What started as a fresh take on a traditional method has grown into one of the most recognizable Pilates brands in New York and the Hamptons. Co-founded by Heather Andersen, New York Pilates has redefined the reformer experience, bringing a modern, high-energy approach to a practice rooted in precision, strength, and alignment.
With multiple locations across the East End in Montauk, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Southampton, and now Sag Harbor, New York Pilates has become a staple of the Hamptons lifestyle. Each studio reflects its surroundings while maintaining the brand’s signature feel: elevated, community-driven, and designed to keep people coming back.
As Pilates continues to surge in popularity, Heather remains focused on what set the brand apart from the beginning—thoughtful movement, consistent programming with informed instruction, and a strong sense of connection. She spoke more about the evolution of New York Pilates, the energy of the Hamptons, and what’s ahead for the growing brand.
What is New York Pilates all about, and how would you describe the philosophy behind the practice? When did the idea for the brand first begin?
HA: New York Pilates is about bringing the benefits of private reformer sessions into a group format that actually makes sense for how people live. When I opened in 2013, that didn’t exist. Pilates was mostly private, pretty inaccessible, and even as a teacher, there was nowhere I could take class before or after work. The reformer class wasn’t a thing in New York, and honestly, that felt wild to me. So I built it.
The idea was to take the real Pilates method, the original repertoire, and update the experience. Keep the integrity, but make it feel more modern, more energized, a little more fun. Elevate the space, bring in some vibe, and create something people actually want to come back to.
What’s nice about the group format is you’re not losing that attention. You’re still getting hands-on corrections when you need them, you’re still being seen. But at the same time, you’re part of something bigger. There’s a real sense of community in the room. It’s not just about the workout. It’s about how it feels to be there, and who you’re in it with.
We were the first to really bring large-format group reformer classes to New York City and the Hamptons, and it’s been wild to watch what’s happened since. The method has completely taken off. Now, 13 years later, reformer studios are everywhere. It’s funny, even five years ago it still barely felt like a thing.
Can you discuss the way your Pilates classes are taught and experienced and what sets them apart from other Pilates studios?
HA: After over 20 years of teaching and 13 years of building New York Pilates, we’ve refined everything into one very well-known, cult-favorite class: Abs Arms Ass. It’s a total body, strength-building class that moves with intention, making you stronger and more aligned, the way the original modality intended.
Pilates was never meant to be split up into categories. It’s one method, one body, one flow.
The class is open-level, but it’s designed to meet you where you are. Every movement has a baseline, with options to modify or level up through spring tension and variation. So whether you’re brand new or more advanced, you’re getting exactly what your body needs.
What makes it really work is the consistency. You don’t have to think about it. You don’t have to plan your schedule around different class types. You just show up when it works for you, and you know you’re getting a smart, challenging, full-body workout every time. It’s simple, but it’s intentional. And it’s a modern take on what Joseph Pilates was doing. The classes sell out fast, especially in the summer, so book ahead.
With multiple Hamptons locations, how does each studio differ, and how do they collectively shape the overall New York Pilates experience out East?
HA: All of our Hamptons studios have their own personality, but they all feel like us. From Montauk to Southampton to Bridgehampton to East Hampton and now Sag Harbor, each space reflects where it is. Montauk is more beachy, a little undone in the best way. East Hampton has that high-energy, social feel. Bridgehampton is more elevated and chic. Southampton feels classic and refined.
But the throughline is always New York Pilates. The design, the energy, the music, it’s consistent. There’s always that mix of culture, movement, and a little bit of fun. A big part of what makes it special out east is the community. A lot of our team actually lives there, so it’s not just seasonal. It’s year-round, it’s local, and it feels real.
Our instructor training program has also really taken off, and we’re seeing so many strong local instructors come up through it. You’re starting to see that next generation of NYP teachers all over the Hamptons, which is really exciting.
What has the response been like at your Hamptons studios, and how does the experience shift seasonally? How does it compare to your New York City locations?
HA: The response in the Hamptons has been building year over year for almost a decade now. It’s been really special to watch. There’s a lot of crossover with our New York City students, but the energy is completely different. The city has that nonstop pace, that intensity. The Hamptons has this lighter, more open feeling, but the work is still just as strong.
Summer is a whole thing. It’s high energy, social, a little chaotic in the best way, but still has that laid-back out east feeling. Students are weaving Pilates into their weekends, their routines, their whole lifestyle.
And then the off-season shifts. It gets quieter, more grounded, and that’s where the community really shows up. It’s tight-knit, consistent, and honestly really special in a different way. Both are strong, just different energies. And being able to exist in both is what makes it work.
Pilates continues to grow in popularity — what do you think makes it such an effective and appealing workout?
HA: Pilates is definitely having a moment right now. Trends come and go, but Pilates isn’t going anywhere. Reformer especially has really taken off, and you’re seeing more of it everywhere, same with mat. But the reason it’s sticking is because when Pilates is actually taught well, by a real Pilates instructor, it works. It’s a total body modality that focuses on alignment and builds you up instead of breaking you down. You’re getting stronger, more connected, and moving better in your body.
A lot of what you’re seeing in the Pilates space right now pulls from what we’ve been doing at New York Pilates for years. And I think that’s because the method we built is actually strong. It works, and people feel that.
For those spending time in the Hamptons this summer, how can they easily take a class at one of your locations?
HA: The best way to take class is to book ahead. You can do it through our website or app, both are super easy. If you’re planning to be out east for more than just a quick trip, I’d recommend getting a membership. It gives you priority booking and a few other perks, and it makes everything a lot more seamless. They do sell out, though, usually by the end of spring. So if you can get in early, it’s worth it.
Is there anything you’re particularly excited about for the upcoming summer season?
HA: I’m really excited about the energy out east this summer. There’s something about it, all the familiar faces coming back to town, everyone settling into that rhythm again. It just works with what we do. People are more social, more relaxed, and Pilates becomes part of that whole lifestyle.
I’m also really excited to see our instructor training program continue to grow. It’s been taking off, and we have so many strong local teachers coming up through it. Watching them step into bigger roles and take on more of the schedule out east has been really special. It’s building something real within the community.
We’re also finally opening Sag Harbor this summer, which is a big one for us. We’ll be doing pop-ups, events, and bringing even more of that NYP energy out there. And of course, we’re excited for all the Hamptons Magazine parties. They’re always the best.
Looking ahead, what’s next for New York Pilates in terms of new classes, locations, or evolving the overall experience?
HA: The biggest thing for us right now is the Upper East Side location. We’re really excited about it. It’s going to be a 9,000 square foot studio, and honestly, the most community-driven space we’ve built yet. We’re bringing together some of the best instructors in New York, and it’s going to feel like a real hub for the method. It’s also a personal one, Brion went to high school on the Upper East Side, so it feels full circle. And for me, his stepmom lives right down the street, so I’m excited to take class there with her.
We’re also relaunching our activewear line, which we’ve been working on for a while, along with new merch drops, collaborations, and partnerships with some really great brands.
And on the teaching side, we’ve been growing our instructor training program, which has been a huge focus. It’s been really exciting to create more opportunities for our teachers and watch them grow alongside our students, both in the city and out east.
It all comes back to building something that feels strong, connected, and actually worth being a part of.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
HA: In a world where Pilates is really having a moment, the most important thing is staying true to what it actually is. For us, that means form-focused, intentional strength training that makes you feel better in your body. Not just during the workout, but after, and long term.
New York Pilates is about that connection. Connecting to the method, connecting to your body, and connecting to the people around you. At the end of the day, it’s simple. Feel yourself.
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