Creative Team Spotlight: A Conversation with Lola Wusu

The Heart Behind the Bench

If you’ve ever met Lola Wusu or even just seen her in action, you know she doesn’t just design things. She pours her whole heart into them. At Strong Saturday this past March, we sat down with the ever-talented creative director at Verse Fitness to chat about one of her favorite creations to date: the Verse Folding Bench. And trust us, the way Lola lights up when talking about this bench makes you want to buy three of them—even if you don’t work out.

Designing With Purpose (and a Whole Lot of Style)

Lola’s background in textiles and product development came in clutch for this project. She walked us through the nitty-gritty—how she and the team tested endless fabric options, ran performance tests, and obsessed over every tactile detail. But this wasn’t just about function; it was about feeling.

“We needed something strong...

but also beautiful” 

“We needed something strong, but also beautiful,” Lola said, running her fingers across the bench’s sleek surface. “I wanted it to feel good on your skin, not just during a workout, but every time you touched it.”

That attention to detail led to what she calls an “amazing fabric”—durable, soft, and built to last.

More Than Just a Bench

Let’s be honest, foldable benches aren’t usually known for style. But Lola doesn’t believe in boring. The Folding Bench features a custom embossed logo inspired by her love of embroidery and a bright pop of orange—a nod to her favorite color. “It adds a little joy,” she smiled. “Even if it’s just a small detail, it matters.” Watch Lola's video here.

“It adds a little joy...”

“Even if it’s just a small detail, it matters.”

Big Function in Small Spaces

One of Lola’s biggest priorities? Making sure the bench worked in real life. “I live in a small apartment,” she shared candidly, “so I understand how important space is.” The result: a lightweight, compact bench that folds flat and tucks neatly away—no gym required. But don’t let its portability fool you—it’s rock-solid, with high-density foam, smart construction, and the kind of durability that can stand up to your toughest workouts.

The Team That Makes It Happen

When asked what she’s most proud of, Lola didn’t talk about the bench's features—she talked about the people. “None of this happens without the team,” she said. “Every part of it—design, testing, marketing—it’s all collaborative... With Michael, Shane, and Jane, initial brainstorming sessions led to a flurry of ideas about products and their pain points.” We have the kind of team where everyone’s voice matters, and that’s what makes Verse special.” (Read more about the Verse Team leadership here.)

“Every part of it—design, testing, marketing—it’s all collaborative..."

Lola’s Takeaway

At the end of the day, the Folding Bench is more than a product—it’s a piece of Lola’s story. It’s creativity, problem-solving, and joy wrapped into one compact design. And as she told us with a grin: “It’s something I use all the time. Not just because we made it, but because it really works for my life. That’s when you know you’ve built something right.”

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Want to try it out for yourself? Keep an eye on the Verse website—the Verse Folding Bench is Lola-approved and ready to transform your home workout game.