Overview:

The Ladies Athletic Club of Dallas is a dynamic and multifaceted network that has blossomed from a simple concept into a community of nearly 2,000 members. Launched in June 2024, the club's mission is to create a supportive space for like-minded women to pursue their fitness goals, cultivate professional growth, and build meaningful connections. The club hosts a variety of events, including Pilates socials, boxing sessions, pickleball, and equestrian experiences, as well as monthly book clubs and health advocacy initiatives. The club is deeply rooted in the belief that true wellness involves both physical and mental well-being, and is committed to creating a safe space for women to share resources and recommendations.

In the heart of Dallas, a powerful movement is taking shape—one that’s inspiring women to pursue wellness, build community, and grow together. Launched just under a year ago in June 2024, the Ladies Athletic Club of Dallas has blossomed from a simple concept into a dynamic and multifaceted network with nearly 2,000 members and counting.

Participants in the LACD Sip and Serve outing.

The club was founded with a clear mission: to create a supportive space where like-minded women could come together to focus on their fitness goals, cultivate personal and professional growth, and, most importantly, build meaningful connections. “Honestly, just to create a community or safe for likewise like-minded women in Dallas to come together, have a supportive and empowering community to pursue their fitness goals, to cultivate their professional growth, and make connections,” said Public Relations Director, Christian Nicole.

Recognizing that many women explore fitness activities—such as yoga or Pilates—on their own or with just a friend, the club saw an opportunity to create something more inclusive. “We wanted to promote feminine fitness while building strength and connection with other women in Dallas,” she explained.

Learning to play at the net during a Sip and Serve outing.

What began with just a few Pilates and yoga classes has now blossomed into a diverse and impressive lineup of events that span wellness, lifestyle, and professional enrichment. The club’s most popular recurring activities include Pilates socials at studios across Dallas, the high-energy “Box Like a Lady” boxing series at Ding Ding Group Boxing with certified instructors, and engaging pickleball events that cater to both beginners and experienced players. Members also enjoy “Sip and Swing,” a laid-back indoor golf social perfect for all skill levels, as well as equestrian experiences—like the upcoming sold-out session on April 26. “Every time we host an event, there are always multiple new women attending for the first time,” said Christian. “You can come with a friend—or meet one there.”

But the Ladies Athletic Club isn’t just about breaking a sweat. It’s deeply rooted in the belief that true wellness involves both physical and mental well-being. The club hosts a monthly book club, which most recently brought 20 women together at Sixty Vines in Plano for thoughtful conversation paired with wine.

Members of the LACD Book Club enjoy food and wine at Sixty Vines in Plano.

“To be physically fit is also to be mentally and emotionally fit,” Christian emphasized. “Being in a calm, clear headspace makes it easier to stay disciplined and feel empowered to pursue whatever your version of fitness looks like.”

This focus on mental wellness is especially meaningful to the club’s members, many of whom juggle demanding lives as professionals, entrepreneurs, caregivers, or moms. “Everyone needs a space where they can let their hair down,” she said. “Whether it’s a 30-minute Pilates class or a one-hour book club meeting, it gives you something to look forward to.”

With so many women new to Dallas or looking to explore new interests, the club provides a rare sense of belonging. “Sometimes the easiest way to make a friend is by sharing a common interest,” Christian noted. Whether you’re new in town or simply want to try boxing for the first time, the Ladies Athletic Club offers a welcoming space where real connections happen.

This commitment to connection is woven throughout the club’s initiatives, including its emphasis on health advocacy, especially for minority women. The club recently partnered with a Dallas-area sorority to host a community health fair. Women had access to dentists, doctors, and wellness professionals—all in one place.

“I think as women, especially minority women, it is so important to be on top of your health,” Christian said. “Whether it’s hereditary conditions, navigating maternity, or simply knowing your options—it all starts with access and education. Our goal is to be a safe place where women can share resources and recommendations freely.”

As the organization’s membership surged, a unique phenomenon began to emerge: clubs within the club. These smaller, interest-based groups have grown organically from the relationships formed at fitness and social events.

The LACD Travel Club strikes a pose during their trip to Utah.

One of the first was the book club, sparked by a simple conversation between members about their latest reads. Then came the travel club, which kicked off with a trip to Utah and is now planning a retreat to Tulum in May. Soon, a dinner club will launch—giving women the chance to explore Dallas’s booming culinary scene without waiting on friends or trying to coordinate schedules.

“Dallas is such a melting pot with so much to do. We realized there are all these smaller interests that women might not pursue alone, but feel more empowered to try when they’re part of a community,” Christian shared. “Since we already have so many women together, we might as well create those mini-clubs too.”

Upcoming events include Pilates and Prosecco on April 27 and a variety of fitness, wellness, and social opportunities on the horizon. And as the club continues to grow, so too does its impact—not just on the bodies of its members, but on their hearts and minds as well.

The Ladies Athletic Club of Dallas is more than just a place to get fit. It’s a vibrant, empowering sisterhood—a safe, intentional space where women lift each other up, explore new passions, and prioritize their whole selves.

With each event, each friendship, and each shared moment, the club is reshaping what it means to be strong—in Dallas and beyond.