OHM Fitness plans to open 30 studios in New Jersey

Kimberly Redmond//January 6, 2023//

OHM Fitness plans to open 30 studios in New Jersey

Kimberly Redmond//January 6, 2023//

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OHM Fitness, a newly launched boutique brand, plans to open 30 locations in New Jersey over the next three years.

Franchised by Jake and Alyssa Kapneck, a husband-wife team from the Garden State, the new studios will offer group exercise classes that utilize electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) — a wearable technology that packs the benefits of an intense two-hour workout into a low-impact, 25-minute session.

As part of the workout, members use suits that send electrical pulses to targeted muscle groups, enabling them to achieve similar results when it comes to weight loss and muscle strength, according to OHM Fitness.

OHM Fitness studios will offer group exercise classes that use electrical muscle stimulation — a wearable technology that packs the benefits of an intense two-hour workout into a low-impact, 25-minute session.
OHM Fitness studios will offer group exercise classes that use electrical muscle stimulation — a wearable technology that packs the benefits of an intense two-hour workout into a low-impact, 25-minute session. – SERENDIPIT CONSULTING

While the body’s central nervous system can send frequency impulses that control only up to 50% of muscle fibers during exercise, EMS technology activates 95% of the muscle and can send impulses to muscle fibers up to 100 times faster, causing muscles to feel fatigued faster than a traditional weight training exercise, said co-founder Doug Payne, formerly with Orangetheory Fitness, European Wax Center and Massage Envy.

“We are able to deliver better results than a person can achieve from spending two or three hours in the gym in one 25-minute class, three times per week. OHM Fitness is completely different from any other fitness concept in the U.S. today,” said Payne. “This technology has been popular in Europe for decades, and others have tried similar concepts in the U.S. but no one has found the right delivery and format. We have nailed it and our members’ results are mind-blowing.”

After opening its first studio in Scottsdale, Ariz., in June 2022, the company has already sold the rights to five territories (Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.), including 121 total licenses. Special first-to-market franchise opportunities are available for both entrepreneurs and experienced franchise industry professionals, according to OHM.

The Kapnecks have extensive experience in franchising as the owners and operators of eight European Wax Center franchises in Maryland. After selling the business in August 2022, the couple was intrigued by the OHM Fitness concept and reached out to the founders for more details.

Franchisees Alyssa and Jake Kapneck Alyssa Kapneck, Jake Kapneck pose with OHM Fitness co-founder Doug Payne.
Franchisees Alyssa and Jake Kapneck Alyssa Kapneck, Jake Kapneck pose with OHM Fitness co-founder Doug Payne. – SERENDIPIT CONSULTING

In addition to launching studios in New Jersey, the Kapnecks plan to open five locations in Washington, D.C.

Jake Kapneck said, “OHM Fitness is going to change the way people in the U.S. work out. It’s all about efficiency and using technology to get better results in less time. We use tech to make every other part of our lives more efficient, now it’s time for fitness to catch up.”

The Kapnecks are now working with their broker, Craig Kerbekian, senior vice president of the commercial division at Hekemian & Co. Inc., to find retail locations of approximately 2,000-square-feet, preferably in shopping centers anchored by grocery stores.

For the first studio, Jake Kapneck said they’re eyeing Florham Park, Livingston or Short Hills.

“There are a few reasons why those three areas stick out to us,” he told NJBIZ. “We’re comfortable with that area due to our experience in working with the European Wax Centers located in Florham Park, Livingston and Short Hills. While in relatively close proximity, these areas are each densely populated, and draw great clientele from their neighboring towns/cities and have proven to be successful individually. Many people from surrounding towns come to these areas to fulfil their retail, fitness and daily needs.”