Let me be honest. Walking into a fitness studio as a plus-size woman is a workout in and of itself. Even before you touch the equipment, mental repetition is already taking place. Can the reformer bear my weight? Will the instructor look at me sideways? Am I the only one in the room that looks like me?
So when I heard that forza pilatesa boutique Pilates studio in Franklin, Tennessee, was hosting a plus-size Pilates class specifically designed for body types like mine, and I was curious. Full of hope. And yes, I’m a little skeptical.
Spoiler alert: There was no need for that.
Getting dressed was already a deliberate act.
Before I walked through the door, I had to make a decision. What do you wear to a really unpredictable class? I reached for my turquoise fitness set Torrid’s activewear lineavailable in sizes up to 30, are made with plus-size bodies in mind from the first stitch. The fabric moved with every movement and honestly, it felt like it was intentional to wear it. It looks like armor, but it’s cute.
It’s more important than people think. It’s historically been an uphill battle for plus-size women to find activewear that actually fits and supports them, high-waisted leggings that fit snugly, sports bras that don’t strain their ribcages, and sets that don’t put their bodies on the back burner.
In the research, Confirmed Despite roughly 67% of American women being plus-size, many activewear brands are notoriously slow to embrace plus-sizes. Torrid has been in this lane since 2015. That shows it.
Getting dressed that morning was itself a small act of defiance. If I was going to go out, I was going to go out in full.
About Forza Pilates and the studio that started it all
Forza Pilates is Founded by Sidney Damleris a Denver-turned-Nashville wellness entrepreneur who opened a flagship store at Soho House Nashville in December 2023. The brand has since opened a second public studio in Franklin, Tennessee. In less than three years, Forza has become one of the hottest boutique Pilates studios in Middle Tennessee.
The space itself is really beautiful. Think gold-framed mirrors, natural light, warm tones, and an intentional design that makes you want to stretch your spine just as you step inside. It can easily feel intimidating. But that feeling starts to change the moment you realize what the studio is actually trying to do.
“Building Forza was and still is an act of love. Plus Size Pilates started as a way to honor my best friend and create the space she deserved but couldn’t find.”
Sidney Damler, Founder of Forza Pilates
Those words stopped me in my tracks. Because this wasn’t a studio that added plus-size classes as part of their PR. It’s made of love and you can feel it.
What a plus size Pilates class looks like in action
I visited Franklin’s studio for a private session led by Sydney, along with Ashton Evans, the studio’s plus size ambassador. From the moment I started moving, I knew something was different. I wasn’t tightening myself up like I usually do in the fitness space.
The reformers themselves are part of the reason. Sydney was cautious about her equipment from day one.
“It was essential that we invested in a reformer that felt sturdy and comprehensive. We looked for equipment with a wide carriage and adjustable settings to accommodate a variety of heights and body types.”
That consideration is evident everywhere. The lessons moved at a good pace, so I was able to follow the lessons without getting overwhelmed. Modifications were included and were not treated as consolation prizes. And what is the language of the room? There wasn’t a single reason that made me want to disappear.
“Instructor training in inclusive cueing is a core part of what we do. We focus on positive language and body neutrality to create an environment that supports all bodies.”
What does this match? researchers discovered About the size-inclusive fitness space: When weight-neutral practices are practiced and judgment-free, plus-size women experience true increases in their sense of well-being, self-worth, and belonging. Forza isn’t just in the business of making you feel good. It’s doing the right job.
The moment that changed everything
During the class, there was a moment that I remembered over and over again. I was in the middle of a challenging movement where my body started negotiating whether or not to quit. I felt myself slip into that familiar headspace, ready to tap out. Then I heard Sydney’s voice encouraging me to keep going and saying I could do it.
I didn’t think it was general guidance. It felt personal. Like someone reaching out and physically pulling on something you weren’t sure you could do on your own.
I continued. Then something moved.
By the end of the class, I wasn’t thinking about how I was perceived or whether I was doing everything right. I was thinking about how proud I was that my body was able to do this. This is not how I felt when I left a fitness class before.
From student to studio ambassador: Ashton Evans’ story
Ashton Evans knows this feeling all too well. Until she discovered Forza, she didn’t feel a connection to fitness. Jim felt uncomfortable. She was always conscious of how noticeable she was in the space, and not in a good way. The only movement she really enjoyed was dancing, where she freely occupied her place without apology.
Her first Pilates class at Forza challenged her expectations. It was difficult. But it left her with something unexpected.
“I felt hope.”
That word. I have high expectations. It reflected my own experience so closely that I had to sit and watch for a while.
In less than a year, Ashton went from student to ambassador and now helps other plus-size women find the same sense of community and comfort she did. Because that’s how this kind of change actually works. Once you find your mate, you belong to someone else.
Why this matters beyond one studio in Tennessee
Here’s the problem. According to The Curvy Fashionista’s exclusive report, 68% of women in the United States wear a size 14 or larger. That’s the majority. But the fitness industry has historically designed spaces, equipment, and language with very different bodies in mind.
What Forza does isn’t niche. it is necessary.
“We have hosted this series for nearly two years, and we hope to see it expand by inspiring other studios to adopt similar programs.”
Sydney doesn’t just run plus-size classes. She advocates for what all studios should do. And her vision is bigger than Franklin’s.
“I want more people to understand that plus-size people deserve the same access and respect as everyone else. Exercise should feel empowering.”
Full stop.
Post-workout selfies and what they mean
By the end of class, I was sweating. That turquoise torid set held up through every move, and honestly, so did I. I found myself doing things I don’t normally do after training. I paused. I exhaled slowly and sat in the sensation for a moment. Don’t rush to get things. I haven’t thought about the next task on my list yet.
It just exists.
I felt lighter, happier, and truly empowered. Not because someone told me. Because my body was showing up for me and I was finally showing up in a space that was actually created for both of us.
If you’d like to shop the look, check out Torrid’s activewear line at the link below. Because what you wear in a room like this is important. And you deserve to come in looking like a hero.
Ready to try it?
Forza Pilates offers monthly plus-size Pilates classes at both its Nashville and Franklin locations. Explore class offerings and book directly. forza-pilates.com. Whether you’re new to Pilates or just looking for a space where you can actually get Pilates, this is your sign.
And if you don’t live in Middle Tennessee, take this as a license to demand more from the fitness spaces around you. The right studio exists. If you haven’t built it yet, you’re probably the one to build it.
Source: The Curvy Fashionista – thecurvyfashionista.com
