Meet Andrea Contin-Chesek | Pilates Instructor, Studio Owner, & Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Contin-Chesek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
A question I get asked quite frequently is, “What is Pilates?”.

According to Webster’s dictionary it is defined as an “exercise regimen that is typically performed on a floor mat or with the use of specialized apparatus and aims to improve flexibility and stability by strengthening the muscles and especially the torso-stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and lower back”. Even though that is a clear and acceptable definition of what Pilates is and offers, I find that after almost twenty years of practicing, dedicating, learning and teaching the original or classical exercises, skills, and instructions advised by the one and only Mr Joseph Pilates; it truly is much more than that and much more than what and how Pilates is seen, viewed, and taught today.

I cringe at times to what the Pilates Industry has morphed, become, and is transforming into. To the extent that many are not even aware that there was a man who created a system. A genius really whom dedicated his life to creating a system or method of exercise that truly works and builds the body from the ground up with the foundation being imperative to the long term success and infinite benefits it provides for the body and mind. It’s his teachings and mechanical creations when applied with specificied instructions and with a conscious awareness that brings a form of precision and grace most hope to find or believe when beginning or hearing about Pilates. My goal is to try to continue his teachings and carry the torch that seems to dwindle as Pilates becomes more and more commercialized.

Modern Pilates has become a performance and production. Today, you can become a certified Pilates teacher not only online but as quickly as over a few days or a weekend. In few words, it breaks my heart and grinds my gears at times after the endless amount of hours, passion, tears, sweat , blood and resources I have poured into learning and applying the knowledge into others and myself in hopes to share the true essence of what Pilates is and offers only to see many flock to classes claiming to teach Pilates but is far from the true source of everything that is Pilates.

Witnessing this ultimately lead me to opening my own studio in January 2017 after becoming a classically certified instructor in 2007, which at the time required almost 800 hours of training. Not including the additional 800 master teacher training programs, (completed in 2022) from reknowned and extremely skilled instructors in the industry plus thousands of hours of additional workshops, traveling, client teaching as well as countless personal work outs. Pilates is a lifestyle. One that teaches you not only how to move your body but at the mercy of your mind as well. Connecting the two in a way that no other exercise system can offer in the same way. Many of my clients are left amazed often on how a small adjustment can make a specific movement go from easy to extremely challenging in seconds.

Pilates was never meant to be simply a string of exercises to be thrown or given haphazardly. It is a concept. A concept unfortunately that has been reinvented and misunderstood to the extent that it is no longer familiar with what and why it was instructed in a particular order and or positioning and for what purpose and how to use a piece of apparatus correctly and safely. It is often confused with yoga and as mentioned has at times become an entire recreation of what was and what it is and intended to be and do, and labeling/ calling it “Pilates” or some form or fusion of it.

With so many instructors available and undertrained, often times I find that there is a limited understanding of what each piece of equipment or exercise is designed to do or offer. Many are being taught without the purpose of that specific piece of equipment (or original execution/ use of it), along with improper exercise application or cuing, which will sadly continue and dilute the true spirit and purpose of Pilates and its tried, true, and beneficial nature/essence, leading so many further and further from the source itself. I wonder at times what it must be for Mr Pilates if he could watch how his life’s work and passion has slowly been dismantled, rewritten and/or misunderstood. I hold tremendous pride and passion about educating clients or anyone who will listen on what Pilates should feel and is meant to be experienced. And most importantly, who is Joseph Pilates and of course what is Pilates, formerly known as Contrology.

The focus should be on strengthening and building of a particular skill for a future or alternate purpose or exercise and using the equipment in helping you or the client succeed in that goal/movement; vs everything for everyone at any time with no thought or reason behind it just because it’s out there and a viable affordable option offering no logical, purposeful, particular, or practical construct behind it is certainly not what I believe Mr Pilates intended his work to do or become, even if he was ahead of his time.

Pilates is Pilates. Pilates has a purpose. It is not a new construct or idea based on someone else’s designed system that is meant to be applied in a particular way and it being advertised as Pilates for only profit and gain with no intent to educate, inform, and teach it properly and safely in a way that actually brings about core strength and skill.

Pilates is an exercise system that increases core strength, balance, and flexibility that also consequently has rehabilitative properties to the body as a whole IF followed again as instructed and created, while more importantly, keeping the body safe! It is not physical therapy even though it provides rehabilitive results , as much as it is also again not what is commonly shown, marketed, and viewed across social media platforms and popular big box studios and gyms.

Most are unaware that the GOAL of Pilates was to master the Matwork. The equipment was designed to help reach that goal. Today we have reformer classes packed with so many bodies and minds unaware that the reformer was a tool not the end all be all and what defines/encompasses as Pilates! Moreso, many times these executions and equipment are being used incorrectly, improperly, and unsafely!

With current Pilates industry standards, or lack there of, I fear that classical Pilates will become more and more obsolete as certification options to be a Pilates teacher are endlessly available by many and anyone who offers to certify you for a price.

My goal and mission is to continue to teach the original and classical method of Pilates as Joseph prescribed and intended it to be. Period. And more importantly SAFELY. It is unnecessary to reinvent the wheel if the wheel works. It has been said that two hours before Joseph died, he quoted that he was 50 years ahead of his time. He was right about that. Further reason to believe, trust, and respect his work and teachings as he designed them to be! More passion! More energy! More footwork!

It’s unfortunate that we continue as an industry in diluting Joseph’s method and understanding of its application. When doing as prescribed, his knowledge and execution will without a doubt build your body to function efficiently with maximum results through the system he alone invented and created. It has proven time and time again to work. I have both seen and experienced it through its practice personally and professionally. A single lifetime isn’t long enough to even master the original work!

If you don’t understand or make an attempt to understand the why it is designed the way it has been designed, than you lose the magic that was and still is Pilates. It truly is a science and an inner awareness and feeling of one’s movement and body that is challenging to both the body and mind. Joseph understood that.

As Pilates becomes more commercialized and popular, it becomes increasingly difficult to inform individuals that Pilates should never hurt but challenge you. Spread the word that not all Pilates teacher are created equal, and to always research instructors and studios to determine their level of expertise, knowledge, competence, and understanding of the true work and concept of Pilates and its overall purpose.

All this to say that I do believe that all forms of movement and fitness is better than no movement. However, not all movement is good movement, not all movements are for every body, and not all movement found in the Pilates industry is true to original Pilates; and most certainly should not be categorized as such. A true controversy which has created , still creates, and more than likely will continue to create misinformation, confusion, and possibly injury for the sake of profit and performance and sadly many times ego and attention.

I hope that through my passion, teaching, continued training and understanding of the work, personally and professionally, i can help as many people become more and more aware of what Pilates truly is and where it originated from. And what it IS! To not only pay tribute to the genius who built the work and equipment, but to show that there is a purpose behind each and every exercise and piece of equipment for everyBODY and remind that not every EXERCISE can BE DONE by everyBODY. No need to go outside the box when the box is filled with so many possibilities and options.

I want to educate as many as I can on the original principles, efficacy, and application of what today is termed as “classical” Pilates and teach it in a safe and clear manner to avoid injury during and after, all while PROPERLY and wholeheartedly building the core foundational strength needed both physically and mentally for better movement, balance, and postural alignment as Mr Joseph strongly claimed and prescribed. I will do my best to continue the legacy and keep the original flame alive for a hopefully another fifty years and beyond.

Joseph says it best. He was known for his insightful and inspiring quotes. These quotes highlight Pilates’s holistic approach to health and fitness, emphasizing the importance of proper breathing, core strength, and a balanced mind-body connection. His philosophy encourages individuals to take care of their bodies and strive for a life of vitality and well-being. 

Practice, Progress, and Power the Mind, Body, and Spirit with Pilates! Above all do so properly!

—Andrea Contin-Chesek

Here are a few of his most famous sayings: 

* “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” 
* “A man is as young as his spinal column.” 
* “Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Above all, learn how to breathe correctly.” 
* “The body is your temple. Treat it as such.” 
* “Contrology is not a system of haphazard exercises designed to produce only bulging muscles. It is a complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.” 
* “Civilization impairs physical fitness. A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion.” 
* “In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you’ll be on your way to having a whole new body.” 
* “Your health is in your hands. Take care of it.” 
* “The powerhouse of the body is the center, the core, the torso.” 
* “Posture is the key to everything. If you have good posture, you have everything.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As previously mentioned, I was certified as a classical Pilates teacher in 2007, beginning in 2006 in Atlanta, GA from a now closed studio named Urban Body Studios via a second generation instructor by the name of Penelope Wyer-Barrow. Learning from her gave me the foundational tools needed to begin to dive deeper into the understanding of Pilates at the time being a new up and coming form of exercise, and me being new as an instructor. I began to develop a large following in the area between the years 2007 & 2010, instructing at several studios throughout the city. Pilates was only in its beginning stages commercially in the late 90’s & early 2000’s, though having been long introduced between the 1920’s & 60’s in New York City.

After years of teaching and attending various workshops, I opened my studio ProperPilates Studio on January 2017 in Peachtree City, GA. My drive and passion for everyone to discover and benefit from this exercise system, as it did for me, gave me the courage to open my own studio. In hopes that it would create as much of an impact for so many bodies and minds, as much as it did mine. The name was inspired by my desire to teach Pilates properly, hence the studio name.

Courage is a requirement to open any business as it can be one of the scariest and challenging endeavors one can embark on. However my love for the work overrided the fear. It was by far one of the most exciting and exhilarating (and expensive) adventures anyone can take on.

Owning a business is more than resources. It takes vision, dedication, research, planning, knowledge, preserveance, thick skin, and most importantly passion and consistency; and showing up despite the challenges. In short, experience. Oh the experiences. Through obstacles you both expect and unexpect, with high and lows that will make you question at times your own existsnce, purpose, worth, capacity, and faith in life and work, and sadly sometimes other people. You’re vision and others vision many times simply do not align. And that’s OKAY. See the challenge. Face it. And find a solution to it. If your not part of the solution then you are a part of the problem. And, Boundaries are everything. Reinforcing them is imperative.

Business is not personal even though personally it’s your business. Hard lesson. Feelings are not facts. But the fact again is it’s your business alone, not anyone else’s. Best to never expect others to meet those same expectations as it typically leads to disappointment every time, from my experiences when building and running a business.

Through and after those experiences, time and time again, your focus finally begins to move away from what others believe is best for you and your business to what YOU believe is best for you, your business and others because of your dedication to that which originally inspired you to open the business in the first place and how your passion, and most importantly the respect you have for yourself, along with perseverance, and faith comes not only immediate but conitinued success. Much like how this holds true with what is as close to the source Pilates has to offer and currently limitedly available, and yes with sticker shock at times across the board.

Success isn’t measured by views and likes, or what looks cool/trendy, it’s truly about changing the lives, bodies, and minds/mentality of the people that seek it, and they in return Invest in it, in themselves, and in you and your business. Witnessing that change in others IS the success, and the most rewarding experience as a teacher and studio owner can receive. An uplifting reminder as to why I opened my Studio and do what I do, and to spread the work as authentically as possible. Building not only better bodies but relationships that can last a lifetime. Between client and myself, as much as the client does to their own body through conscious self discovery by promoting not only safe and appropriate movements but also an environment of which to do so. That in turn promotes a more holistic approach to both the mind and body which ultimately allows the client to feel safe moving their body but yet also allowing them to feel challenged and accomplished, and most importantly seen and heard.

My passion continues to be reflected in the studio I originally built from the ground up; despite all the commercially and popular options available. I didn’t want it to be just another Pilates Studio, but one that exuded the beauty and art that Pilates offered and how transformative it can be; when executed methodically and with precision (again much like how Pilates should be). Amazed by the impact it can have externally as much as internally! A true show case of what Joseph’s work can and will do.

In 2018 , my Studio was awarded as one of the most beautiful studios in the world from Pilates Style Magazine, less than two years after opening. The space provided, a mere metal unit with large windows and no grand view. Impressive competing against Studios located in historical buildings with breathtaking views and unique locations as Australia and France and hundreds of applicants. But with success comes challenges, jealousy and hate, backstabbing and back talking/biting, loss of what feels like an infinite amount of resources, and confrontations you’ll never thought possible or fathom to be a part of the adventure in owning a successful business.

After deliberating, I decided to go alone and closed my brick and mortor in 2024, built out my home basement into yet another beautiful studio and kept the business name i worked oh so hard for. This would be my third time reinvesting with COVID being the second reinvestment of an already young business. My hard work to keep it alive during those times was my saving grace to start over once again for a third time.

Love, authenticity, and dedication to this phenomenal work is the secret sauce to ProperPilates Studio. The old adage if you love what you do, succes will follow is tried and true, much like what Pilates intended Pilates to be. Its overall presence within the industry though delayed and muddled, is successful today because of Joseph’s belief and passion for his work and creation. Sadly we have ventured so far from its nature that my success has been my determination in keeping the original work as alive as possible for as long as possible. Yelling and repeating it from rooftops for all to hear and willing to listen.

It would be a lie to state that it was, has been, and is easy building and owning a business. With leadership comes hardships, betrayals, loss of finances, friends, employees, clients, and the drama that comes along with it are troubles only the strong can withstand and/or face/survive. Expect everything and nothing in return. Discern and determine everything and everyone. But above all, keep moving forward and remind yourself why you chose to start or open that businesss, weather others agree or disagree with how you chose to operate and manage your business. And always put your efforts in those that believe in you and your vision and worry less about those who want you to make decisions believing it’s in your best interest when it’s really in theirs (80/20 rule of thumb). A good accountant is always quite beneficial as well!

Sadly after eight years operating as a brick and mortor, due mainly to many of the mentioned obstacles above and more; that never stopped my efforts in continuing my passion to deliver the benefits and authenticity Pilates offers. Even after relocating, many if not almost all of my clients followed. There is no success without failure.

In continuing hopes that Pilates will become more respected and valued through its true practice. This has always been the mission of ProperPilates Studio. Given the responsibility to teach Pilates properly and with as much conviction as Joseph once did is an honor and the key to becoming and being successful in the modern Pilates world. For yourself and for others; as much as through yourself and through others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Peachtree city has 100+ miles of golf cart paths intertwined within the city walls. This one of a kind feature and experience allows you to drive through the city via golf cart and to practically be able to get to any main location/business/restaurant/ market/ and/or schools spread throughout the city. The paths weaves in and out of breathtaking woodlands and lakes away from the main roads and cars. It is a quaint and quiet town nestled approximately 40 miles south of Atlanta that also allows you to visit the nearby main city for a quick outing or getaway. Overall the area is filled with endless outdoor activities from hiking to water sports and activities like tubing, kayaking, paddle boarding, rowing, and canoeing. The options for dining and entertainment are not as extensive as it would be Atlanta, but certainly not difficult to find delicious options nearby. Aside from the big city, areas like Trilith also offer a variety of restaurants and entertainment as well. A large encompassing area that offers a diversity of options for all. Both indoor and outdoor almost all year round, including music events in the Peachtree City’s outdoor amphitheater to countless festivals held during each season always within a 10-40 mile radius. And much of that as mentioned accessible via a golf cart within city limits.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My lifelong career mentor and fellow enthusiast Kathi Ross-Nash has been more than a mentor to me in the last twenty years. A woman that lives, breaths, and believes in the work created by Joseph. Her dedication is beyond inspiring! I wouldn’t be where I am without her passion and excitement for the Method. A true gift to the Industry. She taught me not only Joseph’s work the most, but how to navigate the industry as it has become today. I will forever be grateful and in awe of her strength, beauty, grace, and no BS attitude!

Website: https://www.properpilatesstudio.com

Instagram: @properpilatesstudio

Image Credits
Michele Reed Photography
Leticia Andrade Photography