Canada's Largest Spin Studio Announces Ambitious Expansion

By Mario Toneguzzi

When Michelle August opened her first SPINCO fitness studio in July 2014 in Kelowna, she had visions of eventually expanding to perhaps five locations.

But the entrepreneur has already surpassed her ambitions with nine locations to be in operation by the spring of this year.

“When I started this three years ago I wanted to have maybe five locations. I thought that would be the most amazing thing ever. So my goals have already really been exceeded,” says August, the founder of the company.

“With my new partner here in Toronto, our goals have gotten a lot bigger. We basically want to open five to 10 studios a year over the next five years and get up to somewhere around 25 to 50 studios just depending on the communities and the response we’re getting from all the cities. Basically the way that we’ve been growing is by finding the right partners in the right cities as well. That’s a huge thing for us too.”

After Kelowna, the company’s second location opened in Toronto in 2016 followed by Victoria the same year. In 2017, she opened a location in Halifax.

This month, locations will spring up in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. In February, a third Toronto location is planned to open and by the spring one as well in Oakville.

The first Toronto studio is at Yonge Street and Eglington Avenue. The second Toronto location, which opens January 19, is at Adelaide Street and Spadina Avenue. The third Toronto studio will be located in the Summerhill area on Yonge Street.

Each location is basically the same with customers set up with all the shower amenities and depending on the size of the city and the demand, August says, studios have between 35 to 55 bikes.

“First and foremost the one thing that every single one of our riders if you walk in the door and ask them what their favourite thing about SPINCO is it’s probably the community that we’ve developed between our riders, our instructors, the owners, the managers, even the community around us which is partnering with local businesses in supporting the community. We’re always doing charity events,” says August.

She says another factor in the company’s success is the studio’s program as every instructor goes through a very extensive training process.

The popularity of the fitness industry continues to grow in Canada.

“Every time I turn around there’s a new fitness studio opening and there’s some coming from the States. There’s Canadian studios going to the States as well. I think it’s super cool. I think it’s definitely great for our community and everybody is always looking for something different as well,” says August.

“I can’t really see the spin industry going anywhere for a long time. It’s been one of the longest standing workouts for years and years. That and boxing really . . . Spin has been around for a decade. It’s pretty exciting and it’s really exciting to be a part of it in this stage and seeing the growth.”

SPINCO's King/Spadina location will sell exclusive merchandise from brands such as, Champion, LILYBOD, Alo Yoga, RYU Apparel and S’well, and will take part in the studio's nationwide, by-donation Monday night class that gives back to local charities across Canada.

“SPINCO offers structured, full-body spin classes designed to strengthen the body, energize the mind and feed the soul. Since 2014, the goal of each SPINCO class has been to work together as one team, one bike, moving in unison to the beat of the music to engage the butt, core and arms. Lead by dedicated & motivating instructors, that have undergone intensive in-house training, SPINCO’s workouts are made to inspire and uplift. No matter the fitness level, prepare to be motivated to achieve higher levels of personal well-being, physical strength and positive mental attitude,” says the company on its website.

Mario Toneguzzi, based in Calgary has 37 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald covering sports, crime, politics, health, city and breaking news, and business. For 12 years as a business writer, his main beats were commercial and residential real estate, retail, small business and general economic news. He nows works on his own as a freelance writer and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Email: mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com. 

 

SUBSCRIBE to Retail Insider's Daily E-News for Free:

* indicates required

Email Address *