We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chels Reese. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chels below.
Chels, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Fit Together Studio was born out of a deep passion for movement, community, and creating a space where women feel truly supported, strong, and seen. As a certified health coach, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor, I’ve worked with women in all stages of life—through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, athletic training, and longevity-focused fitness. But for years, I saw a gap in the fitness industry. Something I wish I had to be through my pre and post baby phases.
There were plenty of gyms and boutique studios, but few that truly catered to women’s unique health needs—a place where a mom could bring her baby, where a woman recovering from birth didn’t feel lost in a class, or where an athlete looking for longevity could train with purpose. Too many women felt they had to “figure it out” on their own or modify workouts in spaces that weren’t built for them.
I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because I wasn’t just offering another fitness class—I was solving a real problem. Women needed a safe, welcoming, and expert-led space where they could train with confidence, no matter their stage of life. A place where they didn’t have to choose between their health and their responsibilities, where community, strength, and support were at the heart of every workout.
The moment I saw how bringing women together in fitness could change lives, I knew this was it. I wanted to build a studio that felt like home—a space where women don’t just come to work out but to connect, grow, and thrive. That vision became Fit Together Studio, and every day, I get to watch women prioritize themselves, build strength, and find joy in movement—and that is the most fulfilling part of it all.
Chels, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Chels, the owner of FTS and one of the trainers at the studio. The studio is a place where women can train with confidence, feel supported, and have fun while working out. As a personal trainer and health coach, I’ve worked with women in all stages of life—pregnancy, postpartum, seniors, and those simply wanting to feel stronger. But I kept seeing the same problem: most gyms weren’t designed with women’s unique needs in mind and personal training didnt provide my clients with a community.
That’s why I created FTS—a space where women can build strength, mobility, and confidence with smart, supportive training. We offer personal and group training, pregnancy and postpartum workouts, pelvic floor and core strength, and even youth strength training. Plus, we’re kid-friendly, so moms don’t have to choose between fitness and family.
What sets us apart? It’s the community. Women come here not just to work out, but to connect, feel seen, and prioritize themselves without guilt. Seeing someone lift heavier, move pain-free, or feel strong in her body again—that’s what keeps me going.
At Fit Together Studio, we don’t just train—we lift each other up. It is a place for women, to feel safe, supported and be provided with workouts that are specific to the female body, hormones, life changes, and needs.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I’ve always loved social media—it’s such a powerful way to connect, inspire, and bring people into what we’re creating at Fit Together Studio. Before opening the studio, I had experience growing my personal account and working on brand collaborations, so I knew how important it was to not just “post,” but to share a vibe, tell a story, and make people feel something.
For me, social media isn’t just about promoting classes—it’s about bringing our energy and community to life. I use it to show the personality of the studio, highlight real moments from our classes, and make sure women feel like they belong before they even step through the door. Authenticity is everything.
The biggest key to growing on social media is to be real. People connect with people, not just businesses, so showing up as yourself and sharing behind-the-scenes moments will help you build trust. It’s also important to stay consistent—you don’t have to post every day, but showing up regularly keeps you top of mind. Engagement matters just as much as content, so don’t just post and disappear—respond to comments, interact with other accounts, and build real relationships. Social media is about community, not marketing. One thing that really helped me was personally reaching out to people in town. I sent DMs inviting them to a class, introducing myself, and letting them know about our space. Those personal connections made a huge impact and helped grow our in-person community. Finally, focus on showing the experience—let people see what it’s like to be in your space. Whether it’s a sweaty post-class selfie, a client’s success story, or just the fun supportive atmosphere. At the end of the day, social media should reflect what you’re creating in real life, and that’s what makes it so powerful.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Personal training and fitness have always been a huge part of my life. I started training clients at a gym I build in our garage, but after having my daughter, I had to take a big step back to focus on raising her. As she grew, I slowly started training clients again, fitting sessions into whatever time I could. When she started preschool, I packed my schedule into those few available hours, balancing motherhood and my passion for coaching.
Wanting to build a supportive space for other moms, I started a weekend mom group in my driveway, posting flyers around town and inviting women to come move, connect, and take time for themselves. That little group grew, and I saw firsthand how much women needed a place where they could prioritize their health without guilt. Eventually, I knew it was time to take the leap and create something bigger—a studio where women of all stages could train, feel strong, and be part of a real community.
Since opening Fit Together Studio, it’s been incredible to see it grow from a small side hustle to a full-time business. Every milestone—from my first group class to signing the lease on my own space—has reinforced that this was the right path. What started as a few clients in my driveway has become a thriving, supportive space where women can come together, lift each other up, and make fitness something they actually look forward to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fittogetherstudio.com/
- Instagram: @fittogetherstudio
