From packed classes to a new West Ashley studio, founder Sarah Frick and her team are scaling a movement that extends far beyond the mat.
What began as a single yoga studio has grown to become one of Charleston’s most influential wellness communities. For founder Sarah Frick, The Works was never just about movement—it was about creating a place for connection, compassion and a business model built on community.
In the years following COVID-19, The Works became a refuge, offering a place to breathe and reconnect. Today, with six locations across Charleston and a devoted following, the studios have evolved into “third places”—not home or work, but spaces where women can show up, support each other and grow.
Walk into a class, and the energy is unmistakable. People of all ages arrive not to compete but to become better together. The message on the wall says it clearly: get in the room. With a reputation built on high-energy, music-driven classes blending Vinyasa yoga, cardio, sculpt, plyometrics and meditation, The Works remains as intentional as its offerings. Frick and partner Carter Foxworth continuously expand the brand’s philosophy to support the growth of their clientele.
Now, with the addition of The Works Renew in West Ashley, they’re offering more programming aimed toward restoration, mindfulness and longevity. Nonheated classes emphasize nervous system regulation, recovery and sustainable strength.
“We’ve grown up with our clients,” Frick says. “And we want to keep growing with them.”
That evolution is reflected in programming offerings including “The Lift,” a 45-minute strength training class that teaches women to lift heavy safely and confidently—especially important for clients entering perimenopause and beyond.
“Heavy lifting is incredible for bone health and estrogen,” Frick explains. “Women are scared because they haven’t been supported in this area before. We’re here to coach them and move them through fear.”
Still, she’s quick to say that programming isn’t what differentiates The Works. Culture is. The studio operates on nonnegotiable values: no gossip, open communication, mutual respect and women supporting women. Frick remains hands-on, teaching regularly and staying involved in instructor development.
“My name is on the door. That means I show up as the best version of myself and embody the lifestyle.”
Instructor training requires rigorous 200-hour certifications, apprenticeships, mentorship and continuous feedback. But the investment doesn’t stop on the mat.
“We invest in the lives of our instructors,” Frick says. “When they feel supported, they bring their best selves into the room.”
That commitment extends beyond fitness through Sessions Off the Mat, a free community program blending conversation and healing. The gatherings invite women to talk openly about grief, addiction, identity, depression and resilience. The program is deeply personal for Frick. After losing her daughter, her mat—along with the community she built—became her refuge. That season grounded The Works’ purpose in mental health as lived experience.
As she looks forward to scaling, she says, “It’s always bold to grow. I’m nervous, but you can’t be scared to fall, or you may never get back up.”
What keeps her steady are the relationships she’s created along the way. In a city full of fitness options, it’s no surprise that The Works stands apart not because of how hard it pushes but because of how deeply it holds.
“We have such an incredible fitness community in Charleston,” Frick says. “If you aren’t coming here, I hope you’re taking time for yourself somewhere that works for you.”
By Lauren Eastman