What Hotpod Yoga does

Hotpod Yoga is a UK-headquartered hot yoga studio franchisor founded in 2013 by Nick Higgins and Max Henderson. Its core product is hot yoga classes conducted inside patent-protected inflatable pods heated to 37°C, with integrated dim purple lighting, curated soundscapes (composed by co-founder Nick), and aromatherapy scents (lavender, orange, lime oil). The technology is protected by European Patent 3060732 and US Patent 9708830. The company operates through a franchise model with 81 franchisees running over 60 studios across the UK (London, regional UK cities), Jersey, South Africa (Johannesburg, Pretoria), and Portugal (Porto).

The business generates revenue across multiple streams: studio class passes (£23 single to £650 for 50 classes) and tiered monthly memberships (£52 Mini to £125 Complete), franchise fees and royalties from franchisees, a Yoga Alliance-registered 200-hour teacher training academy (£3,200 per course, London and Newcastle locations, 250+ graduates), a branded merchandise store, and the Hotpod Home digital streaming platform (£12/month). Distribution is multi-channel: franchise studios, the bespoke Hotpod Yoga mobile app (iOS/Android), direct website booking, the Hotpod Home online platform, and in-studio retail. The customer base totals 525,896 customers with 5.4M cumulative attendances across the network.

Beyond consumer yoga, the company has expanded into elite sports via its Minipod product — a portable individual-sized pod used by England Rugby, England Men's Football, and England Women's Football in their wellbeing programmes. The company is B Corp certified (2022) and operates through a group structure including Hotpod Holdings Ltd (parent), Hotpod Yoga Franchising Ltd, Hotpod Yoga Limited, and Hotpod Home Ltd. The parent entity is privately held with no disclosed institutional investor beyond a 2017 funding round from Edition Capital, and no public revenue disclosure is available.

Name

Hotpod Yoga

Legal name

Hotpod Holdings Ltd

Website

https://hotpodyoga.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hotpod Yoga operates Europe's largest hot yoga studio franchise network (60+ studios, 81 franchisees) using patent-protected inflatable pods heated to 37°C, serving consumer yogis with classes, memberships, teacher training, digital streaming, and elite sports partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hot Yoga Studio Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Hot Yoga & Heated Pilates (HSADACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Yoga Instruction (Hatha/Vinyasa/Flow) (HSADACAA), Sound Meditation & Sound Bath Sessions (HSADAJAD), Mindfulness & Mental Wellbeing Experiences (Stress Management, Sleep Retreats, Coaching) (THAJAHAH)

Keywords

• Hot yoga studios
• Yoga franchise network
• Yoga teacher training
• Immersive yoga experiences
• Wellness studio services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brentwood

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

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 Class Revenue: Hotpod Yoga generates revenue through direct class sales via class passes (single, 5-class, 10-class, 25-class, 50-class), introductory offers, and workshop bundles. Customers book and pay for classes in advance through the website or app.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Rolling monthly memberships offering various levels of access including Mini (1 class/week), Off-Peak (unlimited off-peak classes), Regular (8 classes/month), and Complete (unlimited all classes). Recurring monthly revenue with flexible cancellation terms.
3. Franchise Fees and Royalties: Hotpod Yoga operates a franchise model where independent operators pay to open and operate Hotpod studios. Franchisees receive exclusive territories, brand access, proprietary pods, booking systems, training, and ongoing support.
4. Teacher Training Courses: 200-hour Yoga Alliance accredited yoga teacher training courses offered in London and Newcastle. Additional short courses for assists and adjustments and yoga sequencing. Revenue from course fees (£3,200 for 200hr, £300 for short courses) and deposits.
5. Retail Products: Online store selling yoga accessories including non-slip yoga towels (£30), yoga straps (£9), water bottles (£24), backpacks (£54), candles, diffuser oils, massage oil, and Sweaty Stuff kit bags. Also available in-studio.
6. Hotpod Home Digital Membership: Online platform offering unlimited access to filmed class videos, meditation, and tutorials. £15 for first month trial, then £12/month for recurring membership, or free 7-day preview.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hotpod Yoga operates a franchise-based network of immersive hot yoga studios housed in patent-protected inflatable pods heated to 37°C with integrated lighting, scents, and curated soundscapes. The company offers multiple class types (Hotpod Flow, Nurturing Flow, Foundation Flow, Dynamic Flow, Rest & Restore), Yoga Alliance-accredited 200-hour teacher training, an at-home digital streaming service called Hotpod Home, and a merchandise store selling branded yoga accessories.

Product overview

Hotpod Yoga is a unified fitness/wellness offering built around its signature heated pod environment. The core product is studio-based hot yoga classes held in inflatable pods at 37°C with immersive atmospheres (soundscapes, scents, lighting). Five class types are offered: Hotpod Flow (signature), Nurturing Flow (restorative), Foundation Flow (beginner), Dynamic Flow (advanced), and Rest & Restore (meditative). The portfolio extends to Hotpod Home (online video membership platform for at-home practice), the Minipod (portable personal pod for home use, in development), a Yoga Teacher Training academy (200hr certification plus short courses), a franchise model (60+ studio network), and a merchandise store. The ecosystem is tied together through a proprietary app and booking system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Minipod: Portable hot yoga studio product for home use, distilling the Hotpod experience into an at-home wellbeing product.
• Hotpod Home
• Hotpod Yoga Teacher Training
• Rest & Restore

Products and services

• Hotpod Yoga Studio Classes Group hot yoga classes held inside patent-protected inflatable pods heated to 37°C with dim purple lighting, calming scents, and curated soundscapes. Five class types available: Hotpod Flow (signature strength and recovery), Nurturing Flow (restorative floor-based), Foundation Flow (beginner), Dynamic Flow (advanced), and Rest & Restore (lower-heat meditation). Available at 60+ franchised studios across the UK, South Africa, Portugal, and Jersey. For adult consumers from first-timers to experienced practitioners.
• Hotpod Home Subscription-based online platform offering unlimited access to filmed Hotpod yoga classes, meditation videos, short drills, and tutorials accessible anywhere. Priced at £15 for the first month trial then £12/month recurring, with a free 7-day preview. For adult consumers who want at-home practice.
• Minipod Portable, individually-sized inflatable yoga pod distilling the full Hotpod pod experience (heat, immersive soundscapes, soft lighting, aromatherapy) into a personal product. Features fully adjustable heat, scent, sound, and light. Currently in development for consumer market release while being used in elite sports team wellbeing programmes.
• 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course Part-time, Yoga Alliance-registered 200-hour yoga teacher training course covering philosophy, history, and science of yoga plus class structuring and delivery. Available in London (September 2026 - February 2027) and Newcastle (November 2026 - June 2027) at £3,200 with deposit and payment plan options. For aspiring and existing yoga teachers.
• Yoga Teacher Training Short Courses 20-hour Yoga Alliance-accredited short courses covering hands-on Assists and Adjusts for yoga and movement teachers (£300, July 2026 dates) and Yoga Sequencing Arts, Intelligence & Flow (£300, September 2026 dates). For qualified and trainee yoga teachers.
• Hotpod Yoga Franchise Opportunity Franchise programme allowing entrepreneurs and yoga teachers to own and operate a Hotpod Yoga studio under license. Franchisees receive exclusive territories, brand access, proprietary patent-protected pods, the booking system, business training, marketing support, property search assistance, and ongoing operational support. For aspiring studio owners.
• Hotpod Yoga Merchandise Store Online and in-studio retail store selling branded yoga accessories including non-slip yoga towels (£30), yoga straps (£9), water bottles (£24), backpacks (£54), candles, diffuser oils, massage oil, and Sweaty Stuff kit bags. For studio members and the wider yoga community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved quality of life reported within 3 sessions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational charity partnership with CALM, a suicide prevention charity. CALM runs a life-saving helpline, campaigns to reduce suicide stigma, and offers support for those struggling. Hotpod Yoga creates a short film with CALM ambassador Shirley Ballas about mental health. Partnership includes fundraising goals to support CALM's lifesaving work.
• Dr Sophie Bostock (The Sleep Scientist)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaboration on Rest & Restore yoga sessions. Dr Bostock provides research-backed insights on how yoga and meditation improve sleep quality, reduce stress, and support mental health. Her expertise lends credibility to Hotpod's relaxation-focused offerings.
• England RugbyminorOthersEngland Rugby uses Hotpod Minipods as part of elite sports team's wellbeing programmes. Owen Farrell, England Rugby Captain, provided testimonial for Minipod product.
• England Women's FootballminorOthersEngland Women's Football team uses Hotpod Minipods as part of elite sports team's wellbeing programmes.
• England Men's FootballminorOthersEngland Men's Football team uses Hotpod Minipods as part of elite sports team's wellbeing programmes.
• Run ClubsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotpod Yoga actively partners with run clubs to promote yoga for runners. Partnership includes special offers for runners (code RUNNERSHIGH for free first class), community events, and educational content about yoga's benefits for running performance and recovery.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fierce Grace: UK-based hot yoga studio chain with multiple London locations offering heated yoga and fitness classes. Closest direct competitor to Hotpod in the UK hot yoga segment, sharing target customer, pricing tier, and class format.
• CorePower Yoga: Largest US heated yoga and fitness studio franchise. Comparable in offering heated yoga with multiple class intensity tiers and a structured membership model; direct analogue for Hotpod's studio and franchise business model in the US market.
• Y7 Studio: US boutique hot yoga chain known for heated, candlelit, music-driven vinyasa classes without mirrors. Closely mirrors Hotpod's immersive, low-light, no-mirrors philosophy in a comparable price and experience tier.

Regional players

• Frame Fitness: London-based boutique fitness studio operator offering yoga, Pilates, and barre. Comparable as a London premium boutique fitness brand competing for similar discretionary spend, though broader than hot yoga.
• 1Rebel: UK boutique fitness brand with studios across London offering group fitness classes and memberships. Comparable premium positioning, membership model, and London footprint, but with a different class mix (cycling, HIIT, boxing).

Emerging players

• F45 Training: Global functional training franchise with a comparable asset-light franchise model and rapidly scaled international studio network. Useful comparable for franchise growth mechanics, unit economics, and international expansion patterns.
• StretchLab: US-based assisted stretching franchise within the Xponential Fitness portfolio. Comparable as a wellness-services franchise expanding into boutique fitness categories via franchising and recurring memberships.
• Glo (Yoga, Pilates & Meditation): Subscription-based digital yoga, Pilates, and meditation platform. Comparable to Hotpod Home as a digital yoga offering; competes for at-home practice time and is a substitution threat to studio memberships.

Broad incumbents

• Peloton: Global connected fitness platform with yoga, strength, and meditation content. Broader incumbent that competes for the same share of consumer wellness time and discretionary subscription spend, though not in physical studio format.

Others

• Sweaty Betty: UK-origin premium women's activewear brand with strong positioning around yoga and studio culture. Comparable premium female consumer brand identity and ecosystem overlap with Hotpod's retail and community marketing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/hotpodyoga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hotpod-yoga

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Hotpod Yoga