A beginning boxing class led by instructor Jeremy Fritag is one of the many
offerings at Ultimate Fitness. One of its most popular classes is Pulse, a
combination of boxing, total body resistance exercises and strength training.
CorePower Yoga, the largest chain of yoga studios in the
United States with centers in Fair Oaks and Roseville, has
several options including beginning level, sculpting and hot
yoga. Kaia Fit, a national company with locations across the
Sacramento region, offers group classes for women designed
by women, and Fitness Rangers focuses on group circuit class-
es at its East Sacramento location.
“People like to be pushed, be inspired,” Faber says. “They
like to have camaraderie. For most people, if you find some-
thing you enjoy doing you almost forget you’re working out.
That’s the key.”
ADJUSTING TO THE MARKET
The older, established gyms have taken note of the increase
in boutique gyms. When Orangetheory Fitness entered
the Sacramento market in 2014, California Family Fitness,
which opened in 1999 and now has 20 clubs and 100,000
members throughout the region, reminded its clients that
it offers similar classes. Orangetheory, launched in Boca
Raton, Florida, in 2010, now has eight studios with plans
for more. Its one-hour classes are a combination of cardio,
strength and weight training, guided by a coach, and are
different each day.
CalFit is constantly tracking trends to make sure it’s offer-
ing what members want, including cycling, yoga and Pilates
classes. “Our success has hinged upon being a community
provider of family fitness,” says Randy Karr, president of Cal-
Fit. “We’ve always had a family focus. We always wanted to be
the community option.” Still, Karr acknowledges that some of
his members belong to both CalFit and a boutique gym.
Spare Time Sports Clubs, which opened its first facili-
ty, Del Oro Racquet Club, 45 years ago, was the region’s first
family-oriented fitness chain. Its seven locations have tennis
courts, swimming, cafes and spas. “If you want to play with
your grandkids or carry groceries up two flights of stairs, or if
you want to become a triathlete or marathon runner, there’s
functional fitness for you,” says Gavin Russo, Spare Time’s di-
rector of marketing.
Then there’s Life Time, but don’t call it a gym. Its marketing
department instead refers to its centers as “athletic resorts.”
The national chain has facilities in Folsom and Roseville, pa-
latial at 120,000 square feet with multiple gyms, a cafe and a
August 2019 | comstocksmag.com
63