THE former Cirque du Soleil performer behind this successful Nambour studio has opened a second space in Maroochydore.

Philippa Hayball has for the past seven years owned Oxygen Pilates, a business that was shortlisted for a Sunshine Coast Business Excellence Award in 2014 and has a following of Coast residents who travel from as far as Noosa and Maleny for classes twice a week.

Her new studio with business partner Gavin Smith is at Evans St, Maroochydore. It boasts seven trainers and attracted more than 150 locals when it threw its doors open for free classes over the weekend.

"So many people were calling and saying 'don't you have a studio closer to the coast?'" Ms Hayball explained.

"I've had clients in Nambour who have been telling their friends for all these years to come to Oxygen in Nambour but now they'll be able to go to the Maroochydore venue."

A dancer from age six and a dance teacher since she was 14, Ms Hayball knows how powerful regular training and the right guidance can be, no matter what an individual's purpose was.

"(Pilates) can be adapted to anybody, to strength-train any part that they're looking for," Ms Hayball said.

"We cater to people who are looking to do challenges, like marathons, but we also help the gentleman with the sore back."

Her own transition from performing as an acrobatic dancer on the world circus stage to helping others had been hugely rewarding, Ms Hayball said.

"I've had quite a big career but now I feel blessed in my career in that I don't have any other goals except to pass on all the information that I've gained," she said.

"I've had three shoulder surgeries myself so I understand that when I teach.

"It's interesting because a lot of people don't know what I did, but I treat everybody the same - that's my gift to them, to help them and inspire them."

From teen dancers to an 84-year-old man, the Pilates, yoga and other strength, balance and fitness classes had helped a number of Sunshine Coast residents change their outlook and their bodies significantly, she said.

For example, one woman who suffered polio as a child started at Oxygen Pilates six years ago and "she couldn't even really lift one leg", Ms Hayball said.

"She would use one arm to pull her weight along.

"She did so many classes. Now she does a class a day, if not two, and it has completely changed the outlook she has on the possibility of her life.

"To see somebody's life change like that, that's the biggest reward. I don't mind if somebody can do something perfectly or can be the strongest in the class, the reward is seeing somebody so happy in their life."

Located at the Evans St strip of shops between the Milwell Rd roundabout and School Rd, roadworks at the site are having an unexpected benefit as they slow drivers down, Ms Hayball said.

"The traffic works are supposed to finish by December, which is awesome," she said.

"It's not so bad, because when people have to stop, they're staring right at our sign."

Ms Hayball said many passers-by had stopped in to check out the space, and all were welcome.

"Come try it," she said. "Just come try it, if it's not for you, it's not for you, but I'd love you to have a try."