Fitness Cos. Power Up High-Tech Workouts

Count the Irvine-based parent to LA Fitness as the latest to expand its digital offering with a streaming service for members.
 
Gyms and boutique fitness studios leaned heavily on streaming services to bring on-demand and live classes into their member base’s homes last year in a bid to stay connected when their doors had to be closed. Now, many are finding consumer habits more permanently conditioned to expect a hybrid approach, using in-person or on-demand workouts at their choosing.
 
Fitness International LLC has a portfolio of more than 700 fitness centers under the LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness and City Sports Club brands. The company said members will have the option of paying $5 a month to add access to digital fitness classes, live and on demand, through streaming services company Openfit. The subscription wellness platform also comes with meal planning tips.
 
Fast-growing fitness franchisor Xponential Fitness LLC in Irvine has also been offering a streaming option to its membership base. Called Go, the on-demand platform launched in June and was more recently integrated in with Apple Watch so that users can receive upcoming class notifications, track their progress and join challenges.
 
Another OC business to enter the wearables market? Laguna Beach-based Gorjana, which linked with Fitbit Inc. on a bracelet fitness tracker last month.