Monad Pilates™ officially opened its doors and introduced a boutique reformer studio space designed around precision and an athlete’s understanding of movement. Founded by veteran trainer and Pilates instructor Shaimaine Loiacono, the studio brings a highly individualized approach to Pilates.
Based in New York City, the studio houses just four reformers, which is an intentional decision that defines the entire client experience. Every session is structured to offer hands-on attention, biomechanical correction, and a deep understanding of how and why the body moves.
“I’m not a volume guy,” says Loiacono. “If I start an exercise, I want to be able to get to every single person in the room before we move on. That’s important to me. You’re still in a group setting, but it feels like a one-on-one experience.”
With more than two decades in the training industry and a background shaped by military discipline and athletic skills, Loiacono approaches Pilates guided by biomechanics and calisthenics. His perspective was formed over 25 years of strength training before turning to Pilates as a longevity-focused modality that he believes could support the body more intelligently over time.
“I did Pilates back in 2000 and didn’t really understand it then,” he explains. “As I got deeper into my career, I started looking for a modality that would support strength and longevity. Pilates kept coming up in my research, so I went and got certified, and just hit the ground running.”
At Monad, clients are taught breathwork, alignment principles, and muscular movements, with the same expertise and skillset as an athletic training session. Private sessions, he notes, dive even further into anatomical detail, connecting heel placement to glute activation, and movement to structural realignment while putting an emphasis on sequence, routine, and repetition. “I really dive into the weeds,” Loiacono says. “What you’re doing, why you’re doing it, how the breath supports the movement. Pilates realigns the spine and gives your body room to function properly. When people understand that, the work becomes intentional.”
Additionally, Loiacono incorporates post-session education on hydration and supplementation, often recommending collagen protein and amino acid support to aid muscle recovery. “Hydration and collagen are my two biggest things,” he notes. “Since we’re not lifting heavy weights, we don’t need heavy supplementation. We need our bodies to use what we ingest more efficiently.”
Monad’s class structure follows a monthly model to encourage clients to practice Pilates consistently two to three times per week in the early stages. Loiacono highlights that a proper understanding of Pilates takes four to six weeks of regular practice. The studio also offers event-based and often themed Mat Pilates classes hosted in nearby venues and community spaces, extending the studio’s presence outside its walls.
For the future, Loiacano envisions expansion as a part of Monad’s roadmap with plans underway to introduce barre, expand mat-based offerings, and increase the studio capacity to eight reformers while maintaining the same personalized attention. He also intends to open additional locations with a long-term vision for franchising the brand globally. He says, “This is bigger than one studio. It’s about creating a standard of instruction that people can trust anywhere.”
That vision will take formal shape with the launch of Monad Academy in late 2026, an instructor-focused education platform designed to elevate the quality of Pilates teaching. The academy will provide anatomy-driven training for instructors seeking deeper competency. “Monad Academy is for instructors who want to be better at what they do,” he explains. “I love explaining the why behind everything.”
With Pilates as the fastest-growing modality today, Monad Pilates™ distinguishes itself through expertise, education, precision, and personalized attention. With biomechanics and intentional movement at its core, the studio empowers clients to indulge in intentional movement with ease and confidence. “After a session, it just hits you,” Loiacono says. “You feel aligned, your mood is elevated, and you understand your body better. That feeling, ultimately, is what keeps people coming back every single time.”
