About Us

Body Design is the premiere wellness center in Newport Beach, California. Since 1986 we have provided all the luxuries of a fully equipped gym and spa but with the charm and essence of a boutique studio.

Our family-owned business is home to some of the top Pilates, Gyrotonic®, and fitness professionals in the health industry. Enjoy exclusive access to personal training, group classes, physical therapy, spa services, and more.

Our STORY

Body Design was inspired by a passion for health and rehabilitation.

Susan Tobiessen’s lively spirit and unrivaled expertise in post-operative rehabilitation made her highly sought after in the Southern California community. Certified in sports medicine, physical therapy, and personal training, Susan was devoted to providing the best care to her clients. Frustrated with the lack of resources available at that time, she was inspired to create a space that provided a holistic view to personal training and physical therapy.

Her vision became a reality on July 16, 1986 when Body Design opened its doors.

At first, the studio was an all women’s athletic and rehabilitation center where she offered personal training and physical therapy to 50 clients, in a 950 square foot facility, off of the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, CA.  Soon after, Susan decided to open Body Design to the entire community. As popularity grew and the health industry evolved, so did the studio. There were more trainers, more services, more clientele, as well as new, innovative practices to offer. 

Brent Anderson, creator of Polestar® and good friend of Susan, introduced her to Pilates. At this time, Pilates was still an unknown concept to many people, but Susan recognized its value, got her Polestar certification, and started offering Reformer Pilates at Body Design.

Body Design became the second studio in Newport Beach to offer Pilates.

Shortly after, Susan started running Pilates certification courses through the studio, which allowed her to personally train and select the best instructors in the community. Many would say that their Pilates career started at Body Design.

Today, Body Design operates in a 7600 square foot private studio with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic ocean views across from Fashion Island. Body Design is Newport’s premiere wellness studio and continues to be a leader in the health community. We are now the first & only studio in Newport Beach to have the Konnector® reformers and one of the only studios in the area to offer Gyrotonics®.

The soul of Body Design truly comes from all the incredible people who have been a part of our journey. We like to think of ourselves as much more than a health facility… We are a family inspiring and growing together!