offering a distinct alternative to conventional equipment. My ideas have connected me with people worldwide, allowing me to teach workshops and build a community around these inventive workouts.

What sets me apart is my endless ability to see new movement possibilities and my role in evolving Pilates expression. I’m also one of the few women in the fitness industry who have created a piece of fitness equipment that transforms how people experience movement. Achieving this in a predominantly male-dominated field is something I’m particularly proud of. My work isn’t just about fitness—it’s about changing perspectives and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in movement.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?

I was always a performer. I loved to sing (badly), dance, and act whenever I could. From musical theater productions at a young age to performing dance and being a cheerleader, I always envisioned myself becoming “famous” for something. Personality-wise, I wasn’t a follower and often rebelled against conventional ideas. Fashion also greatly interested and influenced me, playing a part in the original design of FitSprings. I thrived on creativity and individuality, which set the stage for my future endeavors.

Pricing:

• FitSprings 2-Person System: $15,000
• FitSprings 4-Person System: $20,000
• FitSprings 8-Person System: $33,000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fitsprings.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillharrispilates
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/informedbody
• Youtube: https.//youtube.com/@fitspringsstudio
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fitsprings-san-francisco-4