Article - September 17, 2026
Meet Forme402, the new XFormer Pilates Studio at Hawthorne Court
When fitness instructor Lori Wilson set out to open Forme402, she had a clear vision: create a fitness experience that feels personal, intentional, and connected to the community around it.
Located at 17662 Welch Plaza, Forme402 is the first tenant to open in Hawthorne’s newest building, bringing a thoughtfully designed fitness experience to the growing West Omaha community. From the elevated interiors to its unique approach to movement and strength, the studio reflects Lori’s vision for creating something distinctive within a place she already considers home.
We talked with Lori about her journey, the vision behind Forme402, and what she hopes to create for the people who walk through its door.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to open Forme402.
A: I’m a wife, a mom of two boys, and I’ve spent most of my career in fitness. I was born in New Orleans, but we moved to Omaha 14 years ago, and Omaha is home now. It’s where my kids grew up and where we’ve built our life.
We don’t have family here, which was hard, especially when our boys were younger. So I really made an effort to get to know the parents of the kids they went to school with and played sports with. Over time, those friendships became our family. They’re the people who helped with the kids, supported us through different seasons and encouraged me when opening this studio felt really big.
After years of coaching and teaching, I knew exactly how I wanted people to feel when they walked into a fitness space. I wanted it to feel personal. I wanted people to know they were seen and cared for, while still being challenged. Forme402 came from wanting to create that kind of experience in the community that has given so much to my family.
And the 402 was intentional. It represents Omaha. It represents home.
Q: Your website describes Forme402 as a blend of traditional Pilates and advanced strength training. What does that look and feel like in a typical class?
A: You’ll recognize some of the principles of Pilates—precision, alignment, control, and really being connected to what your body is doing. But the movements themselves are familiar, functional strength movements. Think lunges, squats, planks, upper-body work and a lot of core.
It’s a true total-body workout. We’re not just focusing on your core or one area of the body. You’re strengthening your legs, upper body, and core all in one class.
The springs allow us to work against resistance, sometimes pretty heavy resistance, and that’s where the strength training comes in. Then we slow everything down. There’s no rushing through the movement. That slower tempo keeps your muscles working the entire time, and yes, there will probably be some shaking.
It’s challenging, but it’s also very intentional. You leave knowing you worked your entire body not because you did everything faster, but because you did it with control.
Q: What drew you to Hawthorne as the home for Forme402, and what do you love about being part of this location and community?
A: I chose Hawthorne because this is my community. This is where my kids went to school. It’s where we made our friends. These are the stores where I shop, the places where we eat, and the small businesses I already support.
West Omaha has been home to our family for 14 years, so when I pictured where Forme402 belonged, I kept coming back here. I didn’t want to open a studio in a place where I didn’t feel connected. I wanted it to be part of the community I already knew and loved.
There’s something really special about opening the doors and seeing familiar faces walk in, and then watching new relationships begin to form too. That’s what I wanted Forme402 to become, not just a place where people take a class and leave, but a place where they feel like they belong.
Q: Tell us a bit more about your space and how your design choices help create the experience you envisioned for Forme402.
A: I wanted the studio to feel elevated, but still warm and welcoming. The entire space was created very intentionally, from the XFormers and the lighting to the arched mirrors, wood walls, furniture, and custom benches. Nothing was chosen just to fill a space. I wanted every piece to feel like it belonged and added something to the overall experience.
The lighting is warm, the mirrors are softly backlit, and the natural wood adds warmth to the room. Even the furniture and custom benches were selected to make the studio feel comfortable and inviting not like you’re walking into a typical gym.
The machines were chosen with purpose. They allow us to combine controlled movement with real strength training and offer so much opportunity for people to continue progressing.
But the experience was always more important to me than simply having a beautiful space. I wanted to create a place where people want to arrive early and talk. Where they stay for a few minutes after class. Where they look forward to special events and getting to know the people around them.
My vision was to create something strong, intentional and elevated but also something that feels like it belongs to this community. Seeing people fill the space and make it their own.
