Conversations with Amanda Luton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Luton.

Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My Pilates journey began as a young dancer training for a professional ballet career. Pilates was an integral part of my training as an adolescent and throughout college, and while studying Ballet at the University of Utah, my academic work sparked a lifelong interest in how the body moves efficiently and sustainably.

After beginning my professional dance career in Colorado, a knee injury led me to pursue my Pilates certification through the UNLV Department of Dance Medicine. Pilates became central to my rehabilitation and allowed me to continue dancing with ballet companies in the Denver metro area.

I began teaching Pilates at Pilates Plus Lakewood in 2010 under Julie Jordan, who founded the studio in 2003. In 2021, my husband and I purchased the studio from Julie, and we are proud to continue its legacy with a strong focus on high quality instruction and services that put our clients first.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We were incredibly fortunate to purchase a studio where we already had long-standing relationships with both the staff and clients. It’s also a truly special community, which made the transition much smoother. That said, moving from staff members to owners was not without its challenges. Julie had built something truly incredible, and stepping into her shoes, especially in the beginning, was both humbling and difficult.

There were moments of pushback when we introduced changes or updated things that needed replacing. One of our biggest surprises was the negative reaction to changing the studio flooring! Thankfully, over time, everyone adjusted and has come to appreciate, if not love, most of the changes we’ve made.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of the things that truly sets our studio apart is how intentionally we tailor each session to the individual, even within a group class setting. Our team brings a diverse range of expertise, including a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Physical Therapy Assistant, an Athletic Trainer, a former ski instructor, and professional dancers. My husband and co-owner, Colby Ruder, is a Neuromuscular Massage Therapist with over twenty years of experience working in outpatient physical therapy, which adds another valuable layer of care and insight to our studio. We’re also deeply committed to honoring the traditional Pilates repertoire, helping clients get the most out of each exercise with a strong emphasis on proper form and functional movement.

Personally, I’ve spent significant time focusing on the rehabilitative aspects of Pilates and have pursued additional training to work with clients who have scoliosis. We proudly to serve a strong active-aging community, and it’s been incredibly important to us to ensure we’re equipped to work safely and effectively with older adults.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to support our studio is by trying a New to Pilates session. More information can be found on our website www.pilatespluslakewood.com.

Pricing:

• New to Pilates Session: $45 for 45 min Private
• Class Pricing: $25 – $35 per class depending on package

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pilatespluslakewood.com
• Instagram: @pilatespluslakewood

Image Credits
All images taken by Samantha Franks.