Streaming exercise class now, no sweat
Two New York entrepreneurs are cashing in on the live streaming trend that is taking over the $28 billion US fitness and health club industry, creating what they say will be “the Amazon” of wellness.
Nathan Forster, 33, and Michael Alfaro, 32, have launched a first-of-a-kind gym, NEO U (think “New You”), which has been designed for top fitness instructors and brands to create and shoot content that can be shared globally on a subscription basis.
NEO U, located in Midtown Manhattan, can be transformed to look like a trainer is shooting content on a beach (including Miami, Venice or even Montauk), or in the mountains. And the layout is customizable to the individual and brand.
The duo partnered with Samsung on the technology. The fitness brand Vixen Workout is one of many using the studios — with its state-of-the-art TV lighting and monitors — to film promotions.
Steve Aoki, the electronic DJ and well- ness advocate with 6.5 million followers on social media; and fitness instructor Nicole Mejia, who has 1.3 million followers and whose live classes sell out in 30 seconds, are patrons of the workspace, as well as instructors who will create their own content.
The company just closed on $20 million in funding and has plans to work with trainers and brands worldwide.
Two of the angel investors are Jason Ackerman, chief executive and founder of FreshDirect, and Gregory Lee, former president of Nokia and former CEO of Samsung.
Classes at the space, taught by NEO U instructors, include boxing, meditation and Pilates, and cost $35. To shoot there is “price upon request” for influencers, and more for major concept brands.
Prior to NEO U, Forster and Alfaro cofounded RhinoCo, an online fitness and training company started in 2007 in Florida, then partnered with Reebok to open the first Reebok CrossFit gym. They also helped establish guidelines for CrossFit.