local
New Pilates classes create space for Atlanta’s queer community
By Laura Scholz at Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
Pilates is one of the fastest-growing workout modalities in the world, including here in Atlanta .
But that viral “Pilates princess” aesthetic — mostly thin, white women in matching high-end athleisure sets — can be intimidating to people who do not fit with those norms.
Laura Caffrey, a cer...
Key takeaway But that viral “Pilates princess” aesthetic — mostly thin, white women in matching high-end athleisure sets — can be intimidating to people who do not fit with those norms.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The introduction of "Pilates for queer bodies" classes in Atlanta marks a significant step towards creating a more inclusive fitness community. By offering body-neutral classes on a sliding scale, Laura Caffrey and The Studio Pilates are helping to break down barriers that have long excluded queer individuals from traditional Pilates studios. This initiative also highlights the importance of representation in fitness spaces, where queer people are often underrepresented. The partnership with Lost-n-Found Youth, a local nonprofit providing vital services to LGBTQ+ youth, further underscores the classes' potential to make a positive impact on the community. As the classes expand to multiple locations, including West Midtown and Emory, they may help foster a sense of belonging among queer Atlantans who have previously felt unwelcome in mainstream fitness environments. The success of these classes could pave the way for similar initiatives in other studios and gyms across the city.
About this story
Original reporting by Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Pilates is one of the fastest-growing workout modalities in the world, including here in Atlanta.
But that viral “Pilates princess” aesthetic — mostly thin, white women in matching high-end athleisure sets — can be intimidating to people who do not fit with those norms.
Laura Caffrey, a cer...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Laura Scholz at Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods). To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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