Maven STRONG
“I didn’t just want to open a studio. I wanted to change the way people feel about moving their bodies, and about themselves.” Tessa Arneson opened Maven STRONG with more than just fitness in mind. The sleek, light-filled Pilates studio was the first brick in what would become the Maven DISTRICT - a hub of women-owned, health-focused businesses in Salt Lake City’s Central City neighborhood. But in the beginning, it was simply about creating a space for strength and self-trust, built from Tessa’s own personal transformation.
Before she was a studio owner and district developer, Tessa was navigating trauma, healing, and the complicated process of rebuilding her life. “It took a lot for me to believe in myself again,” she shared. “But movement - that was the key. When you learn what your body is capable of, it reshapes everything else.”
Maven STRONG began not from scratch, but from an opportunity. Tessa took over a Pilates studio from a woman who was moving out of the city, breathing new life into the space with her vision of what movement could be. She kept the name “Maven” - a word that connotes wisdom and expertise - and added her own mark: “STRONG.”
In 2017, the reimagined studio opened its doors with a mission: to offer contemporary Pilates rooted in precision, performance, and empowerment. The studio became known for its smart, challenging classes that attracted athletes, beginners, and everyone in between. With custom reformer machines, skilled instructors, and a design-forward interior that felt more like a boutique hotel than a gym, the space was different from the start. What truly set it apart was the culture. “We aren’t here to punish ourselves or shrink our bodies,” Tessa said. “We’re here to feel strong. And that sense of strength? It’s contagious."
This is also where Tessa met Rocky Donati, one of the studio’s early clients. What began as a professional connection quickly became a friendship rooted in trust, mutual respect, and shared values. Over time, they built not only a powerful working relationship but a bond that helped shape the direction of Maven STRONG itself.
The studio grew quickly, not just in membership, but in impact. It helped spark the creation of the Maven DISTRICT: a collection of like-minded businesses rooted in community, wellness, and purpose. Today, Maven STRONG remains at the heart of that vision, with classes that emphasize alignment, core strength, and sustainable movement.
The instructors are trained not only in physical technique but also in supporting a welcoming, body-neutral environment. Music pulses through the studio, and each class is designed to push and to celebrate every client. “You’ll leave tired, yes,” Tessa said. “But also, more confident. More grounded. More connected to who you are.”
Years later, Tessa still teaches classes herself. “It keeps me close to the why,” she said. For her, being on the floor with clients is not just about leading movement. It is about showing up, offering presence, and creating space for others to reconnect with their own strength.
