These women of color in Sacramento have created an inclusive space to practice Pilates
Christian Manzano started practicing yoga and Pilates in 2018 because she needed an outlet to overcome the challenges she faced as a former collegiate athlete that was no longer bound to a daily workout routine.
Manzano quickly noticed two trends: The classes were extremely high-priced and most of the other participants, including instructors, were white.
“(Pilates) wasn’t really heard of everywhere in Sacramento, primarily for people of color,” Manzano said. “It was just not diverse. There weren’t many people that looked like me in there.”
She personally knew there were instructors that were women of color out there, but they were not teaching anywhere. Some felt there was no opportunity for them.
Manzano, who is Hispanic, wanted to change that and pursued a Pilates instructor certification in 2019. She wanted to ensure the exercise is accessible, inclusive and reasonably priced. In order to ensure that money was no barrier to entry, she has taught free classes at parks, nonprofit organizations and counseling centers.
After developing a clientele, and building a reputation, Manzano decided to open her own business, Pilax Pilates, which is a portmanteau of Pilates and relaxation.
Even with opening her own studio, Manzano has remained steadfast in her commitment to make classes affordable. She makes it a priority to consistently offers deals, such as a spring sale of $30 for 30 days of classes. She also continues to holds free classes in celebration of special events.
“These are quality classes, quality movements with certified teachers,” Manzano said. “We’re saying ‘Hey there’s no reason it should be $200 to $300 a month for someone that just wants to move their body.’”
Customer enjoys inclusive workout experience
Marissa Wilson had always found going to the gym “a struggle.”
Wilson, who is Black, found a space that worked for her when she went to Pilax for the first time in February. Her sister had encouraged her to start her fitness journey through Pilates after having a good experience with the exercise.
Wilson struggles with bad joints and ankles, which has made it hard feel comfortable at other gyms. But she felt more at home when she went to Pilax.
“For me being on the heavier side, most Pilates classes that you might see have more skinnier women in it,” Wilson said. “But Pilax, they have a lot of diversity. There’s women of different colors, different shapes, and different ages. So it just makes it feel more comfortable going in there so you won’t feel like (an) oddball.”
Since starting classes, Wilson has seen results in her overall fitness and health.
“I see it helping my health, slowly over time,” Wilson said. “I see my stamina getting much better. I have more energy throughout the day. I can do more of the exercises and activities but I can do them for a longer period of time.”
A growing community
Maria Solis has been an instructor at Pilax since November 2022.
She said that people tell her that the diverse community at Pilax helps create a welcoming environment.
She plays upbeat music and tends to be very genuine and motivational with what she tells her classes.
“Representation matters. As a woman of color myself, I grew up in a majority white town, nobody reflected my skin tone color or spoke my language,” Solis said. “(At Pilax) there’s no more having to pretend that you’re someone else, you can be your genuine self.”
Solis said she likes to push people out of their comfort zone and make them feel seen.
“It’s definitely something for everyone. Pilates itself is unique to every person. There’s not one routine that’s going to target every person. It’s something that can be played with. It’s the one thing that you have the power to best fit you,” Solis said.
Being surrounded by a studio and instructors that reflect the community, there’s a strong support system for women at Pilax, Solis said.
“It’s honestly low impact, high intensity movements and you leave with meditation and a clear mind,” Manzano said. “I really want to get the word out so every single person can try it. If it’s a price thing, there’s always something that we can work around.”
If you go
What: Pilax Pilates offers an array of fitness classes, including Pilates fusion, classic Pilates, glute burn, powerhouse core, and meditation.
Where: 4500 Freeport Blvd. in Land Park
Cost: Initial class is free. Unlimited package is as low as $80 per month. Special offers can be found on the website.
More info (including pricing and class calendar): pilaxpilates.com
This story was originally published May 30, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
