Who created Mindbody?

Mindbody was created by Rick Stollmeyer and Blake Beltram in 2001. Mindbody is a 20+ year old company that serves many businesses, but might not be the best fit for every fitness business.

The idea for the Mindbody platform (originally known as “HardBody Software”) originated from their shared vision of helping wellness and fitness businesses streamline their operations and improve client experiences through technology. Stollmeyer, a former submarine officer, and Beltram, a wellness enthusiast, combined their skills to develop software that would revolutionize how fitness studios, yoga studios, and wellness centers manage their businesses.

Key Information	Details	Notes
Founders	Rick Stollmeyer and Blake Beltram	Stollmeyer’s leadership and Beltram’s wellness focus drove the creation of Mindbody
Year Founded	2001	Based in San Luis Obispo, California
Initial Focus	Software for yoga and wellness businesses	Expanded to serve broader fitness industries
IPO	2015	Listed on NASDAQ before being acquired
Acquisition	Acquired by Vista Equity Partners in 2019	Became private to focus on long-term growth

Mindbody was created by Rick Stollmeyer and Blake Beltram to transform the wellness industry, but it may not be the best fit for every fitness business today. For a fully customizable, user-friendly, and cost-effective solution, Exercise.com is the best Mindbody alternative for fitness.

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Exercise.com is simply the best. We were using three or four different apps or softwares to do what we can now do all in one with the Exercise.com platform.

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Founder and President, APEC Sports Performance

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The Vision Behind Mindbody

Rick Stollmeyer and Blake Beltram founded Mindbody to address the challenges faced by wellness businesses in managing appointments, client records, and payments. Their goal was to provide software that simplified operations, allowing business owners to focus on delivering exceptional services.

Rick Stollmeyer brought technical expertise and business acumen to the project, guiding Mindbody’s growth and success.
Blake Beltram contributed a deep understanding of the wellness industry, helping to shape the platform’s focus on yoga studios and holistic businesses.

Mindbody’s Evolution

Early Beginnings

Mindbody started as a simple software solution for yoga and wellness businesses. Its early success was driven by the increasing demand for technology to manage bookings, payments, and client data.

Going Public

In 2015, Mindbody went public, listing on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol MB. This move allowed the company to raise capital, expand its offerings, and invest in technology to serve a broader range of fitness and wellness businesses.

Acquisition by Vista Equity Partners

In 2019, Mindbody was acquired by Vista Equity Partners for $1.9 billion. This acquisition marked a new chapter for the company, focusing on long-term growth and innovation under private ownership.

While Mindbody’s founders revolutionized the fitness and wellness industry, its high costs, limited customization, and complex interface have led some businesses to seek alternatives. Platforms like the best Mindbody alternative for fitness offer more flexible, affordable, and user-friendly solutions.

Common Concerns with Mindbody

Pricing: High subscription fees and additional charges for premium features can strain budgets.
Customization: Limited branding and workflow options restrict personalization.
Scalability: Mindbody’s tools may not fully support the growth of multi-location or large-scale operations.

Exercise.com: The Better Alternative

For fitness professionals who need a comprehensive and customizable platform, Exercise.com is the best gym management software. It offers:

Custom Solutions: Tailor the platform to your brand and business needs.
Affordable Pricing: Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Comprehensive Features: Manage scheduling, payments, client engagement, and more in one place.
Scalability: Ideal for businesses of all sizes, from small studios to large multi-location gyms.

Our overall experience with Exercise.com is a breeze. We love how easy it is to integrate this app with our current workflow while providing great fitness programs for our customers and save us time in the process.

Julie Ledbetter

Owner, Ledbetter Fitness