The start of a new year is the traditional season for resolutions: getting back into a routine and reevaluating our relationship with our bodies and overall health. While many are scrambling to strike a balance between work, personal life, and endless to-do lists, Plank Studio has spent years offering a structured, sustainable approach to fitness—one that doesn’t demand perfection, but consistency.
Today, the brand is a staple of the local wellness scene, boasting a dedicated community across two Zagreb locations, nearly 20 Reformer machines, and a team of certified female trainers. We caught up with the studio’s founder, Patricia Ćurković Rogić, as she balanced training sessions, motherhood, and the demands of running a business. She had just returned from a Plank Retreat at Hotel Materra, where she spent a weekend with a group of clients focused on movement, recharging, and the power of community.
In an era where exercise is often tied to fleeting resolutions, seasonal body goals, and “quick fix” promises, Plank has always stood for something different: a deeper, more intentional relationship with the body.
Here, movement isn’t viewed as a chore or just a means to achieve a “perfect” physique. Instead, it’s a lifelong habit—something to be learned, nurtured, and adapted to the ebb and flow of real life. This philosophy has drawn a community of women seeking stability, clarity, and confidence in their fitness journey—free from the pressure of perfection, but backed by clear structure and expert guidance.
At Plank, Reformer Pilates serves as a tool for building strength, flexibility, and body awareness. But more importantly, it’s designed to fit into real life—the kind that involves careers, family, fatigue, and constant change. Through a personalized approach, small group sessions, and precision-led training, Plank creates a system that empowers women to stay consistent long after the initial wave of New Year’s enthusiasm has faded.
“Health shouldn’t be a short-term project, nor something we only return to when we feel we’ve gone too far with bad habits. When I started Plank, I wasn’t thinking about how it would look in three months—I was thinking about how it would function in five or ten years. I wanted to build a system where women wouldn’t feel guilty if they missed a workout, yet would have a clear structure that pulls them back into a routine. In that sense, Reformer Pilates was the perfect tool; it demands presence, focus, and genuine respect for your body. I don’t believe in perfection, but I do believe in consistency. That’s why, from the very beginning, I wanted an approach that was realistic, sustainable, and adaptable to women’s real lives—balancing careers, family, and everything else we carry, without ever giving up on ourselves or our health,” says Patricia Ćurković Rogić.
As the community flourished, Plank naturally outgrew the boundaries of a traditional Reformer Pilates studio. Through years of working with hundreds of women, Patricia recognized a craving for deeper experiences that went beyond a 60-minute session—experiences that offered an escape from the daily grind, space for regeneration, and a genuine chance to connect. And that is how Plank Retreats and curated After-Work Events were created, designed as an extension of the philosophy the studio lives by every day. Plank Retreats, like the one hosted this past weekend at Hotel Materra in Slavonia, offer a structured yet laid-back program that blends Reformer Pilates with nature, wellness, and a sense of belonging. In an intimate setting free from pressure or expectations, women are given the space to pause, slow down, and reconnect with themselves. Alongside these retreats, Plank is expanding its urban formats. From “Reformer & Prosecco” and “Mindful Movement Evenings” (dedicated to conscious movement and mini-meditations) to “Celebrate Women Nights” (focused on networking and female empowerment) and “Self-Care Retreats” (centered on wellness routines and healthy habits), the studio offers diverse events that provide every woman the chance to find exactly what she needs to feel fulfilled.
“Our retreats and boutique events were a direct response to what I’ve been hearing for years from the women at the studio. More and more, they told me that a standard workout just wasn’t enough anymore—they needed a space to pause, slow down, and experience movement differently, free from the pressure and the many roles they play every day. The Materra retreat was exactly that: two days to step away from the routine, not to escape ourselves, but to return to ourselves. Through structured training, nature, deep conversations, and shared moments, something happens that a photograph simply can’t capture. The same applies to our after-work formats, which blend the strength of the Reformer with the warmth of community, giving women a chance to celebrate their wins through movement. All these formats are bound by the same idea: movement as a tool for a better life and an opportunity for genuine connection. For me, this is the natural evolution of the Plank philosophy,” Patricia Ćurković Rogić concludes.
At its core, Plank is driven by a clear philosophy that rejects fleeting trends in favor of deep expertise, accountability, and a human-centric approach. The studio doesn’t promise “overnight transformations.” Instead, it fosters a long-term relationship with the body through education, consistency, and trust. Through instructor training, mentorship, and active community building, Plank is helping shape a new culture of health—one that respects individuality, honors different life stages, and meets every woman’s individual potential. It is this consistency and clarity of purpose that explains why the Plank community continues to grow, fueled by lived experience, trust, and organic word-of-mouth.
“In recent years, we’ve witnessed a massive surge in interest in Reformer Pilates—both from clients and from those who see the discipline as a chance to launch their own studios and businesses. However, I believe we must address the critical issues of expertise, accountability, and longevity. I’ve been in Pilates for over a decade, and I know exactly how much time, education, and experience it takes to do this job safely and effectively. That is why, from the very start, I built Plank not just as a studio, but as an educational platform. Over the years, I’ve trained instructors, mentored young trainers, and shared my knowledge because I believe only a healthy, well-educated industry can survive in the long run. The Reformer isn’t a trend; it’s a tool that demands a serious approach and a profound respect for the client’s body. I feel a responsibility toward the industry and the women who walk through our doors to offer expertise, safety, and the truth—not quick-fix promises. It is in this sharing of knowledge, this persistence, and this consistency that I see Plank’s greatest value. It’s why we’ve been here for a decade: stable, focused, and trusted,” Patricia Ćurković Rogić concludes.
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