Powered by world-class Balanced Body® equipment, Westover Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is redefining what therapy can look like in a skilled nursing setting. Based in San Antonio, Texas, this skilled nursing facility (SNF) provides inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care services, and stands out for its on-site, full-service Pilates studio. By integrating a complete suite of Balanced Body Pilates equipment into its rehabilitation model, Westover Hills is helping patients improve mobility, posture, balance, and overall confidence, including those living with complex or chronic conditions.
How It Started
The Pilates initiative began when Executive Director Jerry Holyer experienced the benefits of Pilates firsthand and recognized its potential impact on Westover patients. After evaluating both equipment and education partners, the clinical team chose Balanced Body for its engineering quality, clinical functionality, and comprehensive Pilates education. Seven therapists, including Westover Hills’ inpatient and outpatient Directors of Rehab, completed 80 hours of Balanced Body Education®, creating the foundation for a fully integrated program.
“We wanted a solution that would not only improve mobility and reduce fall risk, but also restore confidence and independence in our patients,” says Brady Donner, Director of Outpatient Services. “Pilates has exceeded every expectation. We’ve seen residents improve posture, walk with greater stability, and in one remarkable case, a patient who had not walked in three years stood up and walked after just six weeks. Balanced Body has been an essential partner in making this possible.”
The Results
Westover Hills recently completed a six-week case study comparing three groups: traditional therapy, Pilates combined with traditional therapy, and a control group. While the Functional Reach Test, which measures forward-reach balance, showed similar improvement in both the Pilates and traditional therapy groups, the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test told a more compelling story. The Pilates group improved by an average of 10.64 seconds, compared to just 0.68 seconds in the traditional therapy group. These results point to meaningful reductions in fall risk and stronger gains in functional mobility.
Beyond the formal data, therapists also reported improvements in spinal mobility, balance, gait mechanics, core engagement, posture, and quality-of-life measures, including self-esteem and confidence.
Program Expansion
As interest in the program grew, so did the need for more space. Westover Hills’ original gym, outfitted with three Balanced Body Clinical Reformers® with Towers, five Combo Chairs, Pilates Springboards™, a Pilates Arc®, and other accessories, quickly reached capacity. To meet rising demand from both residents and privately paying family members, the facility has now commissioned a new dedicated studio space. The expansion will include two additional Clinical Reformers with Towers, a CoreAlign®, and more Balanced Body equipment.
Looking Ahead
“Westover Hills is pioneering what the future of rehabilitation can look like,” says Ken Endelman, Founder & CEO of Balanced Body. “Their clinical commitment, paired with evidence-based Pilates programming, is producing life-changing results for patients who often have limited mobility or chronic conditions. We are proud that our equipment and education are helping support the incredible outcomes this team is achieving.”
With its upcoming expansion and continued partnership with Balanced Body, Westover Hills aims to broaden access to therapeutic Pilates for long-term care residents, skilled nursing patients, and outpatient clients seeking movement-based recovery.
“This is just the beginning,” adds Donner. “Pilates is not only improving physical outcomes, it’s restoring hope, confidence, and independence. That’s what rehabilitation should be.”
For more information about Balanced Body, visit pilates.com. To learn more about Westover Hills Physical Therapy, visit sportsmedsa.com/westover-hills-physical-therapy.
Balanced Body thoroughly believes that movement can change people’s lives. We are the leading resource for Pilates and mindful movement equipment, information and education for fitness centers, studios, rehabilitation facilities and home enthusiasts.
