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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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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UBX, co-created by Danny Green, a four-time world champion boxer, and Tim West, a fitness and tech entrepreneur, has set its sights on making boxing and group fitness more accessible — and it’s quickly becoming the fastest-growing boxing brand this year.

The boxing and strength company recently announced a partnership with Adidas Combat Sports, with plans to release an exclusive range of co-branded boxing equipment and apparel. 

UBX first launched in Australia in 2016, attracting fitness consumers to its non-contact training with bagwork, padwork and strength training across 12 rounds. The approach, designed to be inclusive to fitness consumers regardless of gender, age and ability, provides a flexible start-time model for ultimate convenience. 

Earlier this year, UBX caught the eye of specialist investment and fitness franchise operator Empowered Brands, which partnered with UBX to open 250 gyms across the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland within the next five years, creating over 700 new jobs. The deal is worth £50M, according to UBX.

The company predicts north of 450 sites could open within the next 15 years based on the strength of demand.

UBX has also made its stateside debut, opening a location in Larchmont, New York, this month. The new NY location kicks off the boxing company’s expansion plans in America.

“Our initial expansion will focus on the New York Tri-state area, an influential and dynamic market that we believe will serve as a robust foundation for our further growth across the U.S.,” West confirms.

UBX’s growth occurs at a time when strength-based fitness and boxing are both favored fitness activities, offering a method to blow off steam while getting in a great workout. 

“Fitness enthusiasts are often drawn to boxing in a gym setting like UBX because it gives them an opportunity to move like a boxer without having to compete or step into the ring, and with the right format, structure and guidance it’s easy to start, fun to learn, and continually rewarding as you improve,” West said. “The high-intensity nature of boxing makes it a powerful workout, but the focus on skill distracts from the effort, turning it into an engaging challenge rather than a chore.”

West says the combination of physical exertion and mental focus required for boxing can create a “mindful state” that allows fitness enthusiasts to alleviate tension and anxiety, making it a highly effective form of stress relief. 

“In essence, boxing offers high-intensity interval training disguised as skill-building that promotes both physical and mental resilience,” West added.

UBX Eyes Three Regions for Expansion 

UBX revealed it’s setting its sights on the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America regions for its expansion plans. 

“Our strategy is to target markets where functional strength, HIIT training, boxing, and kickboxing have a strong foothold,” West said. “With our unique blend of boxing and strength training in a highly convenient format, we believe UBX can differentiate itself and succeed in these markets.”

UBX has also partnered with Prova Group in Japan, a deal that will see the launch of over 145 gyms in the next decade within the region. 

It’s a partnership that West says is exciting for the boxing company and will make UBX the largest boxing provider in Japan within the next three years.

“Given Japan’s rich history in boxing and its cultural affinity for skill-based group fitness activities like martial arts, we believe our model will resonate strongly here,” said West. “We’re set to launch our first three gyms in Tokyo this August, marking an important milestone in our global expansion.”

What’s Ahead for Boxing 

West anticipates an exciting future for boxing with the intersection of tech and fitness.

“On the exercise side, we anticipate enthusiasts will expect more accessibility to their training, along with progress tracking and real-time feedback on their effort, an overall enhancement of their training experience,” West said.

From a professional sports perspective, he predicts a more immersive experience for fans.

“Real-time metrics and stats could enrich viewers’ understanding and enjoyment of the fights, much like they do in other sports,” said West. “The future of boxing, we believe, will include a more connected and engaging experience for fans.”

UBX launched “Train On-Demand,” in March 2020, an online offering with a holistic approach that covers bodyweight and equipment-based programs, nutrition and mindset content. The app, which meets the needs of a hybrid fitness model, gives members the chance to stay engaged as they travel along their fitness journey.

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Litesport, formerly known as Liteboxer, is one of the leading trainer-led virtual reality (VR) fitness brands. Although the fitness app launched a little over a year ago, it has had almost one million installs to date. The brand started out as mainly a rhythm-based, gamified boxing workout, and has since expanded to include strength exercises that can be done with real dumbbells.

Athletech News decided to see what all the excitement was about and try Litesport. 

Within one minute of putting on your Meta Quest 1 or 2, you’re transported from your living room to a boxing gym. Once you select your Litesport workout, your virtual trainer appears directly in front of you via passthrough augmented reality (AR), and the workout begins. 

Workouts are generally around 20 minutes long, and can be in the form of strength, drills or boxing, among others. For the strength workouts, one can use either virtual or real dumbbells. The workouts are more endurance-based, focusing on reps and sets as opposed to speed. Throughout the workout, an icon of the body tracks which muscle groups were used. Long-term strength goals include workout programs, like Litesport’s Strength Series, Hypertrophy and Muscular Endurance Programs. More generally, workouts can be stacked together using the product’s “playlist” option, which creates a more consistent flow. 

Pros

Litesport is perfect for those who might be intimidated to go to the gym, or need an at-home but gamified introduction to strength-based training. Its immersive nature truly feels like a personal training session. The instructors were engaging and accessible, and provided thorough instructions throughout each Litesport workout. The shorter lengths of the workouts, not generally more than 20 minutes, were challenging but flew by. 

For the strength workouts, the hand-tracking capabilities were incredibly accurate. Their focus on more endurance-based workouts promoted good form and general safety, which is incredibly important for beginners. 

For the gamified drills, with ropes and virtual obstacles, I hadn’t had that much fun working out in a long time, particularly at home. Shaking up one’s routine with such a fun fitness option could improve one’s accountability more generally. 

Although Litesport is no longer merely boxing-focused, the boxing continues to be a highlight of the app. Punch tracks make the workout time fly by, particularly with such engaging music. The app tracks streaks and good hits, among other measurements, creating accuracy and force incentives. 

Cons

For those who dislike subscription services, Litesport comes with a monthly price of $18.99 per month for all workouts and features, with a 7-day free trial. However, there’s also a free membership that provides limited access to content. 

The headset can also get a little sweaty and foggy while working out, especially if one really puts in effort. However, the workouts are mainly around 20 minutes long to account for that potential issue. 

Overall

Litesport is likely best suited for those who feel intimidated by a gym, dislike traveling to a gym or need an immersive experience to stay motivated. Gamers who want to step into a different style of gaming while building strength might also love the product. Overall, it was one of the more fun and engaging workouts I had experienced at home in a long time, and I believe it could be a great fit for many types of athletes and gamers.

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Erika Hammond wants to bring boxing training into the mainstream, and the fitness coach has joined forces with Equinox to make that goal a reality. 

The luxury gym recently unveiled its latest offering, Knockout, a boxing-inspired group fitness class created by Hammond, a former WWE Diva turned group fitness aficionado. 

Knockout features shadow boxing drills performed at a high pace, all set to curated music and led by Hammond and a team of trainers she hand picked to run the classes.

“Knockout is different from other classes,” Hammond told Athletech News. “There are so many workouts in the world, there are so many trainers in the world. So how do you make things different? By bringing your authentic self.”

Hammond designed the class to introduce Equinox members to the joys and challenges of boxing training without some of the sport’s more intimidating aspects. Members will use light hand-weights to perform shadow boxing movements, but they don’t have to worry about strapping on gloves or hitting a heavy bag. 

“The shadow boxing was big for me, because it’s accessible,” Hammond said. “You don’t need bags, you don’t need gloves. I want people to know that boxing doesn’t have to be intimidating.”

Hammond fell in love with combat training as a teenager growing up in Waco, Texas. As a fourteen-year-old, she attended a Muay Thai training class with a friend and was instantly hooked.

“I hated running, I hated cardio,” Hammond said of her fitness preferences at that time despite being a track athlete. “When we went to the session, I came out and I was like, ‘I’m going to do that every single day.’”

Hammond wants Knockout to give Equinox members that same release.

The class will feature high-intensity, six-minute rounds where members learn the basics of boxing, including simple combination moves, The first four minutes of those rounds are dedicated to learning boxing moves, and the last two minutes feature “Callouts,” where instructors challenge class members to perform a given move they learned earlier in the class. 

“That’s that moment where you’re fully in it, and you can’t think about anything else,” Hammond said. 

Hammond’s unique professional background also influenced her vision for Knockout.

After college, Hammond became a WWE Diva, performing under the stage name Veronica Lane in the brand’s NTX competition. 

Hammond left the wrestling grind after a year and a half to pursue her passion for fitness coaching, but she’s still an entertainer at heart. 

“I sometimes joke that I’m not a trainer, I’m an ‘enter-trainer.’” she said. “I love being around a lot of people. I love to make it a party.”

In creating Knockout, Hammond also leaned on her background as a group fitness instructor, entrepreneur and founder.

After rising up the ranks as a fitness coach in Los Angeles following her departure from WWE, Hammond moved to New York to join Rumble Boxing as a founding trainer. She stayed with Rumble for over six years, leading classes and helping to transform the fledgling outfit into a pioneer in the boxing-focused group fitness space.  

During COVID, Hammond found success leading group fitness classes on Instagram Live, posting workout videos that racked up millions of views. She also created Strong by Erika Hammond, an app that features boxing-inspired, high intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training workouts. 

“It was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done in my life, starting my own business during a pandemic,” she said. 

It was after that experience that Hammond decided she wanted to create a class which combined some of the shadow boxing elements she used in her virtual classes with her past experiences at Rumble and WWE.  

Hammond decided to partner with Equinox due to the brand’s recognition, global reach and, importantly, a strong rapport and common vision for growth she shared with the luxury gym’s executive team. 

For Equinox, the boxing class is a way for the gym to offer something fresh to its members while also attracting new clients.

“We want their members to like it,” Hammond said. “But we also want Equinox to get new members, and bring them a class that’s different from anything they’ve had before.”

The Knockout classes went live earlier this month at 17 Equinox locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn. There are currently 22 classes per week being led by Hammond and ten other trainers. Equinox members will soon be able to access classes on Equinox+, the gym’s on-demand app. 

There are plans to bring Knockout classes to Equinox locations in other cities in the near future. 

“We’re already talking about, ‘We need to add more classes onto the New York City locations. Where are we rolling out next?’” Hammond said of her conversations with the Equinox team. 

Based on the early success, Hammond has set an ambitious goal for Knockout. 

“I hope to expand to all 106 (Equinox) clubs within the next year,” she said. 

The post Erika Hammond Wants Equinox Class To Be a Boxing ‘Party’  appeared first on Athletech News.

Title Boxing has unveiled a new brand refresh as the boxing brand enters a new era.

With its international franchise model, the boxing fitness brand has rolled out a heavy-hitting updated mission, enhanced programming, additional technology and a new club design.

The redesign is intended to spur growth, attract new fitness customers and improve the member experience. It’s an update that fitness enthusiasts will appreciate as boxing fitness grows in popularity.

According to a recent 2023 fitness finding by Mindbody, boxing is the most popular in-person fitness class. The Title Boxing boutique fitness franchise currently has over 130 locations and 40,000+ members and is looking to launch 300 clubs by 2025.

It’s a goal that the boxing brand is confident it can achieve.

“The leadership team and entire system have been riding the innovation wave since the acquisition – but really, we’re just getting started,” said Todd Wadler, CEO of Title Boxing Club and co-founder of California-based BoxUnion, which acquired Title in 2021.

“We’ve hit one milestone after another – from monumental agreements, crucial hiring of industry leaders, and bringing the benefits of boxing to a new audience – all while ensuring the brand’s legacy remains intact,” Wadler said.

Elevated boxing programming & enhanced website

Title Boxing Club improved its programming to provide a more consistent experience throughout the system. The franchise’s exclusive 52-week boxing journey combines skill progression and interval training for a total-body workout.

“Our 52-week boxing journey is a growth and development plan for every single boxer that walks through our doors, no matter their skill level,” said Kyle Shneider, VP of Product at Title Boxing Club. “Our rotation of evolving ‘Weekly Focus’ and the supporting ‘Combo of the Day’ is how we build better boxers. This leads them to getting a better workout, burning more calories, relieving more stress, reaching their goals faster, having more fun and staying with us for years.”

Title’s website experience has also been improved, with an updated layout that allows users to find information and interact with their local boxing club. In addition, new features have been added to local club pages to increase web leads and sell memberships to help drive business.

A new app that gamifies the boxing class experience

Title has released a new app, which it describes as a critical component of its brand refresh. The app includes digital class content and functions as a retention tool, allowing boxing fans to celebrate class milestones, learn boxing skills outside of class and gamify the boxing class experience.

According to Chris MacDonald, VP of Marketing of Title, the app was a popular request from franchise partners and members. 

“Our classes are based on a 52-week boxing journey, including an introduction to new combinations each day and focuses each week,” she said. “The app launches fresh training videos on these focuses on a weekly basis to help members strengthen their boxing skills inside and outside of class.” 

Another growth driver is TITLE’s automated referral program, which allows boxers to refer friends through the app and get rewarded with membership discounts.

Still, the most exciting aspect of the new app is the incorporation of Title On Demand, said MacDonald. 

“This grants club members a true omni-channel experience with access to Title Boxing Club digital classes wherever they are in the world through a single app,” she said. “Plus, they can track both their digital and in-club classes so boxers can set goals and celebrate new milestones.”

Messaging & aesthetic with an ‘anytime, anywhere’ vision

The beloved fitness activity is a favorite due to stress-relieving properties, which align with the brand’s mission to increase fitness and decrease stress through boxing anytime, anywhere, said MacDonald.

“This statement was the foundation of every decision we made on the brand refresh,” she said. “While the benefits of boxing are endless, it is still seen as very intimidating in the fitness community. With that in mind, our goal was to create a fun and modern environment that welcomes everyone, no matter where they are on their fitness journey.”

The brand has introduced a brighter, lighter color palette and visuals designed to excite new boxers, complimenting its updated tagline: ‘Take it out on the bag.’

“We made sure our new messaging spoke to both the mental and physical benefits of boxing, which are used throughout the member journey,” said MacDonald. “The new club design also nods to the tradition of boxing while still creating a cool and contemporary space.

While the core of Title Boxing Club’s brand has always focused on building confidence, boxing skills, stress relief, and mental clarity, MacDonald noted the updated branding was an evolution to help introduce these concepts to the next generation of fitness boxers. 

Title Boxing’s expansion plans

Title Boxing signed its first international deal last fall, bringing the heavy bag boxing brand to nine countries — Thailand, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Nepal, the Philippines, New Zealand and South Korea — boosting the brand’s development goal of launching 300 clubs by 2025.

The boxing brand was excited about Asia’s significant revenue growth in the health and fitness market, which increased by nearly 25% between 2021 and 2022. Title believes such numbers demonstrate the right time for its boxing brand to push into additional markets.

MacDonald confirmed Title’s expansion plans, stating that the boutique boxing brand is concentrating on domestic and international growth and expansion.

“As we review the opportunities to expand the Title Boxing Club presence, there are clear untapped major markets in the U.S. as well as partnerships with franchise partners in existing markets that could support additional clubs due to high demand,” she said, adding that Title Boxing is actively looking into Canada.

The post A New Era: Title Boxing Club CEO Says Brand Is ‘Just Getting Started’  appeared first on Athletech News.

Litesport, formerly known as Liteboxer, has announced a transformative rebrand to reflect its evolution and continued expansion into workout modes beyond boxing. The leading trainer-led VR fitness company is disrupting the industry with its latest addition to the app: the first-of-its-kind Strength Training mode that uses cutting-edge VR features to enable real trainers to appear in the user’s own space and provide effective dumbbell-based workouts. This milestone demonstrates the company’s growth and commitment to helping at-home fitness enthusiasts build strength while increasing the app’s appeal to a wider audience.

The Liteboxer VR fitness app launched just over a year ago, and since then, the app has evolved and expanded to include Boxing, Total Body, and now, Strength workouts. The app has over 940,000 installs to date, with a CEO and Founder, Jeff Morin, who is delighted with the progress. Morin said, “The app has changed so much in the past 12 months. We added full body workouts with the launch of Total Body six months ago, and it became obvious that this made-for-VR, trainer-led experience is really something special. People love it, and it’s a huge differentiator for us.”

Litesport’s unique offering provides a personalized and interactive workout experience that is led by world-class trainers. Members enjoy the one-on-one coaching experience, which they might not have access to otherwise due to time, cost, or location. Morin explains, “We are unique in the space where the trainer is in front of you, showing what you do for the entire workout. Not just an intro, not a voiceover, but right in front of you – showing you good form, sweating, and doing the work. Now take that, add the interactivity and the feedback made possible by working out in the headset, and we have something pretty addictive. That’s what we’re all about.”

The new Strength Training mode is different from the other workouts in the app as it does not provide a score, leaderboard, or match results. Instead, trainers provide guidance throughout the workout, targeting 16 key muscles, which are showcased on the interactive muscle map. Members have the ability to filter content by specific muscle groups to change the focus of each workout to reach their goals. The mode is intended to motivate members to compete with themselves, improving their muscle map and getting stronger with each workout.

Litesport’s app is available to download in the Oculus Store for $18.99/month, with a 7-day free trial. There is also an option to sign up for a free membership, which provides limited access to content. The app is compatible with Meta Quest, Quest 2, and Quest Pro headsets, providing immersive and fun workouts in the comfort of your own home.

Litesport’s rebrand demonstrates the company’s commitment to expanding its offering beyond boxing and creating an accessible, inviting, and convenient environment for any and all fitness enthusiasts. With the addition of the Strength Training modality, the brand continues to lead the way in the VR fitness industry, providing an innovative and personalized workout experience that helps users build strength and achieve their fitness goals.

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Boxing is one of the most popular fitness activities, and Bhout has leveled up, offering a gamified boxing bag by incorporating sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. 

Consider it the first boxing bag with a brain, which is how its founder, Mauro Frota, describes the connected fitness bag, which is currently on pre-order and expects to become available in various markets.

What distinguishes Bhout from other gamified experiences is that the bag is designed to feel like you’re boxing (and hitting) a human.

The Bhout bag’s exterior is crafted of cactus leaves, and the interior is filled with medium-density foam that is meant to mimic muscle tissue. Another layer serves as connective tissue and contains a water core representing internal organs. The boxing bag can also rotate 180 degrees, making it ideal for both cardio and strength training, and it can identify five strikes a second in terms of location, force, and type of strike with over 97% accuracy.

Bhout founder Frota has studied how gamified fitness can keep users engaged in exercise. He has a degree in exercise psychology, has trained in martial arts, and opened the first Bhout fitness boxing club in Lisbon in the summer of 2021. The boxing club quickly gained a following, with 600 active members and more than 70% of members being women.

And now, Frota plans to expand, with plans to sell the Bhout bags to other fitness operators like gyms, corporate offices, and hotels and hopes to open additional studios in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Spain, and the UK. 

An accompanying app allows the users of the boxing bag with a brain to access playlists and track performance, allowing users to share their information with fellow Bhout members, who can earn rewards and in-app tokens. 

Frota also confirmed that an AI coach is in development, and the AI is being taught to coach on technique and data development. 

According to a recent post on LinkedIn, Bhout confirmed that it’s finalizing its seed round of investment until its A round.

There is currently a waitlist for a Bhout bag, with those who sign up to receive a 25% off discount. Delivery, the Bhout bag, boxing gloves, resistance/strength bands, and a 12-month subscription to the Bhout app are all included in the Bhout kit.

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Iconic fitness industry brand New York Sports Club (NYSC) has announced the launch of its new Team Training classes in select locations across New York. The fitness chain has added two specialty classes, Boxing Academy and Functional Field, which are designed to provide high-intensity workouts. These new classes will roll out to additional NYSC locations throughout the year.

The Boxing Academy class is a boxing conditioning program where participants train like fighters. It incorporates easy-to-follow movements from traditional boxing, utilizing bag and pad work to push members’ limits. The Functional Field class is a high-intensity interval program based on three rounds of work followed by a final push at the end. The Functional Field classes utilize both equipment and bodyweight movements. Three variations of Functional Field are offered; Functional Field Full Body, Upper Body, and Lower Body.

NYSC has also made additional improvements and renovations to its New York City clubs. It has introduced Performance Labs, which is a private setting where members can receive personal training sessions, a high-quality fitness orientation, and InBody biometric scans. The Functional Field Turf areas are also specifically designed for functional and athletic training. In addition, the clubs now have Recovery Lounges with Hydromassage chairs/beds. The fitness chain has also introduced new member-friendly month-to-month memberships with no annual contracts.

The new Team Training classes are available as of March 1st in select NYSC locations, including NYC’s 76th Street, 94th Street, and 23rd Street clubs, Astoria, and Long Island’s Hicksville location. Booking the classes can be done in person, online, or using the new NYSC iOS or Android app. All members will receive a 30-day free trial. Current members’ trials will start automatically on March 1st, while new members’ trials will begin upon joining. After the 30-day trial period, the premium class offerings will be available to both members and non-members, with members receiving preferable rates.

NYSC unveiled more than 20 upgraded clubs by the end of last year, with plans to improve all locations throughout 2023. The introduction of these new Team Training classes and the additional improvements to the clubs demonstrate NYSC’s commitment to ushering in bigger and better facilities for its members.

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