We were lucky to catch up with Sabrina Castro recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sabrina, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Our mission is to make Pilates more size inclusive, accessible, welcoming, diverse and affordable for most people. For over ten years of my career, I never felt included, I never felt exercise was accessible for some communities, I felt fitness spaces weren’t diverse enough and there was racism in every corner, and the price of getting “fit” was outrages. I had an extremely challenging time in the fitness industry. From employment, to socializing and connecting to collogues around me, to worker treatment, harassment, you name it I probably went through it. I was judged for my size, being the biggest trainer in the room has it downfalls. No one takes me seriously; I was paid the lowest trainer rate compared to my thinner collogues who were paid top tier pay- literally just for their physique. I was denied working with certain clients because I could not “offer” them a look they were trying to achieve. Being one of the very few Afro-Latina in a predominantly white space, I encountered racism from management to front desk staff, and even clients. I spoke with other instructors like me, and they all had similar stories, so I know it wasn’t just me alone in this. There is so much unspoken mistreatment in the fitness industry, especially in Pilates, and it’s just not right! I was raised in a low-income neighborhood, teetering between poor and barely working “middle” class. I lived in New York City public house my entire life. I went to public school, community college and then city college. I worked low wage jobs for most of my adult life. So, I was not raised like some of the instructors I met during my career teaching. Instructors who come from a wealthy family that paid for dance school, and prestigious colleges, or rich husbands who can pay for their fitness certification or fitness classes. Yes, this is very common in Pilates. I was fortunate to have met a studio owner who was kind enough to train me for free with a mentor program. But even then, I barely had money to explore different fitness classes around the city. Thats when I realized fitness is a luxury for certain communities. When I brought up the idea of having lower priced classes, so people like my family or from neighborhoods like mine, can benefit from exercise. I was laughed at. I was judged for caring about others.

So with all of this said, and I definitely have more to say, this was the building blocks of my story and mission. This is why I aim to make fitness spaces more size inclusive, accessible, welcoming, diverse, and affordable.

Sabrina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Sabrina Castro. I am a Pilates studio owner and fitness instructor. I have been teaching fitness, mostly Pilates, in New York City for now 13 years. Fitness found me; I always say it was a blessing from heaven. I studied in college and got my first degree in science for Recreational Therapy. As part of the recreational therapy program, I had to take many recreational classes, Pilates being one of them. So that is when I was first introduced to the word Pilates. I did not know there was an entire WORLD surrounding Pilates. After graduating, I worked at a coffee shop for a few years. I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to pursue my degree as a full-time career. I realized the hospital scene just wasn’t for me. So, while I was figuring my life out, and working in the cafe, my future was being built right above me on the second floor. A Pilates studio had opened, and the owner and workers had quickly befriended me and the rest of my co-workers in the cafe. In exchange for free coffee and croissants, I was given free Pilates classes. The owner soon was very interested in me and said I would make an excellent instructor. I was given the opportunity to study Pilates for free, and work as management and receptionist duties (paid!). It was literally a dream come true, because after a while in that coffee shop, I was hating my life decisions. However, this life decision, entering Pilates, was the best one I made. It led me to a path I otherwise don’t think I would have chosen on my own… Thirteen years later, after hustling hard in the fitness industry, I decided to open my very own Pilates studio. A space where I can actually make change from the toxic side of the fitness industry I saw. I decided to create a space where people of all sizes, all ethnicities and races, all incomes, all walks of life, can feel safe, heard and welcomed.
My studio is the only plus-size, Latina, queer owned Pilates studio that offers affordable classes in NYC. I went against the grain to offer an affordability model so more people can enjoy the benefits of Pilates. I invite instructors from all backgrounds to work at my space and provide opportunities to learn so they can grow. This also help create diversity in clients, because where a client feels seen- where they see instructors like them, it will encourage them to go and exercise. I work with plus-size companies to offer private classes for plus size people to enjoy working out in a judgment free zone. My brand is about inclusiveness and being there for people. I provide services to help people feel good, for overall wellness.
My brand and my journey in what I am hoping to change in the Pilates space is just getting started.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My kindness is what built my reputation. All of my clients have said multiple times that they appreciate how kind and understanding I am. They love working with me because of my patience. I understand, people are human, people have lives, everyone is unique in their own way. I do not put any expectations on my clients. I do not force them to do things they physically can’t or not prepared for. I take my time with my clients and find the best methods to work with them. each session is tailored to each client, and my approach with every client is different. I do not make someone feel bad about themself because they are unable to do an exercise. I find ways to work around individual needs, and if I don’t know how to help, I research and ask other professionals. i go above and beyond for my clients. I give my clients respect and kindness, and they have helped build my reputation at all the studios and gyms I worked at.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

My clients and family helped me to start my business. Honestly, if it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t have opened a studio, or I would be in HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of dollars in debt trying to open it myself. My partner and i had very little capital when we decided we wanted to begin the business. My business partner is also my life partner, her and I have been together for 16 years. When we initially stared with the idea of wanting to open my dream studio, I had only $10K saved, and she had $10K. Not much for a Pilates studio. I did not have the best credit to apply for a business loan. I was actually denied a few times. Luckily my partner had good credit and was able to take out a $20K loan, but we were still short. From speaking with other studio owners, they all mentioned their start-up cost were anywhere from $100K-300K. So after feeling defeated, I turned to my clients and my family. I posted a gofund.me, explaining how I want to open my own Pilates studio and need help. Everyone, literally everyone I knew, all of my clients, followers from around the world who I did not even know, donated money to help me start my business. It was a dream come true. We were able to make it to our 100K goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pilatescoven.com
• Instagram: pilatescoven
• Facebook: pilatescoven
• Yelp: pilatescoven
• Other: Tiktok: PilatesCoven