How best friends built a multi-million dollar Pilates empire with 60,000 members despite the pandemic - and why it's a go-to for Aussie celebrities

Natasha Oakley attended Pilates instructor Jacqui Kingswell's classes in Sydney
When the Covid pandemic began in March fitness studios were closed
As a result many personal trainers were forced to pivot their businesses online
Natasha suggested Jacqui create a private Instagram account to share videos
From here The Pilates Class was born and it's now a multi-million dollar company
The ladies have 60,000 members signed up right around the world

By Matilda Rudd For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 13:40 GMT, 4 December 2021 | Updated: 13:40 GMT, 4 December 2021

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Entrepreneur Natasha Oakley was attending Pilates instructor Jacqui Kingswell's classes right up until the pandemic hit in March last year.

But instead of despairing about gyms closing, the Australian best friends chose to pivot their careers and focus on bringing strong and stretchy workouts to clients from inside their homes in the form of an Instagram page called The Pilates Class.

From there came a website, app, an eBook and even merchandise, with 60,000 individuals right across the world now tuned in to train by Jacqui's side everyday.

The Pilates Class, which is worth millions of dollars just 17 months after it hit the market, sees members choose Pilates-focused workouts - with a side of HIIT and boxing - to complete in their living room by following the steps demonstrated by Jacqui.

Entrepreneur and owner of Monday Swimwear Natasha Oakley (left) was attending Pilates instructor Jacqui Kingswell's (right) classes right up until the pandemic hit in March last year

'When the pandemic hit I began training my regular clients through Instagram Live classes. I was training Natasha in studios prior to lockdown and when I went online she continued taking my online classes from home,' the fitness expert, 30, told Daily Mail Australia.

'After one of the classes she called me and told me she loved the online workout and suggested I set up a simple site and private Instagram for people to sign up to my classes.

'I didn't expect many people to sign up but over a few days we saw such a great response that Tash and I sat in my kitchen brainstorming and planning… and that's when The Pilates Class was born.'

There were plenty of businesses that had to follow suit by changing their offering to be suitable in the online sphere, despite some fitness clients worried they wouldn't get the same in person class feeling if they were all alone at home.

There were plenty of businesses that had to follow suit by changing their offering to be suitable in the online sphere, but The Pilates Class stood out from the pack (Natasha left and Jacqui right)

'I think Jacqui's classes and method is what really made TPC stand out during this time because her classes and cues really make it feel like she is there with you guiding you through the entire class,' Natasha, 31, said.

'Our members saw how seamlessly Jacqui could teach online and saw the effects TPC had on their lifestyle and so that is when the platform really started to take off.'

With the catchcry 'one class for every body', The Pilates Class now has more than 180,000 Instagram followers, with men, women and even teens getting involved in the workouts.

'For us the community is everything, and we take a lot of pride in listening to our members and what they are asking for to make sure we are constantly releasing valuable content that resonates with them,' Jacqui said.

'There really is something for everyone on the platform no matter your age, lifestyle or what you want to achieve from your fitness routine.'

With the catchcry 'one class for every "body"', The Pilates Class now has more than 180,000 Instagram followers, with men, women and teens getting involved in the workouts

Starting a business from scratch and watching it explode in popularity within weeks doesn't offer a lot of time to learn behind-the-scenes, meaning both ladies have been forced to confront challenges as they grow

'The last year and a half has been a huge learning curve. It's so hard to break it down; not a day has gone by where I haven't absorbed information, tried a new strategy or had to evolve and learn from a mistake,' Jacqui said.

'I think overall my learnings are just to keep going, ride both the amazing and the difficult days and try not to sweat the small stuff… just sweat the workouts.'

The system is divided into classes ranked 'chill', 'satisfying' and 'intense' so members can choose a video depending on how their body feels on any given day.

There are also options to filter between different class lengths, pre-natal, post-natal and 'goals' you may have in mind that you want to meet - like 'burn', 'sweat' and 'relax'.

The class system is divided into classes ranked 'chill', 'satisfying' and 'intense' so members can choose a video depending on how their body feels on any given day

'We have so many categories on TPC studio but our most popular classes are our goals and our slow burn workouts,' Jacqui said.

'The slow burn classes are for those who are looking for a full body workout, with a technique and posture focus, all while feeling that deep burn that we all love.

'We then have our goals classes that are amazing for a shorter, targeted workout to work your abs, arms and/or booty.

'Every class on the platform really does work your entire body and we offer a range of shorter or longer workouts depending on how much time you have that day.'

Natasha, who also co-owns the swimwear company Monday Swimwear, works closely with her teams around the world to ensure each venture is given ample attention.

Natasha, who also co-owns the swimwear company Monday Swimwear, works closely with her teams around the world to ensure each venture is given ample attention

'My mind is always working on ways to improve TPC's growth and marketing strategies while maximising the current momentum we have,' she said.

'I wouldn't be able to be as hands-on with my projects as I am if it weren't for the amazing team we have built in TPC and in my other ventures.'

Despite gyms re-opening in Sydney after a four month lockdown and personal trainers returning to work Natasha and Jacqui's online Pilates studio isn't going anywhere fast, and offers an alternative for those who are too busy to make it to a physical class.

'We have a lot of exciting things lined up for the new year that are exactly what our members have been asking for and we can't wait to share it with them,' the ladies said.