Private equity-backed Aligned Fitness, one of the largest Club Pilates franchise operators in the U.S., is growing fast in the Southeast
Aligned Fitness has expanded its Club Pilates network to 47 locations with the acquisition of 13 studios across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, the company announced.
The Pilates-focused boutique brand has emerged as one of Xponential Fitness’ most successful performers, due in part to the popularity of Pilates. In fact, the modality emerged as the undisputed global driver of movement in 2025, according to ClassPass’ 2025 Look Back Report.
The add-on acquisitions include one studio in Pinehurst, North Carolina, one in Athens, Georgia, seven studios in the greater Charlotte market and four studios in metro Atlanta.
Aligned Fitness is part of Eagle Merchant Partners, a private equity firm focused on founder-owned companies in the Southeastern U.S and counts AYA Medical Spa in its portfolio, a brand with nine units in Georgia and Texas.
Earlier this year, Eagle invested in Aligned and acquired two additional franchise groups: Crescent Concepts, LLC, which operates Club Pilates studios in South Carolina and North Carolina, and Next Twenty, LLC, which operates studios in Georgia.
Earlier this year, Jake Rubenstein of Eagle Merchant Partners noted that the Club Pilates system represents a “highly attractive opportunity” given its position within the Pilates sector and its strong unit economics.
According to Aligned Fitness co-founder Jon Smith, the momentum behind the company’s growth, which includes opening new studios and acquiring high-quality franchises, stems from a disciplined operating model and a commitment to doing things the right way.
“We aim to provide a consistent product, invest in our instructors and work closely with local teams,” Smith said. “Eagle understands that approach and has helped accelerate responsible, sustainable growth.”
Smith’s journey with Club Pilates began in 2016, when he and business partner (and now Aligned Fitness co-founder) Joe Ruggieri started exploring franchising opportunities.
After experiencing the Club Pilates method firsthand and seeing how instructors tailored the workout to their different body types and injury histories, they were convinced of the model’s broader potential. Smith initially signed on for six locations in Raleigh and continued acquiring studios as consumer demand surged coming out of the pandemic.
“They have a proven model from the day that you sign the franchise agreement to getting your first studio open,” Smith told ATN in a recent interview. “It’s very valuable what they bring to the table, as far as their execution and leadership over the years, not just with Club Pilates, but also the Xponential Fitness C-suite that’s there now. It has extensive franchising experience.”
