Newest Asian Gym Franchise Synergizes Contemporary Functional Fitness with 300-Year-Old Kettlebells

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January 25, 2006 Seoul, South Korea – -- New York based health club entrepreneur, John Yo, hit upon a synergistic exercise combination that is so popular with his Seoul club members that he has recently announced a new international franchise. The model will first be rolled out in his native Seoul, South Korea and then ultimately across all of Asia.

“John Yo is a true visionary. He’s a very successful entrepreneur himself and is a life long athlete constantly looking for ways to improve…"

-- Dave Ganulin, President KettleBell Concepts

Yo, a lifelong South Korean athlete in martial arts and body building, in 2003 began developing his high-end boutique gym called "Home Gym DN" in a quest to improve upon the standard gym mold. In his research to determine exercise protocols which offer the best results from extreme sports performance to everyday living by ordinary folks, he discovered the best solution was to offer a bit of the new and of the very old.

Other critical elements are those of space efficiency and high yield. In South Korea space is a premium so it was important to select exercise protocols with a small footprint. His model incorporates a lot of personal training, so he needed offerings that could easily cater to small groups.

Small Footprint Functional Strength Training

The new component of Yo's offering is the functional training systems by Vortex Fitness. Functional training machines allow exercisers to train multi-dimensionally at one station while building core strength, balance and stability. Originating in the U.S., functional fitness is fast eclipsing standard fare strength training machines on a global basis. Of Vortex, Yo commented, “Vortex fitness systems lets franchise owners maximize their profits and gives Home Gym DN members quality results with what I believe is the most comprehensive, versatile piece of equipment currently on the market."

John Yo, above, founded a new franchise for Asia that will bring high yield per square foot, the secret is kettlebells.

Kettlebells

The old component of Yo's offering is the proven kettlebells. Not only do kettlebells offer excellent conditioning and strength building, but they can be taught in tight classes which is important to Yo's business model. More students can be serviced in a class using kettlebells. And the class brings in a high yield per hour to the owner/operator.

By swinging the kettlebell in various directions, the body calls upon numerous major and minor muscles as well as uniquely employing core muscles. By crossing multiple body planes in a fluid motion, kettlebells are superior in developing strength, power, and balance and provide both a simultaneous strength and cardiovascular workout in a very short period of time.

Kettlebells Began in Russia Over 300 Years Ago

A kettlebell resembles a shot-put with a handle attached. The kettlebell training system which was developed in Russia over 300 years ago when Russian farmers starting using the heavy counter weights from market scales to use as strength training devices. It soon became very popular and eventually became known as a Russian “ethnic” national sport with contests taking place all over Eastern Europe.

Eventually kettlebells found their way into the training regimens of Olympic athletes and military special forces alike. It has a very solid place in Russian history as a way that was used to condition both the masses and the elite athletes and military in a very cost effective and time efficient manner.

Kettlebell Training is Provided by KettleBell Concepts

Yo selected kettlebells and kettlebell instructors trained by KettleBell Concepts (KBC), a New York and Florida based-firm focusing exclusively on the kettlebell training protocol. “I chose to include Kettlebells in my franchise plan after learning of their simple design, cost, and full complement of cardiovascular, resistance and weight control benefits. Additionally, KBC is the only company that combines both the art and the science of KB lifting into a solid, proven, business model. Their staff and large body of very highly qualified and credentialed instructors is only one of the reasons I went with them” said Yo.

“John Yo is a true visionary. He’s a very successful entrepreneur himself and is a life long athlete constantly looking for ways to improve. He has his finger firmly on the pulse of the Korean market. I’d be hard pressed to find someone else more appropriate to help bring in kettlebells. We are looking forward to working with John to bring KettleBell Concepts kettlebells, instructors, and our academic & educational model to Asia,” says Dave Ganulin, KettleBell Concepts CEO.

Bob Piane, CEO of Vortex Fitness, added, “I’ve known John for about two years and was immediately taken with his plan to bring the ‘club within a club’ model to the Asian market. He’s definitely ahead of the curve. With the extremely limited square footage that Asian club owners are faced with, the Vortex and KettleBell Concepts education and training model are a natural fit. We look forward to working with KBC and Home Gym DN as well as increasing our market share in the Asian region.”

About Home Gym DN

Home Gym DN is the first company to bring the Vortex and kettlebell training to Asia. The flagship Home Gym DN is currently located in the heart of Seoul, South Korea. Started by CEO John Yo in 2003, Home Gym DN is currently rapidly expanding its offerings in the region. Plans are currently proceeding for a Home Gym DN to open in the NYC Chelsea area. For more information, contact John Yo at 917-385-1467, www.homegymdn.com.

About KettleBell Concepts

KettleBell Concepts, based in New York City, supplies both kettlebells and kettlebell instructor trainings to health clubs all over the world. Its courses are CEC/U approved by the NASM, NSCA, ACE, AFAA, ISSA, and other governing organizations.

The company has trained over 500 instructors both nationally and internationally as well as trained and instituted kettlebell training at Equinox, Spectrum, La Palestra Center for Preventative Medicine, Highland Park Hospital Health and Fitness Center, 02 Fitness, and many others.

Contact Info for KettleBell Concepts

About Vortex Fitness

In 1986 in Bob Piane’s personal training studio, his brother Joe asked the question “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a machine that enabled you to stand in one place, reach out, grab a handle and train in any direction you want?” Wherein Bob replied, “If anyone ever invents that it would revolutionize fitness training.” Bob hasn’t slept since. The Vortex is now endorsed by Phil Kaplan and is regarded as one of the most comprehensive machines currently available.

Contact Info for Vortex Fitness

Source: KettleBell Concepts

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