After decades spent in Fortune 500 boardrooms refining corporate strategies, Lance Podell chose a different kind of reset. With the opening of Pilates Addiction, he now brings that same level of discipline to a focused fitness concept rooted in his community.

A Refined Ritual

Billed as a curated lifestyle destination, Podell’s flagship studio is the first retail location in the newly minted Harth apartments on Millburn Avenue. Clad in a striking gold-and-black aesthetic, it represents a pivot from Podell’s corporate past toward a more personal mission, building a wellness community that feels closer to a five-star hospitality experience. His approach to the business is as disciplined as the workout he advocates, shaped by 10 years of private Pilates practice at home.

“It finally felt like the right time to start my own venture and build something in my community,” Podell says.

Above the Ordinary

Pilates Addiction is a new franchise, with Millburn among the first five locations in the country, built on the idea that the market was missing a more contemporary, athletic edge. The word “addiction” in the name is intended to capture the magnetic pull of a familiar routine that yields results.

In a fitness space often associated with quiet, minimalist environments, Podell’s approach feels decidedly more modern. The philosophy moves away from the predictable by empowering instructors with the freedom to get creative with sequencing and music, ensuring that no two sessions are identical. “Key to the philosophy is allowing instructors greater creativity in sequencing and movements so that no student can ‘phone it in,’” Podell says. “Each class will feel a bit different so that the programming never becomes rote.”

The hardware is equally considered. The studio features 12 patented Aurum Reformers, sleek machines that integrate a ballet barre, jump board, and Wunda Chair. This all-in-one approach allows for a seamless flow of movement that challenges even seasoned athletes.

Athletic Evolution

The studio serves as both a sanctuary for those seeking a “me time” reset and a training ground for longevity. Podell points to a growing number of professional athletes, including NFL players, who have integrated the reformer into their routines to extend their careers and prevent injury.

“Most people assume Pilates is only for women, but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” Podell says. “Whether the goal is improving a golf swing, staying agile on the pickleball court, or simply keeping up with grandchildren, the focus is on muscle-based conditioning that supports the body over the long haul.”

Podell has also been intentional about creating an environment where a beginner and an expert can share the same room without a hint of pretension. Success, in his view, is about both physical transformation and the mental victory of walking through the door. “For many, progress is as simple, and as difficult, as getting up each day, signing up, and showing up,” he says. “I want everyone to believe you don’t have to be the strongest, the fastest, or the fittest—you just have to show up.”

Community at the Core

The decision to open in Millburn was equal parts logistics and community. As a longtime resident whose three children grew up in the local school system, Podell knows the town’s distinct rhythm.

Finding a location that offered one of the rarest suburban luxuries, convenient parking, was paramount. Situated just a block from downtown and along the route to the train station, the Harth space serves as a blank slate for his vision. The studio offers ample room for a welcoming check-in experience, a curated retail area featuring brands like Spiritual Gangster and Lucky Honey, and a spacious private studio for one-on-one instruction. To lead the charge, Podell tapped studio manager Rachel Andrews, a respected figure in the local fitness community.

Following its soft opening in late April, Podell is already looking ahead, with the opening of a Livingston location slated for this summer and another area expansion planned for 2027. But for now, the focus remains on the first time a client walks through the door of the Millburn flagship. The goal is to build a consistent member base that views the studio as an essential part of their week and to create a space where the addiction isn’t just to the workout but to the feeling of being welcomed, understood, and challenged.

“When people walk into a Pilates studio, they are often on some kind of journey,” Podell reflects. “They seek a supportive, healthy environment led by positivity and inclusivity. They are also driven by the understanding that they have chosen your studio to become part of their lifestyle.”

In a town where high standards and busy schedules go hand in hand, Pilates Addiction sets a new standard, offering an experience where you can simply arrive and everything else is thoughtfully taken care of.

Photograph courtesy of Lance Podell