
Reviews
Raving Reviews
“Pilates with Jodi Melton has changed my approach to daily activities. The determination and confidence conveyed by Jodi is contagious. My body and mind are extremely thankful!”
Ben Galpen

Clancy Pendergast
“I have been a football coach for 33 years. Sixteen in the NFL & 17 in college. I have an understanding of how athletes train & what works at the highest level of my sport.
My girlfriend introduced me to pilates 12 years ago & I was immediately hooked. I saw benefits that can transcend into performance sport training, at all levels. I also saw huge improvement’s in my own physical & mental well being.
My girlfriend & I have taken lessons in many studios in CA & AZ, & always use Jodi as the measuring stick for all our instructor interactions. Jodi is, by far, the best pilates instructor.
Her talent is seeing through the movement & into the body to help clients find balance & control when executing the pilates principles. When working with athletes, another level of body language reading is paramount, & Jodi has it in spades.
Jodi‘s studio is meticulously clean & has a welcome calm vibe to everyone. I feel confident sending players, friends & family to work with Jodi & know she will take care of them all at a level beyond any other instructor in Scottsdale.”



Dr. Dino Prato - Envita Medical Center
“Jodi at Firm Body Pilates exemplifies top-tier training expertise. With thousands of hours of invaluable instruction, her studio stands out in the crowded Pilates landscape. In an era where Pilates has surged in popularity, Jodi‘s emphasis on personalized attention and structural integrity sets her apart.
The studio’s approach focuses on healing and developing the body through core strength, mobility, and muscular integrity. Jodi ensures her team blends classical Pilates with contemporary techniques, enhancing spine health and muscle length as originally envisioned by Joseph Pilates himself.
Unlike many modern exercises, Pilates not only builds strength but also enhances alignment and structural support. Each session leaves me feeling elongated and rejuvenated, underscoring the critical role of breathing in managing muscle stress and promoting vascular health.
Overall, Firm Body Pilates under Jodi‘s guidance offers a transformative experience that goes beyond fitness, delivering tangible benefits with every session.”

Sarah Hamblett
“I have been practicing pilates for 20 years & really enjoyed all the benefits of what pilates offers…. June 2018 Jodi was recommended to me & after my first session I knew she was going to teach me a whole new level of pilates strength, flexibility & focus. She was able to see a strength I had no idea I possessed, & through her very patient instruction & creative approach to each movement series we have had the best time!
Jodi challenges me to progress, grow & be fearless all while keeping a strict adherence to pilates principles.
A beginner could not ask for a better coach to teach the basics needed to build a solid pilates practice. An intermediate level practice would benefit from Jodi’s encouragement to try new series of exercises on all the pilates equipment. If you are advanced in your pilates practice, Jodi can instruct you through exercises you never thought possible! It has been so fun to learn & love the flips & “tricks” Jodi & I try together.
I have complete trust in her ability to know what I am capable of, & what I need to work on to master a new skill. With that trust comes a respect necessary for any exercise practice to grow, & change.
The laughter, fun, & creative energy at every session is a huge bonus on top of an already amazing experience.”



Shirly Bendahl
“I started training with Jodi on a weekly basis about ten years ago which has been part of my exercise schedule ever since. About seven years ago, I started training with Jodi on a weekly basis. Jodi is extremely knowledgeable professional that I credit for the level of physical fitness and well being that I enjoy today. This investment paid off! Every session is different, but I can always count on a good workout intermingled with good humor and an occasional song. Thanks, Jodi!!”

Debbie Benton
“I am 60+ year old woman with a prior history of cervical spine fusion surgery and suffer from chronic nerve pain. About four years ago, I was also diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. At that time, the activities I performed in my home and with my family had been significantly reduced due to chronic pain and I was not exercising at all. I talked with my doctor about treatment options to help combat a worsening of the disease and decided that pilates would be my regular form of exercise. Over the last 10 years, I had tried pilates but never committed to it. However, the prognosis for “untreated” osteoporosis was not pleasant so I knew I needed to do something different. To be effective, I needed to commit to a program of two or three private pilates sessions per week. So I set out to do this and contacted Jodi Melton at the Villages DC Ranch Village Health Club.”
“I have used several instructors over the years but none has worked as hard to address my individual needs as has Jodi Melton. Jodi is extremely knowledgable about Pilates, but also about the body and its complexities. Jodi is hands down the best pilates instructor I have encountered.”
“When I first started sessions with Jodi, she took considerable time to understand both my medical conditions and their effects on my muscular state. She was careful during the first several sessions to not have me overexert myself and yet had me achieve stretches that I thought my body could no longer do. She listened to my concerns and watched my movements carefully, constantly adjusting my body so that I would perform the exercises optimally and correctly. Within a few weeks I felt considerably stronger and the aches I felt prior to starting Pilates were considerably better. As I continue my private sessions, I have been astounded by the variety of exercises Jodi has me perform. I never get bored and my sessions remain exciting and rewarding. On another note, Jodi is personable and genuine and has an overwhelmingly positive disposition. As such, I feel a renewed sense of strength and energy that I have not felt for years. I¹m very thankful to have Jodi as a teacher for helping to get me back into good health.”
“Pilates has become a very important tool for me and Jodi Melton has taught me how to use it.”


Gary Mestman
“In 2009 I had a very serious operation that involved a spinal infection. My back was really a mess. How did I resolve all of my issues??
I was referred to Jodi Melton by my wife, who had been taking Pilates from her. I was very skeptical of trying Pilates as I was not certain that I could handle it. I was very mistaken!!
Jodi saved my back by realizing my situation and training me in the best way possible to rehabilitate myself. After several weeks, I could feel my strength returning and my life getting better each week. Jodi proved to be a true professional in that she understood how the body works and what techniques to use in order make certain that I was restored to good health.
I would highly recommend using Jodi for any ailment you might have, but especially if you have any back issues. You will be very pleased with the outcome and the workouts involved.
Thanks again Jodi for all you have done and continue to do for me.”
Christy Whitman
“As a Master Certified Success Coach, New York Times best selling author and trainer/teacher of Law of Attraction coaches for over two decades, I know the importance of strength and stability in all 4 of our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual/energy bodies. Pilates in general is beneficial for all 4 bodies. However, Jodi Melton is the absolute best!
I am 53 and stronger today than ever before, because of my training with Jodi and The Firm Body Pilates. I am more confident within myself due to Jodi encouraging me to do things I never thought I could.
With over three decades of teaching Pilates, (which is unheard of in this area) Jodi’s knowledge, fun, and passion really shines through. She is a master teacher. The Firm Body Pilates is by far the best, friendliest, welcoming, and informative studio in Scottsdale. And I have tried them all!”


Dr. Jaime Parker
Testimony: Jodi Melton and Physical Mind Institute Instructor Training
“I am a certified Pilates Instructor, through Physical Mind Institute in New York, which required more than 700 hours of comprehensive study and practice. I obtained my certification under the guidance and caring instruction of Jodi Melton, owner of the prestigious Firm Body Pilates Training Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I was a competitive, accomplished distance runner, who had several injuries and imbalances. I became a client of Jodi’s to help improve my running and ailments from severe scoliosis. During these years as her client, I had to have three unexpected and major surgeries. Her creativity, care, and dedication during this time helped me to continue training and safely heal. This time together also led me to fall in love with Pilates.
During 2020, during the Pandemic, I was working remotely for my corporate wellness position and wanted to obtain my Pilates Certification. After researching the most prestigious, comprehensive, and obtainable ones that could be finished during this year, I chose PMI and Jodi to be my teacher. During the next nine months, I met with Jodi on weekends and after work most evenings to study, learn, practice and repeat. She was always available by phone to answer questions, show me personal videos to help fine-tune my understanding, and also provided me unlimited access to her studio. The studio has a magnitude of the highest level of Pilates apparatus, tools, equipment, props, and options for all modalities of Pilates exercise.
My final exam was both written and live during an interactive “student becomes the teacher” where I was able to show my understanding of the classical Pilates exercises, how I would adapt them to individual clients, and how each movement transfers to different pieces of equipment. She also allowed me to showcase my understanding of and passion for distance runners and those with scoliosis during my final exam and the live interactive test-out.
I highly recommend Jodi and Physical Mind Institute for a fully comprehensive Pilates Instructor training on all apparatus!”
We’re excited to announce THE FIRM BODY PILATES has earned the AZ Foothills – Best of Our Valley 2025!
We are featured in the 2025 annual Best of Our Valley issue of Arizona Foothills Magazine—your definitive guide to the Valley’s best, as voted by the residents who know it best!
Voted #1 Pilates Studio for three years in a row!



We can’t wait to see you show your Pilates Love!
Monday to Friday
6am – 7pm
Saturday
8am – 4pm
Sunday
8:30am – 1pm
Call Us
623-632-9119
Visit Us
8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114, Scottsdale, AZ. 85255