BodyBar Pilates brings a fresh approach to fitness
- The Reston Letter Staff
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
by Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer
When Joyce Ko opened BodyBar Pilates Reston/Herndon, a locally owned studio within the national BodyBar Pilates franchise, in September 2024, she combined a proven brand with a personal connection to the community.
Ko, who grew up in Fairfax County, has long been drawn to fitness and movement. After working in studios throughout Northern Virginia, she said the Reston-Herndon area stood out as the right place to open her own franchise location. “I had taught everywhere else,” she said. “The location, the demographics and the timing all lined up. It felt right to build something here.”
Before discovering Pilates, Ko explored a wide range of movement disciplines, including Thai kickboxing, judo, and jiu-jitsu. While she enjoyed the intensity of martial arts, the physical wear and tear eventually led her to look for something more sustainable. Pilates first caught her attention through social media. “It looked hard and fun,” she said. “And I knew it was something I wanted to try.”
Her interest quickly deepened. Ko took a front-desk job at a Pilates studio, then trained as an instructor, teaching for three years before deciding to open her own studio. When it came time to choose a business model, she selected the BodyBar Pilates franchise, drawn by its structured approach, training support and emphasis on accessibility. Her mother played a key role in helping her open the studio.
As part of the BodyBar franchise, the Reston-Herndon studio follows a consistent class format while allowing local owners flexibility to serve their communities. The studio features 12 fully equipped Pilates stations, including reformers, chairs with split pedals and towers with push-through bars—equipment that allows for a wide range of exercises and skill levels.
“Accessibility was huge for me,” Ko said. “I wanted a product that really helps people and offers enough variety for beginners, athletes and people rehabbing injuries, without being intimidating or out of reach.”
That philosophy carries directly into the classroom. Instructors move continuously through each class, cueing proper positioning and form, offering verbal encouragement and providing hands-on corrections when appropriate, helping clients engage the correct muscles safely and effectively. The focus, Ko said, is not just on completing exercises but on understanding how the body moves.
Ko emphasizes that reformer-based Pilates complements nearly any fitness routine and is often misunderstood. Reformer Pilates uses a specialized piece of equipment — a sliding carriage attached to adjustable springs — to provide resistance and support at the same time. Exercises can be strengthened, assisted, or modified based on a participant’s experience level, mobility, or injuries.
Unlike high-impact workouts or heavy weightlifting, reformer Pilates focuses on slow, controlled movements guided by breath and precise alignment. “The main point of reformer Pilates is controlled spinal movement in all directions,” Ko said. “Most strength training or sports keep the spine rigid. The reformer allows you to build strength while still moving the spine.” The spring-based resistance challenges balance and stability while reducing strain on joints.
BodyBar Pilates Reston offers classes seven days a week, with morning classes daily and evening options Monday through Friday. The schedule continues to expand as membership grows. Ko currently works with a team of four instructors, all trained through the BodyBar franchise’s formal education program. She also provides one-on-one mentorship and ongoing professional development to ensure consistency across classes.
Despite common misconceptions, Ko said reformer Pilates is designed for everyone, from people new to movement to high-level athletes. While she has worked with elite athletes, including NFL players, Ko said the majority of her clients are regular people in their 30s to 50s. Classes can be modified for knee, hip, shoulder and back issues, particularly in lower-intensity offerings such as Power Tower, Classic and Stretch & Balance. Reformer and Mixed Equipment classes move a bit faster, but also can be modified.
Community engagement is a core part of Ko’s approach as a franchise owner. She seeks out partnerships with local schools, PTAs and businesses, contributing to silent auctions, teacher appreciation events and other initiatives. “Being a franchise doesn’t mean you’re disconnected,” she said. “This studio is very much part of the local community.”
Looking ahead, Ko hopes to open at least one additional BodyBar franchise location and eventually help other owners bring the brand to more Northern Virginia communities. Her broader goal is to help people move with confidence and consistency, while also working toward becoming a master trainer within the franchise.
Ko studied music at George Mason University and trained as a singer, an experience she said influences her teaching. “Breath, control and awareness all matter,” she said. “Those skills translate directly to Pilates.”
“At the end of the day,” Ko added, “I love that I get to run my own business while being supported by a national brand — and still create something that feels local.”
For more information, visit bodybarpilates.com/studios/reston/