10 Years of Movement, Connection & Growth: Welcome to Pilates & Fitness TV!
In 2014, I had just wrapped a whirlwind world tour with STOTT PILATES®. Everywhere I went — London, Tokyo, São Paulo — people asked the same question: “Will you be back next year?”
That same year, visitors from around the world were traveling to my studio in Long Beach, CA. The connection was real. The demand was growing. But I couldn’t be everywhere at once — and I didn’t want to lose the spark we’d created.
At the time, YouTube (launched in 2005) was still finding its feet, and the world of online workouts was in its infancy. I saw an opportunity to bring expert-led, studio-quality Pilates and fitness content to everyone, no matter where they lived.
And in 2015, JGFIT TV was born.
The Vision
My goal was simple:
3 fresh workouts every week — Mat, Reformer, and Fitness — all with teaching notes and thumbnail guides for every move
Daily one-minute clips demoing exercises with quick tips
Weekly “Go Deeper” videos, breaking down traditional exercises by form, anatomy, regressions/progressions, and programming strategies
Those Go Deeper videos became our Mat and Reformer Encyclopedias, still beloved by instructors and students alike. Many have told me they used these encyclopedias to prepare for their own certifications — often recommended by their teacher trainers. That means the world to me.
The Evolution of JGTV
Soon after, we rebranded to John Garey TV, and our small-but-mighty team (just me and my videographer!) kept the momentum going week after week.
In 2017, I moved from Long Beach to Wheaton, IL — and with that came a new era. We transformed a five-car garage into a full production studio.
Before
After
We welcomed guest instructors (our Away Team) and noticed Reformer workouts were by far the most loved — so we shifted our focus to include three Reformer classes each week.
Pandemic, Purpose & The Home Team
When the pandemic hit, JGTV was ready. Our members — and all the new ones who joined — had access to hundreds of high-quality, professionally filmed workouts, with new ones released weekly. Our membership grew fast, and we stayed grounded in our original promise: fun, consistent, high-quality workouts.
That time also sparked a new idea: I began building a Home Team — talented instructors whose voices, energy, and expertise would shape the future of our platform.
Helping them adapt from in-studio to on-camera revealed something important: the very communication skills I was coaching them on were the ones that make any instructor exceptional — on camera or off.
That realization inspired The Pilates IT Factor, a teaching method and training program designed to help instructors build connection, elevate presence, and truly change lives through their teaching.
Find out more about The Pilates IT Factor here
A Stronger, More Connected Community
As our membership grew, so did our commitment to helping members connect — not just with us, but with each other. That’s why the Community Tab is such a key part of the JGTV experience.
Inside, you’ll find:
Supportive challenge groups
Inspiring streak updates
Member wins and milestone celebrations
Q&A posts answered directly by our team
A place to share, cheer, and grow — together
It’s more than just a feature — it’s a family. And it continues to blow me away.
Our Furry Team Members
If you’ve been with us a while, you know we’ve always had a few four-legged co-stars.
Rocco and BamBam were a constant presence in our early workouts. They’ve since passed on, but their energy — and their cameos — live on in the JGTV archives. We still get messages asking about them, and it touches my heart every time.
Today, our newest furry team member, Rex, brings his own special vibe. He’s independent, affectionate, loves a good sniff-walk, and can often be found keeping watch just off camera.
Introducing Pilates & Fitness TV
Fast-forward to today — and we’ve grown into something bigger than me, bigger than any one person. It’s a team. A movement. A mission.
And that’s why I’m so proud to introduce our next chapter:
Pilates & Fitness TV (P&FTV)
It reflects:
The diverse types of movement we now offer
The incredible instructors on our team
The expanded experience we deliver to members around the world
We now release 8–10 new workouts each week, with at least 5 dedicated to Reformer. And we’ve continued expanding our mix with Mat, Chair, Spring Wall, Tower, Barrels, and Fitness workouts.
With the new site and app, you’ll enjoy:
A clean, modern design
Powerful search and filtering tools
Structured programs and calendars
Workout notes (we’ll never drop those!)
Badges and streaks to track progress
Live classes you can join weekly
And full access to our vibrant Community Tab
Want a tour of the new features?
Check out our Getting Started with P&FTV video library — including tutorials on:
Navigating the website & app
Pilates & movement basics
Goal setting, nutrition, and equipment
And of course, Meet the P&FTV Team!
Tune In to The JG Show
Looking for weekly inspiration, tips, or guidance?
The JG Show covers everything from:
Choosing the right Pilates Teacher Training Program
Goal Setting that actually works
The power of the Vagus Nerve
Why a strong morning routine can shift your whole day
It’s a space for us to talk, grow, and dive deeper — and it’s available free on our platform.
From My Heart to Yours
To our members and Pilates friends around the world: thank you.
Whether you’ve been with us since the early JGFIT days or just joined this month — you’ve helped shape this journey. You’ve turned a simple idea into a global movement. And we’re just getting started.
Here’s to the next decade of movement, mentorship, and magic — together.
All the best,
John
