Built on real data from Mariana Tek studios, this quarterly series breaks down the behaviors, strategies, and trends separating top performers from the rest.
Across Mariana Tek data, three themes stand out from Q3: new studios are launching with multiple modalities, single-location brands are growing through expansion, and the South and West lead a map full of new studio momentum. Missed last quarter? Catch up on our Q2 trends.
2026 trends in Q3
1) Multi-modality is in the Q3 launch playbook
Pilates continues to lead the way in 2026, but new studios launched in Q3 are building their schedules around more than one format. Pilates/Lagree/Megaformer showed up in about 68% of new studios, followed by:
- Strength/Circuit Training – 33%
- Yoga – 14%
- HIIT – 13%
- Wellness – 11%
- Barre – 9%
- Spin – 7%
- Other – 9%
Those percentages add up to more than 100%, showing how common multi-modality launches were in Q3. Existing studios are branching out too, with 1 in 5 (22%) adding at least one new modality in the last 24 months.
Why this matters → If you’re planning a launch, think about your second format early. It gives members more reasons to book and gives you more ways to fill your schedule.
“By adding strength to our mix, we were able to more than double our revenue YoY and double our member base, which was an immediate win. I was recently having some concerns about heading into another expansion (recovery), but another business owner gave me a lightbulb moment: The risk is worth the reward long term. You aren’t building a business, you’re building a brand.”
—Nick Melnyk, Owner & Instructor, NYXX Cycle & Strength
2) Single-location brands lead the way, with expansion on the horizon
About 2 in 3 brands (64%) that joined Mariana Tek in Q3 were single-location, and 1 in 3 operated 2+ locations. Existing brands are growing too: 28% of brands onboarded in Q3 were existing Mariana Tek brands opening additional locations. The expansion looks set to continue, with 56% of brands surveyed in our 2027 Boutique Fitness Industry Report planning to add locations in the next 12 months (survey of 66 Mariana Tek customers).
Tek Tip: Not every single-location owner wants a second studio (or a third or fourth), and that’s a great plan, too. For owners with an eye toward growth, and for brand-new studios just getting started, the best moment to prepare is now. Build the systems that will carry you toward new locations before you need them: consistent pricing and membership structures, schedule templates you can copy, and client data in one place.
Book a 30-minute call with our team to learn how our platform can streamline studio operations, improve member engagement, and deliver a premium client experience every single time.
3) Hubs anchor new studio growth, but every region is in the mix
The South (27%) and West (21%) led the US regions with the most new studios in Q3, followed by the Northeast (17%) and Midwest (10%). Canada and the UK also added to the mix, with 9% and 5%, respectively.
- North America: California, Florida, and Texas together account for 36% of new studios. Add New York, Ontario, New Jersey, and British Columbia, and these seven core markets make up 58%. The remaining 42% are spread across 38 other states and provinces, so boutique fitness momentum is reaching well beyond the big hubs.
- Fast climbers: Pennsylvania posted the fastest growth rate, with 12% more new studios than in Q2. Ontario accounted for 57% of all new Canadian studios.
Why this matters → Studio demand is showing up in 38 other states and provinces, so don’t count a smaller market out.
Three studios that launched on Mariana Tek in Q3
Many incredible studios went live with Mariana Tek in Q3 2026. Below are just a few of the brands we’re keeping an eye on. We can’t wait to see how all our brands grow and evolve in 2027.
1) Ember & Frost – North Las Vegas, Nevada
With Lagree, Pilates, Sculpt, and Yoga classes (plus wellness and recovery offerings), Ember & Frost has a bit of everything, and they take a different approach to class format. All their classes are semi-private, so instructors can focus on giving each client personalized attention and a great experience.
What caught our eye:
- Small class sizes, big results
- Creative celebrations for milestones and birthdays
2) Salty Soul Sanctuary – Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
This yoga studio has crafted a nurturing, vibrant community that lives out the spirit of salty: “We embrace the journey of balancing and purification, delving into the nitty-gritty, essential work that paves the way to discovery and wellness.” Classes span from all types of yoga to HIIT Pilates, with warmed and heated options available.
What caught our eye:
- A highly engaged community
- Unique outside-the-studio events, like “Yoga in the Vines” at a local winery
3) 1Body Training – Oakdale, New York
On Long Island, 1Body Training is a performance training gym offering coach-led strength and conditioning classes, plus fully personalized 1-on-1 personal training. Oh, and did we mention every day of the week targets a different system—press, pull, legs, engine, and full-body power?
What caught our eye:
- A HYROX class programmed by athletes who compete in the sport
- Movements and weights scaled to every level, so newcomers and seasoned athletes train side by side
Be sure to check out Mariana Tek’s 2027 Boutique Fitness Industry Report, full of data-backed insights to help you operate a smarter studio in the year to come. Looking for more trends shaping boutique fitness? Explore the Mariana Tek Boutique Fitness Data Library.
by Julie Sippy Senior Marketing Manager
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First published: November 04 2026
Written by: Julie Sippy