Pure Joy Pilates to open in downtown Prior Lake

Prior Lake American

A new business is joining the roster of small business in downtown Prior Lake — Pure Joy Pilates.

The venture is owned by Jen McCarter, who has lived in Prior Lake for six years. There will be a ribbon cutting and open house on Nov. 2.

“I always knew I wanted to do this,” McCarter said. “It’s been a lifelong dream to run my own pilates business. I’ve just kept on taking small steps to get there and now I’m just diving in and doing it.”

Pilates is a workout based on a series of controlled movements to improve flexibility, build strength and increase control of the body.

“It’s awesome because pilates is for anybody,” McCarter said. “Anybody could walk in an do pilates and see the benefits. I’ve trained everybody from somebody who can’t get out of bed ... all the way to professional athletes who found it very useful.”

McCarter has been teaching pilates for 14 years since a coworker introduced her to the method. Lately, she’s been leading classes and training sessions out of her home.

“I’m able to take on more clients because working in my home, I only bring in people I know,” McCarter said. “I’m hoping it’s going to open the door to see new clients and to meet people I haven’t met before.”

McCarter became serious about opening her own business in Prior Lake after helping to lead classes over the summer that featured doing pilates on paddle boards on the lake in addition to needing more space for her clients.

“Throughout all my years of being in the fitness industry, pilates is the one thing that has stayed constant — it’s always been effective,” McCarter said.

The location is within the building that also contains Edelweiss and Wild Ruffle. There’s a door to the studio through Wild Ruffle but there’s also an entrance by the parking lot at the back of Edelweiss.

The studio will have a ballet barre and different suspended structures to assist in the workouts.

“It just happened to work out and just happened to be a perfect location and I couldn’t be happier with where it’s going to be at,” McCarter said.

McCarter said she’s “done it all” but her business will focus on small groups and one-on-one training sessions.

“It’s great to have that individualized attention and that’s where I see people get the most out of it,” McCarter said. “Pilates is so precise and a lot of control and attention is needed.”

There will be a drawing for a personal training package at the open house. McCarter will also offer a free first session for anyone as well as a demo of equipment in her studio.

“I would say pilates is for every single body,” McCarter said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female or if you’ve been doing crossfit for ten years or you’re a professional athlete. Every since person I’ve trained has seen benefits from it.”