Meet Amanda Kassar | Founder

My business has had a positive impact locally and around the world for two different reasons. Before the pandemic, my studio was not only a place where my students came to exercise but also a place they came to be part of a community of strong women and men. So many of my clients met at my studio, and they are now are best friends. They go to mommy groups together, vacation together, and some have even been in each other’s wedding parties. Through this community, we also started the Pilates by Amanda book club. Each month we get together to discuss a book, drink wine, and talk. The community I have created supports each other in both business and personal aspects of each other’s lives. It’s so gratifying having a studio where my students are genuinely excited to see one another. Once the pandemic hit, I had to pivot my business to an online format. I was able to reach people from all around the world who were obviously going through such a difficult time. So many people had difficulty transitioning their own workout habits since all gyms closed down. My classes provided so many of my followers on Instagram, who couldn’t get into my private studio, or who don’t live in LA, the ability to get an outstanding full-body, results-driven workout. In addition to the health benefits of staying in shape, clients of my on-line classes repeatedly told me how much of an escape my 30-60 minute classes were to their quarantine. Any sense of routine, especially a healthy one, helped them keep their sanity during the lockdown. I can’t wait to take my online classes to the next level with my new app coming out called “Core Club.” Core Club will take all your favorite workouts from your reformer classes, but bring it to the comfort of your mat in your own home.

There are a number of factors that set Pilates By Amanda apart from the rest. The first is the private nature of my classes. I have a very selective group of clients, that all see me on a regular basis. I am able to give an extremely personal workout to all my students who come to my studio. Since my studio is so private, it actually gave me the platform for my app Core Club, where I can teach students from around the world the secrets of my intimate studio. My classes are intense. While I teach different classes for varying skill levels, I always want you to feel a true burn at the end of your workout. My classes are based on isolating and fatiguing the muscle, so you feel strong and see serious results. I never knew I would have my own private pilates business. I used to be the director of special events for a hospitality company in LA. I knew I needed a change, so I took a little bit of time off to try and figure out what I wanted to do next in my career. Since I had some time on my hands for the first time in years, I was taking a lot of pilates classes simply to stay in good shape. I enjoyed taking the classes so much, that I decided to get my certification. After teaching so many classes and seeing what my students reacted most positively to, I began to refine my technique and teaching methods. I then broke out on my own to open my own studio in the Spring of 2017. My brand is not only based on having a great workout, but also around extreme perseverance and hard work. My students provide me the inspiration to excel in my profession, and I hope I’m able to inspire them to be the best they can in their profession.

Wow, there’s so much. Some of my favorite restaurants are Son of a Gun, Wexler’s Deli, Antico, Matsuhisa, Night Market, Pizzeria Mozza, Spago, For coffee shops I love Go Get ’em Tiger. For a drink, I love the Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel. For activities, I love a drive to Malibu for a day on the beach. I love a walk in Hancock Park to look at beautiful old homes. Besides being active in my studio I love to practice tennis with my trainer Darryl.

First and foremost I’d like to recognize my husband, Michael Kassar who pushed me to pursue my pilates passion. He has been there encouraging me every step of the way and pushes me to break through barriers. I would also like to give a shout out to Oren Giladi of Organic Oren. Oren is an amazing personal chef who started working with some of my clients to match their fitness goals with healthy eating. Listening to the needs of my clients, we were able to partner to create a healthy meal delivery service in LA that serves not only my in-studio clients but anyone in LA looking to live a healthier lifestyle. And of course, my clients. Without all my wonderful clients I wouldn’t be where I am today.