Denver resident Shannon Jaeger plans to open cardio dance studio AKT in 2,000 square feet at 2445 E. 3rd Ave. in Cherry Creek this summer.
“The residents there are on the forefront of fitness,” Jaeger said. “We thought that Cherry Creek was a great place to go … there’s a lot of foot traffic and activity.”
Jaeger, 42, worked for 15 years as a software sales executive and moved to Denver four years ago. She has taught fitness classes for 20 years at Gold’s Gym and 24 Hour Fitness, which helped her decide to switch careers to fitness.
Jaeger said she and her husband researched a variety of fitness brands and were especially impressed with those owned by California-based Xponential Fitness. The parent company of CycleBar, Pure Barre and Club Pilates acquired AKT — which stands for the Anna Kaiser Technique, named after celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser — last year.
“When we saw the press release that they had partnered with Anna Kaiser and AKT, we jumped on it right away,” Jaeger said.
She saw a local void in studios offering dance cardio, a workout she enjoys and finds effective.
“I know there are other people like me who like to work out in that way,” she said. “She (Kaiser) puts a lot of time in making sure that her classes are very good.”
Kaiser developed the classes and format, which revolves around high-energy dance movements and cardio workouts, and has trained celebrities such as Kelly Ripa and Shakira. In addition to cardio interval training, AKT teaches classes incorporating circuit training, resistance bands, yoga and Pilates.
“It’s not like a dance class where you have to learn a bunch of choreography,” Jaeger said. “It’s really broken down for you. Anyone can do it.”
Jaeger said class packs and unlimited memberships at her studio will range in price from $75 to $250. She plans to hire seven to 10 instructors to start and will teach classes herself.
AKT currently has three studios in New York and one in Connecticut. Jaeger said she plans to open two more studios downtown by the end of 2020.
Xponential brands have been on a tear in Denver recently, with franchisees announcing a new StretchLab in Cherry Creek, in addition to at least two rowing studios, called Row House, opening in Denver’s southern suburbs.
Other high-end fitness studios in Cherry Creek include Rise Nation and Soul Cycle. Pura Vida recently told employees it plans to close its prominent location in the neighborhood.
Denver resident Shannon Jaeger plans to open cardio dance studio AKT in 2,000 square feet at 2445 E. 3rd Ave. in Cherry Creek this summer.
“The residents there are on the forefront of fitness,” Jaeger said. “We thought that Cherry Creek was a great place to go … there’s a lot of foot traffic and activity.”
Jaeger, 42, worked for 15 years as a software sales executive and moved to Denver four years ago. She has taught fitness classes for 20 years at Gold’s Gym and 24 Hour Fitness, which helped her decide to switch careers to fitness.
Jaeger said she and her husband researched a variety of fitness brands and were especially impressed with those owned by California-based Xponential Fitness. The parent company of CycleBar, Pure Barre and Club Pilates acquired AKT — which stands for the Anna Kaiser Technique, named after celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser — last year.
“When we saw the press release that they had partnered with Anna Kaiser and AKT, we jumped on it right away,” Jaeger said.
She saw a local void in studios offering dance cardio, a workout she enjoys and finds effective.
“I know there are other people like me who like to work out in that way,” she said. “She (Kaiser) puts a lot of time in making sure that her classes are very good.”
Kaiser developed the classes and format, which revolves around high-energy dance movements and cardio workouts, and has trained celebrities such as Kelly Ripa and Shakira. In addition to cardio interval training, AKT teaches classes incorporating circuit training, resistance bands, yoga and Pilates.
“It’s not like a dance class where you have to learn a bunch of choreography,” Jaeger said. “It’s really broken down for you. Anyone can do it.”
Jaeger said class packs and unlimited memberships at her studio will range in price from $75 to $250. She plans to hire seven to 10 instructors to start and will teach classes herself.
AKT currently has three studios in New York and one in Connecticut. Jaeger said she plans to open two more studios downtown by the end of 2020.
Xponential brands have been on a tear in Denver recently, with franchisees announcing a new StretchLab in Cherry Creek, in addition to at least two rowing studios, called Row House, opening in Denver’s southern suburbs.
Other high-end fitness studios in Cherry Creek include Rise Nation and Soul Cycle. Pura Vida recently told employees it plans to close its prominent location in the neighborhood.
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