The RTR Method: Pilates, Engineered.

June 24, 2022

Creating a place to thrive

Since our first studio opened in 2006, RTR has always focused on creating an environment where communities can thrive. From our training programs to class structures, we’ve put decades of research into making every class that much more effective, efficient, and engaging for our clients.

The end result is an intuitive, challenging Pilates experience that will keep you coming back for more, whether it’s your 1st or 100th class.

What makes RTR so different

We believe that the best classes come from studios that support confident, empowered instructors.

So that’s what we do.

Through our unique training program, we empower instructors to create programs that integrate their own style and personality with efficient flows and effective exercises. While most instructor training programs only focus on teaching exercises by muscle groups, we take that focus and add in the a bit of engineering.

We focus on how to create a more efficient class, and as a result, a more efficient workout.

Rather than grouping exercises by muscle group, which can have you twisting, turning around, and changing spring loads every two minutes, our engineer Pilates programs focus instead on building exercise flows based on direction and spring load. By building the class around direction, we save valuable time and allow for more exercises within a single class. This focus results in a more challenging workout with more exercises in the same time period as a traditional studio class.

Intentional inconsistency that keeps you engaged

Because of our unique, science-driven program, you’ll find challenging workouts at each of our five studios, whether you always take the 9:00am, or fit in whatever class whenever you can.

We all know that boredom is the kiss of death in any exercise routine – we need excitement, challenge, and creativity to keep us engaged in healthy habits. Just like you wouldn’t want to eat the same meals every day for the rest of your life, it’s important to create a similar variety in your exercise routines.

In most traditional Pilates studios, you’ll find the same 3 or 4 classes on repeat every week. But our bodies are smart, and they adapt quickly to stress. If we repeat the same 3 or 4 classes every week, our muscles will grow used to them, and so will our minds. Variety is key to keeping our bodies and brains engaged, so that we can build long-term, sustainable habits that foster a healthy lifestyle.

We foster a culture of creativity where our clients can thrive, week after week, year after year.

That’s why here at RTR, we take pride in knowing that no two classes are the same. Our instructors bring their own spin to RTR’s science-backed techniques and flows to build whole-body workouts that continuously challenges our clients.

So no matter what class you attend, you’ll always find an efficient, effective class, with an expert pilates instructor ready to help you become the healthiest version of yourself.

About RTR

RTR Pilates is the premiere DMV community for wellness-minded adults who want to combat pain, manage stress, strengthen and restore their bodies, and empower themselves in all aspects of life.

“I founded RTR in 2006 as Potomac Pilates to fill a hole that I saw in my community. There was a physical hole, yes (RTR became the first Pilates studio in Potomac), but also room for improvement in Pilates classes themselves. With my undergrad in electrical engineering, I was trained to look at systems and figure out how to make them better. As a Pilates instructor, I took the science of anatomy and Pilates and merged it with the science of systems that I learned in my undergrad.

I focused on developing a Pilates class based in science and designed to achieve the most efficient full-body workout possible.

17 years and five RTR studios later, the result is Pilates, engineered.“ -Reina Offutt, founder and owner of RTR studios