What HOTWORX does

HOTWORX is a privately held franchisor headquartered in Marrero, Louisiana, that licenses 24-hour infrared sauna-based fitness studios under a single global brand. Founded by Stephen P. Smith in 2017 following his earlier build of Planet Beach, the company has scaled to 800+ open studios across 49 US states, Guam, and five additional countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Canada, Mexico), with 1,700+ licenses awarded and a stated goal of 1,000 open studios by the end of 2026. The core product bundles patented infrared workout saunas with virtually instructed sessions delivered via in-studio monitors, executing the proprietary 3D Training Method (heat + infrared energy + exercise, using a 95% far-infrared / 5% mid-infrared wavelength mix) across hot yoga, hot Pilates, HIIT, isometric, stretching, and FX Zone functional formats.

The technology stack centers on the Burn Off App, which integrates calorie/afterburn tracking, the SCAN 24/7 in-app barcode-scanning retail checkout (deployed 2025), Diet Trax nutrition logging with visual and voice recognition, and TrainingTRAX, an AI-powered personal training system exclusive to the Sweat Elite premium tier that combines Body Vision avatar generation, customized 90-day adaptive workout plans, and an AI Coach Chat. Sweat Elite plus traditional monthly studio memberships and branded retail (Clean Energy pre-workout, Active Recovery powder, Gluteus Max, Booty Bungee) form a layered monetization architecture.

HOTWORX monetizes through a franchise model. Investors pay an initial investment ranging from $252,200 to $1,182,389 depending on market, plus ongoing royalties, while the franchisor earns initial franchise fees, recurring royalty revenue, technology/app subscriptions, and product royalties across the network. According to the 2025 FDD, 162 first full-year studios reported an average gross profit of $300,256 for FY 2024. The company's GTM targets two parallel customer segments: end consumers (primarily a 25-40 female persona dubbed 'Eileen' seeking time-efficient boutique fitness) and prospective franchisees (entrepreneurs seeking proven, low-staff operational models). The company ranked #58 on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 in 2026 (up from #95 in 2025) and #3 among all fitness franchises.

Name

HOTWORX

Legal name

HOTWORX

Website

https://hotworx.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HOTWORX is a private franchisor of 24-hour infrared sauna fitness studios, operating 800+ locations across the US and five countries with a proprietary virtual-instructor platform and AI coaching via its Burn Off App.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boutique Fitness Franchising

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Infrared Therapy (Infrared Sauna & Light Therapy) (HSADAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hot Yoga & Heated Pilates (HSADACAC), Thermal Baths, Hot Springs & Saunas (Onsen, Hammams, Banya, Sauna Worlds) (THAJAHAD)

Keywords

• Infrared fitness studio
• Boutique fitness franchise
• Infrared sauna workouts
• Virtual instructor fitness
• Fitness membership services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montgomery

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Franchise Fees and Royalty Revenue: HOTWORX generates revenue through initial franchise fees and ongoing royalty payments from franchisees. Initial investment ranges from $252,200 to $1,182,389 depending on location. According to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, 162 first full-year franchised studios reported an average gross profit of $300,256 for FY 2024.
2. Studio Membership Fees: HOTWORX studios generate revenue through monthly membership fees charged to end customers (members). Studios offer various membership tiers including Sweat Elite membership which provides access to premium features like TrainingTRAX AI coaching.
3. Retail Sales: Studios generate additional revenue through retail product sales including hydration products (Clean Energy pre-workout powder, active recovery powder), Dedication Ribbons, limited-edition merchandise, and other fitness-related products. The SCAN 24/7 payment system has doubled retail sales at pilot locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HOTWORX operates 24-hour infrared sauna fitness studios under a franchise model, delivering virtually instructed workouts inside patented infrared saunas using its proprietary 3D Training Method (Heat, Infrared Energy, and Exercise). Members access time-efficient 15-30 minute workout sessions including isometric, HIIT, hot yoga, hot Pilates, and stretching formats, supported by the Burn Off App, Sweat Elite membership tier, and in-studio retail products.

Product overview

HOTWORX is a 24-hour infrared sauna fitness franchise operating on a franchise model with over 800 locations worldwide. The core offering combines patented infrared saunas with virtually instructed workouts using the 3D Training Method (Heat, Infrared Energy, and Exercise). The product portfolio includes the Burn Off App as the primary member-facing digital platform, TrainingTRAX (AI-powered personal training), Diet Trax (nutrition tracking), SCAN 24/7 (retail payment system), and various workout types including Hot Yoga, Hot Pilates, HIIT, Isometrics, Stretching, and FX Zone resistance training. The company also publishes a book titled 'HOT EXERCISE' and operates a VI Competition reality show for recruiting virtual instructors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HOTWORX Infrared Sauna Fitness Studios 24-hour boutique fitness franchise offering virtually instructed workouts inside patented infrared saunas, combining heat, infrared energy, and isometric/HIIT exercise for time-efficient 15-30 minute training sessions. Sold to end consumers via monthly memberships.
• HOTWORX Franchise Opportunity Franchise licenses for entrepreneurs to own and operate HOTWORX infrared fitness studios, including brand rights, training, operational support, and access to proprietary technology and workout content.
• 3D Training Method Proprietary training methodology combining heat, infrared energy, and exercise (isometrics and HIIT) to create measurable workout results with enhanced calorie burn through EPOC afterburn effects.
• Burn Off App Mobile application for members to track workout metrics, calorie burn, afterburn effects, and access virtual workout content. Integrates with SCAN 24/7 for retail purchases and TrainingTRAX AI coaching.
• FX Zone 24-hour functional training area providing self-guided workouts using basic equipment like suspension straps, dumbbells, kettlebells, and specialized glute training machines (Gluteus Max and Booty Bungee).
• Clean Energy Pre-Workout Powder Hydration product designed to enhance workout performance and energy through improved formulas and flavors, sold at studios via SCAN 24/7.
• Active Recovery Powder Hydration product aimed at enhancing recovery through improved formulas and flavors for post-workout consumption, sold at studios via SCAN 24/7.
• Sweat Elite Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Average gross profit of $300,256 for first full-year franchised studios (FY 2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Franchise Partners (Ireland, Saudi Arabia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 December 2025Master franchise relationships in Ireland and Saudi Arabia for international expansion. HOTWORX maintains existing operations in Dubai (UAE) and has signed agreements in Mexico.
• WrapmateminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2025Wrapmate partnership providing standardized vehicle graphics services nationwide for HOTWORX franchisees through Wrapmate's Preferred Vendor Program supporting over 10,000 franchise locations.
• Darius Zandi and Rodolph Dandan (Quebec Master Franchise)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2025Exclusive master franchise rights for Quebec granted to entrepreneurs Darius Zandi and Rodolph Dandan, who committed to develop 42 infrared fitness studios across the province. Expansion led by The Behar Group for real estate and site selection.
• The Behar GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 9 November 2025Real estate and site selection partner leading Quebec expansion with local brokerage Bluuglass, focusing on areas within one-hour radius of downtown Montreal targeting suburban markets.
• Karla Ramos (Mexico Master Franchise)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Texas-based franchisee awarded master franchise agreement for Mexico, with plans to develop over 200 franchise locations across Mexico. First Mexican location planned for Monterrey in early 2026. This marks HOTWORX's first international footprint in Latin America.
• Anil Pathiary and Manoj Nair (UAE Master Franchise)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2025Master franchisees who opened HOTWORX flagship Dubai location at Bluewaters Island. Overcame multi-year development and regulatory hurdles to establish the studio on the iconic artificial island. Plans to expand franchise locations throughout UAE.
• Manning Center for Athletic Performance (Ole Miss)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2024HOTWORX donated and installed a patented infrared workout sauna at the Manning Center on the Ole Miss campus near Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with involvement from head football coach Lane Kiffin and Athletic Director Keith Carter.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OfficialHOTWORX
• Facebookfacebook.com/officialhotworx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HOTWORX