In this Chamber Chat visit, host Adam Servodio, chairman of the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, stops by Pilates by the Bay to try the Reformer and talk with owner Michele Toscano about how our small, equipment-based studio helps Toms River move, feel, and live better – and how locals can become certified instructors through our teacher training pathway.
How Pilates by the Bay Began
Fifteen years ago, after a second spinal fusion surgery, Michele’s surgeon offered unusual advice: skip traditional PT and “find a Pilates studio with equipment.” Pilates by the Bay had already been serving Toms River since 2008, so she booked private sessions, fell in love with the work, completed teacher training under the then-owner, and eventually purchased the studio. That journey shapes how we teach today – patient, practical, and focused on skills you can use every day.
What Pilates Actually Is
Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates as a system of exercises to strengthen the spine and the entire “core” – not just abdominals, but the back, hips, and thighs that stabilize posture. He also created spring-loaded apparatus to assist and challenge movement patterns, making difficult shapes more accessible and safer to learn. You’ll see that approach across our studio:
- Reformer for guided resistance and alignment
- Tower/Cadillac for traction, length, and support
- Chairs and Barrels for strength, balance, and spinal mobility
Small Groups Big Coaching
We keep classes intentionally small so you get real instruction, not just choreography. Most equipment sessions run with five to six stations; Barre tops out at seven. That scale lets us plan for the actual people enrolled. Expect clear breath and alignment cues, smart progressions, and modifications that help you build confidence without sacrificing form.
Session Format
- Length: 55 minutes for all formats
- Options: Small-group equipment, private sessions, duets, and custom groups (we can host wellness hours for up to ~10 people)
What Results Feel Like
Pilates creates strong, supple muscle. Springs don’t mean “easier” – lighter settings often demand more control from your center. As Michele tells Adam while he’s pressing the carriage out, you’re essentially doing a perfectly aligned squat while lying down, supported by the machine so joints stay happy and range improves. It’s efficient, joint-friendly training designed to carry over into daily life.
“In 10 sessions you’ll see a difference. In 20 you’ll feel a difference. In 30 you’ll have a different body.” —Joseph Pilates
Try It First Trial Classes Are on the Schedule
Curious about the equipment? Our trial classes run two to three times a month. In about 45–55 minutes you’ll spend time on the Reformer and Tower, tour the studio, and get your questions answered. It’s a simple way to experience the apparatus, meet an instructor, and see how our small-group format feels.
Learn to Teach Here in Toms River
Pilates by the Bay hosts a comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training in partnership with Evolve Your Teaching and Master Instructor Jessica Spillane. The structure blends:
- Self-paced online coursework with rewatchable webinars
- Recorded seminars so you never lose a lesson
- Hands-on weekends in our studio using all apparatus
- Mentorship with Michele and practice-teaching opportunities
Apprentices log hours with our community and often lead apprentice practice classes as they progress. We typically run three cohorts per year; fall enrollment details are posted on our channels and website.
Where to Find Us
Pilates by the Bay
1403 Route 37 East, Toms River, NJ
Blue awning in the plaza near the Washington Street jug handle – you can’t miss it.
- Book a trial class on our website
- Message us on social to ask a question or check upcoming dates
- Call the studio to schedule privates, duets, or a custom wellness hour for your group
Join us in the studio to experience equipment-based Pilates the way it was designed—thoughtful, supportive, and tailored to you. And if you’re called to teach, ask about the next teacher training cohort and how Michele can mentor you from first exercise to confident instructor.