Balanced Body Acquires Merrithew in Major Industry Merger

Key Takeaways

• Balanced Body has acquired Merrithew, the creator of STOTT PILATES, uniting two of the industry's largest equipment manufacturers and education providers under one company.
• Both brands will continue to operate independently with their own product lines, education systems, and studio networks.
• The combined entity will serve over 150,000 instructors globally and maintains manufacturing facilities in Sacramento and Toronto.
• Balanced Body CEO Gregg Miele will lead the merged organization, while Merrithew CEO Alison Manheim will continue overseeing the Merrithew brand.
• The acquisition creates the largest vertically integrated Pilates company, controlling equipment manufacturing, instructor education, and studio support infrastructure.

Balanced Body Acquires Merrithew in Landmark Industry Consolidation

Balanced Body, the California-based Pilates equipment manufacturer and education provider, has acquired Merrithew, the Toronto company behind the STOTT PILATES method and brand. The transaction, announced in early 2025, merges two of the three dominant players in the global Pilates equipment and education market.

Both companies will retain their separate brand identities, product catalogs, and education systems. Merrithew's STOTT PILATES certification programs will continue unchanged, and its licensed studio network will remain intact. Balanced Body will maintain its existing education offerings, including its partnership with Polestar Pilates.

The combined organization will operate manufacturing facilities in both Sacramento, California and Toronto, Ontario, ensuring continuity of supply for studios across North America and internationally.

Leadership and Organizational Structure

Gregg Miele, who has served as CEO of Balanced Body, will lead the merged company. Alison Manheim, CEO of Merrithew since 2015, will continue in her role overseeing the Merrithew brand and its operations.

The leadership continuity is designed to reassure the distinct instructor communities that have grown around each brand's education philosophy. STOTT PILATES, developed by Moira Merrithew and Lindsay G. Merrithew in the 1980s, emphasizes anatomical principles and modern exercise science. Balanced Body has historically supported multiple education approaches, including classical and contemporary methods.

Market Implications and Competitive Landscape

The acquisition creates a company with significant market concentration in Pilates equipment sales and instructor training. Prior to the deal, Balanced Body, Merrithew, and Gratz Industries were widely considered the three largest apparatus manufacturers serving professional studios in the United States.

The merged entity will control a substantial share of the estimated $15.8 billion global Pilates and yoga studio market, which is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% through 2030. The company will serve over 150,000 certified instructors worldwide, according to statements from both organizations.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Both Balanced Body and Merrithew are privately held companies, and neither releases detailed revenue figures publicly.

Impact on Studio Owners and Supply Chains

Studio operators who have invested in equipment from either manufacturer can expect continued parts availability and service support for their existing apparatus. Both brands have committed to maintaining their separate product lines and warranty programs.

However, the consolidation raises questions about long-term pricing power and competitive options for studio owners making future capital investments. With two of the three major professional-grade equipment suppliers now under common ownership, independent studios may have fewer alternatives when negotiating purchases or comparing specifications.

The companies have stated that their dealer networks, financing programs, and trade-in policies will continue as before. Studios with existing relationships with Merrithew or Balanced Body distributors should see no immediate operational changes.

Education System and Certification Pathways

Instructors currently enrolled in STOTT PILATES certification programs or Balanced Body education courses will complete their training under existing curricula and standards. Both companies have emphasized that their education divisions will remain separate, with distinct continuing education credits, teaching standards, and certification marks.

For studios affiliated with either brand's licensing or studio certification programs, the current requirements and benefits will stay in place. STOTT PILATES licensed training centers and Balanced Body education centers will maintain their independent operations and branding.

The long-term roadmap for education offerings has not been detailed. Instructors who hold certifications from both systems are common in the industry, and no changes to cross-recognition policies have been announced.

What This Means for Studio Operators

Editorial analysis, not reported fact:

This acquisition marks the most significant shift in Pilates industry structure in decades. For studio owners, the immediate message is continuity, but the long-term implications deserve careful attention. Market consolidation historically leads to reduced competition on price and innovation timelines. Studios planning major equipment purchases in the next 12 to 24 months should evaluate their options now, while both brands are still operating with fully independent sales and product development teams.

On the education side, the continued separation of STOTT PILATES and Balanced Body training systems is reassuring for instructors and studios that have built their brand identity around one methodology. However, watch for gradual convergence in continuing education offerings, conference sponsorships, and digital education platforms, where operational efficiencies will be hard for the combined company to resist.

The absence of disclosed financial terms suggests this was a private transaction, likely structured to preserve the Merrithew family's legacy and Manheim's leadership role. That continuity benefits the STOTT PILATES community in the near term, but studio owners should monitor whether the strategic priorities of a larger parent company eventually influence product development, service levels, or pricing structures.

Sources & Further Reading

• Balanced Body official announcement regarding the Merrithew acquisition
• Merrithew corporate website with background on STOTT PILATES and company history
• Grand View Research: Pilates & Yoga Studios Market Report covering market size and growth projections through 2030

This article is editorial coverage of publicly reported industry developments. The Pilates Business has no commercial relationship with any companies named.