About Us

Our Story

When I taught my very first Pilates class back in 2007, I knew I had found something truly unique. Pilates is unlike any other fitness modality — whether you’re 18 or 85, it’s accessible, approachable, and when practiced consistently, it builds lasting strength, balance, and wellness. From the very beginning, I believed this practice had the power to transform lives.

In 2013, I opened my first Club Pilates studios in South Orange County. My dream was simple: share Pilates with as many people as I could. What I didn’t realize then was just how far the journey would go.

In 2017, my husband Ed, along with our close friends Tim and Jeff, joined me as partners. Together, we brought a new vision and expanded energy — pairing my passion for Pilates with operational expertise, capital discipline, and a shared ambition for growth. What began as a founder-led dream became a leadership team capable of building something far greater than any one of us could have imagined.

Like so many others, we were tested by COVID. But our members reminded us of the resilience of this practice and the community it creates. They stayed with us as we adapted — offering virtual sessions, teaching outdoors, even rolling reformers into parking lots. Because of them, we didn’t just endure; we grew stronger, emerging without a single closure or layoff.

Today, what started with one small studio has become Riser Fitness: one of the largest operators in the Club Pilates system, with more than 100 studios across the United States and significant new development underway in Mexico City and Australia.

As we scale, our philosophy remains simple: stay people-first, deliver operational excellence, and continue expanding access to the lifelong benefits of Pilates. We are proud of our growth — built through both acquisitions and new construction — but even more proud of the culture and community that have carried us here.

Riser Fitness is still family-owned, still grounded in the belief that Pilates changes lives, and now positioned to share that vision with communities around the world.

— Keely Watson Lombardi, Founder

From the beginning, our mission has been simple: to make Pilates accessible and impactful for every community we serve. At the heart of our success is an extraordinary team of passionate professionals who’ve driven our progress, embodying our values of collaboration, operational excellence, and unparalleled customer care. Together, we continue to expand, embracing new opportunities to strengthen our presence within the Club Pilates system.

Club Pilates has been ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 List for six consecutive years and on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list multiple times. As a leader in the industry, Club Pilates is committed to providing individuals with the opportunity to experience the transformative benefits of Pilates. Today, as part of a global network of over 1,000 studios across four continents, we are proud to contribute to Club Pilates’ mission of making Pilates accessible to everyBODY.