Founded by two former owners of multiple F45 gyms, Michael Ramsey and Mark Armstrong, Strong Pilates is dubbed as "rowing meets pilates reformer", combining a low-impact and high intensity, cardio workout.

Opening in late November, the Broadmeadow franchise is owned by Jake Harris, 28, who plays A-Grade for Broadmeadow Magic in the Northern NSW NPL, and his life and business partner, Lily Barnett, 26.

The couple, both sporty kids with country roots, were working in their respective careers in Sydney when they heard about Strong Pilates in late 2019. The flew to Melbourne to do a session of Strong Pilates at the brand's Elstonwick headquarters and "fell in love with it".

Keen to get out Sydney, the pair bought the Newcastle "territory" for the Strong Pilates franchise in mid-2020 and have also signed a lease for another site in Warners Bay.

They moved to Newcastle in late 2020 when Sydney was still in lockdown and Mr Harris signed with Broadmeadow Magic.

"It felt like the perfect storm ... we had the feeling that this was something that would be big and we wanted to get in early, grab the opportunity and run with it," Ms Barnett says.

Strong Pilates is a 45-minute workout of "pilates-inspired resistance training with a side of rowing" using a "Rowformer" machine - basically a pilates reformer with a Concept2 rower attached to the end.

"They are straight out of the US, it's a brand new method of training that you can't get anywhere else and for me, what stood out is that Strong has thought of everything - as a woman, I have tried lots of gyms, but I didn't get this workout," says Ms Barnett.

"We like to refer to it as rowing meets reformer pilates, or resistance training with rowing cardio bursts, and it's the toughest and most effective workout you'll do."

"It bridges the gap between pilates reformer, strength and conditioning and high intensity interval training."

Small touches ranging from a specific "curated scent" that is used in the studio, personal lockers with phone chargers inside, and clients receiving a chilled eucalyptus scented towel after each workout are all a part of the "boutique" experience.

Technology is a big part of the brand, with movement screens to help clients feel more supported, and music is central, alternating between R&B and "deep house" to match the pace of the interval training between pilates and rowing. "It changes the vibe and gets you to focus ... you come in, work for 45 minutes and have a blast when you are doing it."

The couple say that while gyms have been hit hard by pandemic closures, they are thriving as people seek a sense of community more than ever after so long in lockdown.

"People want interaction and motivation and doing it as a community, you can be the biggest fitness junkie but it's hard to keep motivated and fit exercise in," Ms Barnett says.

Mr Harris views Newcastle as "a big country town" with everything that Sydney offers, without the hectic pace.

"You go to a cafe or walk into a gym and people know who you are , in Sydney you are another number," he says.

"We are community focused and everyone is an individual with their own goals and we'll be wanting to facilitate and meet those goals. It's nice to bring Strong to Newcastle."

Strong's instructors have all had specific training to deliver classes programmed by the brand's headquarters.

Mr Harris and Barnett will remain in their "day jobs" but be on deck at the gyms daily: "We are going to be very hands on, it's a new journey for us and something we have wanted to do something for ages, we want to know everyone's names and we are a core part of the team."