Wikipedia

Solidcore

Solidcore (stylised as [solidcore]) is a fitness company headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia, operating 150 studios across the United States. Founded in 2013 in Washington, D.C., the company focuses on full-body strength training classes on custom-built reformer machines.[1]

[solidcore]
Company typePrivate
IndustryFitness
FoundedNovember 2013
FounderAnne Mahlum
Number of locations
150
Area served
United States
Key people
Bryan Myers (President & CEO)
Websitesolidcore.co

History

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[solidcore] was founded by Anne Mahlum in November 2013, with the first studio opening in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C.[2] In its early stages, the company operated from Mahlum's home in Northwest D.C.[3][4]

The brand expanded to 100 locations with backing from investment firms, including Kohlberg & Company and VMG Partners.[5][6]

Bryan Myers was appointed president and CEO in 2021, making him one of the few Black and LGBTQ+ executives leading a major fitness company in the United States.[7] He joined the company in 2017 after previously serving as Vice President of Finance, Strategy, and Development at Sweetgreen. Myers became [solidcore]’s President in 2019, overseeing national expansion and operational development.[8][9][10]

In 2024, Good Housekeeping named [solidcore] the ‘Best Pilates-Inspired Studio’ in its annual fitness awards.[11] In 2025, Well & Good recognized [solidcore] as the “Best Inclusive Gym”.[12]

In September 2024,global investment firm L Catterton acquired a majority stake in [solidcore].[13][14]

In 2025, [solidcore] partnered with WHOOP, a wearable fitness tracking company, to provide users with data on how the workout affects recovery and physical performance. [15]

Social responsibility

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In 2019, [solidcore] introduced a "Pay It Forward" membership tier, where members could contribute to a fund that subsidized memberships for individuals from marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ youth and people recovering from chronic illness.[16]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, [solidcore] offered complimentary online classes for healthcare workers and first responders nationwide, reaching over 15,000 participants in 2020 alone.[17]

Projects

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Classes

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[solidcore] classes utilize a custom-built resistance machine to apply sustained time under tension, following strength training principles aimed at improving muscular endurance and core engagement.[18] Each class typically begins with a warm-up focused on core activation, followed by a structured sequence targeting different muscle groups.[19][20] Classes are held in dimly lit studios with blue lighting and are designed to bring muscles to the point of fatigue through controlled, high-intensity movements.

[solidcore] has received attention in part due to its use by several public figures, including Michelle Obama,[21][22] Sydney Sweeney,[23][24] and Vanessa Hudgens.[25]

References

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  1. ^ Thier, Jane. "How the 43-year-old founder of [solidcore] made $100 million as her competitors went bankrupt". Fortune. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  2. ^ Sauer, Megan (2023-06-23). "42-year-old turned $175,000 into a Pilates company—then sold it for $88.4 million: 'I put every dollar I had' into it". CNBC. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  3. ^ Thier, Jane. "How the 43-year-old founder of [solidcore] made $100 million as her competitors went bankrupt". Fortune. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  4. ^ "Why she left a $185,000 job to launch a D.C. fitness chain". The Washington Post. 2015-04-12. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  5. ^ Summerville, Abigail; Summerville, Abigail (2024-05-09). "Pilates chain Solidcore explores sale, sources say". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  6. ^ "VMG Partners Backs Fitness Firm Solidcore for Post-Covid Rebound". Bloomberg. 2021-02-19. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  7. ^ Wilson, Kimberly (2023-03-24). "Meet The Black Executive Who Is Making Fitness More Inclusive". Essence. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  8. ^ Phillis, Jamie. "I'm the CEO of a fitness company. I start my day with a bag of steamed broccoli and end it with family — here's my routine". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  9. ^ Bier, Jon (2025-05-23). "This CEO Says the Secret to Growth Is Knowing Who You're Not For". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  10. ^ Wilson, Kimberly (2023-03-24). "Meet The Black Executive Who Is Making Fitness More Inclusive". Essence. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  11. ^ "Good Housekeeping's 2024 Best Fitness Awards Are Here!". Good Housekeeping. 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  12. ^ Broadwater, Ashley. "The Best Inclusive Gyms Will Have These 7 Subtle Green Flags, According to Fitness Instructors". Well+Good. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  13. ^ "Press | L Catterton". www.lcatterton.com. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  14. ^ Summerville, Abigail; Summerville, Abigail (2024-09-25). "Buyout firm L Catterton to acquire majority stake in pilates chain Solidcore". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  15. ^ Hudson, Kath (2025-04-08). "Solidcore workout can now be measured by Whoop wearables". www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  16. ^ Harris, Jennifer (7 August 2019). "Fitness Studio [solidcore] Rolls Out Pay-It-Forward Program to Expand Access". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  17. ^ "[solidcore] Offers Free Online Workouts for Healthcare Heroes". Shape. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  18. ^ "A $40 fitness class? Yeah, that's a thing". The Washington Post. 2015-07-21. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  19. ^ Rehfeldt, Courtney (2024-04-08). "Pilates Is Everywhere From Studios to 'Saturday Night Live'". Athletech News. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  20. ^ "I Tried Solidcore, The "Hardest Workout Ever" According To TikTok". Bustle. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  21. ^ Abrams, Margaret (2019-01-03). "I tried Michelle Obama's favourite workout class - and it hurt". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  22. ^ "Michelle Obama is becoming a Solidcore regular". The Washington Post. 2014-07-28. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  23. ^ "From MMA to Solidcore, Here Is How Sydney Sweeney Maintains Her Well-Built Body". Onlymyhealth. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  24. ^ Contributor, Rebecca Shinners (2024-03-15). "Sydney Sweeney Wore My Favorite Workout Set In Spring's Hottest Hue—and It's Under $200". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2025-08-19. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  25. ^ "Vanessa Hudgens Shares The Wellness Products Instagram Made Her Buy [Exclusive]". Elite Daily. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
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