Recently, while in Sacramento to visit family, My 16 year-old twins, my husband and I had the treat of visiting the Balanced Body and Contrology Headquarters- and an even bigger treat, the tour was with Ken Endelman, founder and CEO, himself. He shared the origin story of Balanced Body. In the 1970’s, he was making and selling furniture- lots of waterbeds. He told of even selling a big order to Robert DeNiro! But when he made his first reformer, and studios (there were only 10 in the world then!) were asking for more, he followed that path- and it has kept him super busy for 50 years!
The first stop was a wall of photos of their over 400 worldwide employees, the Balanced Body Family. This is their 50th year in business, and the commitment to the employees, the culture, their workspace, health and safety was evident in every area. Ken is committed to domestic manufacturing of BB and Contrology equipment and the high standards to which they hold. Initially, he said he discouraged family and relationships in the workplace, but discovered that it’s actually a great asset to have people you love and respect work together in the same place. Now, there are families with multiple generations working at Balanced Body. The diversity is impressive - company meetings are held in five languages! He wanted the twins to remember how many microwaves they have in their two employee break rooms! (you’ll have to read to the end to find out!)
Employee development and retention are important to company longevity, when possible, employees are encouraged to cross train between areas of manufacturing. Quality control is built in. Each piece is handled by an individual craftsman in the process and if there is a problem, the next person will send it back. Accountability and respect are built into the process. Employees are listened to and empowered to participate and improve the process. We observed this in the reorganization and optimization of the workspace currently in process.
Warehouse space, which they are in the process of expanding, allows for pieces to be assembled as orders arrive. Parts of equipment are manufactured and stored, so that we don’t have to wait months for our exciting new equipment!
Each piece really is special in that many individual craftsmen make them right at the facility in Sacramento. My daughter Lily’s favorite part was seeing how the hand sanding brings each piece to perfection. Automation in the cutting of wood and upholstery, and a certain amount of sanding allow for better uniformity and optimal use of materials, but every piece is finished by hand. Ken said small boutique orders and single pieces of equipment remain the biggest part of Contrology sales, which is something considering the current growth of large gyms and companies buying! Confidence in the materials that go into making Balanced Body and Contrology equipment allow them to be confident in the lifetime guarantee excellence in customer service. Knowing the suppliers they use are also not cutting corners is essential to maintaining the stellar reputation they have built.
I was amazed when Ken explained the test for determining what works for shipping (coming soon!) They pack it, ship it to New York, examine what worked and what didn’t, and ship it back. Until they get it right.
Our studio, The Jayhawk Club, in Lawrence, KS, is an Authorized Demo Center for the Contrology line. So, I was particularly interested in that process. Ken talked about developing the line with the help of Jay Grimes and other Pilates teachers to make it as close as possible to what Joe had in his gym. They build in all the details that make the Classical line true to the original method, like the “muddiness” and weight of the springs as well as the feel of the carriage. Hearing Ken’s commitment to the Pilates community, sustainability, and seeing how the process to keep the excellent quality involves individual artisans gives me an even greater gratitude for this amazing equipment.
Throughout, Ken emphasized the importance of relationships in all they do. (Isn’t that the essence of Pilates?!) This and the entire process was my son Cooper’s biggest takeaway.
So you’re probably wondering- how many microwaves??
34! Ken claims it’s the most in any one place west of the Mississippi!
Kristin Salmans
RN, BSN, MHSA, NCPT
Kristin began practicing and teaching Pilates mat work in 2003, shortly after the oldest of her three children was born. The practice of Pilates opened an entirely new love for movement and fitness. Kristin completed Comprehensive Instructor Training through Balanced Body Education. The eLevate Classical Master Teacher mentorship with Lesley Logan reinvigorated her love for teaching. She has taught at various gyms and studios around the country, most recently opening a studio at The Jayhawk Club in Lawrence, KS.
Kristin holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baylor University and a Masters in Health Systems Administration from Georgetown University. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees at LMH Health, the local hospital. Kristin is active in community service, passionate about voter rights and civic education, and serves on the Board of the League of Women Voters. She believes health requires not only physical but mental, social and emotional engagement, individually and as a community. This background and experience are a perfect complement to the teaching and practice of Pilates. She truly loves building a Pilates community. Her greatest reward is seeing the amazing transformations of her clients, not only physically, but in mind-body balance and confidence. The Pilates method truly is a life- changing system!
Kristin is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and also has AFAA, Balanced Body Barre, TRX and indoor cycling certifications, with frequent Continuing Education.
