TLDR--I have taken great classes and am sure this is a great spot for some people, but I would not recommend it to my poc friends. I relocated here from another city, where I took lessons in classic pilates, and was originally suspicious of the painfully curated Instagram aesthetic of this place that makes it feel more like late capitalism hot girl scam than actual serious pilates (which would more successfully turn you into the scam lol), but had a really wonderful time in a series of group classes this past summer with an instructor whom I believe only works there over the summer. With that being said, after a while of life just being busy / getting in the way, I wanted to restart with classes here. . .and oh boy was that a learning experience. This studio offers 0 flexibility and grace for life stuff that happens --such as missing a class (which happened once, that I just sucked up) or arriving more than 5 minutes late ( I was 10-15 min late), which happened today and I am like :o wtf at. The front desk was polite and apologetic--I understand they just have to follow the rules. The studio's overall mode of reasoning and their delivery is-white woman. If you are a poc you understand exactly what I'm talking about. First off, this space is is incredibly white--I've never felt fully comfortable here but there's limited options around here and I'm just trying to exercise rather than feel fully safe in a place (a fantasy!). I said it was feeling racist and she said she can't help the way she looks (which is true) but girlllllll I also can't help the way I look--and I would totally choose to look more like her if it meant I'd potentially get offered to take the other class that was starting at the time I arrived [broken heart emoji] Anyway, she kept iterating that this was policy that they had to follow (lmao the policy you have in minuscule fine print somewhere pages in? Put it in font 20 on your website front page and I won't say a word). The other reason she gave is that it's for your own safety, that if you come after stretching it's dangerous if you go straight into exercise (which means if you exercise and hurt yourself we don't want liability). This was infuriating because 1) the instructors (other than the one I had this summer) do not actually correct alignment / posture and just go through the motions of the movements while looking aesthetic in a matching exercise outfit, so I'm not sure if there is any actual safety to begin with and 2) Would they have been more accommodating if I looked more like them and / or the Daughters of the Confederacy? Very uncertain! This person I was speaking to was definitely uncomfortable / not sure how to deal with me, but then, while she was gone, I talked to the second front desk who had been staring at the convo the whole time and this is where it gets more fun. I asked if the person who owns the space is around and she said no (btw, am I becoming a speak to your manager kind of person? oh boy!) This person is like fully glaring at me, and I asked if she had context on my convo, and at first she goes I didn't hear it, but then when I explained the convo she said that the first person did nothing wrong and was very nice and mannered while talking to me (which she absolutely was) and that this was policy. I explained that just because tone and manner is nice doesn't mean that the actual intent / words are kind, and said that based on this racist vibe I'm getting, I feel like I probably shouldn't come back here, and then she goes: "Good!" LOOOOOL. Ok. Good! I was definitely angry about my experience this morning but am in the process of letting it go as paying a price for a lesson learned. read more

Beautiful space, lots of class options and times, instructors are awesome! Parking is easy.

I take private reformer lessons from Karen Roodman. She is beyond excellent. Extremely knowledgable about the body and any compensations that may be needed for pilates practice. Has many years of experience and education. Nancy R. read more

I experienced better results in 3 months of Pilates instruction with Karen than I have in 3 years of PT! I have chronic lower back issues and in a very short time, Karen showed me how to reduce the pain, increase my core strength, and get me back on my bike. The location is great and staff are friendly and responsive. read more

Love the classes here. They added a mat class and love this for core work. The new space they moved to is really beautiful with a lot of natural light. Great for mind, body and soul. Love love read more

Went to find out about Pilates and it seems like a really nice small Pilates studio. Planning on signing up for their introductory package.

Niche Pilates Studio offers challenging classes with no judgement. It is a beautiful space with thoughtful and knowledgeable instructors. Before I started taking classes, I was dealing with chronic inflammation in my knees, hips and lower back. 7 months later and I am stronger physically than I have been in years! Thank you Niche for welcoming me into the family! read more

I started private sessions with Julie when I was in second trimester of my pregnancy. Julie was amazing at customizing each session to match me where I was that day. With Julie's help I was able to remain active throughout my pregnancy. I have continued to see Julie postpartum and done joint sessions with my mother as well. Julie again has been fantastic at meeting both of us where we are and helping me build back up my core strength after pregnancy. Coming to the studio is an overall wonderful experience and let's me have some "me" time! read more

I had wanted to get into Pilates for a while now, but wasn't sure where to start. A friend recommended Niche to me and I am so glad they did. I started off with a private session to learn the reformer and felt ready to jump into classes after that. I appreciate the small sizes of the classes and the attention from each instructor. I now enjoy going twice a week and consider it both my workout and my "me" time. I love Niche and would recommend it to anyone! Try a class when you can - it's truly a workout for anyone! read more

I recently tried my first class at Niche Pilates studio, and I absolutely loved it! I have been active for a long time and have tried many different fitness methods - Les Mills, half marathon training, yoga, weight training in gyms, HIIT workouts, etc. Without a doubt, my experience at Niche doing a class on the reformer is my favorite workout I've ever done. The studio is beautiful - it has the feel of a spa. The workout was challenging enough to know I was building strength, while at the same time being completely enjoyable. The instructor was gentle, knowledgeable, and made the reformer much less intimidating to someone who was new to it. I cannot recommend this studio enough and look forward to returning! read more

It's my favorite place in Richmond I had never liked any kind of exercises before my first pilates class at Niche two years ago. Now I got stronger physically and emotionally, and can't imagine my life without pilates. Thank you so much!! read more

Beautiful space with very helpful coaches. Answer all questions and made me feel comfortable as I am just getting back into a regular fitness routine. read more

Niche is the best fitness studio I've used in Richmond. I love their beautiful light-filled space, the small class sizes, the types of Pilates classes offered, and their incredible instructors. I've always liked Pilates, but usually I treated exercise classes as a chore. Niche makes me feel the opposite. I am legitimately excited to go there. The classes and private lessons are fun, just the right amount of challenging, and I love that they emphasize correct form over always doing the hardest version of an exercise. I love the community feeling in the studio. Instructors and other class participants are authentic, friendly, and approachable. Like most people, I struggle with staying motivated and keeping up with an exercise routine, but Niche has made me feel confident and excited about making Pilates a consistent part of my self-care practices. Most important to me, Niche is an integral part of my recovery from a serious, chronic injury. The instructors are serious experts and they've used their deep knowledge to custom-tailor solutions that are right for me as I'm working on healing. I go to private instruction twice a week and can honestly say that without it I would never have made the progress in healing that I've made. read more

Great experience! The staff is welcoming and approachable, they are happy to help you learn what works specifically for you. Adjustments and equipment are available - there's no shame in anyone's game! read more

I didn't use to like exercising that much until I met Jaclyn. Her love and understanding​ of how the body works really spoke to me, and opened doors for me. At Niche Fit, they emphasize safety, and using your body appropriately to strengthen it and protect it. I'm a health care professional, and I send my patients that need strength work and posture work here as a starting place because I know these guys are really going to take care of them. LOVE this place. read more

I enjoy having variety in my workouts. I do intense cardio like spin classes and cross fit type of workouts. What I really love about Niche is the slower sweat intensity, well-choreographed and easy to learn instructor-led routines. I highly recommend Kristen's TRX and Heather's intermediate and jump board Pilates workouts. Both instructors are fantastic, patient, fun and caring. You will find yourself wanting to come back as often as you can. It's a beautiful and intimate studio. read more

I can't tell you how dissappointed I was to find out that class was cancelled after arriving. O got to my just to make sure there was no call missed or emailed sent. There was nothing. At that point the class should have continued with just me. This is my Dr one attempt at a class first was not as warm and welcoming at all. I was hoping today would be totally different. read more