Boutique fitness brand Body20 plans to open 20+ NJ studios

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Body20, a growing boutique fitness franchise, plans to open nearly two dozen locations in New Jersey in the next few years.

The new studios will utilize electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) – an U.S. Food & Drug Administration-approved wearable technology that packs the benefits of an intense workout into a 20-minute training session with a certified coach.

According to Body20, the customized one-on-one strength program provides the body over 150 times more muscle contractions than a conventional session, without any need to pick up a weight or use traditional gym equipment. Just a few of the benefits reported by members include increased muscle tone, weight and overall improved core strength, all with minimal strain on the musculoskeletal system, the company said.

The Los Angeles-based brand wrapped up 2022 with 23 studios, including one in Sea Girt. 

A Body20 spokesperson told NJBIZ the company has sold 21 additional franchises in New Jersey and is looking to open in the following areas: Cherry Hill, Marlton, Princeton, Freehold, Marlboro, Metuchen, Westfield, Summit, Montclair, Wayne, Wyckoff, Ramsey, Montvale, Norwood, Paramus, Hackensack, Hoboken, Jersey City, Middletown, Shrewsbury and Ocean Township.

After recently surpassing 200 signed franchise agreements that will bring Body20 into several new markets, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Atlanta, the company expects to experience continued growth throughout 2023.

It was ranked No. 27 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s emerging franchise list and named as one of Franchise Dictionary Magazine’s top 100 game changers for 2022.

Franchising opportunities are available, with the total initial investment cost to open a Body20 studio ranging from $409,021 to $498,441, according to the company.

To support its existing and new owners, Body20 partnered earlier this year with Benetrends, a franchise funding solution firm, to provide owners with $30 million in proprietary funding strategies that maximize opportunities and minimize risk.

“This is yet another example of how we are committed to our franchisees – from hiring the absolute best people in the industry, to leveraging strategic partnerships like Benetrends,” said Chris Pena, president and founder of Body20. “We understand the importance of ensuring that our franchisees can and will get open successfully.”

“Capital access challenges are going to affect every franchise system’s unit expansion for the next few years. The days of building relationships with preferred lenders in advance of expected loan applications are gone and we’re now experiencing a paradigm shift in the ways franchisors and lenders interact,” added Bob McQuillan, Body20’s chief development officer. “A fund like Benetrends will continue to allow brands such as ours to grow organically and bring in best-in-class franchisees and operators.”