Cheetah Gyms Inc.

What Cheetah Gyms Inc. does

Cheetah Gyms Inc., operating as Cheetah Gym Andersonville LLC, is a privately held, LGBTQ+-owned boutique fitness and wellness operator founded in 1999 in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The company runs two physical locations: a flagship at 5248 N Clark St. and a newer Hyde Park Training Studio at 5306 South Blackstone, Unit 2. Its service offering spans five pillars: gym memberships (Gym Only, Gym and Classes, and Flex), tiered personal training (Team, Advanced, Master, Elite) with prices ranging from $85 to $110 per session, group fitness (80+ weekly classes including yoga, Pilates, spin, HIIT, boxing, TRX, Barre, WERQ, and HYROX), mind-body wellness (Pilates Reformer, yoga, structural integration), and partner-operated co-located services (physical therapy via Velona Health, chiropractic via Absolutely Chiropractic, Remedy Laser Therapy, massage, and nutrition coaching). The company is an official HYROX Training Club and has won Best of Chicago Best Gym in 2023 and 2024 plus three consecutive years (2023-2025) on the national "25 Best Gyms" list.

The business model is primarily subscription-recurring monthly membership fees billed on the 1st of each month, supplemented by per-session and pack-based revenue from personal training, Pilates Reformer, and yoga, plus ancillary fees such as $15/month locker rental, $15 guest passes, and specialty class surcharges. Personalized performance programming is offered on a subscription basis at $150, $350, or $550 per month. Co-located wellness services are operated by independent third parties under a tenant model, generating indirect member value and ecosystem differentiation rather than direct revenue to Cheetah. Pricing is being increased in 2026 by 5% for paid-in-full memberships and 10% for EFT memberships. No public or partner-facing API exists; the technology stack consists of a Club Automation (Daxko)-powered mobile app on iOS and Android for class registration, check-ins, billing, and account management, with no proprietary AI/ML components.

Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer, with no resellers or franchise channels. Acquisition relies on local partnerships (Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, 30+ neighborhood business partnerships), participation in community festivals (Midsommar Fest, Back Lot Bash Pride), a $50 member-referral credit program, and free week-pass promotions. Cheetah has donated over $250,000 and helped raise more than $500,000 for local causes over its 26+ year history, anchoring deep community roots and a brand identity built around inclusivity, particularly for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community members. The company recently completed a multi-phase Andersonville expansion (2025-2026) including The Annex, an outdoor gym, and an expanded Mind + Body Wellness Studio, while opening its second location in Hyde Park in 2026.

Name

Cheetah Gyms Inc.

Legal name

Cheetah Gym Andersonville LLC

Website

https://cheetahgym.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cheetah Gyms Inc. is a privately held, LGBTQ+-owned boutique fitness and wellness operator in Chicago with two locations (Andersonville flagship and Hyde Park), offering gym memberships, 80+ weekly group classes, tiered personal training, Pilates and yoga, HYROX training, and co-located wellness services including physical therapy, chiropractic, and nutrition coaching.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fitness Centers and Health Clubs

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Functional Fitness / Cross-Training Groups (HSADABAH), Private 1:1 Yoga/Pilates & Small-Group Sessions (HSADACAI), Mind-Body Wellness Coaching (Holistic/Integrative) (HSADAGAG)

Keywords

• Fitness center services
• Group fitness classes
• Personal training programs
• HYROX training club
• Wellness and recovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Gym Membership Subscriptions: Monthly recurring membership fees billed on the 1st of each month. Flex Memberships are cancelable anytime; standard memberships may involve one-year commitments. Membership tiers (Gym Only, Gym and Classes) provide the primary recurring revenue base. 2026 pricing increases of 5% for paid-in-full (PIF) and 10% for EFT plans.
2. Personal Training Services: Tiered personal training across four levels (Team, Advanced, Master, Elite) sold as single sessions, 6-packs, and 12-packs. Specialized Performance Programming offered as monthly add-on tiers (Tier 1 at $150/month, Tier 2 at $350/month, Tier 3 at $550/month). Personal training represents a significant per-client revenue upsell above base membership.
3. Pilates Reformer Classes and Private Sessions: Pilates offered as individual private sessions ($95/hr), 6-packs ($542), 12-packs ($1026); tandem private sessions ($130/hr, 6-pack $780); and group reformer classes ($25 member / $35 non-member). Pilates Mat and Pilates Core classes included in class membership or available for $10 (member without classes) or $15 (non-member).
4. Group Yoga Classes: Group yoga offered as part of class membership or as add-on ($10 for members without class package, $25 for non-members). Private yoga sessions available as professional service. Revenue stream supplements the core membership model.
5. Locker Rental and Ancillary Fees: Monthly locker rental at $15/month. Guest fees of $15 per class visit. Specialty class surcharges. Account freeze fees starting at $10/month. Decline fees of $25 for failed payment transactions. Cancellation fees of $50 or more for one-year commitment cancellations.
6. Co-located Wellness Services (Third-party): Third-party wellness providers operate within Cheetah Gym facilities: Remedy Laser Therapy, Velona Health physical therapy, Absolutely Chiropractic, massage therapy (John Landro, Anna Schabold), and nutrition coaching. Revenue flows to these independent operators; Cheetah benefits through tenant model and member service enhancement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cheetah Gym operates two physical fitness and wellness facilities in Chicago (Andersonville flagship and Hyde Park Training Studio) where members access a full-service gym floor, 80+ weekly group fitness classes spanning HYROX, Pilates, yoga, HIIT, boxing, spin, TRX, Barre, and WERQ, tiered personal training across four trainer levels (Team, Advanced, Master, Elite), and Pilates Reformer and yoga private/semi-private/group sessions. The offering is rounded out by co-located third-party wellness providers offering physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, nutrition coaching, and laser therapy, all supported by an iOS/Android mobile app for class registration and billing.

Product overview

Cheetah Gyms Inc. operates a multi-location fitness and wellness community in Chicago, with its flagship Andersonville location established in 1999 and a newer Hyde Park Training Studio. The company offers a comprehensive suite of fitness services organized around five core pillars: Group Fitness Classes (80+ weekly classes), Personal Training (tiered from Team to Elite trainers), Mind + Body Wellness (yoga, pilates, HYROX), and partner wellness services including physical therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, nutrition coaching, and laser therapy. The company has recently completed major expansion at its Andersonville flagship, adding The Annex functional training studio (2,200 sq. ft.), a covered outdoor gym (1,000 sq. ft.), and an expanded Mind + Body Wellness Studio. Membership options include Gym Only, Gym and Classes, and Flex plans, supported by a mobile app for iOS and Android that integrates with Club Automation for payment processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gym Memberships Flexible monthly membership options including Gym Only, Gym and Classes, and Flex Memberships (cancelable anytime), with special rates for couples, teachers, healthcare professionals, behavioral health workers, firefighters, and police officers. All memberships billed on the 1st of each month.
• Group Fitness Classes Over 80+ weekly group fitness classes including yoga, Pilates, spin, HIIT, WERQ, TRX, boxing, and Barre, led by expert instructors across five class schedules in the Andersonville facility.
• HYROX Training Official HYROX Training Club program with structured high-performance workouts including Foundational, Engine, Complete, and Power classes, plus HYROX Passport challenges and the Half Rox event for athletes preparing for HYROX events.
• Personal Training Tiered personal training services across four trainer levels (Team, Advanced, Master, Elite) with nationally certified coaches specializing in bodybuilding, Olympic lifting, functional training, and gender body composition, including Specialized Performance Programming with customized workout plans.
• Pilates Reformer Studio Private Pilates Reformer lessons, tandem semi-private sessions, group Pilates Reformer classes, Pilates Mat, and Pilates Core classes featuring equipment for comprehensive core stability and posture improvement.
• Yoga Classes Private yoga sessions and group yoga classes specializing in Hatha and Vinyasa styles with guided sessions for flexibility, balance, strength, and mental clarity for all fitness levels.
• Mind + Body Wellness Integrated wellness programming combining movement, breath, recovery, and mental focus with classes including Vinyasa Flow, Yoga Sculpt, Flow + Flex Yoga, Hatha Flow Yoga, Restorative Yoga, plus HYROX and Small Group Training.
• Velona Health Physical Therapy Partnered physical therapy and movement clinic offering one-on-one PT sessions, movement assessments, and tailored wellness programs located inside Cheetah Gym Andersonville and Hyde Park locations. Members receive FREE injury screenings every Wednesday.
• Absolutely Chiropractic Chiropractic care hosted at the Andersonville location, offering personalized treatment plans with instrument and hands-on adjustments, PostureScreen analysis, Graston technique, and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET).
• Massage Therapy Clinical massage therapy specializing in deep tissue, trigger-point, and myofascial release techniques, plus structural integration therapy combining myofascial release, breathwork, and somatic movement.
• Nutrition Coaching Personalized nutrition coaching by Master Trainers focused on habit-building over dieting, with collaborative plan creation, cooking tips, tracking tools, and supplement or testing guidance.
• Remedy Laser Therapy Drug-free, surgery-free laser therapy using advanced photobiomodulation (red laser therapy) located inside Cheetah Gym with elevator access, offering personalized treatment plans for pain relief, inflammation reduction, and accelerated healing.
• Cheetah Gym Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling workout tracking, class registration, check-ins, viewing the class schedule, updating credit card information, viewing statements, and accessing the membership barcode for facility access.
• Hyde Park Training Studio Second Cheetah Gym location in Hyde Park offering training services with expert coaching and mind-body recovery programs for Hyde Park and surrounding Chicago neighborhoods.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80+ weekly group fitness classes across diverse formats
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Andersonville Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCheetah Gym is a proud member of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, participating in chamber events, neighborhood initiatives, and community development programs that strengthen the Andersonville business ecosystem.
• Velona HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVelona Health operates physical therapy and movement clinics inside both Cheetah Gym Andersonville and Hyde Park locations, offering one-on-one PT sessions, movement assessments, and wellness programs. Members receive FREE injury screening every Wednesday. Dr. CJ Mimee leads the team.
• Remedy Laser TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRemedy Laser Therapy operates inside Cheetah Gym Andersonville (with elevator access), offering drug-free, surgery-free photobiomodulation (red laser therapy) for pain relief, inflammation reduction, and accelerated healing. Free consultations with a Nurse Practitioner available to members.
• Absolutely ChiropracticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbsolutely Chiropractic (Dr. Erica and Dr. Caleb) operates at the Andersonville location. Offers personalized chiropractic adjustments (instrument and hands-on), Graston technique, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), and PostureScreen analysis. LGBTQ+-owned and operated, aligning with Cheetah's community values.
• Andersonville Med SpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWellness and aesthetic services provider. Partners with Cheetah Gym for cross-promotional events including Explore & Restore wellness open house.
• Fit Fresh MealsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeal delivery service providing freshly prepared, healthy meals delivered weekly to Cheetah Gym. Promoted during Explore & Restore events and partner marketing.
• HYROXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheetah Gym is an official HYROX Training Club. Cheetah hosts official HYROX training programming, organizes the Cheetah HYROX Team, runs the HYROX Passport challenge, hosts the Half Rox event, and participates in HYROX race events. HYROX logo appears on Cheetah marketing materials.
• Back Lot BashcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCheetah partners with Chicago's premier Pride weekend festival (Back Lot Bash) for a two-day block party, giveaways, Cheetah prizes, and community engagement. The gym's parking lot is used for the event. Cheetah has been a venue partner for 25+ years.
• Midsommar FestcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCheetah Gym participates in Andersonville's favorite street festival (Midsommar Fest) with special day rates for visitors and members' guests. The gym's parking lot serves as festival staging area.
• Vivent Health ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerHIV/AIDS healthcare and wellness organization. Partnered with Cheetah for community wellness events and cross-promotion.
• Human Rights Campaign (HRC) ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Cheetah Gym, as an LGBTQ+-owned business, maintains partnership with HRC Chicago for Pride Month celebrations and community events.
• Broadway in ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLive theater production company. Partnered with Cheetah Gym during Explore & Restore event to offer HAMILTON tickets as raffle prizes, driving cross-audience engagement.
• Transformative Justice Law Project (TJLP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit legal organization. A portion of Rocky Horror Cardio Show ticket sales was donated to TJLP. Cheetah supports TJLP through event fundraising.
• Dare2triminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit empowering athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments through swimming, biking, and running. Cheetah sponsored trainer Shannon Toulabi's Chicago Marathon run benefiting Dare2tri.
• AIDS Foundation of ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit addressing HIV/AIDS in Chicago. Cheetah has hosted events and fundraisers for the organization over its 25+ year history.
• Good Neighbors NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit network supported by Cheetah Gym through donations and community engagement initiatives.
• Dan PolyakminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist in Residence at Cheetah Gym. Designed the 2025 Pride merchandise collection. Also featured in the Wild + Local Pride Month celebrations.
• Tommy FierceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist in Residence at Cheetah Gym. Contributes to the gym's creative and cultural programming.
• David OdenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist in Residence at Cheetah Gym. Contributes to the gym's creative and cultural programming.
• I Cryo EdgewaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCryotherapy and wellness provider in Edgewater. Cross-promotional partner during community wellness events.
• Atomic PhotosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFitness photographer (Anthony Rom) and gym member. Hosts free pop-up photo studio events for members at Cheetah, offering 20% discount on future photography services.
• Luft BalloonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBalloon decor provider for Cheetah PRIDE Day celebrations. Contributes to the visual atmosphere of Pride Month events.
• Urban PoochminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanine life center and training facility. Partner for community giveaways and neighborhood business cross-promotion.
• Bramble Arts LoftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArts and performance venue in Andersonville. Cross-promotional partner for community events.
• Bramble TheatreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTheater company in Andersonville. Community partner for cross-promotional events.
• Definition TheatreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago theater company. Community partner for Cheetah's neighborhood engagement initiatives.
• Equality IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Community partner for diversity and inclusion initiatives in Chicago.
• Workshop CreativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative agency partner contributing to Cheetah's marketing and design initiatives.
• Women and Children FirstminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAndersonville bookstore. Partner for community events and cross-promotion.
• Sandbox Baby BoutiqueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAndersonville baby boutique. Community partner for neighborhood business network.
• Andersonville Medical (AIM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical services provider in Andersonville. Community partner for wellness programming.
• SHY Salon and SpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSalon and spa in Andersonville. Partner for community events and cross-promotion.
• Via Rose StudiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerHair studio in Andersonville. Partner for community giveaways and local business network.
• Verve AcupunctureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcupuncture clinic in Andersonville. Wellness partner for community health events.
• AlchemyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAndersonville business. Community partner in the local business network.
• All One ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago wellness/business organization. Partner for community engagement initiatives.
• Chicago Therapy CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTherapy and mental health collective serving the Chicago community. Partner for wellness resources and community support.
• Club Automation, LLC (Daxko)coreTechnology or IntegrationClub Automation (Daxko) provides the software platform powering the Cheetah Gym app for member management, class registration, check-ins, billing, and mobile payments. Critical operational infrastructure partner.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Crunch Fitness: Mid-market gym chain with group classes, personal training, and multi-tier memberships across the US. Comparable to Cheetah's Gym Only / Gym+Classes tier structure and pricing philosophy, though at broader scale and lower price points.
• Equinox: Luxury multi-location fitness club with tiered memberships, personal training, Pilates, yoga, and integrated wellness services. Overlaps with Cheetah's premium positioning and co-located wellness amenities, but at national scale and price points.
• Life Time Fitness: Premium, multi-location fitness operator offering group classes, personal training, Pilates, yoga, and ancillary wellness (spa, nutrition). Overlaps with Cheetah's full-service positioning but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.

Direct peers

• SoulCycle: Boutique indoor cycling concept selling class-pack subscriptions in premium urban locations. Comparable to Cheetah's spin class offering and community-driven branding within a multi-modal gym.
• Pure Barre: National boutique barre franchise with monthly unlimited memberships and class packs. Directly comparable to Cheetah's Barre group classes within its 80+ weekly class library.
• F45 Training: Functional-training boutique franchise with a standardized class taxonomy (HIIT, strength, hybrid) and tiered personal training add-ons. Directly comparable to Cheetah's HYROX, HIIT, and functional training cluster.
• Solidcore: Boutique Pilates-inspired (Lagree-based) studio brand with class-pack subscriptions and premium pricing. Most directly comparable to Cheetah's Pilates Reformer Studio and mind-body wellness pillar.
• Club Pilates: Franchised Reformer Pilates studio chain with tiered memberships and group class scheduling. Comparable to Cheetah's group Reformer classes ($25 member / $35 non-member) and private/tandem reformer pricing model.
• Barry's Bootcamp: Boutique HIIT/strength franchise combining treadmill cardio with weight-room coaching. Overlaps with Cheetah's HIIT, HYROX-style conditioning, and tiered personal training across dense urban markets.
• Orangetheory Fitness: National boutique HIIT brand running heart-rate-based group classes with tiered memberships and a personal-training upsell. Closely comparable to Cheetah's group-class–led, multi-modal boutique model and HYROX-style structured conditioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cheetahandersonville
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cheetah-gyms-inc.

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

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 Cheetah Gyms Inc.