With a focus on core strength, functional movement and long-term wellness, Pilates studios in Oxford are not just shaping bodies—they’re reshaping lifestyles.
The city now hosts a dynamic trio of Pilates studios: Core Fitness, Haven Studio and Power Movement Pilates. Each brings its own philosophy, energy and community to the table, and together, they reflect a broader shift in how Mississippians are embracing movement for life.
At Core Fitness, owner Jennifer Bolton has built a studio around one central idea: making high-quality, reformer-based Pilates accessible and effective for all fitness levels. The studio’s flagship offering, dynamic reformer Pilates, is a full-body workout that blends cardio and control in a seamless 50-minute session.
“Our mission at Core is to offer dynamic reformer classes to all fitness levels,” Bolton said. “Dynamic reformer Pilates is a continuous flow of exercises that aim to keep your heart rate up while focusing on form and control.”
Each class is structured around The Core Reformer Method, a format that incorporates elements of balance, stability, strength and endurance. For clients, this means a fast-paced yet controlled workout that keeps both body and mind engaged.
“It’s the fastest 50 minutes ever and is so much fun!” Bolton adds.
Just off West Jackson Avenue, tucked beside Smoothie King in the Oxford Galleria, sits Haven Studio. Marci Sliman, who opened the Oxford location in January 2023 after first launching in Tupelo, brings a deeply personal connection to the town—she’s an Ole Miss alum with children currently attending the university.
Sliman’s approach to Pilates blends respect for its classical roots with a focus on inclusivity.
“I would say, for me, Pilates is being true to the teachings of Joseph Pilates and what he created,” she says. “Now, I’m not saying you can’t build on that, but that has to be your foundation—controlled, precise movements developing our small postural muscles to, in turn, develop our core.”
Haven offers two main types of reformer classes. One is a restorative reformer Pilates class, slower-paced and lower-impact, with an emphasis on mobility and stretch. It’s ideal for newcomers, people with physical limitations, or those recovering from injuries. The other is a higher-intensity reformer class that incorporates cardio and more challenging movements—but always with modifications available.
“We limit our classes to seven so we can really have a little more hands-on instruction,” Sliman said. “We want it to be accessible for anyone and everyone, no matter your lifestyle, no matter your wellness.”
Sliman is passionate about the lifelong benefits of Pilates.
“If you don’t have a strong core, you don’t have that joint strength. You may not have the balance. You might have lower back pain. It’s a domino effect,” she said. “As we’re living longer, we want to live better.”
That philosophy has resonated in Oxford, where Haven’s clientele has grown far beyond just the student population.
“In Tupelo, we always had a consistent base of ages. Oxford is a little bit different, but what I have seen is that our business does not solely consist of students,” she said. “We’ve expanded the ages and stages of wellness that now come to our classes, and that has been fantastic.”
Sliman herself came to Pilates after her movement became limited. Now, it’s a family affair.
“My mom has Parkinson’s. She’s 80 and still does it. It helps her with balance.”
A short drive away, in the picturesque Plein Air community of Taylor, Power Movement Pilates brings together tranquility and intensity in equal measure. The studio opened in January 2025 and offers reformer and mat classes.
Owner Anna Wink intentionally chose the serene setting of Plein Air.
“Every time I came out here, I was just, like, so peaceful,” she said.
While the studio’s inside space is fully dedicated to reformer classes, the team also hosts mat Pilates outdoors or through pop-up partnerships. Their programming spans from beginner to intermediate to advanced classes, allowing members to progress at their own pace.
Like Sliman, Wink dismisses the idea that Pilates is just a passing trend.
“It’s been around since forever,” she said, referencing Joseph Pilates’ original vision. “He truly believed that eventually everyone would be doing his workout because it is one of the best ways to see results.”
Power Movement has also worked to break stereotypes about who Pilates is for.
“I had men coming up to me, even yesterday, like, ‘No men do this, right?’ I was like, ‘Actually, probably 25% of our clientele are men right now,’” she said. “We’ve tried hard to create that safe space for everybody.”
What sets Pilates apart, according to Wink, is its emphasis on mind-body connection.
“So many workouts can just be for your body,” she said. “But Pilates really helps you connect with both your mind and body—and really kind of set the tone for not only the workout that you want, but the results that you want and the life that you want to lead.”
Learn More:
Core Fitness
Location: 102 S. Lamar Ct., Oxford
Website: corefitnessoxford.com
Instagram: @corefitnessoxford
Haven Studio
Location: Oxford Galleria (next to Smoothie King)
Focus: Classical-based reformer Pilates, restorative and cardio-focused classes
Website: havenstudio.net
Instagram: havenstudio.oxford
Power Movement Pilates
Location: Plein Air, Taylor
Focus: Reformer and Mat Pilates for all levels
Website: powermovementpilates.com
Instagram: @powermovementpilates
