By expanding its executive team with two new C-suite roles and a Board appointment, [solidcore] is positioning itself to scale its presence and influence within the boutique fitness industry
[solidcore], the targeted strength training brand, today announced the appointment of two new C-suite executives and a new member of its Board of Directors. The additions, which include the company’s first Chief People Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, come as [solidcore] expands to more than 150 studios nationwide and continues to strengthen its position as a category leader in boutique fitness.
The first of these appointments is Michelle Engel, who will join as Chief People Officer on September 15. Engel has more than 20 years of experience leading people and culture strategies at fast-growing companies, including as Chief People Officer at Clarvida and CHRO at Evolent Health, where she supported more than 3,500 employees. Earlier in her career, she held senior HR leadership roles at AOL. A certified executive coach and wellness enthusiast, Engel embodies [solidcore]’s mission and even timed her start date to coincide with a Ragnar relay race.
“What drew me to [solidcore] was more than the workout. It is the community and culture that set it apart for me,” said Michelle Engel. “My focus will be on strengthening that culture and ensuring our people have the tools and support to deliver their best work for our communities.”
Building on this people-first foundation, Anne Smith will step into the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer on September 23. Smith most recently served as Vice President of Loyalty Marketing at Marriott Bonvoy, where she helped shape one of the world’s largest travel loyalty programs. She also held senior brand roles at Choice Hotels International, where she relaunched the Comfort brand and introduced Clarion Pointe, the fastest launch in company history. Named one of Hotel Management’s Influential Women in Hospitality and Lodging Magazine’s Leading Women in Lodging, Smith is also a certified yoga instructor, further connecting her personally to [solidcore]’s mission.
“Strength has always been at the center of [solidcore], and it is what makes the brand distinctive,” said Anne Smith. “I see significant opportunity to build on that foundation by reaching more people, deepening client loyalty, and making the brand even more relevant in their lives.”
Complementing these C-suite appointments, Lucy Werner will join [solidcore]’s Board of Directors later this month. Werner is Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships at Marriott International and previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at Rosewood Hotel Group, where she drove record results across sales, revenue, and marketing. Before that, she spent nearly seven years at Google in Hong Kong, launching Google Cloud in the region and building first-of-their-kind partnerships in travel, finance, and retail. With leadership experience spanning Google, Rosewood, and Marriott, Werner brings deep expertise in growth, partnerships, and international expansion.
“I have worked with companies scaling across markets and industries, and [solidcore] has the same potential to grow well beyond its current footprint,” said Lucy Werner. “The combination of a clear mission and a strong community creates a powerful platform for expansion.”
Together, these three leaders mark a new chapter for [solidcore].
“At [solidcore], our strength has always come from the passion and commitment of our team,” said Bryan Myers, CEO of [solidcore]. “With leaders like Michelle, Anne, and Lucy joining us, we are building the foundation for the next chapter of growth. Together, we’ll expand our community, innovate our experience, and shape the future of strength training. I cannot wait to see what we accomplish.”
[solidcore] is also actively recruiting for two additional senior roles: a Head of International to guide global market entry, and a Head of New Business Ventures to expand the brand beyond the studio experience. Interested candidates can learn more at [solidcore] Careers.
This announcement comes on the heels of a record-setting year for [solidcore]. The company has grown from 25 studios when CEO Bryan Myers joined to more than 150 today, marking one of the fastest growth trajectories in the boutique fitness industry. [solidcore] now employs more than 3,500 people and serves more than two hundred thousand clients every month nationwide, underscoring both the scale of its operations and the strength of its community.
The brand’s community impact is equally significant. [solidcore] hosted more than 500,000 classes last year - meaning that there were the equivalent of more than 60 [solidcore] classes happening every hour of every day in 2024. This level of demand, along with memberships now accounting for the majority of participation, underscores the strength and loyalty of its client base.
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About [solidcore]
[solidcore] is the nation’s leading high-intensity, low-impact strength training brand, offering targeted strength workouts on a custom-built reformer. Designed for those who defy complacency, [solidcore] classes utilize slow, controlled movements to push muscles to failure, maximizing strength and endurance while minimizing impact on joints. Since its founding in 2013 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., [solidcore] has expanded to over 150 studios nationwide, establishing itself as a pioneer in boutique fitness and redefining strength training for every body. For more information, visit www.solidcore.co.
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