By Jennifer Calhoun Staff writer

Fayetteville's only full-service Pilates studio will close its doors June 29 after five years in business.

Malinda Craven, who co-owns Pilates of Fayetteville with Sandy Fisher, said business had been good and was growing. But they struggled to find instructors certified in the training required for the studio and its equipment.

Pilates, named for creator Joseph Pilates, is a system of exercise that emphasizes developing core strength and flexibility. Some instruction can be done on a mat, while others do exercises on various machines that use pulleys and resistance.

The studio is located in a 2,000-square foot rented space at Ferncreek Center just off Raeford Road and offers several morning and afternoon classes during the week, as well as private instruction and a few classes during the weekend.

Most gyms and fitness centers that offer Pilates instruction in Fayetteville do not offer a full range of equipment and classes, including instruction on the Pilates machines.

It can be costly for instructors to obtain full certification to teach clients on the machines - around $6,000, Craven said.

"Some of our best instructors were (affiliated with the) military," she said. "We've had a lot of them transfer."

The lack of personnel made for long and exhausting work days for Craven and the three remaining instructors, she said.

"If I were 35 again, I might continue to make a go of it," she said. "But I'm 53, and I like spending time with my husband."

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Pilates of Fayetteville studio closing