Fitness facility plans for expansion by 2016

Only one year into business, Abel Sanchez and Pedro Hernandez are already planning to expand their business, Le Studio.

In 2014, the owners—including their other business partner Su Klein—would like to reach 300 members for their fitness and dance classes and add a second studio in the Crossroads Shopping Center where Le Studio is located. By 2016, they would like to have their own facility.

"We would like to have three studios with a lofted area for our [aerial] silks class, a spa area and also add Pilates and spinning classes," Sanchez said.

The fitness and dance studio opened Jan. 12, 2013, with a goal of combining fashion, fitness and entertainment. Both Sanchez and Hernandez are experienced in teaching fitness and dancing, including handling the choreography for several Latin Grammy Award–winning artists.

Le Studio classes include ballet, Pilates, jazz and beginner tap. Sanchez said Le Studio has a dance program for children, and the group went to its first dance competition Jan. 18 in Dallas. Fitness classes include Chisel'd, which incorporates strength training and cardio into one workout, and Powerhouse Pilates, which is a fusion of Pilates with ballet barre workouts.

Since opening, Le Studio has added more classes such as an aerial silks class where attendees learn how to hang, spin and twist on a 36-foot-long piece of silk.

"It's very challenging on the body," Sanchez said. "You climb it like a rope with your feet and hands. You have to have a lot of flexibility and core and arm strength."

New classes for 2014 will include pole dancing, which also requires a lot of core strength, yoga and use of the lyra, which is an aerial hoop.

Le Studio has also hosted several professional dancers, including a Radio City Rockette and Lady Gaga's lead dancer.

"We bring in known dancers so our staffers and kids will know what it takes, the passion and drive it takes to dance," Hernandez said.

Le Studio, 9070 Research Blvd., Ste. 105, 512-276-5215, www.lestudiodoor.com, Hours: Mon.–Fri. 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.