BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A new fitness facility will soon heat up downtown Bethlehem’s business scene.
Northside Hott Fitness, offering a variety of instructor-led fitness classes in a state-of-the-art space heated to 105-plus degrees, is expected to open in late spring at 77 W. Broad St. Suite 5C in downtown Bethlehem, co-owner and instructor Rachel Griffith told 69 News.
The new fitness studio will be located next to Ripper’s Pub and near the Sun Inn Courtyard.
It will occupy a soon-to-be updated space that was previously home to the Fraternal Order of Police, Bethlehem Star Lodge #20, which recently relocated to the former Adagio seafood restaurant on Pembroke Road in Bethlehem.
Northside Hott Fitness is coming soon to 77 W. Broad St. Suite 5C in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Griffith will operate Northside Hott Fitness with her partner, Anthony Spagnola.
The facility will be a spin-off of the nearly five-year-old Hott Fitness Factory, owned by Spagnola and Giovanni Grella, on Willow Park Road in Bethlehem Township.
“We saw an opportunity to serve more people in a bustling part of Bethlehem, which will be more convenient to certain individuals,” Spagnola said.
“We’re really excited,” Griffith added.
“We’re very passionate about the fitness industry, and this is a way for us to continue sharing what we love with the community in a more urban setting.”
The downtown Bethlehem facility will feature a class structure similar to the one offered at Hott Fitness Factory, but it will have a distinct identity with its own schedule, pricing structure and atmosphere, Griffith said.
“We’ll have a class format similar to the one at Hott Fitness Factory, but we’ll also have more of a chic, boutique vibe,” Griffith said.
At Northside Hott Fitness, Griffith and Spagnola plan to lead classes – most held in a room heated between 105 and 110 degrees – alongside other instructors throughout the day.
Morning, afternoon and evening classes will be offered, Griffith said.
The new studio will offer various membership options, including unlimited class memberships, along with class packs allowing individuals to participate in a certain number of classes.
“We’ll also be doing some grand opening specials,” Griffith said.
Programs have not yet been finalized, but Northside Hott Fitness will feature several classes resembling some of Hott Fitness Factory’s most popular offerings, including ABSoluteSTRENGTH, a total body workout that is resistance based using light to moderate weights, bands or body weight; ABSoluteLIFT, a class focusing solely on weightlifting exercises that target every major muscle group; and ABSoluteSHRED, a high-intensity, full-body sculpt workout that’s designed to push you to your limits, Griffith said.
ABSoluteSHRED targets every major muscle group, and participants burn fat and calories with intense cardio bursts, build strength and endurance with dynamic resistance exercises and engage their core and improve overall stability and balance.
Other offerings will include various hot yoga, hot barre and hot Pilates classes, Griffith said.
Individuals of all ages and fitness levels will be welcome, and workout modifications will be available.
“People will have 45 minutes to focus on themselves, and I want them to make the most of that 45 minutes,” Griffith said.
“Our lives are so busy, and I think it’s incredible that people can find time – even if it’s just a 45-minute class – to put themselves out there and work on themselves. It’s huge. I always say, ‘You can’t be anything to anybody until you take care of yourself. Once you take care of yourself, you can take care of the world.’”
The new location will occupy a roughly 1,500-square-foot, soon-to-be-renovated space, Griffith said.
A shower and changing area will be available.
“Our focus for this location will be functional group training for smaller groups,” Griffith said.
“We’re really aiming to focus on the clients’ needs and making sure each individual is comfortable. So, class sizes will be no larger than 20 people.”
Northside Hott Fitness is coming soon to 77 W. Broad St. Suite 5C in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Griffith and Spagnola are both restaurateurs, with Griffith operating the nearby Apollo Grill on West Broad Street in downtown Bethlehem and Spagnola operating Sotto Santi Pizzeria Pub on West Fourth Street in south Bethlehem.
The couple is excited to continue serving the Lehigh Valley by helping more area residents reach their fitness goals.
“We both fell in love with the food industry, and then we also forged a great partnership when it came to the fitness world,” Griffith said. “So, I’m really excited to continue marrying our love for food with fitness.”
Northside Hott Fitness’ social media pages, where individuals can stay updated on the business’ latest happenings, are coming soon.
