Dumler’s path to fitness entrepreneurship wasn’t traditional. Originally pursuing music at Belmont University, she found herself drawn to the wellness industry’s lifestyle over the late nights and drinking culture she observed in music. “I think the music industry is late nights, a lot of drinking, and it’s just a different environment, not as health conscious,” Dumler explained during a recent interview.
Her fitness journey began early, completing her first teacher training right out of high school. Recognizing Nashville’s limited fitness options nine years ago, she helped open several studios and led over 1,000 hours of teacher training, developing expertise in programming that would later become crucial to Forza’s success.
Forza has distinguished itself in Nashville’s competitive fitness market by combining high-quality Pilates instruction with a fashion-forward approach. The brand attracts women interested in self-improvement who view their workout as an opportunity to feel good and look good.
“I think it’s easy to just roll up to the gym in a baggy and just do your workout. But I think the reason people choose Forza is like, I want to treat myself,” Dumler said. “I don’t think girls are getting dressed up to come class for shallow reasons necessarily. I think it’s like they want to feel good, they want to look good, they want to start their day off.”
This philosophy extends beyond the studio walls. Dumler has observed how looking good at the gym correlates with better performance and longer workout sessions, a trend she experienced firsthand as a former news anchor who covered athletic wear trends.
Forza’s growth has caught national attention, with features in The New York Times and recognition extending far beyond Nashville. During a recent trip to New York, Dumler was recognized by a fellow Pilates student who showed the instructor Forza’s Instagram, pointing out that “this girl owns this studio in Nashville.”
The launch of Forza Digital represents the brand’s most ambitious expansion yet. This new platform extends the Forza experience to customers nationwide, offering content that inspires both fitness and fashion choices from the comfort of your own home.
“You can watch a piece of content that makes you feel good and then do a workout and the comfort of your own home that makes you feel good, and then you’re inspired to pick out an outfit because you see something on there that sparks interest,” Dumler explained.
Forza is currently identifying markets for potential expansion and hoping to even take Forza Pilates on tour in the coming years.
Dumler’s success reflects broader trends in Nashville’s wellness industry, where fitness has moved to the forefront of lifestyle conversations. Her approach combines multiple revenue streams including studio classes, retail (including Forza’s own smoothie line), instructor training, and now digital content—creating a comprehensive wellness ecosystem.
“Now we have our own smoothie. I am a retail buyer. I’m an instructor, I’m an instructor trainer,” Dumler said. “So it feels like all of my odd jobs over the past 10 years have kind of come together to make this one.”
Forza even has their own scent line as perfume and home candles, for girls wanting to bring the full Forza experience to their sanctuary. “It has been some of our client’s signature scent!” Dumler expressed.
As Forza continues expanding, Dumler remains focused on building her reputation as a serious businesswoman. “I want to be known for just doing business really well, whether that’s leading a team or making decisions about how to grow. I just want to be respected just as much as a businessman,” she stated.
The combination of digital expansion, physical growth, and touring plans positions Forza to capitalize on the national wellness trend while maintaining the community-focused approach that built its Nashville success. For Dumler, the journey from music student to wellness entrepreneur demonstrates how diverse experiences and creative vision can converge into business success.
With Forza Digital launching nationwide, Sydney Dumler’s wellness empire is poised for its next chapter of growth, carrying Nashville’s fitness innovation to communities across the country.
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