Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Russell.
Hi Tyler, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
People’s Pilates opened in December 2022. It’s a collaboration between Alex Seiz, Kayla Russell, and me, Tyler Russell. We’re a family-owned Pilates business with three locations in Tacoma: Hilltop, Central Tacoma, and South Tacoma Way.
Before opening People’s, we all came from very different backgrounds. Kayla worked at a local credit union, Alex spent more than a decade at Boeing, and I worked in healthcare before moving into public health work at Amazon.
My own Pilates story started when I was traveling all over the U.S. for work. At the time, I was running a lot, but it was starting to feel hard on my body and, honestly, I was getting bored with it. I came across an article about Pilates, decided to try a class, and was hooked almost immediately.
As I continued traveling for work, I made a point to visit Pilates studios everywhere I went. I became fascinated not only with the movement itself, but also with how different studios built community and created experiences for their clients. I have a background in public health and have always been obsessed with hospitality, so I paid attention to everything: how people were welcomed, how spaces felt, what made clients want to come back, and how businesses created a sense of belonging.
Every time I came back to Tacoma, I felt like something was missing. There were only a handful of Pilates studios in the area, and none really reflected the type of environment we wanted to be part of. We believed there was room for a studio that felt more welcoming, more community-focused, and a lot less intimidating.
At the same time, I knew I wanted a different path than the one I was on professionally. So the three of us came together and decided to build the studio we wished existed. What started as a single location has grown into three studios, but the goal has stayed the same: create spaces where people can move their bodies, feel supported, connect with others, and enjoy being there.
Looking back, People’s Pilates is really the result of a lot of different influences coming together: a love of movement, a background in public health, an appreciation for hospitality, and a belief that Pilates is for all People.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course not. Starting a business is hard, and I don’t think there are many business owners who would describe the process as smooth.
One thing that made our journey unique is that none of us came from the fitness industry. In some ways, that was a challenge because we had to learn very quickly how to operate a Pilates studio and navigate an industry that was completely new to us. At the same time, I think it was also an advantage. We weren’t carrying a lot of the assumptions or habits that can sometimes make fitness spaces feel intimidating or exclusive.
One of our biggest early challenges was hiring instructors. When we opened, there were very few Pilates instructors in Tacoma, especially instructors interested in teaching group reformer classes. We had more demand for classes than we had instructors available to teach them.
We realized pretty quickly that if we wanted to grow, we couldn’t just wait for instructors to appear. We had to invest in training and developing people ourselves. That led us to create our own instructor training program. It’s something we’re still refining today, but it has been one of the most important decisions we’ve made.
Like any business, we’ve had plenty of bumps along the way. We’ve made mistakes, learned lessons the hard way, and faced challenges we never could have anticipated. What has helped us navigate those moments is staying focused on the people we serve. When we’re faced with a difficult decision, we try to come back to a simple question: what’s best for our community? That mindset has guided us from the beginning and continues to guide us today.
The other thing that has made the challenges feel manageable is the community itself. The support we’ve received from our community, clients, instructors, and neighbors has been incredible. There are definitely days that are hard, but it’s a lot easier to work through obstacles when you’re building something that people genuinely care about.
As you know, we’re big fans of People’s Pilates. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
People’s Pilates is a family-owned and operated business that was founded in Tacoma and continues to grow here. We love Tacoma, we love the people who live here, and we feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community. In fact, all three founders live within a few blocks of one of our studios, so we’re deeply invested in the neighborhoods we serve.
At its core, People’s is a Pilates studio, but it’s also a community space. We offer a blend of classical and contemporary Pilates, combining the foundations of Joseph Pilates’ original method with modern approaches to movement and fitness. Pilates has been around for more than 100 years, but in recent years it has experienced a major resurgence as more people discover its benefits for strength, mobility, balance, and overall well-being.
One thing that sets us apart is our commitment to meeting people where they are. Our classes range from Intro to Level 3, allowing people to progress at their own pace and find classes that feel both challenging and accessible. Many studios offer a one-size-fits-all approach, but we’ve found that leveling classes creates a better experience for both beginners and more experienced clients.
We’re also intentional about creating an environment that feels welcoming to a wide range of people. Movement spaces have not always felt inclusive for everyone, and we believe fitness should be accessible, supportive, and free from assumptions about why someone is there. Some people come to get stronger. Some come to manage pain. Some come for stress relief, connection, or simply because they enjoy moving their bodies. All of those reasons are valid.
Creating an inclusive space isn’t something we added later—it’s part of who we are. People’s is a queer-owned business, and our ownership team includes a Black veteran and a woman. Those experiences have shaped how we think about community, belonging, and representation. We know that not everyone has felt comfortable or welcomed in fitness spaces, so we’ve worked intentionally to create an environment where people feel respected, supported, and able to show up as themselves.
Because of that, we spend a lot of time training our team not just on Pilates, but on communication, inclusivity, and creating positive client experiences. We want people to walk through our doors and feel like they belong. We hire instructors who reflect the diversity of our community and who genuinely care about helping people feel successful in movement.
More than anything, I’m proud of the community that has formed around People’s. I’m proud of our instructors, who bring so much care and energy to their work every day, and I’m proud of the clients who have made our studios what they are. One of the things we hear most often is that people have made genuine friendships through classes. As an adult, I know how hard it can be to meet people and build community, so hearing that never gets old.
What started as an idea between three family members has grown into something much bigger than us. Today, People’s feels like it belongs to the community that has helped build it, and that’s the thing I’m most proud of.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about Tacoma is that it feels like home in the deepest sense of the word. I’ve lived here for nearly 18 years after moving here in 2009 to attend Pacific Lutheran University, and I’ve had the opportunity to watch the city grow and evolve while still holding onto what makes it special.
There’s also a family connection here. My mom was born and raised in Tacoma, and my grandfather owned several businesses in Washington, including his first grocery store, which was located less than a mile from where I live today. Even though I wasn’t born here, Tacoma is where I really became an adult. It’s where I’ve built friendships, started businesses, and created a life.
I’ve traveled quite a bit and have been fortunate enough to visit some incredible places, but there is something about coming back to Tacoma that never gets old. Driving into the city still gives me that feeling of being home. To me, Tacoma is one of those rare places that still feels like a bit of a hidden gem.
What really stands out to me is that people here show up for one another. Whether it’s supporting a small business, volunteering for a local organization, picking up trash, showing up for a community event, or helping a neighbor, there is a real sense that people care about this city and the people who live here. As a small business owner, I’ve experienced that firsthand. The support we’ve received from the community has been incredible, and it’s one of the reasons I love Tacoma so much.
As for what I like least, that’s honestly a difficult question for me to answer. No city is perfect, but I genuinely love living here. Tacoma has given me so much over the years, and it’s hard for me to focus on what it lacks when I’m so grateful for what it is. It’s a city full of passionate, creative, and caring people, and it’s the only place I can imagine calling home.
Pricing:
- First frop-in class $25
- Membership and class package prices vary
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pplspilates.com/
- Instagram: @peoples_pilates
