Connected fitness startup Growl has emerged from stealth mode, raising $4.75 million in seed funding for an exciting new product: a wall-mounted, AI-powered punching bag that projects a life-sized virtual boxing coach into people’s living rooms. 

Skip Capital led the seed-funding round, which included participation from Kima Ventures, Teampact Ventures and highly ranked UFC heavyweight fighter Ciryl Gane.

An Austin, Texas-based startup with ties to Paris, France, Growl on Wednesday unveiled its debut product, which uses 3D motion tracking to capture punches and AI computing to project virtual coaches directly onto the bag’s surface. Growl will also offer boxing-inspired games developed by Unreal Engine, the software powering titles like Fortnite and Gears of War. 

Léo Desrumaux, Growl’s co-founder and CEO, told Athletech News that he and fellow co-founder Nicolas de Maubeuge created the brand to “make boxing and its power accessible to everyone at home.”

“Our belief is that boxing has this uncanny, universal touch and potential,” says Desrumaux, who fell in love with the sport after moving to the U.S. from France at 16 years old. “You can realize that universal touch if you make it fun and accessible.”

To make boxing fun and accessible, Growl’s virtual coaches will provide guidance on which punches and moves users should make while motivating them to keep working out. A video trailer for the upcoming product shows users sparring with their virtual coaches and also taking part in a boxing game that involves punching moving targets to gain points. 

Besides boxing, Growl also coaches users on fitness movements like bodyweight squats, push-ups and even dumbbell exercises. The product is targeted for users aged 10 and above. 

“The versatility of Growl is what convinced us to invest: it goes far beyond boxing, evolving into a complete, immersive at-home fitness experience with limitless possibilities for future content and workouts – whether for adults, kids or anyone in between,” Skip Capital investment partner Adam Cook said in a statement. 

The startup also counts former Amazon, Peloton and Tonal hardware guru Sam Bowen among its advisors.

Coming to a Home Near You

Growl aims to begin taking pre-sale orders in April 2025 and ship its first batch of boxing bags around 12 months later, putting the brand on track for a launch in Q2 of 2026.

Growl initially plans to sell its product in the U.S. market only, eschewing retail partnerships in favor of a direct-to-consumer model. Desrumaux says the goal is to get Growl into the hands of as many affluent American homes as possible, particularly families. 

“When you’re in a connected fitness business, your customer is the household,” he says. “That household could be a person of one, it could be an early couple in their 30s advancing their careers, (or) it could be a family with kids. Our goal is to serve the whole family.”

Growl will cost an anticipated $4,500 at launch, plus a $60/month content subscription, placing it on the higher end of pricing for connected fitness products, in line with Tonal and above Peloton. Alternatively, customers can opt for a buy-now, pay-later plan, which is anticipated to cost $150/month for a 48-month plan or $190/month for a 36-month plan, including hardware and a content subscription. Those who place an order during the pre-sale period will receive discounted pricing, the company says. 

A New Type of Connected Fitness Product

For Desrumaux, Growl will be worth the relatively high price tag by providing an immersive, engaging user experience that’s unlike anything currently available on the connected fitness market, including in other connected boxing products like FightCamp and Bhout. 

“Experience is everything in connected fitness,” he says. “We recreate a life-size personal trainer who’s going to literally engage you physically, motivate you and push you as if (they were) right there with you.”

Citing the rising popularity of boxing fitness, especially among women, Growl is confident it’s striking while the iron is hot. Desrumaux believes the product will play well on social media, thanks to its striking visuals and unique functionalities. It could also be a hit at family gatherings and parties, driving word of mouth. 

“I think one of the most powerful things will be our own customers in their own homes, having a product and being able to show it off to their friends, neighbors or family members,” Desrumaux says. 

Over the next couple of years, Growl will focus on getting its product to market and refining its virtual coaching system. Looking even further ahead, Desrumaux believes the possibilities are endless when it comes to using AI to create an engaging and effective personal training experience. 

“The long-term goal is to be able to have a fully personalized, interactive training session that’s entirely AI-generated,” he says.

Update: This article has been updated with additional information on Growl’s anticipated pricing

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FightCamp, the at-home boxing and kickboxing connected fitness platform backed by Mike Tyson, has introduced kick tracking, building on its proprietary strike-tracking technology.

The new feature, which measures the speed, quality, and intensity of kicks with real-time feedback, comes on the heels of Tyson’s high-profile match against boxing up-and-comer Jake Paul on Netflix last week.

“With both kick and punch tracking, people can see their hard work reflected on the screen while they workout, which helps with motivation and shows progress,” FightCamp’s founder and CEO Khalil Zahar said. “As a team of former boxers and busy parents, we know nothing clears the mind like hitting the heavy bag, and nothing can match the satisfaction of landing a solid strike that sets a new personal record. How many people can say they never have days that make them want to kick and punch something?!”

The boxing and kickboxing platform is offering exclusive Black Friday deals, with starter packages starting at $699, which includes the Bag, Bag ring, FightCamp console, four trackers for both punches and kicks, one heart rate monitor, one pair of gloves, quick wraps and new ankle wraps. All Black Friday purchases include a mystery gift valued at $129 and a free month of FightCamp membership (normally $39/month). FightCamp memberships include access to a growing library of 3,000+ workouts, real-time progress tracking, daily workout plays, and more.

The California-based FightCamp has been in the game since its 2014 launch. The at-home connected boxing platform introduced a two-player connected experience over the summer, enabling boxing fans to compete with friends and family.

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Before boxing legend Mike Tyson and influencer-turned-fighter Jake Paul go at each other in the ring, they and others will get the chance to turn their attention — and fists — toward what might be the world’s smartest boxing bags. 

BHOUT, the Portuguese fintech startup, has partnered with Most Valuable Promotions, a live event promotion brand that’s co-owned by Paul and the promoter/producer for his upcoming bout with Iron Mike. In the days leading up to the fight, which will be available to stream via Netflix on November 15th, Tyson and Paul will partake in open workouts, a press conference and a weigh-in at The Pavillion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas. There, BHOUT’s artificial intelligence (AI) powered boxing bags will be on display and available to wail on for Paul, Tyson, celebrities, athletes and fans.

BHOUT training bags, dubbed the “boxing bags with a brain,” use sensors and computer vision with AI to track performance, improve technique and avoid injuries. The bags measure users through six key data points: strength, power, accuracy, exertion, number of strikes and technique before giving users a final score. 

“Combat sports are deeply embedded in what we do at BHOUT,” said Mauro Frota, CEO of BHOUT. “For the last decade, we’ve been developing the most exciting and immersive combat esports experience that levels up the way people practice, monitor and improve their fighting skills while also offering a unique entertainment experience.” 

The training bags can identify five strikes per second in terms of location, force and type of strike with over 97% accuracy, according to BHOUT. They represent an impactful addition to the boxing equipment industry, likely to revolutionize the sport on a night that’s expected to do the same. 

“We are changing the game from within and this week’s event is just the tip of the iceberg for us and for everything we can do in the sports and entertainment industry,” Frota added. “To be a part of a historic moment such as the Paul VS Tyson fight is beyond our wildest dreams as a startup still making its way to the top.”

BHOUT’s involvement promises to draw an increased level of attention toward itself and its products. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, who covers both Boxing and the NBA, claimed on a Boston sports radio show that the fight itself could generate 40-50 million viewers. BHOUT and Most Valuable Productions believe they can exceed that with ease, expecting an audience of 280 million to tune in.

With or without Paul and Tyson, BHOUT is poised for future success. The brand raised €10 million ($10.7 million) in seed funding last autumn. It also just won the KPMG Tech Innovator Award for 2024.  

BHOUT’s deal with Tyson and Paul represents another sign promoting gamification’s future in fitness as well. There’s significant scientific evidence supporting the concept’s effectiveness in spurring retention and promoting a healthier lifestyle for users. Fitness brands such as Orangetheory, EGYM, Zwift and countless others have been quick to catch on. 

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UBX is the latest fitness brand to unveil its strategic expansion plans in the United Arab Emirates, which will see the boxing fitness franchise open 18 locations across the region, with initial sites planned for Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

The non-contact Australian boxing franchise is no stranger to global endeavors, with a presence in eight countries and 100-plus open locations. The UAE expansion brings UBX’s contracted locations to over 600 gyms. Mohsan Bari has been appointed UBX’s master franchisor in the country.

“In recent years, the Middle East has become a hotspot for combat sports, and the UAE’s enthusiasm for boxing makes it the perfect next step for UBX as interest in the sport is followed by participation,” UBX co-founder and managing director Tim West said. “We’re bringing our unique combination of boxing and strength training to a market that truly values fitness and innovation. I have no doubt that UBX will become a staple in the UAE fitness scene.”

The boxing franchise provides members with flexible training options for any fitness level with coached hours, extended access hours featuring coaching screens, as well as an app for workouts and nutritional support.

Going Global

In the past year, UBX has entered the U.S., the U.K., Ireland and Japan, following a previous push into Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Danny Green, UBX co-founder and world champion boxer, stated that the UAE’s love for boxing is “undeniable,” and he’s excited to see what’s to come. 

“The energy and enthusiasm in this region are exactly what makes our concept thrive,” Green said. “Boxing is not just about the physical workout; it’s about building mental resilience and community. Based on growing demand and the proven success of our model, I know we’ll see UBX thrive in the UAE market.”

Earlier this month, UBX and Adidas partnered for a new campaign — “Boxing is for Everyone” — and released a co-branded merchandise line including limited-edition gloves and apparel at UBX studios around the globe. 

Fitness Brands Eye the Middle East

The Middle East has become a hot spot for fitness and wellness, with industry leaders eagerly entering the bustling region. Dubai, in particular, has been referred to as the “fitness capital of the Middle East,” according to The Fit Guide cofounder Jack Thomas. 

It’s a notion shared by Anytime Fitness. The big-box gym franchise under parent company Self Esteem Brands has set its sights on the Middle East, beginning with Dubai.

“It’s a market that — due to the expat community and the diversity — is usually leading with a lot of innovation and new trends, and people want to try it all out,” Self Esteem Brands’ executive vice president, international, Sander van den Born, has told Athletech News. “He also indicated that other brands in SEB’s portfolio, such as the female-centered barre concept, The Bar Method, have great potential in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia. 

Boutique fitness brand Barry’s also has studios in Dubai, developing new territories in the Middle East as part of its broader international push. 

Fitness wearable brand Whoop is also bullish on the region, recently announcing that the Gulf region is a significant part of its growth strategy.

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The BXNG Club, a California-based chain of boxing fitness studios, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy late last month, while its upcoming fifth location in Los Angeles is still in pre-sale mode.

The high-end boxing brand, which offers a variety of fitness classes ranging from kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, cycling, yoga and personal training, announced a funding round back in March with the hopes of securing $2 million for its expansion plans. A web page outlining the investment opportunity with a minimum investment of $50,000, is still active.

Court documents show that the boxing fitness brand has $5.1 million in assets and nearly $5.7 million in debts.

An attorney representing The BXNG Club in Chapter 11, Jason Turner, told FOX’s KSWB-TV in San Diego that the fitness brand intends to reorganize and restructure and “come out of the bankruptcy stronger than before” while continuing to support its members.

Artem Sharoshkin, retired pro fighter and founder and CEO of The BXNG Club, told the outlet that the boutique boxing brand filed for Chapter 11 due to economic headwinds and “pandemic consequences.” 

Twelve-month memberships at The BXNG Club locations begin at $159 per month while all-access memberships (permitting access to all locations) are $239 per month.

“Decreased membership base and rising utility costs, combined with the overall increased cost of operating in California, have put immense pressure on our organization,” Sharoshkin told KSWB-TV. “We are going through a necessary restructuring to secure the business’s future and continue to provide our customers with the unmatched community and fitness experience that they know and love.”

Sharoshkin was first a kickboxing class client at 18 years old before becoming an employee at the fitness club, then known as The Boxing Club. By 2014, Sharoshkin had taken the reins as owner, rebranding the club to its current name. He told The San Diego Tribune in 2022 that he hoped to grow the boxing brand nationally. 

Last August, The BXNG Club announced its plan to open a fifth location, in the Los Angeles Arts District, a departure from its San Diego roots. While initially slated to open this past spring, the club has yet to open its doors and is now scheduled for a late summer opening, according to the website.  

Despite its financial woes, The BXNG Club is full steam ahead and doesn’t appear to be going down without a fight, advertising a boxing spar fest on August 3 at its Rancho Bernardo location.

The BXNG Club didn’t respond to a request for comment for this article.

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Promountings, a leading boxing fitness equipment manufacturing company, prefers surf over turf. The brand recently acquired Aqua Training Bag, a global supplier of water-filled punching bags. While also manufacturing mounts and racks to pair with them, Promountings is helping gyms and fitness facilities reimagine ways for their members to throw lefts and rights. 

“The Aqua Training Bags have become a staple in major boutique and big box gyms such as Rumble Boxing, Club Studio (owned by LA Fitness), MADabolic, Equinox, Sweat and Tonic, 1Rebel UK and many more,” said Royce Negron, President of Promountings. “Sales are continuing to increase since acquisition.” 

Negron also added that sales have especially increased with high-value, low-price (HVLP) gyms, as well as facilities in Canada, Mexico and Australia. 

When you consider an Aqua Bag’s benefits compared to those of a fabric and sand, this spike in interest is easily understandable. 

Take It Easy Where It Matters

Traditional punching bags come with “dead spots,” caused by the fabric and the sand settling into the bag. This occurs over time and eventually makes the punching bag unpleasant to hit. The Aqua Bag completely removes that annoyance. 

“The Aqua Training Bag maintains its shape and has no hard spots,” explained Negron. “The boxing workout has gained a lot of popularity over the years but I think the average gym goer enjoys hitting the aqua bag more because it’s less pain on their joints and feels real.”

Doing so helps users train longer and prevent injuries, which remains a shared goal by individuals and operators alike. This is especially important with a fitness modality like boxing, as individuals often go into it without much training or the proper equipment.

“For gyms, the last thing they want is members hurting themselves or getting serious injuries,” said Negron. “With an exercise like boxing, it’s super important to have safety at the forefront. Most people incorrectly wrap their hands and have below-average boxing gloves. So having the Aqua Bag be super forgiving makes it an amazing experience to hit and not get hurt.”

Compared to bags filled with fabric and sand, Aqua Bags also make boxing exercise more accessible for a wide array of individuals. 

“We do a lot of gyms that have boxing classes for Parkinson’s so it’s great to see them enjoy punching the Aqua Bag with no pain,” said Negron. “A lot of people don’t have perfect technique and that’s where trainers can coach them on how to hit the bag while enjoying it.”

Cost Savings for Operators 

Aqua Bags are as convenient from a pricing and shipping standpoint as they are in the gym. Aqua Bags ship unfilled for under 15 pounds, making them easier and cheaper to shift across the globe. Aqua Bags are usually 50% cheaper than any other heavy bag of the same weight, Promountings reports. 

Aqua Bags are also designed with the long game in mind. The forgiving nature of the bag ensures it will last longer than traditional ones. Bags come with a one-year warranty as extra insurance as well.    

All of this is especially convenient for gyms just starting out in the boxing space and for those wanting to order bags in bulk. Aqua bags not only cost less, they last longer.

“While most bags wear down and need to be replaced over time because of usage, the Aqua Bag looks just as good on day one as day 365,” said Negron. “Logistically, shelf space perspective, build-out cost, the Aqua Training Bag is literally the best solution hands down.” 

Gyms can also order bags in different colors and sizes, making them applicable to any brand. Promountings plans to begin rolling out Aqua Training Bags in retail stores nationwide in 2025. Be on the lookout for new shapes, sizes, and colors by the end of the year.

The post Why Water-Filled Punching Bags Are the Future of Boxing Fitness  appeared first on Athletech News.

The BXNG Club, a San Diego-based chain of luxury combat-based fitness clubs, has initiated a funding round with the hopes of securing $2 million to advance its strategic expansion plans. 

Adding to its four San Diego locations, a high-design facility in the Arts District of Los Angeles is slated to open in the second half of this year, complete with two boxing rings, 50-plus heavy bags and specialty bags, a tailored grappling area, a functional training space with Olympic lifting platforms, a weight room and a cardio deck. 

A wide range of 45-minute fitness classes are available, including boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, cycling, yoga and cardio and strength workouts. Clients will have access to upscale locker rooms, saunas, towel service, and an exclusive members lounge. The brand also offers one-on-one personal training.

An early bird membership is available for the LA-based club at $139/month or $1,399 for a founding member annual membership.

“BXNG and Los Angeles are made for each other —- we are bringing our innovative fitness concept, an unmatched level of coaching and a focus on member experience while LA brings unparalleled fitness-focused culture,” said CEO Artem Sharoshkin, who was named CEO of The Year by San Diego Business Journal. “Together, we will create a chemistry for success,” 

Sharoshkin has had an interesting journey, from an 18-year-old taking a kickboxing class to joining as an employee, working his way up the ladder at what was once known as The Boxing Club. By 2014, Sharoshkin had become the owner and rebranded The Boxing Club to The BXNG Club, telling The San Diego Tribune in 2022 that he has ambitions to grow the brand nationally. 

The BXNG Club says it’s pursuing aggressive expansion that includes locating spaces with existing infrastructure, negotiating creative leases with landlords impacted by COVID-19 and sourcing under-market-value real estate deals. 

A limited number of equity investments are available to accredited investors, with a minimum investment of $50,000. All-access memberships are included for investors, including discounts on personal training and branded apparel.

The post BXNG Club Seeks $2M for LA Expansion, More appeared first on Athletech News.

9Round Kickboxing Fitness now owns all 56 iLoveKickboxing locations across the U.S. and Canada following a deal to acquire the kickboxing group fitness franchise.

According to the sides, members can continue to expect the heart-driven branding of iLoveKickboxing and its scheduled group class format, while 9Round will continue to serve its members with flexible, 24/7 access and individual workouts within its nearly 500 global locations.

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

“We believe in the power of kickboxing to transform lives, and this acquisition allows us to share that passion with even more people,” said 9Round CEO Shannon Hudson, a professional kickboxer who founded the concept in 2008 with wife, Heather. 

“Our future goal is to surpass the 100-location milestone, expanding the reach of ILKB,” Hudson added. “Right now, we are committed to supporting our existing franchise owners and, in due course, will offer new opportunities for entrepreneurs to join our thriving community.”

iLoveKickboxing, founded in 2012, offers a signature 45-minute group fitness class, while some locations host extended 60-minute and 30-minute express classes. Heart rate monitors are available to wear to optimize the kickboxing workouts, with a recap sent via email with valuable insight such as class points, Zone summary and calories burned.

The kickboxing franchise announced it had been acquired on LinkedIn, noting that the move will bring new growth opportunities. Former iLoveKickboxing CEO Dan Castellini remarked that the fitness franchisor is confident it will continue to grow and flourish under the new ownership agreement.

“ILKB’s community-focused class approach empowers individuals on their fitness journey and complements 9Round’s convenience offering,” he said. “Together, the two brands will work to promote wellness and expand the love of kickboxing across the U.S.”

9Round Drives Revenue With 24/7 Model

The South Carolina-based 9Round introduced ‘9Round 365,’ a forward-thinking and low-labor model late last year for its franchisees. The “always open” 9Round model also allows kickboxing members to drop in for a self-guided session at any time or enjoy a workout during trainer-led hours.

“The new technology empowers us to meet our members where they are in their fitness journey,” Hudson said. “During our pilot phase, we saw same-studio memberships increase by 15%, proving people are looking for more customized, tailored workouts. Whether you prefer self-guided training, a group fitness experience or personal coaching, 9Round has you covered.”

One 9Round franchisee in California experienced an 8% increase in revenue following the pilot program’s launch.

“For the first time since before the pandemic, I feel really confident that my studio and my members are on the right path to thrive,”  said Steve Rousey, owner of 9Round Huntington Beach, California.

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Boxing’s roots go back centuries, and as a workout, it continues to grow in popularity. But today’s gyms don’t look like the old-school boxing gyms your grandfather once attended. Now, boxing clubs are as sleek and tech-savvy as any boutique fitness studio, and they’re a prime investment opportunity for fitness entrepreneurs and business-savvy individuals. 

The key is finding the boxing franchise that aligns with your investment goals, budget and your desired rate of return. Some studios are focused on regional growth, while others are setting their sights internationally. There are certain franchises that are drilling down on technology, and others that see the value in providing workouts beyond boxing. Deciding which outlook aligns with your business vision is critical in choosing the right franchise to invest in. 

Ready to start doing your research? Athletech News highlights five boxing franchises to watch. 

Rumble

Investment: The franchise fee is $60,000 and the investment range is $370,810 to $566,680.

About: In just seven years, Rumble Boxing has grown to over 90 locations worldwide. Initially, the company focused on growth in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, and Philadelphia. But, when Rumble was acquired by Xponential Fitness in 2021, it quickly expanded across the U.S., Canada, APAC, Mexico and the Middle East. 

“Born on the streets of New York City, Rumble has cultivated a loyal cult-like following. It’s founded on a lifestyle,” says Shaun Grove, president of Rumble Boxing.

In each Rumble class, there’s a 10-round, 45-minute fight that is evenly divided between two styles of training. “Half of the class is spent exploring the skills and drills of boxing, and the other half is spent on the transformative power of resistance training,” explains Grove. 

The class is led by a trainer who’s part DJ, part coach, and the mega-watt sound system pumps out custom playlists that keep the room moving and upbeat. While boxing may sometimes seem intimidating — Rumble’s goal is to make it both inclusive and positive.

“When we say, ‘10 rounds, 2 fists, zero experience necessary,’ we truly mean it. It’s not uncommon to see first-time boxers next to professional or amateur fighters. No matter your fitness level, we squad up and Rumble together,” says Grove.

When vetting franchisees, Rumble looks for candidates who have experience in team development and leadership, ideally with a background in the corporate world or as an existing business owner. Looking to the future, Rumble is focused on emphasizing the importance of strength training for longevity and presenting more efficient class options.

Learn more here.

RockBox

Investment: The franchise fee to open a RockBox location is $59,900, and they look for franchisee candidates who are equally passionate about business and fitness. 

“We find that owners who put in the work and are excellent at leading and motivating their team can thrive in the boutique fitness industry,” says Roger Martin, co-founder and CEO.

About: Concentrated in the Southeast U.S., RockBox has opened 60 locations since launching in 2017. The program offers a combination workout, bringing together kickboxing, boxing and functional strength training for a more comprehensive approach to fitness.

“The workout experience is wrapped in an amazing member experience set to curated playlists and color adaptive lighting,” explains Martin.

The RockBox approach is meant to be welcoming to all fitness levels. The company prides itself on meeting members where they are on their fitness journey, with a supportive mixture of fitness, nutrition and accountability. The focus is on utilizing technology in the workout, but it’s done in a way that feels inclusive and judgment-free. The goal is to be as un-intimidating as possible. 

RockBox has even made one bold decision to make it more approachable. “To keep members from feeling self-conscious, we have built our studios without mirrors, so the only thing that matters is working hard and having a great time getting in the best shape of their lives,” says Martin.

Learn more here.

Legends Boxing

Investment: The franchise fee is $54,000, and Legends looks for potential franchisees who want to empower others. 

“Remarkably, many of our franchisees initially joined our program as members and were inspired to become part of the company after experiencing its transformative impact firsthand,” says Rob Scott, co-founder and CEO. 

About: Legends Boxing is sanctioned by USA Boxing, which is the national governing body for boxing, and the company upholds its studios and coaches to rigorous certification standards. This includes ensuring sparring members adhere to the USA Boxing rules and are covered by insurance. Scott explains, “With boxing instruction at the forefront, our no-contact classes focus on real USA Boxing techniques. Our curriculum includes a comprehensive 8-punch system, enhancing your boxing prowess compared to the standard 6-punch system.”

The goal is to get you to your desired results, whether that’s skill acquisition, strength or weight loss. The skill-based fitness program is tailored to each individual and their goals and current fitness levels.

“Our core values distinguish us within our industry. We cultivate a welcoming environment where everyone belongs,” says Scott. Legends Boxing also focuses on their community and embracing every person who walks through their doors. There are off-site events to bolster a sense of community, and the company actively works against old-school stereotypes associated with boxing. 

Legends Boxing opened in March 2012, and they now have 16+ locations across Utah, Texas, Michigan and Florida. The highest concentration of locations is in Utah, where there are 10 studios. 

Looking to the future, Legends Boxing is thrilled to introduce EmpowerHer, a workshop tailored for women.

Learn more here.

UBX Boxing + Strength

Investment: UBX looks for franchisees who want to be actively involved in their gyms as owner-operators or active investors. Total startup costs, including the franchise fee of $50,000, come in at $130,147 to $307,797.

About: Founded in 2019, UBX Boxing + Strength was originally launched in Australia by fitness and tech entrepreneur Tim West and four-time world champion boxer Danny Green. It started with the Milton, Queensland location, and UBX now has 111 locations with 510 contracted across seven countries.

“Our growth was powered by strong community support, often seeing members, coaches and their networks becoming franchisees. Following our domestic success, we ventured internationally with locations in New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, Ireland, Japan and the U.S.,” says West. 

UBX made the bold move of eliminating class schedules and offering flexible access times for workouts. These are updated daily and available to follow via on-site coaching screens.

UBX has a signature blend of boxing and strength training, conceptualized by Green. The workout provides a dynamic 12-round circuit, combining bag work, pad work with coaches and functional strength movements.

“This unique model caters to all fitness levels and schedules, from professional athletes to newcomers, ensuring every member can train on their own terms, bolstered by our on-demand app for remote access,” explains West. 

As UBX looks toward an aggressive expansion across North America, Europe and Asia, the company will focus on its unique model, which integrates 1-on-1 boxing pad work within a flexible group training format. West says, “We have our sights set on 1,500 locations in the U.S. and 1,500 in the rest of the world.”

Learn more here.

Mayweather Boxing + Fitness

Investment: The initial franchise fee is $49,500, and complete start-up costs range between $347,000 and $660,000 based on studio/gym size. Mayweather Boxing + Fitness looks for franchise candidates who understand that their team is a sales organization, whether you’re at the front desk or a trainer on the floor. 

About: When Floyd Mayweather announced the concept for Mayweather Boxing + Fitness in 2018, 6000+ inquiries flooded in from individual candidates and large, multi-unit investors. From that, over 100 franchise licenses were awarded, and development began in 2019.  While COVID slowed initial growth, more than 70 locations are currently open, with another 9 U.S. locations to open by the end of 2024 plus another two international locations in Dubai and Uzbek. Currently, the locations are primarily concentrated in California, Texas, Florida and Tennessee. 

The company prides itself on a high-energy, fast-paced and fun group workout experience designed to build strength and confidence. All Mayweather Boxing + Fitness workouts are designed by Mayweather himself with a focus on three values: Goal-Oriented, Variety & Balance, and Teamwork.

“In addition to expert instruction and quality equipment, screens throughout the studio track your performance, and Floyd himself guides you through boxing combinations that are both challenging and fun,” says Chan Gannaway, director of education and programming.

Mayweather Boxing + Fitness has also expanded beyond boxing with MBody, a fitness workout designed to give members an opportunity to build lean muscle and learn how to move properly while working with DBs, MBs, Rowers, and TRX. 

“The more that like-minded individuals are added to the system, the more community is created, the more classes are full, the better the business. The systems and processes that drive marketing, memberships growth, and operational excellence are in place. What is needed are franchisees that will lean in and motivate their teams to create long-term membership value and a deep-rooted community among their patrons,” says Ryan Reeves, chief development officer.  

Learn more here.

The post The Best Boxing Fitness Franchises To Open appeared first on Athletech News.

Promountings, a leading boxing fitness equipment manufacturing company for home gyms and boutique studios, is tightening its grip on what hangs from its state-of-the-art mounts and racks. 

Promountings has acquired Aqua Training Bag, a global supplier of water-filled punching bags. The acquisition promises to put more of the boxing industry’s most dynamic bags on some of its most critically acclaimed mounts and opens up further opportunities for collaboration between the two brands. 

“By combining our strengths and expertise, we are well-positioned to revitalize the Aqua Training Bag brand with new exciting products, enhance current ones and enter the large retailers around the world,” said Royce Negron, president of Promountings. “Our companies are vertically integrated and now will work cohesively in the same ecosystem perfectly positioned for growth.”

Promountings already features I-Beam, rafter, ceiling, roller, wall and speed bag mounts. The company carries a number of modular bag racks along with the aqua bags. It also manufactures pull-up bars as well as other accessories such as hooks, chains and springs to fully equip anyone looking to enhance their boxing fitness experience. 

The Pennsylvania-based Promountings outfits fitness industry heavyweights including Rumble Boxing, Gold’s Gym, TRX and LA Fitness with their boxing equipment needs.

Founded in 2015, Aqua Training Bag offers water-filled boxing punching bags, which are said to be more flexible and lack the hard spots commonly found in sand-filled bags. This makes injury more preventable with Aqua bags and allows them to offer a more real-life feel upon striking — making them ideal for MMA fighters or professional boxers, the company says. They’re also easier to transport and fill. 

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Along with a new year, data relaying the most popular exercise classes in the United States from 2023 has arrived, with some interesting findings. While a few familiar favorites made the cut, an array of fitness newcomers joined them as well.

Rhythm and rhyme reigned supreme this past year, as dance classes were deemed most popular, averaging 668,389 monthly Google searches, according to data compiled by Set for Set, which ranked exercise classes based on their average monthly search volume. Dance was followed by yoga classes, which posted a search volume of 454,664 per month. However, the gulf in searches (213,725) between yoga and dance stood larger than any of the other two activities in the top 10.

Boxing classes took the bronze with a 263,754 monthly search volume. Spin, Zumba, Pilates, barre, kickboxing, gymnastics and tai chi rounded out the top 10, in that order. Spin, Zumba and Pilates were right behind boxing, all accumulating a search volume of at least 137,211. After that, a steep drop off occurred as none of the remaining exercise classes reached six figures. 

“Exercising is beneficial for so many different reasons,” Set for Set co-founder Kiel DiGiovanni said of the list. “Whether you participate in classes to improve muscle tone, flexibility, strength, or to be more active, they are the perfect way to stay motivated. The key to great physical health is a positive mindset. Group exercise triggers the release of endorphins and can lead to stress relief and mood enhancement; they are a great place to make new friends with similar interests and are likely to lead to further attendance.”

The Most Popular Exercise Classes of 2023 (according to average monthly search volume):

1. Dance (668,389)
2. Yoga (454,664)
3. Boxing (263,754)
4. Spin (202,018)
5. Zumba (143,484)
6. Pilates (137,211)
7. Barre (61,128)
8. Kickboxing (57,615)
9. Gymnastics (48,984)
10. Tai Chi (27,959)

Breaking Down the Results

The least popular exercise class in the country was cross-training, which received a monthly search volume of just 199. However, the most surprising finish came from strength training. Despite the exercise modality experiencing a reported surge in popularity this past year, it ranked 22nd in terms of monthly search volume. Classes pertaining to strength training averaged just 4,486 monthly searches, falling behind CrossFit, rowing, hiking and bootcamp just to name a few.

Dance’s spot at the top of the list checks out, given the workout’s ease of access and wide range of health benefits both mentally and physically, While companies built entirely around dance like DanceBody thrived in 2023, organizations with broader offerings also dipped deeper into the activity. 

Les Mills recently made virtual reality dance classes accessible to the masses after launching its XR Dance app on Meta Quest 3. LG also upped its dance offerings, agreeing to a partnership with 305 Fitness.

As for yoga classes, YogaSix helped lead the charge in its overall popularity. The boutique yoga brand topped 600 signed franchise agreements earlier this year, making expansions into New York, Los Angeles, Long Island, and Boston. CorePower Yoga has also seen much success in 2023.

For boxing classes, UBX and Rumble stand out as noteworthy contributors to the modality’s popularity. UBX expanded into new continents this past year, including locations in New York, Tokyo, Manchester, and Dublin. The brand also agreed to partner with Warner Brothers and Universal Studios during the release of box-office hit “Creed III,” featuring events and workout methods that play off the film. Rumble has assisted in breaking down the gender barrier that held back boxing classes for years.  

The research cited in this article was compiled by the fitness experts at Set For Set, who gathered Google search volume for keywords such as “classes near me” and “class near me” combined with the name of each exercise.

The post Dance, Yoga Were Most Popular Exercise Classes of 2023, Data Shows appeared first on Athletech News.

It has been a huge year for the boxing and strength fitness franchise UBX, with launches in four new countries, an exciting partnership with Warner Bros Pictures and Universal for the release of “Creed III,” a global deal with Adidas Combat Sports and now plans to reach 1,500 locations across the U.S.

Following its success in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, UBX (pronounced You-Box) has brought its boxing and strength concept to New York, Tokyo, Manchester and Dublin this year alone and is on track to hit over 500 locations by 2028. Looking ahead, the brand plans to achieve at least half of its overall global footprint in the US.

“1,500 gyms in the U.S. and 1,500 gyms rest-of-world is the current goal. Currently, we have over 500 gyms contracted to open, which makes us, on paper, 3 times larger than the biggest boxing provider in history,” says Tim West, Co-Founder and Managing Director of UBX.

The UBX team is confident their unique model will succeed in the U.S. market through the brand’s ability to offer members access to one-on-one boxing padwork within its group training format that also offers flexible start times where no bookings are required and removes the need for a class timetable altogether.

“Boxing as a sport is massive,” West notes. “Boxing as a fitness modality has and always will be here. It’s popular, it’s effective and UBX is making it more accessible than ever. We strongly believe that there is infinite scale for our product in the market.”

Franchise interest has been strong to date, with the UBX team actively recruiting across fitness professionals ready to step into an owner-operator role through to business investors looking to add a low-capital, high-return boutique gym concept to their portfolio. 

The UBX model came to life when West and Co-Founder Danny Green, a former professional boxer with four world championship titles, saw a gap in the fitness landscape and sought to re-imagine how boxing could scale as an uber-flexible, disruptive challenger in the marketplace. The idea was to achieve a boutique format that offered group training and an authentic boxing experience combined with a science-based strength program that was suitable for all fitness and skill levels; those new to fitness as well as seasoned fitness enthusiasts. 

In 2016, the first location launched in Brisbane, Australia and through the overwhelming advocacy of the product, the brand grew to 60 locations in under three years, with many of the first territories bought by existing members, or friends and family of members.

Today, the brand has expanded on the value offering, placing co-founder Green as Head of Boxing alongside Brad Harrington, former strength and conditioning coach for Australia’s national rugby union team, the Wallabies, to lead programming of the workouts, which change daily. The boxing and strength workouts are also via an app, with a selection of body-weight and equipment-based exercises that members can access whenever and wherever they want.

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Australian boutique fitness franchise UBX now offers “Extended Access” so fitness members can train outside traditional staffed studio hours using their member tag as a key. It’s a move UBX says elevates the experience of its members while also increasing retention and franchise revenue.

UBX’s new “training freedom” model comes on the heels of an excellent year for the boxing franchise, including its expansion in four new countries, a partnership with Warner Bros Pictures and Universal for “Creed III” and a noteworthy deal with Adidas Combat Sports. 

Tim West, who co-founded UBX in 2016 with world champion boxer Danny Green, emphasized the common challenges boutique gyms confront due to high labor costs, which lead to facilities often opening just for a morning and afternoon shift during the week and a Saturday morning shift on the weekend.

“They’re actually shut more than they’re open,” West noted. “We knew members would train more regularly if they had more access to the gym, so we created a system that can deliver a highly engaging and effective workout even outside of staffed hours. And the more that we can continue expanding on the value we give to our members, we know the more likely we are to retain them and nurture strong advocates of our brand.”

The 24-hour extended access model is now available at select UBX locations. For a limited time, UBX says new “franchise opportunities” will receive a $10k incentive to enable extended access at their gym.

Studios Embrace Staff-Free Hours

The new self-service fitness approach allows UBX members to drop in and work out on their own schedule using coaching screens offering workout guidance through the 12-round boxing and strength circuit with demonstrations, reps and heart rate zone indicators supported by Myzone’s technology. If unable to visit a UBX gym, members can use the on-demand workout app with the same boxing and strength exercises as the in-gym training experience.

The low-cost convenient option provides ultimate flexibility to gym members — and it may become a trend that catches on with boutique fitness studios looking to maximize revenue opportunities without increasing staff costs. 9Round Kickboxing, a South Carolina-based fitness franchise, recently unveiled ‘9Round 365,’ a similar model that relies on screens to encourage members through their workouts with a 24/7/365 “drop in” concept.

UBX Eyes Global Growth  

Earlier this fall, UBX launched in Japan with three locations in Tokyo, adding to its existing global portfolio of locations in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, the U.K. and the U.S. 

The fitness brand aims to exceed 500 gyms in the next five years, projecting 3,000 in time.

UBX’s master franchise partnerships, as seen with Prova Group and Empowered Brands, have resulted in rapid expansion. Empowered Brands signed on with UBX to open 250 gyms across the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland within the next five years, as its chairman, Pietro Nicholls, noted that the “predictability” of the UBX franchise model makes it an “attractive prospect to franchisees.” 

With Prova Group, UBX will open a minimum of 145 locations in Japan over the next ten years.

The post UBX Is Latest Boutique Fitness Brand To Offer 24-Hour Access appeared first on Athletech News.

Bhout, a Portuguese connected boxing startup, has raised an impressive €10 million ($10.7 million) in seed funding for its AI-powered gamified boxing bag, scalable studio concept model and omnichannel approach.  

The seed round was led by VC investors Lince Capital and Explorer Investments at a time when venture capital funding has remained sluggish on a global scale. 

Dubbed the “boxing bag with a brain” by Bhout founder Mauro Frota, the innovative fitness startup opened a boxing club in Lisbon, Portugal, in the summer of 2021 and was crowned the 2023 Startup Spotlight award winner at The Fitness Technology Summit in Washington, D.C. 

The boxing brand is now looking to expand its studio footprint to the U.S., Spain, Brazil, UAE and Saudi Arabia and has a waitlist for consumers interested in purchasing its Bhout bag. 

Just the Beginning

Frota, an accomplished expert in exercise psychology and martial arts training as well as a former Precor master coach, had once revealed plans to sell the AI boxing bags to fitness operators, corporate offices and hotels. He took to LinkedIn to announce the seed round, which he pointed out comes during a challenging macro environment:

“We are really excited about this milestone, especially because this is one of the biggest Seed rounds for a FitTech Startup, that becomes even more special when we realize we are in a major downturn of the economy. But…I believe that valuations and amounts raised are really just vanity metrics,” he wrote.

“Celebration done,” Frota added. “Time to get back to building something special.”

A New Take on Connected Fitness

That “something special” is Bhout’s standout gamified and connected fitness bag, which uses sensors and machine learning. Despite its high-tech approach, the bag’s design, crafted from cactus leaves and medium-density foam, gives boxers and fitness enthusiasts the feel of boxing with a human — not a robot. The Bhout bag can also rotate 180 degrees, suitable for both cardio and strength workouts and identifies the location, force and type of strike with near 100% accuracy.

Bhout has also begun looking for franchisees for its 45-minute HIIT martial arts training concept that closes with meditation.

As for gamification, Bhout is soon releasing JAB$ so home-based bag owners can compete with family and friends and earn tokens to redeem for a new pair of gloves or upgrade their avatars. Players are rewarded for working out with regular physical level assessments, and as fit level increases, players get additional points and JAB$ for each training session.

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As aspiring fitness entrepreneurs continue to eye the numerous benefits of franchising systems, one South Carolina-based kickboxing franchise has improved the member experience franchisees can provide while also lowering their operational costs. 

The new tech-forward and low-labor concept from 9Round Kickboxing, dubbed “9Round 365,” brings a fitness screen to its nine stations, with workouts changing daily. Throughout the 30-minute circuit, members are told when to change stations by a guiding voice timer system.

The model provides members with increased flexibility and offers franchise owners the chance to boost revenue.

“The new technology empowers us to meet our members where they are in their fitness journey,” said Shannon Hudson, co-founder and CEO of 9Round Kickboxing. “During our pilot phase, we saw same-studio memberships increase by 15% proving people are looking for more customized, tailored workouts. Whether you prefer self-guided training, a group fitness experience or personal coaching, 9Round has you covered.”

As Hudson noted in a video explaining the latest franchisee offering, implementing screen technology allows 9Round members to have two separate experiences: a high-touch, high-energy instructional session if members come during trainer-led hours or a self-guided session any other time, night or day.

A Kickboxing Success Story

Hudson, a professional kickboxer, founded the 9Round franchise in 2008 with his wife. The kickboxing franchise, with a copyrighted system of nine workout stations created by Hudson, has grown to nearly 500 locations in 41 states and 17 countries.

In light of its “always open” model, the kickboxing franchise has teamed up with a security and door access system and is using surveillance cameras and panic buttons that promptly deploy emergency responders to ensure the safety of members. In addition to its approach to safety, 9Round’s member management software has been synced to door access to provide trackable, real-time data.

9Round’s headquarters can also access and support the screen technology remotely, so franchise owners are free from needing on-site IT support. 

“We are dedicated to supporting our owners every step of the way, and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to succeed, starting with a 5-day training program at our headquarters,” Hudson said. “Our goal is to assist owners with a smooth site selection and buildout process and give them the tools to generate revenue before they even open with pre-sale marketing.”

Steve Rousey, a 9Round franchise owner in Huntington Beach, California, reported an 8% increase in revenue after launching the pilot program. 

“For the first time since before the pandemic, I feel really confident that my studio and my members are on the right path to thrive,” Rousey said.

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If you think of “Rocky,” “Creed,” and old-school gyms filled with testosterone when you hear the word boxing, it might be time to update your view on the sport, especially as it relates to group fitness.

Boxing has quickly become a favorite fitness activity of women across the U.S., especially among those in the Millennial age range. More and more, women are making the once-male-dominated sport their go-to workout routine, shattering long-held notions of what’s masculine and feminine.

Rumble Boxing, the boxing-inspired group fitness brand acquired by Xponential Fitness in 2021, is emblematic of this cultural shift. A whopping 73% of Rumble’s fast-growing member base is made up of women. Perhaps even more notable, approximately 40% of Rumble franchise owners are female, higher than the national average of 31%. 

A Rumble workout is challenging but accessible, featuring 10 rounds over 45 minutes divided evenly between boxing drills like shadowboxing and bag-punching and resistance training including bodyweight circuits and dumbbells. 

There are a few reasons why Rumble has become so popular with women: part of it stems from the growing popularity of boxing itself, part of it is due to the increased interest in group fitness post-pandemic, and some of it is thanks to the franchising might of Xponential, which has ten boutique fitness brands under its umbrella including giants like Club Pilates and StretchLab.

“Boxing and HIIT are hot modalities in the boutique fitness space and with the right team in place, we’ve been able to rapidly expand through franchising the concept in 2021,” Shaun Grove, Rumble’s President, says of the brand’s growth. “We’ve also been able to capitalize on the heightened consumer demand for community-based fitness as more and more people are dedicating more time to their health and wellness, especially as people are defining ‘wellness’ in broader terms since the pandemic.”

Rumble’s blend of boxing and group fitness not only offers a great workout, it presents an accessible entry into strength training, which has become ultra-popular post-pandemic. For women who understand they need to strength train for better overall health but may have trepidation about jumping into the weight room at their local gym, boxing at Rumble presents a fun and relatively easy way to get started. 

“Trends have shown that females, and not just athletes, are starting to understand the importance of weight training for overall health and wellness, but they want a program that’s fun and that they can stick to,” Rachelle Dejean, Chief Marketing Officer at Rumble, explains. “At Rumble, we take that up a notch with the unique pairing of boxing and strength for killer results.”

It helps that boxing also offers many cardio benefits, so Rumble members get a lot of bang for their workout buck. 

Susie Grobler, who opened the first Rumble franchise location, was encouraged to become a studio owner due to her love for the workout more than anything else.

“Cardio is important but I can’t say I personally love running,” notes Grobler, who opened her Rumble location in Anchorage, Alaska, on New Year’s Day 2022. “I fell in love with boxing because it gives me the cardio push I need. Rumble takes it to the next level by also adding in the strength component. The mixture of rounds on the bag and rounds on the floor is amazing and the results speak for themselves.”

Importantly, Rumble classes can be taken by people with no prior boxing experience. That’s an intentional choice on the part of Rumble and Xponential to promote inclusivity and attract a wider clientele. 

“We always aim to be accessible, and our ‘don’t take ourselves too seriously’ brand approach helps us maintain a fun energy,” Dejean says.

Another key reason for Rumble’s growth is the power of community. The boutique fitness brand has been able to combine the fitness benefits of boxing with the allure of group fitness, which has become even more desired post-pandemic as people seek to regain in-person connections they lost out on during lockdowns and social distancing.

“When Rumble propelled into the NYC market in 2017, it was really one of the first of its kind to offer boxing-inspired group fitness,” Dejean notes. “Everyone can benefit from community and connection, and even more so after years of on-demand and virtual workouts.” 

Rumble’s popularity among female franchise owners has been the result of organic growth rather than any strategic decisions on the part of Xponential; the boutique fitness franchisor seeks capable business partners regardless of gender. 

“We simply look for energetic individuals who want to own their own business and ideally, are passionate about fitness,” Grove says. “Someone who has business acumen, sufficient financial resources, the ability to manage and motivate a team, and the ability to follow our proven systems.”

For Grobler, the decision to open a Rumble studio was a natural choice, driven by her love of the brand’s boxing-inspired workouts as well as Xponential’s famous “playbook” for franchise owners.

“Xponential provides guidance in all departments. The sales and marketing team work very hard to provide a play that works,” Grobler says. “This frees up a lot of time to work on how to execute the play. The training team has been invaluable in providing not just a great workout but truly being mentors.”

Grobler, who also owns a Pure Barre franchise that she bought in 2017 before Xponential acquired that brand, believes franchising can be very rewarding – she left a career as a mechanical engineer in the oil industry to gain more control over her schedule – but it’s not without its share of challenges, like any business.

“I’ll have to quote (franchise expert and author) Scott Greenberg and say, ‘If you don’t like roller coasters, you probably won’t like franchising,’” she says. “A big part of my success is that I’ve just kept going through all the ups and downs.”

Overall, Rumble has over 65 studios open and 375 franchise licenses signed as of Q2 2023, impressive growth given the brand only started franchising after being acquired by Xponential in 2021. As Rumble looks to continue opening studios across the country and world, it will focus on markets that meet its criteria in terms of demographics and real estate. 

But more than anything, where Rumble heads next will be driven by franchisee demand.

“While we do target key markets in our marketing approach, our expansion strategy is driven by where our franchisees want to open a studio,” Grove says.

The post Rumble Boxing Is a Hit With Female Franchisees appeared first on Athletech News.

What happens when a four-time world champion boxer and a fitness and tech entrepreneur launch a unique fitness boxing concept? Rapid global expansion.

UBX Boxing + Strength has just launched its signature boxing concept in Japan with three locations in Tokyo, the seventh global entry for the brand — and its just getting started. The boxing concept plans to have over 500 global gyms by 2033, adding to its 100-plus locations already open in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, the U.K. and the U.S. 

The brand credits its impressive growth to a combination of direct entry from its HQ team in Australia and its strategic master franchise partnerships with Prova Group and Empowered Brands, which partnered with UBX to open 250 gyms across the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland within the next five years in a deal worth £50M.

With the assistance of Prova Group, UBX says it will open a minimum of 145 locations in Japan over the next ten years, adding to its clubs in  Kagurazaka, Kodemmacho and Omori.

Tim West, UBX co-founder and managing director, remarked that Japan is an exciting market for the brand because of its strong interest in boxing, affinity for martial arts and its list of world champions such as former pound-for-pound top-ranked boxer Naoya Inoue.

“As seen globally, consumer interest and participation often follows professional success in sport,” said West, who co-founded UBX in 2016 alongside world champion boxer Danny Green.

Earlier this summer, UBX launched its first U.S. location, in Larchmont, New York, which has attracted over 200 members and over 2,400 visits since opening its doors. The N.Y. location kicked off UBX’s plans in the U.S., with the brand intending to first focus on the Tri-State area. Across the pond, the boxing brand now has four locations in the U.K. and Ireland, with over 200 more in development.

In addition to its global expansion, UBX has signed a partnership deal with Adidas Combat Sports to co-brand and collaborate on product design, marketing and distribution of boxing gloves, apparel, uniforms and equipment.

“Our mission is to give everyone the opportunity to train like a boxer without stepping into the ring,” West said. “We want to create the largest boxing community worldwide…Boxing is experiencing a new golden era, and demand follows public interest.”

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CR Fitness Holdings, a leading Crunch Fitness franchisee, has been on an expansion tear as of late, recently surpassing the 50 location mark as it eyes 100 clubs by 2026. 

A key reason for the Crunch franchisee’s success is its commitment to offering a broad range of high-quality group fitness classes specifically tailored to the member profiles of its individual club locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas.

Alyssa D’Aquino, vice president of group fitness at CR Fitness Holdings, tells Athletech News that when CR is opening new franchise locations, it makes group fitness a priority.

“We make sure we open a club with at least 55 to 60 classes and work from there,” D’Aquino says. “Our really strong clubs at the moment have over 100 classes a week.”

Group fitness is “a huge part of the presale process” when CR is opening new clubs, D’Aquino notes. That includes surveying new members on their preferences in terms of class types and scheduling, as well as educating them on Crunch programming. 

By the time a CR Fitness-owned Crunch club opens, D’Aquino and her team have a strong idea of the types of classes they should offer and with what frequency, based on the feedback they get from the location’s first batch of members.  

“Right off the bat, we’re able to come in without having to just throw things up in the air and see if they stick,” she says. 

Part of CR’s commitment to group fitness stems from the larger Crunch Fitness brand, which offers over 100 class formats spanning just about every modality a member could want, including many proprietary formats and partnerships with top brands including Zumba. At the corporate level, Crunch adds around 10-12 new classes each year so things don’t get stale for members at its 400-plus locations. 

“We always say at Crunch that we want it to be members’ one-stop shop, for them not to feel like they have to go to multiple studios or different gyms,” D’Aquino says. “When they come here, they have a spin studio, boxing, hot yoga, fitness-style classes, bootcamp, it’s all in one. And we offer it all for a ridiculously low price.”

But CR Fitness takes things a step further. Most franchisees don’t have the operational expertise and financial resources of the Brandon, Florida-based company, which has investment from North Castle Partners, a private equity firm whose health, fitness and wellness portfolio includes brands like Equinox, Barry’s and Therabody.

“We’re not afraid to take risks,” D’Aquino says. “If it’s something new, we are the first franchise to go ahead and test-run it. We were actually the ones pushing for boxing to become a part of the Crunch umbrella.”

Last fall, CR Fitness helped Crunch officially launch its boxing classes, which have become popular amid the rising popularity of strength training. 

The team at CR Fitness also places a high emphasis on the way it designs its group fitness spaces. That includes deviating from the corporate Crunch playbook at times.

Around a year ago, CR Fitness realized that Crunch’s HIIT Zone, the brand’s signature functional training area, which is typically found in an open layout in the middle of the main gym floor, would be better off in an enclosed space to give it a studio-like feel and encourage more people to take classes. 

“Having it out on the floor is great because it draws a lot of attention, but we were also getting the opposite, having members complain,” D’Aquino says. “It’s tough to put on a class in the middle of a club.”

The move paid off and now CR Fitness uses the walled-off design concept at most of the new clubs it opens.

Trends in Group Fitness

In terms of which group fitness classes and exercise modalities are popular with Crunch members right now, it’s mostly a matter of broader fitness industry trends, according to the CR Fitness executive. 

While it differs slightly on a club-by-club basis, D’Aquino says that at the macro level, across all CR Fitness clubs, the most popular classes right now include strength-based classes, Pilates and boxing. HIIT training remains as popular as ever, but the focus has shifted to Crunch’s more strength-focused classes as opposed to cardio-heavy offerings. 

Pilates has surged in popularity just over the last few months, D’Aquino has noticed, a trend she puts down in part to preferences among fitness influencers, who have been honing in on things like core strength. 

“Everything is so tied into social media,” D’Aquino says. “I teach my group fitness managers to stay on trend and see what influencers are posting. Not that we’re going to base our entire business (off that), but that’s how the world is right now.”

On the other end of the spectrum, cycling has fallen from its pandemic-era height of popularity, although there are still some individual CR Fitness locations where Ride, Crunch’s spin class, is still the most popular group fitness class. 

D’Aquino is quick to point out the cyclical nature of trends in the fitness industry, so the popular group fitness modalities of today might not stay on top for long, and vice-versa. 

“I always say the fitness industry is a trend, it’s like this constant wheel of things that become trending and then trend back down, so it all comes back around,” she says.

There are some classes – and brands – that stand the test of time, however. 

“Zumba is always among those classes that perform very well,” D’Aquino says. “We know if we throw Zumba on the schedule, it’s going to (get people interested in) everything else that we have.”

Group Fitness Rebounds From the Pandemic

Echoing the findings from others in the group fitness space, D’Aquino says consumer demand for in-person classes has mostly returned to pre-pandemic levels across CR Fitness clubs, although it took a little while for things to get back to normal. 

“I would say this past January was the first time (since the pandemic) where we had a true January,” D’Aquino said, referring to what is typically the busiest month for buying gym memberships.

However, as with modality preferences, things can vary on a club-by-club basis. 

“Our club in South Tampa, for example, their group fitness never really popped right back off, but their HIIT Zone was so strong, so we made sure we capitalized on that area and gave them a bit more customized formatting,” D’Aquino says. “Now they’re doing better than ever.” 

That showcases CR Fitness’ approach of analyzing and understanding each club for its unique features, including member demographics, and creating group fitness programming that will do best at that location.

At each club, D’Aquino and her team set out to create a unique and thoughtfully designed group fitness schedule, matching classes with what will give that club’s members the best experience. It’s a complex logistical undertaking, but one that pays off with increased member engagement and time spent in-club.

“It’s like creating a puzzle and being very systematic on when you run certain classes, making sure they don’t battle against each other and creating a flow of classes we want the member to take,” she explains. “Maybe they’re going to do a fitness-style class into a spin class into a yoga class. It all matches up, so they’re there for two to three hours instead of just coming in and going out.”

The post How the Top Crunch Fitness Franchisee Uses Group Fitness To Fuel Expansion appeared first on Athletech News.

VSL Fighting Equipment, a full-service, one-stop shop for gyms and franchises looking for branded boxing gear and fitness accessories, has seen a resurgence in strength-based group fitness, particularly boxing. 

Founded by trainer and fighter Joey Valle and Jim Lyman, VSL provides custom-branded boxing gloves for notable companies such as Equinox and RockBox.

In addition to offering a wide range of pro gloves, mitts, headgear, Hitstix and newer items such as vegan leather pro boxing gloves, punchy and colorful animal print hand wraps, and police and firefighter-inspired boxing gloves, the equipment company maintains a forward-thinking approach on how to best serve gyms and franchises.

“We’re always looking at new technologies that we can use,” said Jim McClafferty, CEO of VSL, sharing that the full-service gear company is seeing increased interest in their washable, soft-material gloves that can be placed in a washing machine and dryer. 

“That’s very appealing to some of the gyms that we work with,” McClafferty said, adding that the ability to clean and provide freshly washed gloves for fitness enthusiasts has attracted several operators.

As group fitness classes and studios gain continued traction with fitness enthusiasts and the need for equipment increases, VSL has also offered to do the warehousing and fulfillment of goods for some of its customers.

After manufacturing fitness gear to a client’s specifications, VSL conducts quality control and review of the products, repackages and relabels them before shipping them to a distribution center. This level of service allows fitness franchises to focus on their businesses.

“We take that which tends not to be a core competency — the fulfillment of product manufacturer — we take that out of their hands and we take care of that because that’s our expertise,” McClafferty said. “It allows the franchise companies to focus on what it is that’s important to them – satisfying their members, making sure that the members are having a good experience and expanding the footprint and supporting their franchisees.”

McClafferty sees a missed opportunity for many fitness franchises and gyms, one that businesses shouldn’t overlook.

“There’s a large revenue stream available in addition to just the monthly membership fees that they have. It’s actual product sales,” McClafferty points out. “And when you look at boxing equipment, a lot of the gyms are adding boxing classes to the offerings that they have. There’s a huge opportunity there for additional revenue for them by selling the product to the individual members.”

McClafferty also sees a significant opportunity to provide branded gloves to businesses to expand brand awareness and visibility.

“It’s an opportunity for (fitness operators) to continue to expand the brand,” he said. “If I’m walking around with a pair of boxing gloves that say ‘Equinox’ on them, it’s more brand exposure for Equinox outside of the studio.” 

As for the popularity of strength training and boxing programs, McClafferty notes that it’s exploded in the last couple of years. 

“When gyms started opening up again, we saw a resurgence,” he said. “We saw people going back to the gym and I think the popularity of boxing continued to grow. So there’s a lot of people and a lot of gyms that are adding those capabilities to their gyms that they didn’t have before.”

McClafferty says that the fitness enthusiasts who participate in boxing run the gamut from moms going to the gym during the day while their kids are in school to those training to compete in charity events. 

Overall, McClafferty says it’s VSL’s expertise that enables fitness businesses to be free from having to deal with manufacturers, shipping and quality control.

“We take all those hassles out of their hands so they can focus on what is really their core company and building a footprint,” he said. “(They) don’t have to worry about, you know, what happened to that batch of gloves? Is it on the shipping container? Is it stuck in customs? The thumb is not the same way on this one as it was from the last time that I bought it. We handle all that stuff for them. When it comes in, they get their products on time in pristine condition and they can focus on what they need to focus on.”

The post Gyms Can Benefit From the Rise of Group Boxing, VSL Fighting Equipment CEO Says appeared first on Athletech News.

Rumble Boxing, the Xponential Fitness-owned group fitness concept, is hosting its annual week-long block party at its studios nationwide, inviting fitness enthusiasts new to the brand and celebrating its current members.

The ’90s-themed event is playing throwback hip-hop, pop, one-hit wonders, rock, dance and greatest hits as new Rumblers and members work out to full-body boxing and strength classes. 

Those new to Rumble will be invited to receive member deals and have a chance to win prizes and complimentary Rumble classes.

“We’re excited to invite guests to glove up to specially crafted playlists featuring the best of the 90’s, guaranteed to transport you back to an era of iconic hits and unstoppable energy,” said Rachelle Dejean, chief marketing officer of Rumble Boxing. “The Rumble Block Party is more than just a week of workouts, it’s a celebration of community, music, and the power of coming together for a collective goal. Whether you’re a seasoned boxer or a first-timer, Rumble promises an unforgettable week filled with sweat, energy, and camaraderie.”

Rumble is having a busy summer this year, having also partnered with Live Nation and Movement Live by Michelob Ultra for an “unconventional fitness experience” where attendees participate in a live, 45-minute shadow boxing and strength workout led by Rumble trainers. After the workout, a dance party starts with special musical performances and a chance to enjoy a cold, post-workout treat: Michelob Ultra, a 95-calorie beer with 2.6 carbs and zero artificial flavors or colors.

Group fitness modalities, particularly those that are strength-based, are seeing a resurgence.  While the pandemic may have led to an at-home fitness boom, fitness and wellness enthusiasts are now flocking to boutique fitness experiences with a community-based approach. 

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