Product Manager - Pilates (61151)

About the role

Core Health & Fitness brings innovative health and fitness solutions to the global market with brands like StairMaster, Schwinn, Nautilus, Star Trac, Throwdown, Wexer, and Gym Rax. We are committed to building an energetic, diverse, and inclusive workspace and value community strength in diversity and representation. We seek innovators, dreamers, and doers passionate about fitness and wellbeing to help people find the best version of themselves.

The Product Manager – Pilates will manage Core’s Pilates category, including reformers, accessories, studio solutions, and related programming offerings. This role is responsible for market requirements, product strategy, financial goals, engineering change requests, escalated service issues, curriculum development, sales training, competitive analysis, and product positioning. The position collaborates cross-functionally with Product Development, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Education, Operations, and Customer Support to drive profitable growth while ensuring market relevance and premium customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead product strategy and lifecycle management for Core’s Pilates portfolio, including reformers, towers, chairs, barrels, accessories, and commercial studio configurations.
• Establish installation, showroom, and pilot locations to support product demonstrations, education, training, and sales enablement for Pilates products.
• Support sales efforts by consulting with reps, dealers, distributors, and end users on Pilates product specifications, applications, programming, and facility design.
• Engage directly with dealers, reps, studio operators, health clubs, hospitality groups, multifamily operators, wellness centers, and other vertical customers to gather market insights and identify trends.
• Partner with Education and Marketing teams to define Pilates brand position, product messaging, launch strategy, and go-to-market approach.
• Develop and manage standardization and customization protocols for Pilates products, including finishes, upholstery, branding, studio packages, and accessory bundles.
• Work with Supply Chain and Operations teams on product forecasting and inventory prioritization for high-demand Pilates products and accessories.
• Collaborate with warehouse and logistics teams on shipping best practices, packaging requirements, freight optimization, and installation-readiness.
• Provide customer service and technical support guidance for Pilates products in coordination with Service and Supply Chain teams.
• Partner with installation providers to establish best practices and develop installation manuals, assembly guides, service documentation, and training resources.
• Define product standards and recommended layouts for Pilates studios and mixed-use training spaces across commercial fitness, hospitality, multifamily, and specialty studio environments.
• Conduct market analysis for the Pilates category across club, studio, hospitality, multifamily, education, and rehabilitation/wellness segments.
• Identify new product concepts and line extensions for the Pilates portfolio, including ancillary products, accessories, digital/programming opportunities, and studio packages.
• Work with Product Development and Engineering to define product requirements, feature sets, performance expectations, and quality standards for new Pilates products and enhancements.
• Create bundled offerings that combine Pilates equipment, accessories, and supporting solutions to improve commercial sell-through and customer adoption.
• Develop and maintain updated price lists and pricing strategies aligned with Core’s margin targets, market positioning, and channel strategies.
• Perform detailed pricing analysis on Pilates products and competitive offerings, including landed cost, Core cost, MSRP, margin impact, and channel implications.
• Conduct competitive analysis on Pilates equipment and studio solution providers, including product features, materials, quality, pricing, warranty, serviceability, and positioning.
• Deliver product and sales training to dealers, reps, distributors, international partners, and internal teams on effectively positioning the Pilates portfolio.
• Provide technical sales, quoting, installation, and facility-planning guidance for Pilates products while enabling reps, dealers, and partners to become increasingly self-sufficient.
• Support trade shows, showrooms, and customer events by ensuring Pilates products are presented to reflect Core’s quality, innovation, and commercial positioning.
• Collaborate with digital and content teams on curriculum, programming, and education opportunities that enhance the value proposition of the Pilates category.
• Gather and synthesize customer, instructor, operator, and end-user feedback from beta sites, pilot programs, and live installations to drive product improvements and innovation.
• Maintain quality control of all Pilates-related showrooms, pilot sites, and trade show presentations.
• Work with Product Directors and cross-functional teams to define requirements for new Pilates products and enhancements aligned with target market segments, revenue projections, margin targets, and net income goals.
• Translate customer needs, instructor feedback, and commercial market requirements into actionable product specifications and development priorities.
• Ensure Pilates product development aligns with Core’s commercial standards for durability, serviceability, scalability, and profitability.
• Drive and maintain all Pilates product model data, specifications, configurations, and documentation within operational and sales systems.
• Maintain accurate product portfolio data for product changes, pricing updates, option codes, and accessory compatibility.
• Monitor portfolio performance and identify actions to improve profitability, product mix, pricing discipline, and sell-through.
• Assist in the management of all product changes through change validation, ROI analysis, and cross-functional alignment.
• Initiate and monitor Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) related to the Pilates portfolio.
• Understand and respond to changing market conditions regarding pricing models, competitive positioning, and portfolio strategy for the Pilates category.
• Recommend pricing and positioning strategies by channel, geography, and customer segment.
• Work cooperatively with Product Directors and project teams on key tasks related to marketing rollout of new Pilates products, including decisions regarding cost, schedule, positioning, and performance.
• Support launch readiness across Sales, Marketing, Education, Operations, and Service.
• Deliver all assigned sales trainings on new Pilates product introductions and portfolio updates.
• Own ongoing communication related to assigned Pilates products, including product updates, positioning guidance, FAQs, and field enablement materials.
• Work cooperatively with Product and Marketing teams to provide product/project details needed for strategic launch planning.
• Collaborate closely with Education to support curriculum development, instructor-facing training materials, and programming recommendations that enhance commercial adoption.
• Work with Product Development teams to manage and monitor beta sites and pilot installations.
• Collect feedback from facility, operator, instructor, and end users to inform product refinements and future roadmap priorities.
• Conduct quarterly audits of Pilates-related 2D and 3D icon libraries, floor planning assets, and sales support tools.
• Maintain quality control of Pilates-related showrooms, trade shows, and customer-facing demonstration environments.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal skills with excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to model financial projections and evaluate product line performance.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Strong presentation skills in one-on-one, group, and customer-facing environments.
• Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team environment and build relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to deliver results with minimal supervision or guidance.
• Passion for product excellence, customer experience, and innovation in the Pilates and boutique fitness space.
• Travel 20% to 30%, including visits to Core’s Lake Forest, CA Headquarters, customers, dealers, trade shows, testing sites, and manufacturing partners; some international travel may be required.
• May occasionally be required to lift or move equipment up to 50 pounds and participate in product testing, installation, or demonstration activities.

Education and Experience

• BS / BA Degree required in Business, Marketing, or Engineering.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in Product Management, Product Marketing, or related roles preferred.
• Pilates equipment industry experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with commercial fitness equipment, studio design, or instructor/programming ecosystems is a plus.
• Experience with MS Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Trade show and customer presentation experience preferred.
• Personal passion for fitness; Pilates experience or strong familiarity with Pilates modalities is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with hardware products and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with product development methodologies and stage-gate processes.
• Product Management certification (e.g., Pragmatic Institute, AIPMM).
• MBA or advanced degree.

Job Specific Competencies

• Product Knowledge: Knows and explains product features/benefits, understands and supports the full Pilates product line, understands customer business operations and needs, understands and responds to competition, and applies strong market knowledge.
• Creativity / Innovation: Generates new ideas, challenges the status quo, and drives continuous improvement in the Pilates category.