Woodson Graduate To Open Pilates Studio In Burke

BURKE, VA—W.T. Woodson High School graduate and Fairfax resident Julie Karickhoff is opening a Pilates studio in Burke on Thursday, Aug. 16. Club Pilates will be open this week at the Burke Centre Shopping Center, 5765 Burke Center Parkway, Suite. S (near Kohl's).

The studio emphasizes full body, low impact workouts to boost strength, balance, flexibility and posture. Members can choose from four class levels and eight group sessions. The workouts allow members to burn calories and get toned using equipment such as Reformers, EXO chairs, TRX, Trigger Point, springboard and Barre.

Karickhoff, who got her master's from Georgetown University has worked in marketing for Disney, MCI WorldCom and US Airways. After 20 years working for corporations, she wants to bring a health and wellness related concept to her local community. She decided to join Club Pilates because of the wide variety of fitness equipment offered, especially the Reformer.

"After living an active lifestyle, I began to slow down after injuring my ankle rollerblading," said Karickhoff. "My physical therapist had a Reformer and I completely fell in love with the exercises and saw the benefits of the low impact exercise firsthand. Now I’m happy to give my neighbors in Burke and Fairfax a place to lose weight, get healthy and socialize while having fun and do Pilates."

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Pilates instructors complete a 500-hour Teacher Training Program for safe instruction of Reformer Pilates classes along with TRX, Triggerpoint, and Barre equipment. Karickhoff is working on completing the program to become a certified Pilates instructor.

Club Pilates has over 300 locations in 37 states. The Burke Club Pilates will be the first in Fairfax County.

A grand opening celebration is set for for Sept. 22-23. During the grand opening weekend, Club Pilates will offer complimentary intro classes and raffles with prizes from local vendors like Massage Envy and Beau Totale Aveda Hair Salon.

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Image courtesy Club Pilates