Our story
About us
A women’s fitness and wellbeing studio in the heart of Cheam, for women at every stage of life.
Built by women, for women
Be More Studio is a women’s fitness and wellbeing studio in the heart of Cheam, for women at every stage of life.
We’re not a typical gym. We’re a community where you’re known by name, trained to your goals and supported through every chapter.
Our story
Meet Carlie, founder and head trainer
Carlie has worked in the fitness industry for over 20 years. She has worked at every level, from lifeguard and fitness manager to duty manager in council leisure centres and private health clubs.
Everywhere she went, she found the same thing: facilities focused on numbers and targets, with very little personal touch.
So she built something different.
Why Be More was born
When Carlie had her own children, she realised that even as a qualified personal trainer, she didn’t have the specialist knowledge women need during and after pregnancy.
Going through the hospital system herself, and leaving with very little guidance, lit a fire in her. Filling that gap became her mission.
She saw how few gyms catered for women with children, and how few trainers really understood training after pregnancy. Too often, the exercise advice new mums were given wasn’t designed with postnatal recovery in mind.
Carlie’s motto has always been “Happy Mummy, Happy Baby.” When a woman can move again, feel strong again and feel a little more like herself during one of the most challenging seasons of her life, everything changes.
From postnatal to perimenopause and beyond
Postnatal support was just the beginning. Carlie saw that the next stage, perimenopause and post-menopause, gets just as little attention. It catches many women off guard, often because the information and specialist support simply aren’t there.
Be More was built to change that. Whether you’re getting used to your body after birth, going through hormonal changes in your 40s or simply want to train smarter as your body changes, we understand, because we’ve lived it too.
Massage, therapy and specialist care
Carlie is a qualified massage therapist and has always believed massage and movement work best together. That’s why our members can combine exercise and therapy in one place, with treatments now offered at the studio by Indy Massage & Spa. See our therapies
Award-winning
In 2024 Be More Studio won Best Boutique Women’s Gym, South London at the Greater London Enterprise Awards.
What we stand for
Carlie’s vision for Be More has always been simple: a beautiful space where women feel safe, secure and completely at home in their own skin.
- No judgement. Everyone is welcome, wherever they’re starting from.
- No comparison. Your goals are yours, and so is your pace.
- No pressure. You don’t need to be anything other than exactly where you are right now.
- Every stage of life. Pregnancy, postnatal, perimenopause and beyond: we train you for the stage you’re in.
We want women to feel fabulous, strong, amazing and in control.
Ready to start?
Come and see Be More Studio for yourself. Whether you’re just starting out or coming back after a break, there’s a place here for you.
The team
Meet the team
Carlie
Founder of Be More Studio and personal trainer
Hi, I’m Carlie. I have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. My passion is helping women regain control back over their lives after having children and whilst going through the many different changes in their lives. I want to educate women about their bodies and health and how to effectively train and nourish. I believe women need to train and eat differently from men.
Be More Studio was created to provide a clean, beautiful, well-equipped space for women throughout the different stages of their lives, providing qualified instructors who understand the needs and wants of women.
I am a qualified massage therapist and also a beautician, but I no longer offer massage or beauty treatments myself. I love the human body and helping people through massage and exercise. They go hand in hand. My goals are to continue to grow the Be More tribe and help as many women as possible. I would love to travel to Thailand and do the Thai massage qualification. But with 4 children, that will probably have to wait.
A quirky fact about me… I have a full motorbike licence. I have never owned a bike but did the bike licence to say that I could. I am quite determined like that!
Natalie Ward
Manager, personal trainer and Hybrid coach
I’m Nat! I currently own and teach at Expressions Dance Co, which I started in 2014, encouraging kids and young adults to find a creative outlet whilst working on their health and social lives, which to this day I find endlessly rewarding! I myself have always been sporty and grew up competing for the Borough in athletics and swimming, so know first hand the benefits of an active lifestyle.
About 9 years ago I became fully immersed in the fitness industry after falling in love with it just after having my son. Fitness helped me to rediscover who I was and rebuild self-confidence and motivation, and in turn that made me stronger both physically and mentally. This is something I love to share with others. A positive attitude is paramount and my mantra is “there’s NO such thing as CAN’T!”
I’m a free spirit with a love of life and having fun, with a dirty loud laugh to match! I use music as medicine that helps bring that carefree, high energy vibe that I’m all about, whilst still pushing you to your max in perfect balance. I feel great making others feel great, and together we can make a goal a win!
Jisoo Kim
Mat and Reformer Pilates coach
Jisoo coaches Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates at Be More Studio. She specialises in Dynamic Pilates as well as Pre- and Postnatal Pilates, on both Mat and Reformer.
She was inspired to help women — especially those in midlife — maintain muscle mass, manage menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis through exercise. What she enjoys most is building strong connections with everyone who walks through the door.
Her coaching style is encouraging, challenging and intense. In a session with Jisoo, members can expect to build physical and mental confidence, along with a real sense of achievement. If you feel nervous, are new to exercise or are returning after a break, she starts with a quick chat to put you at ease, makes eye contact during class, and offers personalised care such as extra tactile cueing so you feel fully supported.
Outside the studio, Jisoo loves spending quality time with her child. Fun fact: she eats chocolate or cookies every day — which is why she needs to work out!
Aleksandra Baranowski
Hatha yoga teacher
Alex teaches Hatha yoga at Be More Studio. With nearly 20 years of personal practice, Alex trained as a teacher in Rishikesh, India, the birthplace of yoga, and later completed a yoga philosophy course in Bali. Alex’s background in psychology brings a trauma-informed, grounding approach to every class, helping members build strength, balance and inner calm.
For Alex, yoga is about much more than the poses. Each class weaves together mindful movement, breathwork and a little of yoga’s philosophy, so you feel the benefits in both body and mind.
Classes are warm, unhurried and encouraging. Expect clear guidance on safe alignment, options to make each pose gentler or more challenging, and time to properly rest at the end. You don’t need to be fit or flexible. If you’re nervous, new to exercise or returning after a break, Alex will make sure you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.
Alex loves creating space for women who spend so much of their time caring for others.
Martina
Mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates and yoga teacher
Martina is a qualified Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates instructor and yoga teacher at Be More Studio. She is certified in helping people get back to fitness after injury or after having a baby. She recently added Reformer Pilates certification and will fully teach Reformer from January 2027.
Her coaching style is inspiring, empowering and energetic. In class, members can expect to build strength, improve range of motion and flexibility, and leave feeling better for the rest of their day. If you are new or returning after a break, Martina encourages small steps, celebrates little wins and talks you through your form so you leave with more confidence.
Outside the studio she loves dancing, hiking in the forest, skiing in winter and sunbathing in summer. Fun fact: “I can go from teaching mindful meditation to dancing like nobody’s watching in about 30 sec!”
Reviews
What our members say
“Everyone is so welcoming and all of the trainers leading the classes are so motivating and know exactly how to push you to get the best from you. It's so inspiring to be training with such incredible and strong women.”
“I have always said I'm 'not a gym person'. … It's an encouraging, inviting community where there are no egos to be found and everyone is rooting for you.”
“I've just finished my trial month and have loved it so much. Great instructors, the gym is brilliant with lots of equipment and the schedule has a wide selection of classes at good times.”
Ready to start?
Start your Kick Start or WhatsApp us for a friendly chat. We meet you where you are.