PilatesBae Studio Creates A Welcoming Fitness Space For Women

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. — For Bayyianah, who goes by Bay, founder of PilatesBae Studio, the journey to opening her own wellness space began with a personal transformation and a desire to create a studio where women of all backgrounds feel welcome.

Located in Maplewood, PilatesBae Studio focuses on mat-based Pilates classes designed to strengthen the body, improve mobility, and promote mindful movement. But for Bay, the studio is about building community and reshaping who feels comfortable in wellness spaces.

“I always knew I wanted to open a studio,” Bay said. “I wanted it to be a place where women could come and feel welcomed and not judged, no matter their age, race or body type.”

A personal journey to Pilates

Bay’s interest in fitness began while living in Miami about three years ago. At the time, she was working in finance and said health and wellness had taken a back seat in her life.

But living in a city known for its fitness culture pushed her to reflect on her own habits.

“I realized I didn’t look the way that I thought I looked,” she said. “That was the first time I stepped on a scale in years.”

She began exploring workout options and eventually discovered Pilates. The discipline, known for focusing on controlled movement, breath work and core strength, stood out from other fitness routines she had tried.

When she later returned to New Jersey and began coaching at other studios, she noticed something missing.

“The representation wasn’t there,” Bay said. “Even studios that were supposed to have representation sometimes didn’t.”

That realization helped shape the vision for PilatesBae Studio.

The name itself is also personal. “Bae” comes from the first part of her name, Bayyianah, she said. Long before opening the studio, she used the handle “Pilates Bae” on social media as she built her identity in the fitness world.

Healing through movement

Bay’s commitment to Pilates deepened after the birth of her son last year. She said the practice became an essential part of her postpartum recovery, helping both physically and mentally.

“Pilates is about progression,” she said. “After having a baby, there were things I couldn’t do right away. But I kept coming back and getting stronger.”

During the same period, Bay also experienced the loss of her brother, a moment that pushed her to move forward with launching her business.

“Life is short,” she said. “That made me say, ‘Let me just do it. Let me open the studio and live in my purpose.’”

Building strength through mindful movement

Unlike some studios that rely heavily on reformer machines, PilatesBae emphasizes mat Pilates, which challenges participants to rely on their own body weight and control. Classes begin with breath work, which Bay says is the foundation of every movement.

“People come in thinking they just need to move,” she said. “But first you have to align your breath and build that mind-body connection.”

Through slow, controlled exercises, students work muscles that are often neglected in traditional gym workouts — including hip stabilizers, deep core muscles and smaller muscle groups.

“It’s not about lifting the heaviest weights,” she said. “It’s about using your muscles to their fullest ability.”

Prioritizing inclusivity and body positivity

Creating a welcoming environment is central to PilatesBae’s mission. Bay said many people assume Pilates is only for people with a certain body type,  an idea she hopes to challenge.

“It’s not about how you look,” she said. “You can look super fit and still have a weak or fragile body. It’s about how you show up for yourself.”

As a Black woman who spent years in corporate spaces where she was often the only person of her background in the room, Bay said inclusivity comes naturally to her.

“I know what it feels like to walk into spaces where you’re the only one,” she said. “I wanted to create a space where women who look like me feel like they belong.”

A growing community

Though PilatesBae Studio has only been open for a short time, Bay says the sense of community is already forming. Clients range widely in age, and many have begun forming connections with one another during classes.

“If you have a class of 12 people, maybe six of them have taken class together before,” she said. “They start saying hello, catching up, talking about their families.”

Social media has also played a role in spreading the word. During the studio’s soft launch, visitors shared their experiences online, generating thousands of views on TikTok and helping introduce the studio to new audiences.

Bay describes the atmosphere as “soft and homey,” inspired by her upbringing in a large family.

“I grew up in a big household,” she said. “Community is really important to me.”

Looking ahead

While PilatesBae is still in its early stages, Bay has big plans for the future. Over the next five years, she hopes to expand the brand to other cities she loves, including Washington, D.C., Florida and North Carolina.

Her long-term vision also includes creating leadership opportunities for other women.

“I want Black women leading these spaces in different places,” she said. “That would be amazing.”

For aspiring entrepreneurs in the wellness space, Bay offers simple advice: stay authentic.

“Build the studio you actually envision,” she said. “If you try to copy someone else, people will feel that. This studio works because it’s me.”

For now, her favorite part of running PilatesBae is the daily interaction with clients, especially when someone tries Pilates for the first time.

“Seeing people discover it and say, ‘I’m coming back next week,’” she said. “That’s the best feeling.”

This story is part of NJ Urban News’ Black Business Spotlight, uplifting Black-owned excellence across New Jersey. Know a business we should feature? Email us at editorial@njurbannews.com