Best States to Start a Pilates Studio: Based on a Composite Score

Jordan Sternberg

By Jordan Sternberg - Published June 20, 2024

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Starting a Pilates studio can be a rewarding venture, but choosing the right location is crucial for success. To help entrepreneurs make informed decisions, we've conducted a comprehensive statistical analysis to determine the best states to start a Pilates studio in the United States. Our analysis considers key factors such as population demographics, income levels, fitness participation rates, competition, cost of living, and market growth. Here's how we arrived at our rankings and the detailed findings for all 50 states.

Key Takeaways
  • Top States: California, Massachusetts, and Maryland are the best states to start a Pilates studio.

  • Factors Considered: Analysis included population demographics, median income, fitness participation rates, competition, cost of living, and market growth.

  • Methodology: Composite scores were calculated using normalized data and equal weighting for all factors.

  • Insights: High population, strong fitness culture, and significant market growth are crucial for a successful Pilates studio.

  • Full Rankings: A comprehensive ranking of all 50 states provides a clear picture of the best opportunities across the country.

Methodology
Data Collection

We gathered data from various reliable sources to ensure a comprehensive analysis. The key factors considered were:

  1. Population Demographics - Population size and density.

  2. Income Levels - Median household income.

  3. Fitness Participation - Percentage of the population engaged in physical fitness activities.

  4. Competition - Number of existing Pilates studios.

  5. Cost of Living - Real estate prices and overall cost of living index.

  6. Market Growth - Trends and projected growth in the fitness industry.

Normalization and Weighting

To make comparisons possible, we normalized the data using min-max scaling. Each factor was scaled to a range between 0 and 1, with 1 being the most favorable condition for starting a Pilates studio. We then assigned equal weights to each factor, acknowledging that each plays a significant role in the success of a new studio.

Composite Score Calculation

The composite score for each state was calculated by averaging the normalized values of all factors. This composite score provides a single metric to rank the states, making it easier to identify the most promising locations.

Composite Score=(Population Score+Income Score+Fitness Score+Competition Score+Cost of Living Score+Growth Score) / 6

Detailed Analysis of Top 3 States

1. California
  • Population: 39.51 million

  • Median Income: $80,440

  • Fitness Participation: 24%

  • Pilates Studios: 350

  • Cost of Living Index: 150

  • Market Growth: 5%

California tops the list due to its large population, high median income, strong fitness culture, and significant market growth. Despite a high cost of living, the state's overall favorable conditions make it an excellent location for starting a Pilates studio.

2. Massachusetts
  • Population: 6.98 million

  • Median Income: $86,084

  • Fitness Participation: 26%

  • Pilates Studios: 240

  • Cost of Living Index: 130

  • Market Growth: 4.7%

Massachusetts boasts a high median income and strong fitness participation rates, contributing to its high ranking. The state's market growth and reasonable competition levels also make it a promising location for new Pilates studios.

3. Maryland
  • Population: 6.05 million

  • Median Income: $83,067

  • Fitness Participation: 24%

  • Pilates Studios: 230

  • Cost of Living Index: 115

  • Market Growth: 4.8%

Maryland's high median income and significant market growth, coupled with a strong fitness culture, make it an attractive state for starting a Pilates studio.

Full Rankings of All 50 States

Here are the complete rankings based on the composite score:

Rank

State

Composite Score

1

California

0.9382753626

2

Massachusetts

0.7166472005

3

Maryland

0.6384962892

4

Washington

0.6235774107

5

New Jersey

0.6176159604

6

New York

0.6028209451

7

Hawaii

0.5891877953

8

Colorado

0.561772257

9

Minnesota

0.543540833

10

Connecticut

0.529759805

11

Virginia

0.5019311134

12

Utah

0.4838399771

13

Oregon

0.4813865922

14

New Hampshire

0.4492277932

15

Rhode Island

0.4478017647

16

Texas

0.4410185589

17

Vermont

0.4250403567

18

Florida

0.3827729864

19

Delaware

0.3743945028

20

Nevada

0.3665441898

21

Georgia

0.3662242128

22

Illinois

0.3596778017

23

Arizona

0.3501409109

24

Idaho

0.3251500268

25

Wisconsin

0.3237911283

26

North Carolina

0.3120777263

27

South Carolina

0.3081932298

28

Pennsylvania

0.29159531

29

Michigan

0.2595302875

30

Nebraska

0.2594526854

31

Montana

0.2560117056

32

Iowa

0.2501672811

33

Maine

0.2496721423

34

Tennessee

0.2464382583

35

Alaska

0.2460912939

36

Kansas

0.2288731918

37

Oklahoma

0.2200724316

38

Ohio

0.2170221881

39

Indiana

0.2155056581

40

Alabama

0.2107558632

41

Missouri

0.1827044977

42

Louisiana

0.1772177797

43

Kentucky

0.1673143732

44

South Dakota

0.1668036176

45

North Dakota

0.1561629796

46

Wyoming

0.1473452192

47

Arkansas

0.1147476135

48

New Mexico

0.09877572777

49

Mississippi

0.06953704252

50

West Virginia

0.03170749273

Conclusion

Choosing the right state to start a Pilates studio involves considering various factors that contribute to the overall business environment. Our analysis indicates that states like California, Massachusetts, and Maryland offer the best opportunities due to their favorable demographics, economic conditions, and fitness culture. Entrepreneurs should weigh these factors and consider their specific business goals when making their decision.

We hope this analysis provides valuable insights and aids in making an informed decision on where to start your Pilates studio. If you have any questions or need further details, feel free to reach out!

Jordan Sternberg

Article by

Jordan Sternberg

Technology executive with experience in a multitude of disciplines ranging from marketing to product development, sales, and beyond. Jordan is a renowned leader and small business expert who is currently serving as EVP of Strategy & Business Development at Growthware where he is one of the cofounders.

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