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Columbia Business Monthly

RockBox Fitness To Open Two Columbia Locations

Feb 19, 2019 11:13AM ● By Kathleen Maris

RockBox Fitness – a state-of-the-art fitness franchise that combines boxing, kickboxing, and functional training into high-energy group workouts – is punching its way into South Carolina. Having recently signed an agreement for the development of four studios statewide, RBF members-turned-franchisees Elia and Katie Georgiades will be opening two locations in Columbia.

The husband-and-wife duo have already inked the lease for the first studio, which will be located at 929 North Lake Drive in Lexington. The second Columbia location is to be determined.

“All it took was one class and we were hooked,” said Elia, a former Title 1 school teacher. “I was getting ready for another school year when we learned that RockBox was going to franchise. I met with [RockBox co-founder] Steve [Halloran] and my wife and I realized that this was all possible for a school teacher and a talent developer. Katie and I both love fitness and helping others achieve their goals.”

Founded in 2017 and franchising since early 2018, RockBox Fitness was built to avoid the No. 1 problem with any fitness program: boredom. The studios feature all the boxing equipment and heavy bags one would expect for a boxing- and kickboxing-based workout, plus an array of functional training tools like kettle bells, battle ropes, and sleds (elliptical and treadmill machines need not apply). In addition, the studios are equipped with high-end sound systems to rock the tunes that keep members pumped and pushing hard. Color-adaptive lighting is also used to cue another level of psychological motivation. When the lights change, so does the intensity.

RockBox has four different membership types from which to choose, ranging from unlimited training sessions to private lessons. Each trainer is professionally certified, accredited, and has years of experience boxing and kickboxing.

“What drew us to RockBox was the accessibility for anyone and the varied workout styles for everyone,” Katie said. “From a person with a background in boxing or kickboxing to someone hitting a bag for the first time, our classes are designed to accommodate all levels of experience and conditioning.

With seven locations already open and operating in North Carolina, company plans call for having as many as 200 total units across the country by 2024. Franchise development agreements have already been signed for more than 20 studios throughout Arizona, California, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and now South Carolina.