What AKT does

AKT, operating as AKT Brier Creek, is a single-location boutique group fitness studio in Raleigh, North Carolina, owned and operated by Candace Marek. Founded as an independent operator in December 2019 when Marek purchased a franchise license from Xponential Fitness, the studio opened in September 2020 after COVID-19 delays and transitioned to fully independent operation in 2024, becoming the only remaining AKT-branded location out of more than 30 that once existed under the franchise system. The studio delivers a multi-format fitness platform centered on four signature classes — DANCE, BANDS, CIRCUIT, and TONE — supplemented by STRENGTH, PUMP, BXR (kickboxing), BARRE, CARDIO DANCE/ZUMBA, MAT PILATES, and hybrid formats, all driven by owner-created programming that rotates every 1–3 weeks.

The studio's technology stack is conventional rather than proprietary: class scheduling, membership management, and auto-renewing subscriptions are handled through the ClubReady platform accessible via the AKT app and website, with an Apple Watch integration for in-class workout tracking and purchasable in-studio heart rate monitors for real-time intensity feedback. AKT does not develop its own software, models, or digital content libraries at scale; programming design is owner-led and human-curated.

The business model is multi-stream: the primary engine is recurring monthly memberships at $79, $119, and $159 (4-class, 8-class, and unlimited respectively, auto-renewing every 30 days), supplemented by one-time class packs ($125–$325), one-on-one and semi-private personal training, a tiered nutrition coaching program ($40–$75/mo plus a $75 consultation) delivered by Marek herself, private and semi-private classes, studio space rental, and branded apparel via a Shopify storefront. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, local to the Raleigh/Brier Creek trade area, supported by an intro offer of 2 Weeks Unlimited for $59, organic social (Instagram, Facebook), an active blog, earned media coverage in national outlets such as Women's Health, Shape, Eat This Not That, HuffPost, and Bustle, and community-driven referrals and in-studio events. The customer base is overwhelmingly individual consumers, primarily women seeking boutique group fitness, with secondary segments for fitness beginners, individuals needing personalized or modified programming, and members seeking nutrition guidance.

Name

AKT

Legal name

AKT Franchise SPV, LLC

Website

https://theakt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AKT, operating as AKT Brier Creek, is a single-location boutique group fitness studio in Raleigh, NC offering multi-format dance, strength, circuit, and toning classes alongside personal training, nutrition coaching, and branded apparel, serving primarily women seeking community-driven boutique fitness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boutique Fitness Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers (4591)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

General Personal Training (In-Person & Virtual) (HSADAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Weight Loss & Body Transformation Training (HSADAAAC), Yoga, Pilates & Studio Wear Retail (CRAMACAE)

Keywords

• Boutique fitness classes
• Group fitness studio
• Personal training services
• Nutrition coaching program
• Women's fitness membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Studio Memberships: Recurring monthly membership fees providing unlimited or limited class access. Memberships auto-renew every 30 days. Primary revenue driver.
2. Class Packs: Prepaid class packs (5, 10, or 20 classes) sold for one-time purchase. Provides flexibility for customers not wanting monthly commitments.
3. Nutrition Coaching Packages: Monthly nutrition coaching packages (Elite, Plus, One) plus an initial consultation. Delivered by owner and certified nutritionist Candace Marek.
4. Personal Training: One-on-one and semi-private personal training sessions with certified trainers, tailored to individual goals.
5. Private Classes: Private or semi-private AKT classes delivered one-on-one with a trainer.
6. Studio Space Rental: Rental of studio space for practice, master classes, or events. Customers pay for access to mirrors, music, and lights.
7. Retail Apparel: Sale of AKT-branded workout apparel including sports bras, leggings, tanks, and hats through an online retail store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AKT operates a boutique group fitness studio in Raleigh, NC offering signature classes in DANCE, BANDS, CIRCUIT, and TONE formats, plus an extended class portfolio (STRENGTH, PUMP, BXR, BARRE, CARDIO DANCE/ZUMBA, BANDS DANCE COMBO, MAT PILATES). Complementary paid offerings include one-on-one personal training, tiered nutrition coaching, private classes, studio space rental, and AKT-branded workout apparel sold online.

Product overview

AKT is a boutique group fitness studio offering a comprehensive fitness platform centered on four signature classes: DANCE, BANDS, CIRCUIT, and TONE. The company has expanded beyond its original dance-focused offerings to include additional class formats such as STRENGTH, PUMP, BXR (kickboxing), BARRE, CARDIO DANCE/ZUMBA, BANDS DANCE COMBO, and MAT PILATES. Beyond group fitness classes, AKT provides complementary services including Personal Training, a Nutrition Program with tiered packages, Private Classes, and Studio Space Rental. The studio also retails AKT-branded apparel. All offerings are delivered at the AKT Brier Creek location in Raleigh, North Carolina, with membership options including unlimited, 8-class, and 4-class monthly plans, as well as class packs ranging from 1 to 20 classes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DANCE Class Dance-based interval training class combining cardio-focused intervals with easy-to-follow dance combinations and strength training for a fun, calorie-burning workout, offered at AKT Brier Creek in Raleigh, NC.
• BANDS Class Full-body strength and cardio training using AKT's signature overhead resistance bands and step box, offering combined cardio and strength intervals.
• CIRCUIT Class High-intensity interval training class combining cardio and strength training broken into timed intervals and circuits to build lean muscle.
• TONE Class Low-impact full-body strength class featuring deep isometric training targeting muscle groups for strengthening and toning, ending with foam rolling recovery; burns 350–500 calories per session.
• Personal Training One-on-one certified personal training sessions tailored to individual goals, with customized workout plans and ongoing support.
• Nutrition Program Nutrition guidance and consultation services including meal plans, recipes, accountability, and habit coaching, with tiered monthly packages and ongoing support delivered by owner and certified nutritionist Candace Marek.
• Private Classes One-on-one or semi-private AKT classes delivered directly with an AKT trainer for personalized attention.
• Studio Space Rental Rental of studio space with access to mirrors, music, and lights for choreography practice, master classes, or other fitness activities.
• AKT Apparel Branded AKT workout apparel including sports bras, leggings, tanks, and hats available for purchase through the AKT online retail store.

Quantifiable outcome

• TONE class burns 350–500 calories per session
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Eat This, Not ThatminorOthersAKT trainers contributed fitness content and expertise to Eat This, Not That articles on topics including arm toning and 5-minute workouts, establishing the brand as a trusted fitness authority in national media.
• Shape MagazineminorOthersAKT trainers contributed to Shape Magazine's resistance band workout roundup, positioning AKT as a credible fitness resource in the broader wellness media landscape.
• Women's Health MagazineminorOthersAKT trainers were featured in Women's Health Magazine for fitness content including pelvic tilt exercise demonstrations, enhancing brand visibility among a mainstream women's health audience.
• HuffPostminorOthersAKT trainers contributed posture improvement exercises to HuffPost, reinforcing the brand's expertise in functional fitness and body mechanics.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• F45 Training: Boutique functional-training and circuit franchise combining cardio and strength intervals in timed formats. Directly comparable on the CIRCUIT and STRENGTH class offerings, franchise-style operating model, and female-skewing member base.
• Orangetheory Fitness: Premier boutique group fitness chain offering coach-led, heart-rate-monitored interval training in a subscription model. Closely comparable on format (premium group fitness), pricing tier, technology (heart rate tracking), and target member (women, 25–55, seeking results in 45–60 min classes).
• Barry's Bootcamp: Premium boutique fitness studio delivering HIIT strength and treadmill intervals in a group class format. Comparable on premium positioning, 45–60 minute class structure, and aspirational female member demographic.
• Solidcore: Boutique fitness concept offering 50-minute low-impact, high-intensity strength sessions on custom reformers. Comparable on the STRENGTH/PUMP low-impact strength positioning, premium pricing, and predominantly female clientele.
• SLT (Strength Lengthen Tone): Boutique strength and Pilates concept offering small-group sessions with custom equipment. Comparable on TONE/STRENGTH low-impact strength programming, boutique pricing, and women-targeted positioning.
• Pure Barre: Boutique barre franchise offering low-impact, music-driven group classes predominantly targeting women. Directly comparable on BARRE class modality, community-centric culture, and female primary member base.
• SoulCycle: Premium boutique indoor cycling and dance-cardio studio with strong community culture. Comparable on DANCE/CARDIO DANCE class modality, premium branding, and community-driven retention.
• Club Pilates: Largest boutique Pilates franchise offering group reformer/mat classes. Comparable on MAT PILATES offering, group class subscription model, and women's-skewing membership demographics.
• Title Boxing Club: Boutique kickboxing franchise offering group HIIT and boxing classes. Directly comparable on the BXR kickboxing class modality, group class subscription model, and aspirational female member positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Xponential Fitness: Former franchisor of AKT and largest boutique fitness portfolio operator (Orangetheory, Club Pilates, CycleBar, etc.). Comparable as the prior parent of the AKT brand and as the scaled consolidator competing for the same franchise operator pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theaktstudios
• Instagraminstagram.com/theaktbriercreek
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theakt

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 AKT