It’s Time to Ready, Sweat, Go

Ready Sweat Go Pilates studio opened in Monrovia in 2017, captained by owner Vanessa Sandoval and a supportive team of her husband, family and friends. – Courtesy photo

By Emily G. Peters

Physical fitness isn’t just about what your muscles and bones can sustain. It’s mental game, and one that owner Vanessa Sandoval at Ready Sweat Go Pilates studio is helping others master.

“What I loved about Pilates was how it made me feel,” said Sandoval, who was introduced to the practice by a chance Groupon session with a friend. “After each session, I felt stronger, leaner, more energized and less stressed. Once I committed to a program and actually began the certification process, I knew almost immediately that I was going to open my own studio.”

Similar to yoga but more centered on core strength and body control versus flexibility, Pilates was created in the 1920’s by Joseph Pilates to aid post-injury rehabilitation. The practice has enjoyed renewed popularity in the last several years, with Ready Sweat Go opening just last year in 2017. To stand her studio apart, Sandoval’s instruction draws heavily from Pilates’ origins to maximize results for her clients.

“What sets us apart is that we’re form-focused, meaning that we take the time to explain the Pilates method and principles to our clients,” she said. “I introduce the correct names for the muscles and to explain which muscles should be working in any given exercise. I want our clients to be as informed as possible so that they can reap the full benefits of the Pilates method.”

Using “form-focused” instruction, Ready Sweat Go differs from other Pilates classes in the area as students are instructed on the form and function of the muscles they’re developing—ultimately helping them maximize their physical and mental health goals. – Courtesy photo

Ready Sweat Go is also unique in its pared-down classes, with no more than five individuals participating at a time. Private and semi-private (two individuals) classes are also available, with all options allowing Sandoval to note their progress and make modifications specific to their bodies—something she especially loves.

“The great thing about the Pilates method is how adaptable it is. There’s a variation for every exercise, and a skilled instructor will know how to tweak an exercise to make it more or less challenging,” she said. Helping clients overcome misconceptions about the method is also a priority.

“Quite a few women have told me they think their husbands would benefit from Pilates, but they have a tough time getting them to try it because they think Pilates is ‘too girly,”’ said Sandoval. “It’s so funny to hear that, because a lot of people don’t realize that Pilates was created by a man—and the guys who come into Ready Sweat Go on a regular basis will be the first to tell you that Pilates is not just for the girls. Within minutes they’re sweating and feeling muscles they didn’t know existed.”

Fueled largely by exultant Yelp and word-of-mouth referrals, Ready Sweat Go’s clientele is growing, with Sandoval planning to add more skilled, likeminded instructors to her team soon. Like many independent business owners, she places the focus on building personal relationships—and the thrill of watching her clients improve from the inside out.

“When someone tells me they can touch their toes now when they bend over, or that they climbed five flights of stairs without feeling winded, I’m just as excited about it as they are,” Sandoval said. “We all like to feel good about ourselves, and Pilates can help achieve that—both physically and mentally.”

Ready Sweat Go is located at 945 W. Foothill Blvd. in Monrovia. Learn more at www.readysweatgostudio.com | 626-701-4711 | hello@readysweatgo.com and follow the studio’s latest on Instagram and Facebook @readysweatgostudio.