Check out this YMCA of Greater Tulsa case study about how a new Reformer Pilates program powered by Core equipment has created a major movement.
Across the fitness landscape, Reformer Pilates is gaining momentum—not just in elite studios, but in community health centers as well. One of the clearest examples of this evolution is happening at the YMCA of Greater Tulsa, where a newly launched Reformer Pilates program has not only exceeded expectations but redefined what’s possible when you blend high-quality equipment with inclusive, community-based programming.
How A Concept Became A Community Movement
Launched in May 2025, the Reformer Pilates program at the Owasso YMCA branch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, began with a simple but powerful vision to make Pilates accessible, enjoyable, and impactful for a wide range of people, from complete beginners to seasoned athletes. Rebekah Fortna, a former professional ballet dancer and long-time group exercise instructor, spearheaded the Pilates vision. Along with the help of Bonnie Lee Kushner, Core’s YMCA National Account Manager, she selected the Reformer Pilates equipment from Core Health & Fitness.
“Pilates has long been a passion of mine. When I saw how much interest there was in Owasso, I knew we could build something meaningful here.”
~ Rebekah Fortna, Director of Wellness and Personal Training ~
What began with 8 weekly classes quickly expanded to 10 as demand surged and feedback rolled in. The YMCA has seen 291 class sign-ups since launch, many of them from people completely new to Pilates. In fact, 62.4% were new participants that had never used a Reformer machine before—a powerful indicator of the program’s wide appeal and user-friendly design.
The Differentiator: A High-Quality, Accessible Reformer
Central to the program’s success is the Core Health & Fitness Reformer equipment, which was carefully chosen by Rebekah and her team for its blend of performance and simplicity.
“Core's Reformers are very user-friendly, not complicated. I’ve worked on Reformers that were hard to adjust, especially the spring bar. The equipment from Core is very easy to move. They feel secure, smooth, and members can adjust them without issue.”
~ Rebekah Fortna, Director of Wellness and Personal Training ~
In a group setting where confidence and independence matter, the intuitive spring color system and ergonomic design gave both instructors and users the confidence to focus on the workout—not the equipment. Just as importantly, the machines have proven their reliability.
“We haven’t had to do any maintenance on them yet. They haven’t started to stick or make noise, or come off the rails. They’re very smooth and high quality.”
~ Rebekah Fortna, Director of Wellness and Personal Training ~
Meeting The Needs Of All Ages In The Community
One of the hallmarks of the YMCA is its ability to meet people at every stage of life and fitness level. The Pilates program at Owasso is no different. Participants range in age from 12 to 79 years old, with 14 members in their 70s actively engaging with the Reformer workouts.
Rebekah shared the story of a senior participant with osteoporosis who not only began regaining strength, but resolved a frozen shoulder thanks to consistent Reformer practice. She got stronger every week, regaining mobility and confidence, and that's why they do this!
She’s also passionate about the benefits for younger members. We used to only allow 16 and up in classes, but with parental permission, we’ve seen athletes as young as 12 using the Reformers for athletic training. Everyone can benefit from Pilates.
Turning Free Trials into Committed Members
To generate initial interest, the YMCA launched the program with a free introductory Reformer class. The response was overwhelming. So far, 50 unique individuals have taken the free class, and of those, 62 have gone on to book paid sessions—an outstanding 80% conversion rate.
By lowering the barrier to entry and providing a welcoming, professionally guided first experience, the YMCA set the stage for deeper engagement and long-term member growth. The success of the free class format is now a foundational part of how they onboard new members into Pilates.
Investing in Scalable, In-House Instructor Training
As demand grew, Rebekah identified a major challenge: the lack of affordable, accessible Pilates certification options for staff. Rather than let that roadblock stall progress, the team developed its own solution.
The YMCA of Greater Tulsa launched a three-day internal certification program to train and qualify existing employees to become Pilates instructors. This not only ensures consistency in how classes are taught but also creates a career pathway for YMCA staff—many of whom already have strong ties to the community.
“It was important to make training accessible so we could scale responsibly. Creating our own course gave us control over quality and expanded our instructor team without delay.”
~ Rebekah Fortna, Director of Wellness and Personal Training ~
A Model for the Future of Community Fitness
The success of the Reformer Pilates program is a powerful case study in what’s possible when a community health organization partners with a trusted fitness equipment provider to deliver accessible, high-impact wellness programming.
From the user-friendly Core Reformers to a community-driven marketing strategy and innovative instructor training pipeline, every piece worked together to drive results. Those results include:
- 291 total class registrations and growing
- 80% conversion from free to paid participation
- 14 participants in their 70s; oldest at 79 years old
- Zero maintenance issues reported
- Expanded class schedule due to high demand
- Broad age appeal—from pre-teens to seniors
For Rebekah and her team, the journey is far from over. But the early wins are proof that with the right tools and the right team, fitness programming can change lives across generations.
Download the Case Study now to see the full breakdown of how the YMCA of Greater Tulsa launched this high-impact Reformer Pilates program? It includes stats, strategies, and firsthand quotes from program leadership—perfect for fitness directors, wellness managers, and community centers considering a similar initiative.
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