Latina-owned Sol Pilates LA opens its doors in Uptown Whittier para nosotros

Twenty-nine-year-old Kim Rosado opened Sol Pilates LA in Uptown Whittier in January of this year, and it's already making an impact in its first five months of operation. 

It was important for Rosado to open the studio in Uptown Whittier in a comfortable and inclusive space to reach other members in the Latino community. 

As evidence, Rosado hosted a Unidos en Movimento fundraiser event on Sunday, June 15, to help those affected by the ICE raids. The funds raised were matched, and Sol Pilates donated $2,600 to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). 

“This isn’t just about a donation; it’s about our shared commitment to building a world where everyone feels safe, seen, and celebrated. We promise to continue making Sol a place where all are welcome, a true haven for our community. We are united in this movement, Unidos en Movimiento, and it’s with so much love that we move forward, together,” Rosado posted on Instagram. 

“Our biggest thing was being for para nosotros. This is for us. This is our community. I want to give it to our community,” Rosado said. “I could have opened one in Pasadena. I could’ve opened one in the OC, but for what? That's not home. I'm not gonna drive over there, I don't feel comfortable there. I don't feel welcome there. This is my home. This is where we're setting those roots. These are our communities. These are our people. So I wanted to bring it for our community.”

Not only is she the owner, but she also teaches classes along with around eight other instructors. 

“My main thing with our studio is, I want us to be up to par with all the other studios run by white women who have been employees for a while. I do have a standard for our instructors… They need to know their anatomy. Because I want to keep it up to par, where we can challenge and be like, they can never tell us we don't know what we're doing. That's my biggest thing for us,” Rosado said. 

Once you step through the studio doors, you’ll see 10 sets of specialized reformer machines that combine traditional mat Pilates training with resistance-based movements. 

Providing this type of unfamiliar equipment to the community provides a new type of workout for a person of any age who wants to better their health, versus only using a mat. 

“This was really important to me to get, because it rehabilitizes. It helps with your stability, your balance, your endurance, your strength, balance with everything,” Rosado said. 

She uses the machines, too, to help with her injuries, and will ask the class she is teaching if anyone has any injuries to accommodate them. 

That’s what Pilates is about: to provide effective low-impact workouts for anyone. 

“I have injuries in my back, I have two herniations in my lower back. With these (machines), they're low impact on your body. With mat Pilates, it is still low impact, but it's a lot of body weight, which is very hard, and a lot of people can't do that. With the machines, it helps with that resistance. It pulls you back, in case you can't get back up if you're on a mat. They're really great. They're amazing for injuries, and all ages can do them,” she continued. 

There is a free introducción (introduction) class for people who are intrigued by learning how to use the machines. The class also goes over what body parts are impacted and a rundown before clients decide if Pilates is for them. 

“We're able to expose you to this new world that was kept away from us for so long. Being able to try a class for free, see if you like it, and if you don't, that's okay, because you were able to try it,” Rosado said. 

Including the introducción class, Sol Pilates offers four other classes in the mornings and afternoons. 

• Foundation - This beginner class is a full-body workout that goes over basic movements for those who are familiar with the reformer machine to refine movements, learn how to position themselves, and build up a sweat. 

• Classic Sculpt - Another full body workout class that's heavier and a little spicier,  which is Rosado's way of saying “to feel the burn”. This class challenges your endurance, stability, balance and more.

• Arms & Abs - A class concentrating on arms and abs to provide a core workout. 

• What waist? - Focuses on the lower body, provides more glute, leg and back workouts. 

The type of music Rosado plays in her classes plays an important role. From Doechii to Peso Pluma, the music is meant to engage. 

“I've seen other studios where they are Latina and they don't play it, and I'm like, why not? That's what we listen to on a daily basis. Why wouldn't your clients want to hear that?  I think it's so fun. A lot of places don't play [it] regularly, but I like to. It gets you in the vibe and gets you in the zone,” Rosado said. 

Growing up in South Gate in a Mexican Salvadoran household, Rosado’s family is familiar with owning businesses. Her grandmother owned a restaurant and bakery in South Central before passing it to her uncle. Her parents also owned a restaurant in South Gate, and her mother had a step aerobics studio. 

Not only does Rosado own Sol Pilates, but she also owns Haus of Divinity, a beauty salon also located in Whittier. 

“It feels really cool, really rewarding in a way, because I can't imagine myself going back to work for someone else again. I'm very grateful,” Rosado said. 

To visit the Sol Pilates, head to 7205 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90602, and visit @solpilatesla on Instagram.