About us
A studio for six
Pilates Atelier Kern was started in 2019 by Marit Doornbos, exercise therapist and pilates teacher. She wanted a studio where the teacher really has time for everyone. That’s why there are six reformers, not twenty.
The story
Started in a treatment room
Marit worked as an exercise therapist for ten years. She kept seeing the same complaints: back, neck, shoulders, a pelvis that no longer felt right after giving birth. Pilates turned out to be the answer for many of her clients, but the big studios in town were too busy to really look at anyone.
In 2019 she rented the ground floor on Voorbeeldstraat. Limewashed walls, an oak floor and tall windows. In came six reformers, a chair and a stack of mats. Nothing more.
Six machines is enough to see everyone. At seven you start counting.
Now three teachers give classes, from seven in the morning until half past nine at night. The groups are still small. That won’t change.
What also stayed: the way of looking. If you’re new, you hear one question in your first class. Not what your goal is, but where it hurts. That’s where it starts.
Credits
Who’s teaching you
All teachers are fully trained for reformer and mat, with more than 450 hours of training and placement. They take refresher courses every year.
Marit Doornbos
Founder
Exercise therapist and pilates teacher since 2012. Teaches the private classes, the intakes and the pre- and postnatal series.
Aafke Klaver
Reformer teacher
Was a dance teacher for twelve years. Teaches the Flow and Strong classes and watches every shoulder that creeps up.
Sjoerd Elzinga
Reformer and mat
Former rower who came to pilates through a back injury. Teaches the early classes, at seven in the morning.
The machines
Six wooden reformers with adjustable footbar and five springs, a Wunda chair and a barrel for private classes.
The space
Daylight, an oak floor and no mirrors. You feel your posture instead of looking at it.
What’s ready for you
Mats, rings, soft balls and bands. A changing room with lockers. Tea after class.
How we work
How to start at Kern
- First
Trial class
You book a €20 trial class. The teacher shows you the machine and sets the springs for you.
- Then
Starter card
Three classes in four weeks, at times you choose. That way you learn the exercises and their names.
- Then
Regular rhythm
Then comes a membership or class pass. Two classes a week, and your back will notice.
Lesson one: breathe out as soon as the spring pulls.