On Nov. 9, Primarie Pilates will open its doors on South Main Street. The studio will focus on contemporary Pilates, which employs traditional techniques within more innovative and flexible fitness programs, according to studio owner Marie Willersrud ’17.
The studio, which features seven reformer machines, will offer 50-minute classes, and customers can purchase a first-timer pass, monthly memberships or class packs of various sizes.
The mission of Primarie Pilates is to “get people moving and moving better” so that they can get stronger, Willersrud said. “Primarie is rooted in foundation, and we really wanted to lead back to building a base body that can carry you through your life,” she said.
Willersrud explained that Pilates principles such as balance, control and deliberate breathing are all things that “we can take into our day-to-day life.” These principles can benefit people across a wide range of ages, she added.
Willersrud first “fell in love with Pilates” around two or three years ago, she said. After spending eight years working in finance, she realized that she “would rather work on building community and actually move and connect with people rather than just sitting behind a desk.”
She first had the idea to open her own Pilates studio in early 2025. After months of deliberation with her husband, the couple opted to open an independent studio rather than run a franchise location of a larger company so they could have more freedom to build a brand that matched their vision.
Willersrud and her husband decided to open their first studio in Providence because the two appreciate the city’s size, culture and amenities.
She said they wanted the studio to be near Brown, and they were specifically drawn to South Main Street for its walkability and high foot traffic, among other factors.
Willersrud’s team finished gutting the new space by early September. Despite some minor challenges with the walls and flooring, she said that the renovation process has generally been “incredibly smooth.”
The studio has had sign-up QR codes in its window for the past few weeks, and “over 200 people signed up just by walking by, so that’s really heartwarming,” she said.
Willersrud is especially excited about opening her first studio so close to her alma mater. “It’s great to be back,” she said. “It’s a really vibrant student community, and we would love to tap into that and be able to work with students as well as local residents.”
“I’m pretty excited to try the new studio,” Jiya Khosla ’29 wrote in a message to The Herald, noting that the space’s proximity to campus makes the studio more accessible.
Rylee Keeley ’28 said she was excited for the studio because of how close it is to campus. She took a few Pilates classes last year, but the studio was a 20-minute walk from campus.
“I feel like a lot of students here would be interested in that kind of workout,” especially since the Nelson Fitness Center mainly offers strength machines, Keeley added.
But Emily Tran ’29 said she thinks “the price is a bit steep.”
Khosla expressed a similar sentiment, adding that “the classes would have to be pretty life-changing for me to want to pay that much regularly.”
The studio charges $48 for a single class, although individuals can book with the new customer deal or a monthly membership for a lower price per class.
“Our memberships are where we offer the most value, but it’s also an absolute dollar amount that’s quite high,” Willersrud said, acknowledging that their Pilates classes could be cost-prohibitive for some people.
She explained that the expensive machines, intensive training required for instructors and high rent for the space all contribute to the price of the classes. If the studio’s initial launch is successful, she hopes to open more locations that offer heated mat Pilates, which would allow them to run classes at a more competitive price point.
“We really want people to feel welcome here and to be able to explore movement and really find something in a practice that they can enjoy,” Willersrud said. “We’re just really excited to get going.”
Pavani Durbhakula is a Metro editor. She is a junior from DC and is studying IAPA and Public Health. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading and searching for new coffee shops.
