Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyson Domoto.
Hi Alyson, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in St. Louis and was always an active kid—constantly moving and looking for an outlet for that energy. I started gymnastics at a very young age, and that eventually evolved into springboard and platform diving in high school and college. Movement was always a big part of my life.
After graduating, I took what I’d call the traditional corporate route and practiced law for a few years, both in New York and California. But even during that time, I never really stepped away from physical activity. I was always teaching something fitness-related or coaching gymnastics or diving on the side whenever I could. It became pretty clear to me that the traditional corporate path wasn’t the right long-term fit.
Around that time, I took an aerial silks class and completely fell in love with circus arts. With my background in gymnastics and diving, it felt like a natural transition. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a career—I was hired to teach and perform aerial arts, and I quite literally joined the circus. I spent several years traveling and performing aerial and flying trapeze, and in between contracts, I continued teaching, coaching, and working with people of all ages and abilities. Through that experience, I realized how much I love helping people find joy and confidence through movement. At the same time, I became very aware that activities like aerial and flying trapeze aren’t things you can do forever, and I wanted to find a form of movement that was sustainable for life.
During my final circus contract, I started taking Pilates classes at a local studio and immediately connected with it. When the opportunity arose I went through the process of getting certified to teach Pilates. I saw it as something I could continue long-term and also share with a wide range of people. When that contract ended, I moved back to St. Louis and decided to open my own Pilates studio—bringing together my background, my passion for movement, and my desire to build something meaningful in my hometown.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being an entrepreneur and owning a business is no joke—anyone who’s done it knows that. It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but challenges really do build character.
When I first opened my studio, I felt confident in my ability to teach. I’d spent years teaching different disciplines to a wide range of people, so that part came naturally to me. What I didn’t fully understand at the time was what it actually takes to run a business day-to-day. I originally opened in May 2019 as part of a franchise, thinking I could focus on teaching while the franchisor would either handle or guide me through the business side.
Less than a year later, I had to shut down due to COVID, which was an incredibly challenging time for everyone, but especially for a brand-new business without a long financial track record. Many of the resources available at the time weren’t accessible to newer businesses like mine. At the same time, that first year had already shown me that the franchise model wasn’t the right fit for me. During the shutdown, I made the decision to separate from the franchise and really rethink how I wanted to move forward.
When I was able to reopen post-COVID, I did so independently, with the intent of owning a business that caters to members of the community. Since then, the business has continued to grow, but it’s been a constant process of learning, adapting, and problem-solving. I’ve had to develop skills I never anticipated needing, and I’m still evolving as an owner and instructor every day. That’s probably been the biggest challenge—but also the most rewarding part—figuring things out as I go and building something that truly reflects my vision.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own a boutique fitness studio called Infinity Fitness in University City, Missouri. We offer a range of classes including Pilates, barre, yoga, and TRX, and everything we do is designed to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
What really sets me—and Infinity Fitness—apart is the environment we’ve created. From the beginning, it’s been incredibly important to me that the studio feels warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental. We truly meet clients where they’re at. No one needs prior experience to walk into a class. It’s not unusual to be in a class with a brand new client working out next to an experienced Pilates practitioner or former athlete, or a 30-year old next to a 70-year old, and everyone will get the best workout for their own body. A lot of new clients tell us they’re surprised by how unintimidating the space feels, and even more surprised that they’re actually having fun during the workout.
We focus heavily on creating workouts that have variety, so people stay engaged and actually look forward to coming back. At the same time, we’re very intentional about programming movements that are achievable and enjoyable, because I want clients to build a sustainable relationship with fitness—something they can continue as they age, not just something that feels like a short-term challenge.
What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. It’s so much more than a place where people come in, take a class, and leave. It’s a space where people have formed real, lasting friendships and support systems, both in and out of the studio. There’s a genuine sense of connection, and that’s something you can feel right away. It’s also what makes me excited to go to work every day, knowing that we’ve created an environment where people feel comfortable, supported, and truly enjoy being there.
What were you like growing up?
As I mentioned above, I was a very active child with a lot of energy, so my parents enrolled me in gymnastics at a young age to help channel that. I’ve always been drawn to physical activity and enjoyed staying busy. At the same time, I was a very serious and focused student—I took school seriously from an early age, which eventually led me to pursue law school.
That combination of discipline, consistency, and hard work—both physically and academically—really shaped who I am. It not only helped me succeed in school, but also gave me the confidence and resilience to take an entrepreneurial path. Ultimately, it led me to open my own Pilates studio, Infinity Fitness, where I’ve been able to bring together my passion for movement and my drive to build something of my own.
Pricing:
- Intro offer of an unlimited month for $99
- Intro offer of 3 classes for $39
- Intro offer of 1 private training session for $55 $55
- Other pricing: https://infinityfitnessstl.com/pricing/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://infinityfitnessstl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infinityfitnessstl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfinityFitnessSTL
