Lifemoves Studio

About Lifemoves Studio

Dana & Shelly (co-owners of Lifemoves Studio) worked together in corporate fitness setting almost ten years ago managing a “Mind and Body Studio” within a health club setting. We both enjoyed teaching and client interaction and we wanted to offer our services and passion for health in a smaller more intimate setting. Our vision was to create an inviting energetic community while building relationships without having to adhere to rigid cookie cutter corporate guidelines. In 2013, Lifemoves Studio was “born.” We opened up in a small 1100 square foot facility, then we expanded last year within our same center to a 4400 square foot facility. We now can have multiple offerings going on at one time and have expanded our staff to 10+ instructors. Shelly and Dana both fell in love with Pilates, Yoga, Barre and functional movement fitness methods that incorporate the mind and body experience, but they come from completely different backgrounds. Shelly is 100% classically trained and comprehensively certified in Pilates, while Dana came into Pilates after being a Trainer/Registered Dietitian and collegiate runner/triathlete. The blends of both styles give the studio variety of programs to fit everyone’s needs including barre, yoga, Pilates reformer, chair, ladder barrel, tower, TRX, nutrition coaching, water row, and female focused group fitness barre, circuit, HIIT, classes. Our clients vary, we have professional athletes, stay at home moms, retired, professionals, students, injured, cross trainers and everyone in between.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
 Yes, we are beyond pleased with the loyalty of our clients as we grow. Of course, the risk of starting any business as our own and only investors is hard but we knew that it would work. It has been a dream to see our vision come to life.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lifemoves Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
 We are known for Pilates, Yoga, and Barre. We are one of the few studios in the northern suburbs that have classical Pilates equipment including the Pilates Reformer/ Tower, chairs, ladder barrel and Cadillac. We also offer nutrition coaching by a licensed and registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, and physician grade supplements that are included in custom nutrition plans. What sets us apart is we are a one stop shop, not just a yoga, Pilates or barre studio we offer all of the components of fitness including strength, cardiovascular, flexibility and core strength. We are most proud of the community we have built, we have the best clients who contribute to our friendly and inviting atmosphere. People often associate a boutique studios as only for the wealthy but we offer all levels of packages including large group classes, semi-private sessions and personal training one on one sessions. We wanted anyone and everyone to be able to afford our services at some level.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
 We are very lucky to have found each other as co-owners and business partners, we are different and each have our strengths and weaknesses. We balance each other out and have a mutual respect for our family obligations and roles as wives and mothers in addition to running our business. We focus on growing our business but not at the expense of our personal lives, life balance is very important to each of us. We believe that we attract clients who also have the same priorities which makes us very lucky!