CycleBar Celebrates Heart Month With All-New Strength Class
Xponential Fitness brands CycleBar and Pure Barre are also honoring American Heart Month with heart-health initiatives
Two leading Xponential Fitness brands, CycleBar and Pure Barre, are honoring American Heart Month this February with a new strength-based class format offered by the indoor cycling brand and joint heart-health initiatives.
Both Pure Barre and CycleBar were recently featured on Entrepreneur’s 2024 Franchise 500, recognizing the two boutique brands as leading fitness and wellness franchises based on factors such as brand power, support and growth. CycleBar earned bragging rates as the only indoor cycling franchise that made the list.
Strength Training for Heart Health
In celebration of American Heart Month, CycleBar’s new strength class integrates cardio and strength in a single workout session, supporting heart health and aligning with the American Heart Association’s recommendation of strength training at least twice a week, along with 2.5 hours of cardio exercise.
The class format uses eight and ten-pound bars for a wide range of cycling and strength-building benefits.
“Elevating the rider and community experience is always our number one priority at CycleBar,” said Trevor Lucas, president of CycleBar. “Strength training is proven to build lean muscle, increase bone density and improve heart health. By adding more of this training into our high-energy rhythm ride, we can give riders a more holistic fitness experience for longer, stronger, and healthier lives. Cycling doesn’t have to be just a cardio workout.”
Raising Awareness Through Fitness
Over at Pure Barre, the boutique barre brand will encourage members to share their #PureHeart “why,” and will participate alongside CycleBar in “National Wear Red Day” to bring awareness to heart disease. Pure Barre and CycleBar members can also donate to the American Heart Association’s “Life is Why” fundraiser at participating studios, which will fund research and public health advocacy.
“We support cardiovascular health in our workouts and our communities,” said Cheri Tennill, chief marketing officer of Pure Barre. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the American Heart Association to share education on heart health with our community and further their vital mission. By raising awareness and providing an inclusive barre community, we can enable everyone to achieve the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week and improve their lives.”
Xponential Eyes International Expansion, Increased Profitability
As Pure Barre keeps its pulse on American Heart Month in the U.S., the Xponential brand is seeing demand in Japan. At least 50 Pure Barre and YogaSix studios are expected to open following a master franchise agreement with Osaka-based Sunpark Co. Ltd, which is also a StretchLab master franchisee
Sunpark’s founder and CEO, entrepreneur Ken Takagi, has indicated that fitness and wellness are in their infancy in Japan, with Sunpark prepared to build the foundation for future boutique studio growth.
Meanwhile, in North America, Xponential increased its North American total member numbers by 21% in 2023, grew studio visits by 31% compared to 2022 and opened 557 new studios last year.
The boutique fitness and wellness franchisor has also invested in the weight-loss drug sector and longevity space with metabolic health brand Lindora, its eleventh acquisition. The new brand was formally introduced at Xponential’s recent annual franchise convention.
“Our avid customer base, strong visitation trends and departure from the company-owned transition studio strategy position us well to increase profitability in 2024,” said Xponential founder and CEO Anthony Geisler.
