California in Poland – 3 Days Full of Passion with Ken (the Creator of BB) and Paul Endelman

In mid-November, the Polish Pilates community had the honor of hosting exceptional visitors. Straight from sunny California arrived Ken Endelman, the founder and head of Balanced Body, and his son Paul Endelman – the Director of Business Development. Their intensive three-day journey through Warsaw and Łódź (November 17-19) was a true celebration of authenticity, passion, and a confirmation that Balanced Body is more than just equipment – it is a global family.

Due to the short duration of the visit, meetings could only take place in a few Polish Pilates studios. But this was not just a courtesy exchange. It was the essence of the family character of a company that has been focusing on the highest quality, innovation, and relationship building for years.

Inspiration Schedule: Polish studios that showcase the strength of Balanced Body

During these intense 72 hours, Ken and Paul visited places that are the best evidence of how dynamically the Pilates market is developing in Poland. Here’s a brief overview: 

  1. Day one – new energy and a dynamic start

We started Monday strong by visiting great studios 

  • @beshaped_ (Warsaw) – we arrived here just a few days after the opening. This studio combines functional training with Pilates, creating a space for comprehensive body development. The variety of classes and individual approach to clients are the elements that this beautiful studio focuses on. 

  • @palmstudio_warsaw (Warsaw) – we visited Żoliborz, where the second studio of this rapidly growing brand on the Warsaw market is located! The presence of Ken and Paul was not just a visit, but above all a celebration of the strong partnership between Balanced Body and Palm Studio, which consistently builds its definition of success in the capital. This is a vivid example of how a passion for Pilates creates a scalable and inspiring business. 

  1. Day two – the heart of Balanced Body education

This day was dedicated to meetings with our leading Educators, who share knowledge and passion on a daily basis. 

  • @at_studio_warsaw_anna_tytus (Anna Tytus – Warsaw) – a center for training and education where Pilates reaches a higher level. AT Studio is proof that years of experience translate into masterful training. 

 

  • @movimento.pilates.magda.nowak (Magdalena Nowak – Łódź) — a Łódź movement studio that combines the precision of Pilates with a holistic approach to the body. A place that proves that Pilates is a remedy for the modern sedentary lifestyle. 

  • @reformatornia (Łódź/ www) – a studio that is synonymous with professionalism and consistency in training. It was here that the key question was posed, which Ken decided to include in his message – we will get to that shortly. 

  1. Day three – the future and tradition (Contrology)

Wednesday was the finale with wonderful energy: 

  • @pilatesmaja (meeting with Maja Behmen/ www) – we had some time for an inspiring exchange of thoughts with Maja Behmen, a leading figure in Polish Pilates. Maja has been shaping industry standards for years. She is also the organizer of the prestigious Classical Pilates Conference Poland – an event that Balanced Body Polska has proudly partnered with for many years! 
  • @aloha.pilates.studio (Warsaw, Wilanów) – a studio that radiates warmth and commitment. With a surfer vibe and an atmosphere particularly close to Californian guests, this place immediately captured the hearts of Ken and Paul. Aloha Wilanów is a well-thought-out and thriving studio backed by exceptional and brave people who can bring sunny, positive energy into their business. 

  • @heal_pilates_studio (Warsaw) – a studio with a vision! It emphasizes heritage and tradition. This place is equipped with Contrology equipment – a Balanced Body line that honors Joseph Pilates’ original vision. 

Were our guests delighted? YES! These three days were the essence of the Polish entrepreneurial spirit combined with a passion for Pilates. Ken and Paul were amazed to see how much attention to detail, professionalism, and energy your studios are run with. We are proud that you are part of the BB Family! 

Ken Endelman answers: why does the quality of equipment matter? 

During a visit to Reformatornia, a very important, almost fundamental question was posed to Ken Endelman: why is it better to choose a Balanced Body reformer made in the USA than a Chinese one? His answer is the essence of the Balanced Body philosophy:

🗣️ Ken Endelman: “Great, great question. There are so many answers to it. The most important thing is that when you buy a reformer from Balanced Body, you are actually buying a product – a reformer – with over 50 years of experience. When we build a reformer at Balanced Body, we know we are building things that go out to thousands of people. And they test them rigorously, do everything they can on them, and then we listen to their feedback and based on that, we build a better product. Having a large market is the only way to gather experience and feelings of working on the equipment from different people. Then you need to be in constant contact with your customers, who are also in your market. So you need to talk to them all the time. That’s probably one of the reasons – it’s the experience that translates into the product. I think the second thing is that we have been doing this for 50 years and we are still building the same product. We strive to improve this product every day when we build it. I have this concept that every reformer I build should be better than what I built before, so that quality is always present. And you won’t find that in equipment that is made abroad (mass-produced in China). Usually, when you buy equipment from abroad, you don’t even know which factory it comes from. You don’t know who made it. You don’t even know where to go for parts. If you’re lucky to have someone in that country who might know, they might be able to help you. But it’s really a big topic.”

And what Ken said can also be summarized by the statement: the most important thing is the safety and quality of the equipment, constant supervision over the products, and their continuous improvement, as well as the absence of anonymity of the manufacturer and years of experience in production. The client must feel confident and safe on the machine. And you, as an instructor, must be sure that what you offer is the best. We at Balanced Body take care of every detail: the springs, ensuring that the machines are stable, and that the mechanisms work precisely. When the equipment works correctly, you can focus on what’s most important: teaching and the client. It’s not just a piece of wood and metal. It’s your working tool and the key to the client’s results.

We are all part of the Balanced Body family

Ken and Paul’s visit was a strong affirmation of what we, as Balanced Body Poland, strive to emphasize every day. Balanced Body is a company with a family heritage and treats its partners the same way.

Meetings with owners, educators, and instructors are proof that our community is strong and united. When you choose Balanced Body equipment – whether it’s modern reformers or the traditional Contrology line – you become part of a global family that supports, inspires, and maintains the highest training standards.

Thank you all for your hospitality, energy, and valuable conversations! We return to work with a new burst of motivation to support the growth of your businesses and passion for Pilates!

Remember! Do you want your studio to be equipped with equipment that the world trusts? Check out our full offer and see the quality that Ken talked about.

 

Izabela Wiśniewska
Specjalista ds. marketingu |  + posts

I am a graduate in Managerial Economics as well as Finance and Accounting, with a specialization in Marketing. Since 2018, I have been working as a Copywriter at Balanced Body, where I create marketing content for the fitness and Pilates industries. One of my particular strengths is translating complex topics into accessible language and accurately analyzing the needs of target audiences. Outside of work, I am passionate about fire shows and volleyball, which helps me better understand the needs of physically active people.

I’m Ken Endelman, founder and CEO of Balanced Body. I began my journey in movement in 1976 as a custom furniture designer. My breakthrough came when a client asked me to create an improved version of the reformer. From that moment on, I combined my passion for craftsmanship with innovation in Pilates. Collaborating with pioneers of the method, including Ron Fletcher and Eva Gentry, I became a leader in equipment design. In the 1990s, I led a historic lawsuit that unleashed the name “Pilates” on the entire community.

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