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Welcome to The Quality Makers, an interview series highlighting pioneers in the direct-to-consumer space. Join us as we get an inside look at the world of digital shopping through the eyes of the individuals shaping it…
During the pandemic, “GIVE ME 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…” could be heard from the living rooms of many as
at-home workouts and online fitness platforms soared throughout the digital workoutsphere. Day in, day out, people everywhere were looking for new ways to move their bodies, becoming obsessed with their preferred categories, methods, and instructors.
As things returned to normal (whatever that means!), people opted to put away their ankle weights and sliders, returning to brick and mortar classes once more. However, one fitness method has managed to both survive and thrive in the “after years,” and it’s not only because Jennifer Aniston is also a committed member.
Yep, we’re talking about Pvolve, the first and only clinically proven longevity workout redefining the fitness world.
Founder Rachel Katzman is done with short-term gains. With an approach entirely focused on long-term strength, mobility, and stability, Katzman has ensured that Pvovle continuously sets new standards for women’s health in fitness (which means enduring, visible results that feel good too) both online and in person in the brand’s NYC studio.
We had a chance to ask Rachel how she got to where she is now—triceps and all.
Rachel, I’ve seen your triceps on Google Images. This tells me this is not your first foray into the fitness world. What’s your background? What got you into group training?
RK: I tried nearly everything in my early 20s—jumping from one trendy workout to the next in New York City—but I was constantly sore and disconnected from my body. Learning I had scoliosis was a turning point because it made me realize high-impact workouts weren’t the answer.
Functional fitness taught me how to work with my body instead of against it. I’ve always loved the motivation and accountability of group classes, and that sense of community is at the heart of Pvolve. Through our studios and digital platform, it’s important to me that people can feel supported wherever they are while building strength, mobility, and long-term resilience.
You started Pvolve in 2017 before online fitness was really even a thing. What was the impetus for building—what we now know as—a fitness empire?
RK: Pvolve started from a personal need I saw in myself and in the women around me. So many workouts either pushed the body too hard or failed to deliver meaningful results—especially when it came to long-term health. After experiencing my own transformative results, I realized there was such a need for a workout that truly focused on longevity, not quick fixes.
We began with one studio in New York, and as I saw the workout having such a profound impact on people, it was clear this approach could reach far beyond our initial walls. After countless people reached out over social media asking how they could participate, I realized expanding digitally could allow us to bring that same low-impact, results-driven method to women everywhere and build a platform and community rooted in strength, confidence, and resilience at every stage of life.
Pvolve is giving pilates-meets-strength training-meets-full-body fitness. What is the inspo behind the method?
RK: The method really stems from not wanting to compromise on looking good or having your body feel good, which—usually—in most fitness methods you have to choose, but not with Pvolve. I found that true body longevity comes from three things: building lean muscle (strength), improving mobility, and creating stability. That’s the foundation of Pvolve. We train the body the way it’s designed to move in all three planes of motion, so you can get stronger, prevent injury, and feel confident and resilient—not just now, but for the long-term.
SO many online fitness platforms exploded during the pandemic, and then steadily declined as we returned to normal life. What do you think it is about Pvolve that has allowed it to not only survive and thrive, but expand into brick and mortar studios?
RK: When we launched in 2017, we had both a digital platform and a studio, providing people the option to have both. Seeing how important in-person connection is for your overall health and longevity, it only made sense that we continued down the path of opening up more studios all over. It wasn't just about one option of digital, it's about giving our members both options to get their movement in.
We’ve been able to meet people where they are—whether that’s streaming a workout at home or showing up for a studio class. Across formats, what keeps them coming back is the experience, the results, the community, and the support.
What are your favorite Pvovle workouts?
RK: This is such a hard one! It really depends on how I’m feeling and what my body needs that day.
- If my body is feeling depleted and needs some extra stretching, I love our Sculpt & Mobility classes to really lengthen everything out & fire up the muscles without over taxing my body.
- If I’m wanting to really work a specific body group, I’ll choose a weight training class to target that area with extra load.
- If I want to just wake myself up and feel completely energized, I love jumping into a Live Class and being surprised by the equipment of the day.
For me, it's less about the length and intensity, and more about the consistency of just moving my body each and every day. Some days, it's a 20-minute workout, others it's 55.
There are a lot of people out there who are suss about the effectiveness of online fitness programs. How does Pvolve challenge those preconceived notions?
RK: It comes down to mindset & intention. If you're completely engaged in that, an at-home workout can feel as if you’re right there in the studio. With our clinically backed method, every class and every movement is designed for results.
I think it also depends on how you define “effectiveness.” If you’re looking to challenge your body, fire up your tiny muscles, have your body feel completely opened and lengthened, and end your class feeling energized, then I promise Pvolve is for you. We have targeted series designed for specific needs—from strength and mobility to programs like menopause and lower back pain—all with longevity at the core.
Our patented resistance equipment is also a huge part of the experience. It’s designed to work your entire body, and reach even the tiniest of muscles that deliver unmatched results. Plus, we’re constantly adding new programs and challenges based on what our community is craving. The results go beyond the physical. Our members feel stronger, more confident, and more connected to their bodies, and that’s what keeps them coming back.
Let’s not bury the lede. Tell us how Jennifer Aniston—collagen, hair, fitness goddess—got involved?
RK: I am still pinching myself! Jen discovered Pvolve on her own as a “secret streamer” and immediately fell in love with the method and the results she saw. Her body never looked so good, but importantly, her body never felt or functioned so good.
In 2023, she officially joined Pvolve, and since then, has been actively involved in many of our challenges and marketing campaigns, helping inspire our community along the way.
She often says how important it was for her to get involved—she couldn’t understand why more people didn’t know about Pvolve and wanted to help spread the word.
Can anyone dive into the Pvolve Universe? Or is it better if you’re already a seasoned pro?
RK: Absolutely anyone can dive into the Pvolve Universe. You don’t need to be a seasoned pro to get started. In fact, far from it.
Our method is designed to meet people where they are—whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working out for years. There’s truly something for everyone, and the workouts are designed to be effective, approachable, and fun. I still get goosebumps seeing a class full of people—from their 20s to 60s—giving it their all and absolutely crushing their workout.
What are some trends you’ve noticed in the fitness landscape that you think will only become more and more cemented in our everyday lives?
RK: One trend I’ve noticed is that people are becoming much more attuned to their overall health, focusing on workouts that support longevity and prevention rather than just physical results. People are realizing you don’t need to be in pain or drenched in sweat to see real change. Low-impact, high-result training like Pvolve is gaining traction because it provides little intentional movements mixed with shorter high-intensity bursts that are the most effective and deliver long-term benefits for the brain, heart, and body.
Hybrid fitness is also here to stay. People love the flexibility to work out in studios, at home, or on demand, and community continues to be a huge motivator. There’s also a growing focus on the mental side of movement. Fitness isn’t just about looking good, but it’s about feeling strong, resilient, and energized for the long term.
What are some of the biggest health and wellness resources you lean on for your own personal life (that also may or may not inspire your business!)?
RK: I lean on a mix of trusted experts, podcasts, and our own Pvolve team for guidance. I love tuning into health-and-wellness podcasts—they’re a great way to hear from thought leaders and stay inspired. I also turn to our board of doctors for evidence-backed advice and insights that I can actually apply to my own life too. And of course, our own Pvolve trainers are incredible and highly credentialized. They not only push me in my workouts, but constantly challenge me to think differently about movement, recovery, and long-term health. I am always down to be the first guinea-pig to try anything!
I saw that you’re now offering Pvolve supplements like Sculpt 9. How do you hope to expand and grow Pvolve moving forward? What more can be done, Rachel?!
RK: With Pvolve, our goal has always been to help people move better longer. Overall longevity is about how we sleep, what we eat, how we take care of our mental health, and how we move and treat our bodies. We have the movement part down, so it only felt natural to create a science-backed formula to help our members' bodies recover faster so they can feel stronger & more confident in their workouts.
Moving forward, we’re focused on making Pvolve accessible in even more ways – through our growing studios, growing digital platform, challenges, partnerships, and products that all enhance movement longevity. We want to continue creating experiences and tools that make it easy and fun for people to prioritize their health every day. There’s so much more to come, and we’re just getting started!
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