Tiffany Danielson opened the doors of her Studio 52 Premier Cycling Studio on November 6, 2023; the studio, located in the basement of her home near Prosper (10631 US Hwy. 52, Mabel, Minn.) had 10 bikes available.
Tiffany had started going to fitness cycling classes at a Decorah studio in 2018. The studio closed during COVID and reopened in the summer of 2020. When the owner asked Tiffany if she wanted to teach a yoga sculpt class. Tiffany accepted the challenge and then also began teaching an indoor cycling class in February 2021.
In April 2021, Tiffany took over the studio in Decorah and ran it until October 2023. She loved the members, but decided she would be done at that time in part due to the building rental and staffing expenses. She owned the equipment and eventually decided to reopen her business in the basement of her home.
Getting the word out about Studio 52 and finding her demographic were challenging at first. As a small business owner, Tiffany had to learn more about marketing.
Studio 52 currently offers cycling, barre, yoga sculpt, and interval strength training classes. Tiffany feels strongly that a person needs both cardio and strength training in order to reach the results they want.
It’s called a “premier cycling studio” because it offers top-notch instruction by certified trainers in a studio with high standards. Tiffany employs two other instructors, Kjersten Folstad and Trisha Ryan. Both are certified in indoor cycling and combo classes. Tiffany is certified in barre, Pilates, and yoga sculpt in addition to indoor cycling. Both barre and Pilates are all about repetitions using smaller weights.
Tiffany has added four more cycles since she opened. “We’re maxed out for our current space,” she added, and shared her surprise at how fast her business has grown. There are 35 members who come from Decorah, Lanesboro, Harmony, Mabel, Canton, Rushford and Caledonia. “I’m centrally located for customers from many towns,” she pointed out.
If Tiffany were to expand further, she’d like to build a new studio building at the same location. While she knows she still has some growing to do before building, her dream is to have a larger space with bikes that have screens. Using the screens, members could log on to bluetooth and compete with each other or try for personal bests, competing against themselves. Ultimately, she’d like to have two separate rooms so she could use one for cycling and the other for mat sessions.
Tiffany added, “My pipe dream is to add a sauna and showers so members could come, workout and then head to work right from here.”
Average class sizes for Studio 52 range from 10-13 at the barre classes and 8-11 at the 5:15 p.m. cycling class. People of all levels are welcomed. “You really can do what you can do!” Tiffany explained. While her classes are typically taught at the mid- to advanced level, new members can modify their participation by doing shallower squats and using less resistance on the bikes or doing lower rpms. Tiffany cues changes in the workout by calling out different zones or rpms; beginners adjust to an easier workout as needed. Age is not a hindrance to cycling. One of the oldest members is a 78-year-old gentleman from Decorah.
The atmosphere at Studio 52 is cozy and relaxed; members feel a personal connection with Tiffany. Many of her former customers from Decorah have joined her at Studio 52. Tiffany feels that she is doing what she’s meant to do. “I don’t take it lightly that people are putting their health in my hands,” she declared.
In order to meet the needs of her customers, Tiffany started virtual and on-demand classes in November 2024. Members are able to join her virtually via Zoom, leaving their cameras on so Tiffany can monitor their form and help them make improvements in their form. People from as far away as Hartland, Minn., and Montana attend her virtual classes. An on-demand library of Tiffany’s videos is available for customers to rent or buy.
Studio 52 offers class passes for 5, 10 or 15 sessions as well as six-month and 12-month unlimited memberships. The six-month membership comes with a 10% discount on purchases, and the 12-month comes with a 20% discount. Merchandise offered at Studio 52 includes loop bands, yoga straps, yoga balls, yoga mats and some apparel. Class passes for the virtual classes are a monthly subscription which customers can end at any time.
There is also a three-week trial membership so new members can try as many classes as they want. Tiffany chose that time frame because she firmly believes that it takes 21 days to form a habit and it takes 90 days to stay in that habit.
Coming up in February, Studio 52 will be offering Pilates classes. In late spring to summer, Tiffany will also run her second boot camp which is a six week, three tip four days a week class to get participants in shape for summer. Tiffany continues to train; upcoming, she will be taking Human Reformer Training.
In her spare time, Tiffany likes to camp with her family – her husband Dewy, daughter Payton and sons Brady and Conor. She enjoys kayaking, reading and working on classes for Studio 52.
Her advice for beginning entrepreneurs is to just start. “You have to get uncomfortable – step out of your comfort zone and just do it!” Tiffany declared. Tiffany has no regrets and continues to grow her business; she encourages people to come and try out the classes at Studio 52! You can find Studio 52 on Facebook, online at www.Studio 52.biz/ or call Tiffany at (507) 459-2953 to book a session.
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