Pendulum Pilates and Wellness Opens in The Factory at Franklin
A new wellness studio inside The Factory at Franklin in Building 8 is creating space for slower movement and deeper connection in Downtown Franklin. Pendulum Pilates and Wellness recently opened inside Ground Floor Yoga, offering private Pilates instruction and breathwork sessions for residents seeking a more intentional wellness experience.
Founder Brooke Thomson built the studio around a simple philosophy: movement should support the whole person, not just physical appearance. Pendulum Pilates focuses on one-on-one sessions using classical Pilates equipment and techniques rooted in the original Pilates method. Thomson also integrates somatic practices and breathwork into each session to help clients manage stress, improve posture, and build long-term mobility.
“At Pendulum, we believe that true strength comes from balance,” Thomson said. “In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, we invite you to move with intention and focus.” That approach already feels different from many modern boutique fitness spaces. While large group reformer classes continue growing across Middle Tennessee, Pendulum Pilates leans into slower instruction, personal attention, and sustainable movement practices. Thomson wants clients to leave sessions feeling stronger, calmer, and more connected to their bodies.
The Franklin location also adds to the growing wellness footprint inside The Factory at Franklin, which continues evolving into one of Williamson County’s most popular gathering spaces. From fitness studios to restaurants and retail shops, the Factory has become a regular stop for locals spending weekends downtown. For Thomson, opening inside the historic Franklin property felt personal. “The Factory is one of the first places I visited when I moved here,” she said. “It’s been part of my life for so many years.”
Brooke Thomson’s Pilates Journey Started With Injury Recovery
Long before opening her own Franklin studio, Thomson discovered Pilates as a teenager while managing injuries and orthopedic challenges. What began as rehabilitation eventually became a lifelong practice and career. “I started doing Pilates when I was a teenager because I have a lot of injuries and orthopedic issues,” Thomson said. “It’s kind of like I have to do Pilates to stay not just in shape, but without joint problems.” That personal experience still shapes the way she teaches today. Thomson understands how intimidating movement can feel for people recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, or returning to exercise after years away.
Her background in classical Pilates training developed through years of mentorship and professional instruction. Before moving to Tennessee, Thomson managed the Pilates department at Life Time Fitness in Scottsdale, Arizona. She later transferred to the Franklin location after relocating in 2017. “I feel very lucky to be here,” she said. “I’m so glad I ended up in Franklin.” Thomson taught Pilates for several years before arriving in Tennessee and continued teaching through the pandemic. Since then, she has worked in studios and community settings throughout the area, including local recreation centers.
Some of her favorite clients are older adults working on strength and mobility. “My 55-plus classes are my favorite,” she said. “They’re my rock stars.” Thomson said many older clients surprise themselves with their progress and confidence. She especially enjoys helping seniors recover from injuries or surgeries while rebuilding stability and movement patterns. “Let’s rehab the hip replacement, let’s get into what’s wrong, let’s problem solve.”
That hands-on approach continues attracting clients looking for more than a fast-paced workout. Thomson specializes in working with adults over 55, as well as prenatal and postpartum women seeking individualized support. Unlike large fitness chains, Pendulum Pilates keeps sessions personal and adaptive. “It’s meant for everybody,” she said. “That’s why one-on-one works. It’s going to meet you where you’re at in a really safe space.”
Pendulum Pilates Focuses on Breathwork, Mobility, and Recovery
Inside Pendulum Pilates and Wellness, sessions go beyond traditional exercise routines. Thomson combines Pilates instruction with breathwork techniques that help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress. The studio’s philosophy centers on “movement as medicine.” Instead of treating fitness as punishment or performance, Pendulum encourages clients to view movement as care, recovery, and long-term support for the body.
“We believe that true strength is built through intentional movement and active recovery,” Thomson explained. That philosophy resonates with many Franklin residents balancing demanding schedules, parenting responsibilities, and everyday stress. Breathwork practices help clients move from a constant stress response into a calmer physical and mental state. “Utilizing specific breathwork techniques to move from a state of stress into one of calm,” Thomson shared.
Thomson’s interest in breathwork deepened in 2018, eventually leading to private mentorship and formal certification. Today, she blends those techniques seamlessly into Pilates sessions. She recently assisted with a guided evening of breathwork hosted by the Nashville Symphony, expanding her work beyond traditional fitness spaces. Clients at Pendulum Pilates also focus heavily on alignment and posture through controlled exercises targeting deep core muscles and movement patterns.
The studio emphasizes long-term mobility rather than short-term intensity. Sessions aim to improve flexibility, increase range of motion, and reduce pain through intentional movement. That slower philosophy stands out in a fitness culture often driven by trends and social media performance. “Pilates has gotten so crazy big,” Thomson said. “Without bashing anyone, it is bad.” She hopes to challenge misconceptions created by viral fitness content online. “My algorithm hits me with videos saying, ‘I fell off my reformer,’” she said. “That’s not what we’re doing here.” Thomson believes many modern Pilates trends prioritize spectacle over safety and technique. “It should be intentional,” she said.
The Perfect Addition to the Factory at Franklin
For longtime Franklin residents, The Factory at Franklin has gone through several transformations over the years. The historic property continues reinventing itself while remaining one of Williamson County’s most recognizable gathering spaces. Thomson has witnessed many of those changes firsthand since moving to Franklin. “I think I’ve been here through two renovations,” she said. “I feel like we’re in version 3.0 now.”
Before opening Pendulum Pilates, Thomson regularly visited The Factory for meals, shopping, and community events. She remembers grabbing tacos before heading to nearby parks and spending weekends downtown. “The Factory has just been part of my life for so many years,” she said. That familiarity made the studio opportunity feel like a natural fit. According to Thomson, the opening happened unexpectedly after she had been searching for studio space elsewhere. “One day it just clicked,” she said.
The shared wellness environment inside Ground Floor Yoga also aligned with her vision for Pendulum Pilates. The quieter atmosphere allows clients to relax before and after sessions in a calmer environment than larger commercial fitness spaces. Clients can spend time in the shared lounge area, browse small retail offerings, or unwind before heading back into Downtown Franklin.
The location places Pendulum Pilates within walking distance of many local landmarks, restaurants, and shops that continue drawing visitors downtown. Franklin residents often describe The Factory as a central meeting point for the community. “It’s the touching point,” Thomson said. The studio’s opening reflects the broader wellness movement happening throughout Williamson County as more residents seek fitness experiences focused on mindfulness, sustainability, and personalized care.
One-on-One Pilates Creates a Personalized Experience
Unlike larger reformer studios offering packed group classes, Pendulum Pilates and Wellness currently operates through private one-on-one sessions. Thomson intentionally designed the studio that way. “With my one room right now, I’m just working like a personal trainer,” she said. The format allows her to tailor sessions to individual goals, injuries, and comfort levels while helping beginners feel more confident learning Pilates fundamentals.
That individualized attention also helps clients move safely and correctly. Thomson believes many group environments move too quickly for proper instruction and connection. “Once the instructor’s on a mic, it changes the experience,” she said. She even avoids wearing a headset while teaching larger community classes because she values direct communication and personal interaction.
Her clients range from seniors recovering from surgeries to younger adults managing stress, posture issues, or chronic pain. Some simply want a calmer alternative to crowded fitness studios. Pendulum Pilates also welcomes men and first-time clients who may feel intimidated by Pilates stereotypes. “I’d like to bust that myth a little bit,” Thomson said. “Pilates is meant for everybody.”
Thomson hopes the studio creates an inviting atmosphere where clients can focus on progress without comparison or performance pressure. “We’re not just showing up to be seen in a space,” she said. “We’re here to actually be present in a space.” That philosophy shapes everything from the studio design to the pace of sessions. As demand grows, Thomson plans to expand offerings in the coming months with small group sessions and outdoor wellness classes around Franklin.
Pendulum Pilates Plans to Grow With the Franklin Community
Although the studio recently opened, Thomson already sees opportunities to deepen connections within the Franklin community. She hopes to collaborate with local businesses, wellness organizations, and community spaces while continuing to grow the Pendulum brand. Before opening the studio, Pendulum existed as a wellness newsletter Thomson wrote for clients exploring health trends, movement misconceptions, and balanced approaches to wellness.
Over time, that concept evolved into a physical studio focused on both intellectual and physical growth. “Pendulum was born from a desire to find balance in a world of extremes,” Thomson explained. That philosophy still guides the business today. Rather than chasing viral fitness trends, Thomson wants Pendulum Pilates to remain grounded in education, craftsmanship, and intentional movement.
She describes Pilates as “a true craft” and approaches each session with careful attention to detail. Franklin residents can currently book private sessions online or contact the studio directly through Pendulum’s website and phone line. Thomson said she enjoys connecting personally with new clients and helping them feel comfortable before their first appointment.
How to Get Started at Pendulum Pilates
Pendulum Pilates and Wellness is currently offering introductory specials for new clients, including discounted single sessions and multi-session packages. As summer arrives in Franklin, founder Brooke Thomson looks forward to spending more time in the community she calls home. “I’m ready for the fireflies,” she said. Adding, “I’m ready for the Fourth of July. I’m ready to just be here.”
Thomson’s local perspective continues shaping the identity of her studio. Inside one room at The Factory at Franklin, Thomson is building more than a Pilates business. She is creating a space where movement, recovery, and mindfulness work together in a calm, supportive, community-centered environment.
For Williamson County residents looking to begin a Pilates practice or return to intentional movement, Pendulum Pilates and Wellness offers a personalized starting point. Interested in getting started? You can book private sessions online and choose a package that best fits your goals, experience level, and schedule.
