April Robinson
Carolina Hojaij
RAIED SALEH
St. John's University
Charles Wankel
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Fhitting Room's innovation provides a comprehensive total body workout in a group setting with individualized coaching. The group setting allows for more accessibility through lowered costs and promotes the SDG #3 of Good health and well being.
Fhitting Room's innovation is a service offering of personalized fitness coaching using HIT techniques in a group setting. The Company's service relies heavily on "The Science" of HIT which has extensively researched and validated that total body workouts, with high intensity intervals of both resistance and cardio, are the most effective at burning fat and building lean muscle.
Fhitting Room offers 4 types of workouts in over 130+ class times a week among all 3 locations. Classes can be purchased for single time uses, groups of classes, and unlimited periods so there's something for everyone. The 4 workouts are (i) Signature FHIX, which integrates functional movements, strength training, high intensity intervals, total body focus and highly varied exercises with multiple trainers (ii) FHIXTREME, which is a more intense and more experienced version of Signature, (iii) FHITpit Fhix which offers a combination of Signature and FHIXTREME in a smaller class setting with only one trainer, (iv) Future FHIX Kids which is a unique offering for kids. All classes are 50 minutes.
Kari is a self-described "accidental entrepreneur". After excelling at an internal consulting role, earning her MBA from Harvard Business School, and positively impacting a brand management role at a leading global beverage company, Kari decided she wanted to become a full-time mother of her two sons. It was during this time while working out with her trainer that she couldn't get her "gym idea" out of her head. She even titled an email as such to a close friend!
Kari expressed her thrill with the results: "I was getting results far beyond what I expected to get..... I found myself in the best shape of my life" . The more time she spent with her trainer the more she realized working out in a one-on-one environment was more than a physical endeavor. It was an "emotional outlet" as well. Being able to provide a comparable level of results, and personal attention became personally meaningful to Kari. From there, Kari decided to follow her mind to provide a comprehensive, total body workout in a closely-coached, but group setting!
Fhitting Room was founded in 2012. At that time, there were very few boutique fitness studios in New York. It was still a mostly exclusive market for high earners. Fhitting Room has contributed to the disruption of the NYC fitness market that has provided greater accessibility to a wider demographic of residents.
Through, it's increasing success and popularity, the Fhitting Room has expanded from one to three studios in New York. Their "Fhit Pros" are some of the best in fields of fitness education, nutrition, and overall wellness. The Fhit Pro staff is from diverse backgrounds which adds an additional layer of inclusiveness to the business and experience of the members.
The innovation benefits the business by providing a core business model that potential members are gravitating towards. Creating a business model that allows a larger demographic accessibility to this proven fitness methodology through group classes helps promote self-care and the prioritization of health and wellness. Using HIT as the vehicle for the training, reduces the time required to invest to achieve maximum results. This creates an opportunity for members to enjoy more of their lives outside of fitness!
The innovation benefits society and the environment from many different aspects including successful woman entrepreneurship, accessibility of elevated fitness options that promote both physical and emotional well being, the employment of diverse fitness professionals, and a sense of community in the studio. Kari and the Fhitting Room staff have worked diligently to create positive impact in these areas and should be celebrated!
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Kari Saitowitz, Founder
Fhitting Room® is an upscale High Intensity Training (HIT) boutique fitness studio delivering a comprehensive, body-changing workout in a small class environment. Classes bring together all the energy, motivation and contagious culture of an awesome group exercise class with the personal attention and education of an intimate personal training session.