BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A new fitness facility will heat up downtown Bethlehem’s business scene beginning this week.
Northside Hot Fitness, a full-service, boutique fitness studio specializing in hot classes conducted in a state-of-the-art space, will hold a soft opening on Monday, June 2, at 77 W. Broad St. Unit 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.
Northside Hot Fitness is coming soon to 77 W. Broad St. Unit 5C in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
It will occupy an 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.
Griffith will operate Northside Hot Fitness with her partner, Anthony Spagnola.
“We’re so excited,” Griffith said.
“We have an awesome lineup of classes and an amazing team of instructors. A great fitness facility is only as strong as its team, and we have truly have an amazing team that believes fitness should never be viewed as competition nor should fitness be branded to one body type. Our mission at Northside Hot Fitness is embracing all and making everyone feel comfortable on their journey of wellness on all three levels – mentally, physically and emotionally.”
Griffith has more than 15 years of experience in the fitness industry, having taught classes at other local fitness facilities, including the five-year-old Hott Fitness Factory – owned by Spagnola and Giovanni Grella – on Willow Park Road in Bethlehem Township.
Griffith taught classes at Hott Fitness Factory over the past few years and will be teaching solely at Northside Hot Fitness following its opening.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunities that Hott Fitness Factory has given me over the last four years, including the opportunity to spread my wings,” Griffith said.
“I’ve been doing fitness instruction since I was 25 years old, and I’ll be 42 this year. So, I’m very excited to create a brand-new hot studio downtown, right in the historic district, to continue helping people on their fitness journeys.”
Northside Hot Fitness will operate daily, with morning, afternoon and evening classes – each accommodating a maximum of 20-22 participants – available, Griffith said.
More than a dozen 45-minute programs will include options such as Bikram Yoga (specific form of hot yoga, following a prescription of two breathing exercises and 26 postures, “designed to work every part of your body from the inside out and top to bottom”), Hot Zumba (combining upbeat music, cardio and nonstop movement in a heated atmosphere “designed to make you sweat, build confidence and have fun”) and “Healing Hot Flow” (blending yoga, intuitive movement, intentional breath and mindful presence to help release tension, build strength and refine mental focus).
Most classes will be held in a room heated between 105 and 110 degrees, but there also will be some warm classes, where the room is heated between 85 and 95 degrees, Griffith said.
Another class, open to all fitness levels, will be Hot Power Pump 360, an “intense, yet structured weight training class.”
“Hot Power Pump 360 is a total body training program focusing on upper body and lower body exercises while also integrating compound movements and core,” a program description reads.
“You can expect a light cardio circuit in the beginning of class to get your muscles engaged before diving into your in-depth training session. This class allows you to focus on form while building strength in a high heat environment.”
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.’”
Some other offerings will include Hot Barre Sculpt (high-energy barre fusion blending cardio and strength training and featuring low impact movements set to popular music), Hot Pilates Sculpt (classical Pilates with variations along with light weight training to “sculpt and tone while teaching you connection, balance and being one with your breath”), Vinyasa Flow (intentional movement with continuous, fluid transitions between poses; vinyasa feels almost dance-like, synchronizing every breath) and Tribal Belly Dancing (designed to feel empowering and enchanting – “blending fluid isolations, musicality and expressive movement in a way that builds confidence, creativity and connection”).
Additionally, Spagnola designed Hot Rep Revolution, an upper body dominant class with one lower body block of work, finishing with chest and planks – “building strength and stamina rep after rep.”
For its soft opening week, June 1-7, Northside Hot Fitness is offering a limited schedule of free classes to welcome the community and help staff members become accustomed to the new facility, Griffith said.
Individuals interested in taking a class during the business’ soft-opening period can inquire about availability by sending a direct message through the business’ Instagram page or e-mailing northsidehotfitness@yahoo.com, Griffith said.
The facility’s full line-up of classes will kick off on June 8, and individuals can now sign up for classes beginning that week on the Mindbody app.
To view the facility’s schedule and sign up for a class, go to your app store, download the Mindbody app and search for Northside Hot Fitness.
Grand opening offers include $145 for a monthly unlimited plan (includes water and towel service; must lock in for six months) and $110 for 10 classes.
Regular pricing will be $17 for a single class, two-class pack (three month expiration) for $30, 10-class pack (six month expiration) for $130, 20-class pack (six month expiration) for $180, monthly unlimited plan for $160 and personal training for $65 per session.
Northside Hot Fitness is coming soon to 77 W. Broad St. Unit 5C in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Northside Hot Fitness will occupy a roughly 1,500-square-foot, renovated space, featuring two bathrooms and a shower, Griffith said.
“We’re excited to offer really great fitness classes right in downtown Bethlehem,” Griffith said. “There also will be ample parking in both downtown garages.”
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.”
For the latest Northside Hot Fitness updates, follow the business’ Instagram page.