By: Charlotte Farley | Photos by: Ashlee Glen
Going to the gym can feel intimidating, expensive, or isolating, but Live Move Be (LMB) Fitness Studio & Center isn’t your typical gym.
Ever since LMB transitioned from a traditional business model to a nonprofit organization in 2023, they’ve redefined what group fitness looks like in the Lynchburg area. Known as “the little studio with the big heart,” LMB has opened its doors—and arms—to offer no-cost group exercise classes and wellness programs for mind, body, and spirit to anyone who walks through the door.
“We want people to come as they are,” said Kat Seay, LMB’s founder. “Fitness isn’t about perfection; it’s about moving with joy and purpose.”
That mindset drives everything at LMB.
A Shift in Mission
Live Move Be began five years ago as a small, for-profit studio with a community-minded heart. That mission only grew stronger when Seay, a longtime group fitness instructor, underwent hip resurfacing surgery.
“During my recovery, I realized I didn’t just want to teach classes anymore. I wanted to build something bigger—something that could serve others beyond just fitness,” Seay explained.
And that’s exactly what LMB has become: a wellness hub where classes are free and open to all.
Fitness with Heart
With more than 20 programs each week, LMB combines exercise and connection in a way that can appeal to everyone. The lineup includes something for every level and preference, from upbeat dance, circuit training, and functional low-impact workouts to yoga, pilates, and barre—even boot camps and faith-centered sessions.
While LMB removes financial barriers to wellness, it’s the environment and the people that set LMB apart. There’s no pressure there—just encouragement and support.
In LMB’s group classes, you can always make the choice to simplify a move or add a challenge to a routine.
“Fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Seay explained.
“We focus on creating an atmosphere where people feel loved, supported, and excited to keep showing up.”
While donations are welcome, they’re never required.
LMB is able to offer no-cost classes thanks to monthly partners (some giving just $10 a month), individual donations, and grants that keep the studio thriving.
“We’re able to offer this because of the people who believe in what we’re doing,” Seay said. “And we hope that when people walk in, they’ll feel that belief too—that they’re worth showing up for.”
More Than Movement
Seay has a unique ability to unite people—through movement and through shared purpose.
“People have good intentions to give back, but we all get busy,” Seay shared. “You’ll see things riding around in the back of someone’s car for months because they mean to drop them off, but they just don’t have the time. So I thought—bring it to
the studio, and we’ll do it together in a way that’s more productive.
That idea led to LMB’s Caring Initiatives, which are donation drives tied to LMB’s mission and calendar. Participants packed shoeboxes with essential items for families in need, gathered blankets for the Agape Center, and partnered with HumanKind to collect backpacks for local students starting school. Seay and her team made sure everything reached the people who needed it most.
“Not only do I get to do what I love, but I get to organize my community to support the good work others are doing and helping those organizations in the ways we can,” she said.
Wellness for Mind and Spirit
Beyond movement and service, LMB nurtures the whole person. The studio hosts Bible studies, book clubs, and creative Girls’ Night Out gatherings that foster a sense of belonging and togetherness.
In the past year alone, LMB hosted an all-natural product make-and-take night and an evening of fresh floral arrangement—creative ways to bring people together. They even organized a Daddy-Daughter Dance around Valentine’s Day, providing a space for families to create meaningful memories.
“Fitness is a need everyone has,” said Seay. “But for some people, the need is deeper. Some people are looking for connection; some people are looking for spiritual support.”
New in 2025: Expanding Offerings
LMB continues to grow, and 2025 will bring even more opportunities to the table. Thanks to a grant from the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, LMB will introduce Human Reformer Pilates—a new offering that’s as exciting as it is transformative.
So how can you support LMB? “We’d love for people to come alongside us—partner with us—even at $10 a month,” Seay explained.
“It’s a small investment with a huge impact.”
Live Move Be proves that fitness can be joyful, inclusive, and—most importantly—full of heart. After all, every day at LMB is heart day.
To see class schedules, explore upcoming events, or learn more about how to support the mission, visit livemovebefitness.com.
