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Studio Evolve, a neighborhood Pilates and movement studio, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this June. While 70–80% of boutique fitness studios close before their tenth anniversary, Studio Evolve is stronger than ever—still operating from its original brick-and-mortar location, two blocks from Gas Works Park at 3333 Wallingford Ave N.

These 20 years have truly lived up to the name, having been a story of evolution. Owner and founder Martine Dedek has watched Wallingford, as well as Seattle at large, grow and change. She has seen Pilates surge in popularity, going from a niche form of exercise to one of the hottest things on social media. And, most importantly, she’s grown her own tight-knit community of staff and clients.

Last summer, Wallyhood published an introductory story, and I was delighted to be approached again by Martine to highlight the 20-year anniversary of the studio. The following was received from Sara Walters, Studio Evolve Client Care Support:

Martine and the instructors at Studio Evolve maintain strong core values that have helped the studio survive economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic. The antithesis of “gym bro” culture, Studio Evolve believes that movement should feel good and that everyone deserves a place where they are welcome and can receive the support they need to move more freely.

“I’ve never been interested in building the kind of studio that is just about the numbers, packing people in the room, or feeling ‘the burn.’ When the industry moved to focus more on aesthetics, we stayed true to our original vision and built our niche,” says Martine. “If you love to feel strong but never want to step foot in a gym again, we’re here for you.”

“Come as you are” isn’t just a motto—it’s how Martine runs her studio. While other studios focused on adding more reformers, increasing class sizes, or getting Instagram-ready, Studio Evolve kept its focus on the real bodies showing up in the studio with its signature shame-free, personalized, and genuinely encouraging style.

From the beginning, Martine’s goal was to offer multiple modalities under one roof. She built evolution into her business model, so the studio could serve clients long-term, even as their needs shift over time. Today, that means private Pilates sessions with skilled instructors, plus a range of semi-private Reformer classes, Gyrotonic, SPRE Bodywork, and Breathwork. You can’t find that combination anywhere else in Seattle.

Gyro training

Pilates training

Twenty years in one neighborhood is significant. These past couple of years, the Studio Evolve team has been leaning into community more than ever by hosting food, clothing, and book drives, and they’re continuing to create more ways to show up beyond the studio walls this year.

Whether you’re recovering from injury, want to say “Yes!” to more hiking trips (or more walks with your dog around the block), or just need some time to do something good for yourself, Studio Evolve is here to help you discover movement that you actually look forward to, making it sustainable for your long-term wellness.

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Studio Evolve is raffling a complimentary two-session Intro pack. Anyone new to Studio Evolve is welcome to enter using the form at the end of the 20th Anniversary blog post.