Retro Fitness

Leading Fitness Franchise Brings Affordable Fitness and Health to Black and Brown Communities.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Retro Fitness, one of the fastest growing health club franchises, today announced the launch of Project LIFT, a new company initiative to open 500 health clubs in 50 Black and Brown communities across the country over the next 5 years. In partnership with the BlackRock Impact Opportunities Fund, and James Collins, Managing Partner of Eastwood Capital Partners, 70 Retro Fitness new health club locations are now underway. This program marks the largest development deal in the history of Retro Fitness.

According to a study completed by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, African American and Non-Black Hispanic citizens have a higher obesity rate than other ethnic groups, regardless of socioeconomic status, which leads to side effects such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and many others that have only been amplified during the pandemic. Retro Fitness created this unrivaled program to help spearhead change and bring affordable exercise, health and fitness solutions to Black and Brown communities.

“We are excited to partner with James Collins on our Project LIFT initiative,” said Andrew Alfano, Chief Executive Officer at Retro Fitness. “This investment is the largest development deal in the history of the company, more importantly we are proud that it is about making a significant difference in Black and Brown communities.”

Retro Fitness is looking to incentivize others to take this journey with them. Project LIFT investors will benefit by receiving a waived franchise fee and 50% off year one royalties. Additionally, Retro Fitness will be donating a percentage of their royalties back to an organization within the community for the life of the business. This initiative further supports Retro Fitness’ commitment to making a lasting, profound impact on the health club industry and the communities in which they serve.

“Retro Fitness’ intentionality with Project LIFT greatly appealed to me as there’s an opportunity to make a real impact by providing a true sense of community, expansive job opportunities, and access to a high-quality health club at an attainable price point,” said James Collins, Managing Partner at Eastwood Capital Partners. “This partnership is a huge accomplishment for me, both personally and professionally, as we raise awareness on the importance of physical fitness, while giving back to these Black and Brown communities financially, and I encourage others to join us as we eagerly, and aggressively, expand.”

As a world class franchise, Retro Fitness is one of the few franchisors in any industry that offers a true, full suite of services. In addition to real estate site selection and negotiation, construction and delivery of a true turnkey box, dedicated area managers and a Support Center for training and development, they also offer services that consist of an in-house media agency, call center, and more, all to ensure franchisees and investors are supported from the start.

For more information on Project LIFT and how to become an investor, please visit https://www.retrofitness.com/franchising/project-lift/

About James Collins:
James Collins is an experienced private equity investor. During his 22 years of private equity investing, Collins has been an integral member of deal teams that have invested approximately $0.5 billion of equity capital in several platform investments – consumer products and retail, business services, communications, and transportation and logistics companies. Prior to working as a private equity investor, Collins worked as a strategic management consultant and mergers and acquisitions investment banker at Bain & Company, Inc. and Bowles Hollowell Connor & Co., respectively. Collins earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University and his Master in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He currently sits on corporate and not-for-profit boards of directors, including Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, Board of Directors, chairing its Finance, Investment and Audit Committee, and serving as a member of Points of Light’s Executive Committee.

Leading Fitness Franchise Brings Community Front and Center with its New Retro Fitness Health Club Concept.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Today, Retro Fitness, a leader in high-value, low-price fitness, announced the launch of its new, state-of-the-art exercise, health and fitness clubs, which will strengthen the member experience through innovative technologies, equipment and an even more enhanced community focus. The first of these newly engineered locations is now open in Tamarac, Florida, with other clubs scheduled to open throughout Florida, Texas, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

The new 15,000-18,000 square-foot facilities are designed by renowned architect, Rudy Fabiano, who is also a franchisee and understands the direction the newly engineered clubs are headed. The design will be centered around the Retro Fitness timeless values of community, inclusion, exercise, health and fitness.

Staying true to its mission of providing the best member experience unlike any other at an attainable price, Retro Fitness clubs will go above and beyond what is expected of health clubs in this modern age by staying ahead of the curve and implementing enhanced member services. By creating an atmosphere that reinforces the idea that the gym can be so much more than a place to work out, Retro Fitness clubs also provide members with a space to socialize, and feel productive throughout the day.

The new Retro Fitness clubs will showcase an open floor plan with unique lighting to note different zones and a designated community area once members walk in the door. Immediately upon arrival, the club will house a community table, allowing members to send a quick email after their workout, the Smoothie Bar to recover post-workout, their favorite Retro Fitness gear at the Pro Shop and certified personal trainers available to customize their workouts. To further enhance the ‘plug n’ play’ features, each machine will have a QR code for users to scan and learn the different workouts each machine is capable of.

In addition to the community area, the new facilities will have available to members at no additional cost:

• The Retro Fitness App: providing members the ability to track their fitness goals and take part in challenges, connect with third-party devices and gain access to exclusive videos of virtual Retro Fitness Cobra workouts, mental health series, Retro Fitness Kitchen and Retro Fitness Nutrition
• Red Light Therapy
• Modern Tanning Booths
• State-of-the-art fitness equipment, including The ABS Company’s recent model equipment targeting glutes and abs
• The ultimate “Zen Den” experience: a serene space for members to utilize the newest Human Touch massage chairs offering deep tissue, soothing and stretch massage features, as well as relaxing sounds

“Retro Fitness has been providing members with a timeless approach to exercise, health and fitness since its inception, navigating the short-lived trends that appear daily in the fitness space,” said Victor Bao, Chief Marketing Officer at Retro Fitness. “Our new Retro Fitness health clubs show firsthand the transformation into a holistic brand that we are proud members resonate with beyond standard gym offerings. The redesigned space encourages a sense of community and member interaction, while offering enticing amenities that cater to mental health, nutrition and lifestyle enhancements.”

At-Home Fitness Demand Drives Leading Fitness Franchise to Expand Offerings, Including a Combined At-Home and In-Gym Ultimate Membership.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Today, Retro Fitness, the leader in high-value, low price fitness, announced the launch of the Retro Fitness COBRA, an at-home stationary bike, virtual classes and in-gym membership. This marks the brand’s entry into the at-home fitness arena, and the first national gym to offer a membership that combines both at-home and in-gym fitness experiences.

Following the demand of at-home fitness during the pandemic, Retro Fitness created the Retro Fitness COBRA as an answer to the need for a flexible membership, offering even more ways to get healthy, stay fit and continue your fitness journey. Consumers nationwide can purchase a Retro Fitness COBRA bike that includes an ultimate gym membership to any of Retro Fitness’ locations along with access to unlimited in-club amenities, helping them achieve their fitness goals virtually and in-person. Retro Fitness COBRA is making fitness fun, interactive and versatile.

Retro Fitness COBRA Program:

• From $73.00 per month for the full package includes:
  • Ultimate Gym Membership to any of Retro Fitness’ locations
  • A Retro Fitness COBRA stationary Bike
  • White glove delivery in any room in your house
  • Unlimited access to virtual cycling classes led by Retro Fitness trainers
  • Payment options are available from Klarna, a leading global retail bank, payments and shopping service

“While At Home Fitness is here to stay, there are decades of data that show it’s not enough as At Home Fitness can also be isolating and solitary. At Retro Fitness, we recognize that people need people, people need a sense of community and people need their health club,” said Andrew Alfano, CEO of Retro Fitness. “With the launch of our Retro Fitness COBRA, we now bring consumers the best of both worlds:  a high value, low cost, at-home experience that also includes a 3-year ultimate gym membership.”

The high-intensity Retro Fitness COBRA makes its debut in homes across America thanks to a partnership with Core Health & Fitness (Core), the brand’s exclusive fitness equipment partner, offering members a seamless workout experience from their homes to the gym.

“Core is proud to be a partner of Retro Fitness and support their new and innovative hybrid membership model with quality commercial equipment installed by the experienced team at JB Hunt,” said Ashley Thorne, Director of Product – Group Cycles & Sustainability.

To further bring convenience to members, Retro Fitness partnered with Klarna, enabling customers to spread their purchases in four equal, interest-free installments.

Detailed pricing is available upon request.

For more information, and to pre-order a Retro Fitness COBRA bike, please visit http://shop.retrofitness.com/

Leading Fitness Franchise Offers Holistic Approach to a Healthier Lifestyle for its Members.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —  Retro Fitness, the leader in exercise, health and fitness that offers high-value, low price fitness memberships, is excited to announce its collaboration with Sadhguru, an internationally recognized speaker, yogi, mystic and visionary, to introduce a holistic approach of self-transformation through physical and mental well-being.

Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (51.5 million in 2019) an issue that is now at the forefront of our society especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Retro Fitness has kept its fingers on the pulse of consumers by monitoring mental health creating a greater understanding of its members, their needs, and lifestyles.   By recognizing the impact of mental health on society’s overall health and fitness journeys, Retro Fitness announces its plans to collaborate with credible global partners who can help provide mental health solutions to the brand and its members.  

Starting on October 1, the Retro Fitness mobile app in tandem with the website, will offer powerful episodes for members each week highlighting stress relief along with programming on depression, anxiety, and more as a pathway to an inner transformation and healing initiatives led by Sadhguru.  Sadhguru’s “Take Charge of Your Mind and Emotions,” is a concept that one can apply to all areas of their lives: whether that’s’ their exercise, health, fitness routines, or workplace atmosphere, etc.

“We recognize that mental health is no longer a taboo in American society, and that it is in fact inextricably intertwined with proper exercise, health and fitness,” said Victor Bao, CMO of Retro Fitness. Our healthy cooking segment led by Culinary Institute of America Alumni Chef Elizabeth Makos, which airs weekly on the Retro Fitness mobile application, along with our upcoming release of the Retro Fitness Cobra Membership program which brings at home and in gym fitness together in one single and simple membership, now adds mental health through this partnership with Sadhguru. As a leader in our Fitness Industry space, we continue to add value through these world-class partnerships.  Sadhguru is a gifted mental health expert who possesses a perspective on life and living that intrigues and challenges us all, and we’re thrilled to be able to share his energy with our community and to continue our efforts in creating a healthier America.”

“As Retro Fitness continues its journey of rapid growth and advancement in its 15th anniversary year, we are pleased to collaborate with a company that understands the greater calling to reach those in need of mental health outside the four walls of a health and fitness club with a holistic approach that’s unique in fitness segment,” said Sadhguru.

For more information on Retro Fitness, please visit RetroFitness.com and follow @retrofitness on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

For more information on Sadhguru, please visit isha.sadhguru.org/us/en.

About Sadhguru:
Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic and visionary. Named one of India’s 50 most influential people, Sadhguru’s work has touched the lives of millions worldwide through his transformational programs. Sadhguru has a unique ability to make the ancient yogic sciences relevant to contemporary minds. His approach does not ascribe to any belief system, but offers methods for self-transformation that are both proven and powerful. An internationally renowned speaker and author of the New York Times Bestseller Inner Engineering, A Yogi’s Guide to Joy, Sadhguru has been an influential voice at major global forums including the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, addressing issues as diverse as socioeconomic development, leadership and spirituality. He has also been invited to speak at leading educational institutions, including Oxford, London Business School, IMD, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Wharton and MIT. In February 2017, Sadhguru was the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan Award by the Government of India, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service. Dedicated to the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of humanity and gifted with utter clarity of perception, Sadhguru possesses a perspective on life and living that never fails to intrigue, challenge and surprise all those he encounters.

Leading Fitness Franchise Strategically Relocates Business with State of the Art Office and Support Center.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Retro Fitness, the leader in high-value, low price fitness, has opened its new corporate headquarters and support center at 1601 Belvedere Rd., West Palm Beach, Florida. The new location was a strategic relocation for the brand amid its 15^th year anniversary, prompted by Retro Fitness’ continued national growth and expansion.

Retro Fitness worked hand-in-hand with leading architectural firm, Nichols/Page Design Association Inc., to open its new 13,000 sq. ft. support center in the heart of West Palm Beach, generating hundreds of new jobs and opportunities in the surrounding markets. The new state of the art facility and support center has a modern, industrial-chic layout, Retro Fitness branding and a collaborative workspace environment that features:

• Full penthouse floor
• 15 individual offices
• ABC Financial Learning Lab focused on Franchisee Learning and Development
• RF Podcast Studio
• Zen den which includes massage chairs for employees
• Smoothie bar, same that you would find in Retro Fitness Health Clubs

Additional photography available here

“Recognizing Retro Fitness was at an inflection point, part of our transformation was a strategic relocation that complimented the growth opportunity in front of us,” said Andrew Alfano, CEO of Retro Fitness. “Since then, the world has completely changed amid the pandemic, and our new support center has been our haven as we navigated the new normal, growing our member joins, club locations and investor interest exponentially. We are excited to draw upon the energy of the communities throughout Florida and support Governor DeSantis’ focus that public health is more than just beating a virus.”

“I welcome Retro Fitness to West Palm Beach,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Despite the fact that focusing on health and wellness would have done a lot of good in face of the pandemic, the fitness industry was unfortunately one of the main targets of shutdowns in other states. I am excited Retro has made their move to the free state of Florida, and I wish them all the success.”

For more information on Retro Fitness, please visit RetroFitness.com and follow @retrofitness on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.