Texas is set to get a high-tech workout boost with the expansion of Lumin Fitness, a Dallas-based fitness brand known for its AI-powered, gamified fitness routine. Coming off their initial launch in September, the company is looking to open 13 new locations in Texas, including Austin, Houston, and Dallas itself, over the next three years.
To diversify its portfolio, Houston-based Verge Fit Holdings has eyed the innovative fitness brand, signing an agreement to open these multiple locations. Despite shopping for real estate, Lumin Fitness Chief Development Officer Craig Sherwood admits the team doesn't have specific locations yet as they require a minimal setup. "Our studios require minimal build-out and have flexible layout options, so we anticipate moving quickly on the site selection process for the first few studios," Sherwood told the Houston Chronicle.
The team up with Verge Fit Holdings, a conglomerate that also operates 120 T-Mobile stores and owns Marriott and Hilton properties, brings together extensive franchise experience. "The uniqueness of the business model and technology, the experience of the team, and the potential for scalability were exactly what we were looking for," Raheel Suria, a partner at Verge Fit Holdings, said in a statement reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Lumin Fitness, co-founded by Brandon Bean, the former CEO of Gold’s Gym, aims at offering a personalized workout experience with a group setting's social benefits. Leaning on technology such as motion tracking and AI-powered systems, all a member needs to do is show up with a mobile device and earbuds. "All participants need for class is their mobile device and a pair of earbuds," Sherwood elaborated in the announcement, as per the Houston Chronicle. Class challenges and mini-interactions are just part of the subtle gamification elements making fitness more engaging.
With ambitious plans, Bean foresees establishing Lumin as a trailblazer in the fitness industry, which is evolving towards dynamic, data-driven models. "This fosters a sense of progress and accomplishment, motivating members to engage more deeply with their fitness journey," Bean stated in an interview with Athletech News. Encouraging real-time guidance and feedback during workouts, it seems Lumin is set on making sweat sessions not just beneficial but enjoyable as well.
Interested parties can learn more about Lumin Fitness's growth opportunities through a live webinar scheduled for January 30, where the development team will dig into the brand's franchise model, while offering a studio tour and covering the qualifications required to become a franchisee. This fitness concept, with an investment range of $505,792 to $997,475.
