Ever looked at a Pilates studio and wondered what all those strange contraptions are called? You're not alone! In this comprehensive equipment guide, we demystify the classical Pilates apparatus that intimidates newcomers and even confuses some regular practitioners.

The reformer typically gets all the Instagram glory, but there's so much more to explore. We explain why the reformer dominates social media (it looks cool in photos!) and what distinguishes a classical reformer from contemporary versions. But the real magic happens when you venture beyond this familiar territory. The Cadillac—nicknamed after the luxury car brand because it was considered the finest piece of equipment—offers incredible versatility with its trapeze, bars, and springs. Meanwhile, the tower provides many of the same benefits in a more space-efficient package.

We share personal experiences with each apparatus, from Rose's revelation on the ladder barrel that solved her back pain to Leila's challenges staying squared on the high chair. The Wunda Chair and High Chair might be small, but they pack a serious punch by forcing you to support your full body weight rather than reclining on a comfortable carriage. And don't overlook the smaller accessories—the Foot Corrector that gives Leila "a spring in her step" after running, or the Baby Chair that provides gentle rehabilitation for spinal issues.

What makes classical Pilates truly special is how these pieces work together as a system. Struggling with teaser on the reformer? Work on other apparatus might unexpectedly help you master it. Each piece provides different feedback that strengthens your understanding of the movements and your body's capabilities. Whether you're a dedicated reformer enthusiast looking to branch out or completely new to Pilates, this guide will help you navigate the equipment landscape with confidence. Ready to explore beyond your comfort zone and discover what these magical machines can do for your practice?

Celebrating our milestone 10th episode with candid conversations about personal victories and professional evolutions! We've grown from having just our moms as listeners to approaching 300 downloads – proof that consistency truly pays off when building something meaningful.

Leila shares her exhilarating experience completing her first 10K race at Wembley Stadium, finishing in under an hour despite challenging hills that had her "seeing white lights" at one point. The inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere contrasted with her previous competitive racing experiences, creating a uniquely wholesome environment that celebrated runners of all levels.

Meanwhile, Rose has been embracing new teaching opportunities in Salt Lake City while managing her role at Pi across multiple time zones. After an initially frustrating navigation mishap (turns out grid systems can be confusing!), she participated in a studio photoshoot that landed her front and center in promotional materials – likely for years to come. Her excitement about teaching Wednesday evening equipment and mat classes is palpable.

We dive deep into the progress of Honeycomb Studios, our digital platform for the Pilates community that's been evolving since our very first conversation at a team dinner table. After numerous iterations, we're thrilled with the split-screen website design that perfectly captures our vision for Honeycomb Studios and Hex – connected but distinct entities that complement each other beautifully. If all goes according to plan, we'll be launching within the next month!

Life transitions are a central theme as Leila prepares for a significant move, compiling lists of London essentials to stockpile before departure, while Rose balances life between Utah, Michigan, and upcoming trips to California and Alaska. Through it all, we're learning that consistency, patience, and flexibility are essential ingredients for success – whether in running that extra kilometer or building a digital platform from scratch.

Join us next week as we shift to more informative content, breaking down classical Pilates equipment terminology that might have gone over your head in previous episodes. Have questions or topic suggestions? We'd love to hear from you!

Ever had that moment when your carefully constructed business plans come crashing down with a single notification? That's exactly what happened when we woke up to an email from our bank informing us that our company, Honeycomb and Co-Collective Limited, was "due to be dissolved." Talk about a startling way to begin your day!

This episode takes you behind the scenes of our virtual address fiasco – a cautionary tale about the perils of cutting corners when establishing your business fundamentals. What started as an attempt to protect our privacy by using a virtual business address quickly spiraled into a bureaucratic nightmare that nearly cost us our entire company registration. We share the frantic emails, the questionable responses from the address provider, and ultimately how we managed to save our business from disappearing entirely.

Beyond our near-dissolution drama, we discuss the practical realities of early-stage business decisions. How necessary is it to have everything perfectly established from day one? We reflect on our joint bank account benefits, debate content creation timelines, and explore the possibility of launching our website in phases rather than waiting for absolute perfection. The conversation reveals our different approaches to crisis management – one partner's panic balanced by the other's pragmatism – and how these complementary responses strengthen our partnership during challenging moments. Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or well along the path, our candid behind-the-scenes look at business mishaps offers both practical wisdom and reassurance that even the most alarming setbacks can become valuable learning experiences.

When physical changes mirror inner transformations, what emerges? Leila's new bob haircut becomes a powerful symbol of personal evolution – not just a practical choice for a Pilates instructor, but a declaration that her outer appearance now aligns with her inner self after two years of significant change.

Meanwhile, the challenges of relocating across continents reveal themselves as Rosie adjusts to Salt Lake City life after leaving London behind. From navigating gigantic grocery stores with "infinity aisles" to grappling with American tipping culture and finding community in unfamiliar terrain, every aspect of daily existence demands adaptation. The pursuit of new fitness communities – from Pilates studios to running groups – becomes a crucial bridge between past and present.

As these parallel journeys unfold, both hosts reflect on the profound impact London has had on shaping their identities. "It broke me down and then rebuilt me," Leila shares, contemplating her impending departure from a city that transformed her. The freedom and anonymity of metropolitan life created space for exploration impossible elsewhere, especially during formative years. Yet timing matters, as they embrace the wisdom to "leave the party while still having fun."

This episode captures the essence of transition – the vulnerability, the excitement, the nostalgia, and the anticipation of what comes next. Whether it's a haircut symbolizing personal growth or a move across continents opening new doors, these changes reveal our capacity for reinvention while maintaining our authentic selves. Join us for this heartfelt conversation about embracing change while honoring the experiences that shaped us.

What transitions are you navigating? We'd love to hear your stories of change and adaptation. Share your experiences with us and join the conversation!

What if our biggest limitations are the stories we tell ourselves? "If I say I'm not a runner, I'm not a runner. But if I say I'm a runner, I damn well am a runner." This transformative mindset shift lies at the heart of Rosie and Leila's deeply personal conversation about their fitness journeys.

From drastically different starting points – Rosie as a competitive coxswain who was always athletic, and Leila who actively avoided PE class whenever possible – they trace their evolving relationships with movement, body image, and self-perception. Their stories reveal how cultural pressures, family dynamics, and social environments profoundly shape our relationships with our bodies, often in ways we don't fully recognise until years later.

Leila candidly shares her experience with disordered eating patterns that were unfortunately reinforced by well-intentioned compliments, while Rosie reflects on the unique pressures of being weighed regularly as a teenage athlete. Yet both have arrived at a place where they celebrate what their bodies can do rather than obsessing over how they look – a journey that required consciously reframing their approach to fitness.

The conversation takes surprising turns as they discuss how F45 training transformed Leila's relationship with exercise by removing decision fatigue, how running has opened up new ways to explore London, and why the "body trust" philosophy has been revolutionary for both of them. "Your body will tell you what you need," Rosie shares, quoting advice from her mother. "Sometimes that means you need a cookie and sometimes it means you need a salad – and both of those things are equal."

Ready to challenge your own self-limiting beliefs about fitness? Listen now and discover how shifting your perspective might open doors you never thought possible. What story are you telling yourself that might be holding you back?

What do fitness and building a business have in common? More than you’d think. There’s a through line of one simple, powerful principle: just keep showing up.

In this honest and reflective episode, we talk about the surprising overlap between training your body and growing a brand. We’ve come a long way from recording with a badly propped-up iPhone—now we’re using Riverside and feeling a little more legit each time we hit record. But it wasn’t overnight! It happened one step at a time, figuring things out as we went, without planning too far in advance.

We’re excited to share that we’re putting our upcoming expert interviews behind a paywall on Honeycomb Studios. These are conversations with Pilates legends—people who’ve spent decades refining and teaching this work. Their insights aren’t just facts; they’re living history, passed down through generations, from Joseph and Clara Pilates to the students who kept the method alive.

Whether you’re lifting weights, launching a podcast, or starting a business, the rule stays the same: consistency leads to growth. It’s not about doing everything perfectly—it’s about being there day in and day out, taking it all as it comes.

Tune in to hear how simply showing up—again and again—can change not just your results, but who you are becoming. And stick around: our very first expert interview is dropping soon!

Recording remotely for the first time dropped us into a whole new reality—Rosie joining from Brest, France while Leila stayed back in London. Virtual podcasting brought its own mix of tech hiccups and surprising upsides, reminding us just how strange and wonderful virtual connection can be.

Besides the virtual podcasting, technology played both hero and villain this week. On one hand, we discovered the magic of SD card readers (editing time down from three hours to just thirty minutes—life-changing!). On the other, we faced our fair share of glitches and delays. Honestly, it felt like a perfect reflection of the entrepreneurial journey: moments of progress mixed with constant problem-solving.

One of the biggest shifts in our business so far came up during this conversation. We’ve decided to move our planned interviews with Pilates professionals off the Sticky Notes podcast and over to our soon-to-launch Honeycomb Studios platform. It wasn’t an easy call. We wrestled with questions around content accessibility, value, and how to stay aligned with our mission. It’s a tricky thing—wanting to share meaningful conversations with everyone, while also building something sustainable and high quality.

We also opened up about the emotional and physical toll of teaching Pilates while growing a business. Being “on” for clients while pushing creative projects forward is no joke. Finding time to move for ourselves isn’t just a luxury anymore—it’s a must. We open up about burnout, boundaries, and what self-care really looks like right now, teeing up for future Podcast episodes that delve into this topic much more

Still, through it all, watching this little podcast community grow has been one of the most rewarding parts. Each new listener, message, and share reminds us why we started this in the first place—and that it’s all worth it.

Have you faced similar challenges in your business? We’d love to hear how you’re balancing teaching with entrepreneurship, or how you’ve handled tough decisions around your own content. Come chat with us on Instagram @stickynote.podcast—we’re all ears.

We’re diving into the heart of classical Pilates in this episode—what it really means to practice and teach within the classical tradition. We kick things off by sharing some excitement about our growing podcast and a few fun tech upgrades, then take a deeper turn into the history and philosophy behind the work we love.

With Rose getting ready to move to Utah, we chat about the challenge of finding truly classical Pilates studios when relocating or traveling. What actually makes a studio classical? Is it the teacher’s lineage, the equipment they use, or something less tangible? We swap stories about the surprising differences we’ve noticed from studio to studio—from spring tensions that feel totally different, to small adjustments in equipment that better support different bodies. Even within the classical world, each space seems to have its own vibe, while still honoring the original method Joseph Pilates created.

We also reflect on conversations we’ve had with mentors over the years, asking ourselves: does being closer to Joseph Pilates in the lineage automatically mean someone’s teaching is more “authentic”? We touch on the sometimes elitist reputation classical Pilates can carry, and ask whether blending in contemporary elements is watering things down—or actually keeping the work alive and relevant.

At the core, this episode is about staying curious, staying open, and continuing to learn from a variety of voices. We’re passionate about helping bridge the gaps in the Pilates world, and this conversation is part of that mission.

So whether you’re a longtime teacher, a dedicated student, or just starting to explore Pilates, we hope this episode gives you something to think about. How do you find a studio that feels like home? What differences have you seen across classical spaces? We’d love to hear your thoughts—join us in the conversation.