Meet Ben Basar of Fox River Pilates Center in Geneva

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Basar.

Ben, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was in a car accident in 1998, where I was rear ended by a Dodge Ram 3500 going 60mph, while I was at a standstill. I walked away from the accident, but continued to suffer symptoms of whiplash for the next few years after. Forced to give up guiding outdoor adventure trips, I ended up moving to Boulder, CO and working in retail while I started my path to healing. The physical therapist office I was assigned to happened to be across the hall from a Pilates studio. On occasion we would do a few exercises in there and it was on those days that I would receive the most relief. Eventually I quit doing PT in exchange for Pilates 3 times as week as my rehab therapy instead. In a month of 3 Private weeks, 3 times a week, I made more progress than I had in several years of countless other alternative and traditional treatments.

My instructors encouraged me to do a training program at The Pilates Center in Boulder and become an instructor because of my background and my personal experience with using Pilates to heal from a traumatic accident. I received certification in 2001 and have been teaching ever since. I taught at The Vineyard Pilates Center on Martha’s Vineyard for 3 years and then opened my studio Fox River Pilates Center in November 2006 in my home town of Geneva, IL. I just celebrated my 10th anniversary of owning my own studio!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Opening a business in 2006 was challenging because shortly after the economy experienced a crash — somehow the business survived. That is a testament to the power of practicing Pilates in a real Pilates studio and to the level of training I received at the Pilates Center in Boulder. I have a great staff, but my biggest challenge as a studio owner has been finding quality instructors with excellent training to carry on the tradition of Joseph Pilates wonderful method here in the western suburbs of Chicago. Compared to other types of fitness minded instruction, there just aren’t a lot of us out here. And of course, the stereotypical challenges of any small business with only a couple of employees. Cash flow, fluctuations in attendance, time off, crazy hours and always trying to keep the business fresh and exciting.

Please tell us about Fox River Pilates Center.
Fox River Pilates Center is an authentic Pilates Studio. We have all of Joseph Pilates original equipment and teach strictly based on his method as laid out in his book “Return to Life”. I’m most proud of the level of commitment of my staff to our clientele and their ability to cater to all types of people and their varying fitness goals. We are knowledgeable and experienced enough to help people deal with anything from rehabilitation after major surgeries or traumatic injuries, to helping brides to be get in shape for their wedding or improving athletic performance or conditioning to prevent injury. Pilates is ageless — our clientele age ranges from 12 to 87+. I believe that’s what really sets Fox River Pilates apart from other trendy types of fitness that is in vogue for a couple of years and then disappears when the next best new thing comes along. Pilates has been around for over a hundred years and in my opinion will continue to be around for just as long.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would’ve set up a training program to groom instructors to teach with the same integrity that I learned from my instructors while becoming certified at the Pilates Center in Boulder. I also would’ve hired a talented and experienced office manager much earlier on than I did. The responsibility of being the primary instructor and managing all of the aspects of running a small business have proven time and time again to be overwhelming for one mortal human being. It’s too easy to become burnt out when you have too much on your plate. My real gift is in instruction, my mentor warned me 10 years ago, that if I get burnt out no one benefits. And the gift of being an instructor is way too important. In other words you have to build a strong team and think about both the short and long term.

Pricing:

• New Client Special, First 3 Private lessons $180
• Tower Classes, 5 for $175
• Reformer Classes, 5 for $200
• Mat Class — first class is free; 5 for $110

Contact Info:

• Address: Fox River Pilates Center
  1 W. State St., Ste.107
  Geneva, IL 60134
• Website: www.foxriverpilates.com
• Phone: 630-262-8610
• Email: wellbeing@foxriverpilates.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxriverpilates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fox-River-Pilates-Center-554388074577612/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/foxriverpilates
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fox-river-pilates-center-geneva