Strength, Balance, and Core Control: Club Pilates Stafford

Club Pilates Stafford, owned by Mitchell and Suzy Thompson, brings accessible, high-quality Pilates to the local community. Opening its doors in July 2023, the studio offers a range of group and private fitness classes incorporating both traditional and modern Pilates equipment. Its mission? To make Joseph Pilates' "contrology" method available to everyone.


"Pilates itself is accessible to everyone, from the strong athlete to the most injured or deconditioned person," Suzy explains. "It brings balance, strength, mobility, flexibility, and core control to the body, all in a safe, low-impact, supportive environment."


After teaching group fitness classes for over three decades, Suzy discovered her passion for Pilates and earned her comprehensive certification six years ago. Inspired by her experiences and the transformative power of Pilates, she and her husband decided to open a Club Pilates franchise. 


"We wanted to bring the greatest variety of equipment and formats to our community, offering the best value to the most people," she shares. This transformative power of Pilates is what inspires Mitchell, Suzy, and their staff at Club Pilates Stafford, and they're excited to share it with the community.


The philosophy behind Club Pilates Stafford emphasizes health as the ultimate investment. "There is no greater gift you can give yourself than your health," Suzy says. You can have fabulous vacations, beautiful homes, excellent education, etc., but if you don't feel well, it all means very little." This belief resonates with Club Pilates Stafford's members, many of whom have experienced remarkable transformations.


One member's story stands out. After just a few months of classes, she lost nine pounds—not from a change in diet, but from reduced inflammation in her body. Inspired by her results, she completed the studio's in-house instructor training and is now a certified Pilates instructor. 


"Seeing the 'light come on' when new members first try out the equipment is one of the most rewarding parts of our work," Suzy reflects.


Club Pilates Stafford takes pride in fostering a supportive and fun atmosphere. Suzy and Mitchell, who live in Woodbridge and are northern Virginia natives with two grown children and an elderly beagle mix, are dedicated to improving the lives of their clients while remaining rooted in the community. This sense of community is what makes Club Pilates Stafford more than just a fitness studio– it's a place where you can feel welcomed and included.


Whether you're an experienced athlete or new to fitness, Club Pilates Stafford invites you to explore the benefits of Pilates. As Suzy says, "Pilates is worth the investment in your health and well-being." To learn more or schedule a class, visit Club Pilates Stafford and discover how this transformative practice can help you achieve balance, strength, and vitality.

Mallory Hardgrove

Mallory is a former teacher and coach turned freelancer, deciding to pivot her career when her husband's military career took their family to Italy. She has since begun a career in digital marketing where she enjoys blogging, writing copy, and designing new, creative ads to catch the attention of client’s respective audiences.

Since returning to the States and settling down in Stafford, she's added a few other projects to her plate, including her new role as the content coordinator for Stafford Living and Neighbors of Chancellorsville. As a former sports editor of her college newspaper and high school yearbook editor-in-chief, she's enjoying being "back in the saddle" of local journalism. 

When she’s not working, she can be found controlling the chaos of her #girlmom and #armyspouse life, playing referee, mediator, and short-order cook; planning her next European adventure and reminiscing about her #ladolcevita life; reading the next novel on her TBR list; or cuddling with her 90-pound furbaby, Murray.

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