Forward Space
At a Glance
Vibe: High-energy, cinematic, choreography-forward
Standout Feature: A room that transforms—minimal and chic on the outside, full sensory experience the moment class begins
About Forward Space
When Kristin Sudeikis was looking for a home for her new studio, she chose Nolita, New York specifically for its history as a hub for creative industries and movement culture. She viewed around 50 spaces before committing to the Spring Street location, which opened in late 2018.
Sudeikis received her first scholarship to Broadway Dance Center at 13, studied dance and kinesiology at the University of Kansas, and eventually packed up a U-Haul during what would have been her senior year to move to New York. She arrived auditioning, bartending, teaching, and touring building a career as a choreographer, master teacher, and artistic director. Her teaching practice was anchored in technique, musicality, and what she describes as movement from one's center. Forward Space came out of that foundation.
She envisioned it as an underground music and dance venue meeting an athletic, artistic sweat session. The studio's profile grew significantly during the pandemic, when demand for immersive, communal movement experiences — even virtual ones — surged. It didn't hurt that Jason Sudeikis, Kristin's brother, wore a tie-dyed Forward Space sweatshirt while accepting a Golden Globe for Ted Lasso, an unplanned moment of visibility that landed the studio in front of a much wider audience. The Virtual Hub now reaches members across more than 100 countries.
What They Do Best
The class menu is lean, but the choreography is what keeps it fresh. FORWARD is the entry point: 50 minutes, nonstop, continuous cardio with an entry-level choreographed combo at the end. FORWARD+ follows the same structure but layers in a more developed routine, giving returning members a natural progression. FORWARD FIRE introduces 2- and 4-pound weights and blends athletic conditioning with dance intervals, shifting the stimulus without abandoning the format. FIRE + FLOOR takes that further by adding mat-based movements that lengthen and integrate, making it the most physically layered option on the menu. FORWARD FORMS is a slower, technique-driven class, focused on musicality and contemporary movement rather than cardio output.
Each format builds on the core offering. Members can progress, rotate, or specialize depending on what they're interested in (or feeling that day). The choreography across formats is designed to be followable on the first try so even the rhythm-challenged can get a great sweat.
The Experience
Forward Space’s aesthetic is minimal and cool: stone finishes, muted tones, more design-forward than a traditional gym. Then you step into the studio room, and the environment shifts completely. The lights come up in color, the music hits, and you’re dropped into a full dance workout.
The choreography is built to be picked up in real time. Combinations are cued clearly enough that a first-timer can stay in the pocket without falling behind, and the 50-minute nonstop format keeps the heart rate up throughout. You'll sweat, you'll jump, and you’ll get that rush of endorphins.
Where the experience gets more personality-dependent is the community foundation. The structure doesn't create connection between guests, so you’re in for an immersive but insular experience. In NYC that's not unusual, just something to be aware of if it’s your first visit.
What Makes Them Special
Founder Pedigree: Kristin Sudeikis brings a professional choreography background that directly shapes the quality and structure of every format on the menu.
Virtual Hub in 100+ Countries: The on-demand platform isn't a pandemic holdover — it's an active part of the business with a global member base, which is unusual for a single-location boutique studio.
Weights Inside the Choreography: weights layered into dance phrases changes the muscular demand without breaking the class format and is a clear differentiator for the studio.
Why We Love It
Forward Space is a strong studio with a clear point of view; it works best for members who are self-directed. Kristin Sudeikis built Forward Space around the thesis that dance belongs to everyone, not just people with training. The choreography is accessible, and the physical output is satisfying. The formats are structured with a logic that rewards return visits. For anyone who has ever wanted to dance but talked themselves out of it, this is the most credible on-ramp in New York.
Visit Software Space: 24 Spring St, New York, New York 10012 • www.forward-space.com • @forward__spa
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