Inside a sunlit studio washed in shades of pink, a group of students move in unison across yoga mats, twisting their bodies while lifting small black weights toward the ceiling. Mirrors along one wall reflect the class as they hold controlled, deliberate poses, their focus split between the instructor and their form. 

For some in the class, it’s their first time in a pilates studio. For others, it’s become a weekly routine. But inside Studio Fuerza on Tucson’s south side, everyone is working on the same things: slowing down, paying attention to the body and finding a sense of belonging.

A pilates and yoga studio on South 12th Avenue, Studio Fuerza aims to make fitness more accessible in a part of the city where boutique workout spaces are rare. 

“I grew up not too far from here, we don’t have anything like this,” said founder Daniela Vizcarra. “That’s why I wanted to do it.”

Despite the growing popularity of the more than 100-year-old exercise, Vizcarra said access to pilates was limited in the community she grew up in. Now, her studio offers low-cost classes and a welcoming environment for beginners and experienced students alike, she said. 

From PR to pilates

A University of Arizona graduate, Vizcarra moved to Phoenix in 2015 and spent about a decade working in public relations. But pilates was always a personal passion.

“A couple years ago, I got certified just for fun,” she said. “Then I had more flexibility with my schedule, and I thought, ‘Why not just open my own studio?’”

That decision brought her back to Tucson’s south side, where she opened Studio Fuerza in October 2025.

A studio for every body 

Studio Fuerza offers a mix of mat Pilates, structured classes with weights and evening yoga sessions taught by another instructor. The schedule is designed with flexibility in mind, Vizcarra said, offering classes throughout the week at a variety of times. 

The space is intentionally simple and welcoming, with small class sizes that allow for more individualized instruction and a less intimidating introduction to pilates, she said. 

In all of the classes, the main goal is accessibility.

“I try to keep it very affordable,” she said.

Intro classes start at $15, and most sessions range from $15 and $20, significantly lower than many boutique fitness studios.

The approach has attracted a wide range of clients. While some come from surrounding neighborhoods, others travel from all across Tucson or as far away as Vail. 

And classes are designed to meet people where they are, Vizcarra said, whether they are stepping into a fitness studio for the first time or returning after years away from structured exercise. The environment encourages progress over perfection, helping newcomers ease into routines that might otherwise feel intimidating.

“I get people from all over,” she said. “All fitness levels, all ages.”

Rather than the fast-paced intensity often associated with traditional gyms, she said students are encouraged to pay attention to how their bodies feel, creating a sense of confidence that extends beyond the studio.

For Vizcarra, the most rewarding part of running the studio is the people.

“My students make it worth it every day. They tell me they feel stronger, more confident, more comfortable in their bodies. That’s everything.” said Vizcarra.

Sense of belonging

Inside the studio, the atmosphere often shifts from quiet concentration during workouts to easy conversation before and after class. Students greet each offer, share progress and linger to talk, creating a sense of familiarity that extends beyond the mat.

For many students, the studio’s appeal goes beyond fitness.

“It’s on the south side, and it doesn’t feel like it’s only for a certain type of people,” said Yvette Ramos, who has come to classes weekly since the studio opened last year. “It’s for everybody. We don’t feel excluded”

She’s one of a group of regulars who attend classes together, drawn by the studio’s inclusivity.

“We wanted to get strong and get back into our fitness,” said Dreana Felix, another longtime student. “But we wanted to do it together.” 

Mercy Zavala, friend of Felix and Ramos, said Vizcarra is vocal about issues that impact Tucson’s south side and people who look like them.

“I like how she speaks for everybody,” she said. 

As Pilates continues to grow in popularity in Tucson and across the U.S., Studio Fuerza is carving out a space of its own on the south side, rooted not in movement and community.

Studio Fuerza  is located at 5244 S. 12th Ave. Hours vary. For more information on classes and pricing, visit https://www.studiofuerza.org/ or the studio’s Instagram @studio_fuerza.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.