How The Frame Studio is rethinking reformer Pilates, and building community in Hamburg and Berlin

About The Frame Studio

The Frame Studio is a reformer Pilates studio with locations in Hamburg and Berlin. Founded by four entrepreneurs with strong business backgrounds and a shared passion for movement, The Frame combines high-quality classes with a clear community focus. From intense power classes to stretch-and-restore sessions, it has created a place that goes far beyond a traditional workout.

A studio that’s more than a training room

The idea for The Frame Studio was born in 2023 in Berlin, when co-founder Lino and his fiancée, Natascha, tried reformer Pilates for the first time. Back in Hamburg, they searched for a comparable offering, but found very little that truly convinced them.

"We suddenly asked ourselves why we shouldn’t just do it ourselves."

It quickly became clear that their founder friends, Janet and Jacqueline, were pursuing a similar idea. Instead of building two separate studios, the four decided to launch together. From day one, the vision was clear:

"We wanted to create a space where body and mind are in harmony, a place where you feel good, and that also stands for high-quality classes."

With the opening of their second location in Berlin, they’ve taken that idea even further: adding a coworking area, a matcha and protein bar, and a garden as a place to meet before and after class. The Frame isn’t just a Pilates studio, it’s a place to connect.

Why bsport was the obvious choice from the start

A decision driven by product thinking

Lino spent years working in software development and product management. So, when it came time to choose a booking platform, he approached the decision with the same rigor.

"I looked at every booking platform and got on a call with all of them. In the end, bsport had it all: the features, and the feeling that we could build a long-term partnership."

His advice to other founders: don’t get dazzled by a long list of features, instead, prioritize what actually matters for your day-to-day operations.

The deciding criteria

Three things were top priorities for The Frame Studio: a white-label app in their own design, solid trainer management, and marketing functionality. Payment options and transaction fees also played an important role as relevant cost factors.

Support was another major consideration early on. For Lino, one thing was clear: a booking platform doesn’t end with setup, it needs to reliably support day-to-day operations over the long term.

Core features like calendar management, website integration, and class creation felt similar across many providers. Ultimately, what mattered were the features and the support that would truly make studio life easier.

"The booking platform is the heart of the entire operation. That’s why reliable support is still crucial after go-live."

What really makes a difference day to day

Onboarding that stands on its own

Onboarding went smoothly, helped by video tutorials that let Lino learn the platform step by step. When questions came up, support responded quickly.

"Whenever I had a specific question, support got back fast, and even explained things with screencasts. That was really helpful."

Trainer payouts without manual work

At The Frame, trainer compensation is calculated dynamically, depending on the number of participants in each class. Add last-minute trainer swaps, and the system has to capture those changes, too.

"At the end of the month, I can easily see who worked how much, even with our dynamic compensation model. It simplifies payroll significantly."

Two locations, one system

Opening their second studio in Berlin would have been far more complex without a scalable system structure. With a parent account and two sub-studios, the team can manage both locations centrally, with bsport supporting the setup.

A dynamic market needs clear positioning

Only eight months passed between the openings in Hamburg and Berlin, but the market had already changed noticeably. The number of new studios and formats is growing fast.

"You really need to take a close look at whether the market actually needs a new studio. We’ve felt the difference ourselves between our two openings."

The Frame has focused on quality and community, and built a foundation that lasts. In Hamburg, they’re bringing in their first trainer workshops, new class formats, and a growing base of regulars. In Berlin, the community concept goes even further, with coworking, a bar, and a garden.

The next goal: more community events, stronger connections, and figuring out where a third location might make sense.

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And you?

Take the next step, and build your own studio with bsport.