A new kind of workout has fitness fanatics around Owensboro buzzing. Settled in the Highway 54 corridor, Hotworx is a 24-hour infrared fitness studio, offering clients a new way to get fit.
Hotworx owner Carey Turner, who also owns Face Forward salon, became interested in infrared heat after being diagnosed with a blood clot and a condition that causes her body to not process folic acid. Turner said the infrared helped her joints and aided in detoxification through sweating.
She first purchased an infrared sauna in 2018 and immediately felt the results. She opened the sauna to clients as well and heard several success stories, including how it was helping with one client’s rheumatoid arthritis, another client’s weight loss and another client’s improved mobility and lessened back pain. When one client mentioned visiting a Hotworx studio in another city, Turner became interested in beginning a franchise in Owensboro.
She and her husband Matt traveled to New Orleans to learn more about franchise opportunities and to experience a studio. They decided to begin the process involved in franchising and in May 2019, had a soft opening.
Infrared heat travels in wavelengths on the invisible light spectrum and activates the regenerative process in the human body, according to Hotworx literature. The nine saunas are set to 118-125 degrees Fahrenheit to accomplish the maximum workout for clients.
“The company motto is ‘more workout, less time,’” Turner said, referring to the benefits of combining heat with infrared energy and exercise.
Clients have the option of working in five semi-private saunas doing isometric movements for 30-minutes or the four rooms that offer Interval Training (HIIT). Isometric motions are done in static positions and have zero to low-impact movements, which are better for joints, said Turner.
The four HIIT rooms offer hot cycle intervals or blast workouts, which are total body training.
“If a client completes two 15-minute cycle or blast workouts, they can burn over 400 calories,” Turner said.
And clients can use the Hotworx Burn Off app on their mobile devices when paired with their smartwatches to track calorie burn during and after each workout.
“The first thing clients have noticed is the absence of pain after working out,” Turner said. “The second is that their stomachs seem flatter.”
Hotworx is geared toward convenience, but claims many health benefits, including reducing stress, cellulite, pain and blood pressure. The program also claims to improve circulation and increase calorie burn.
“One client has already said it has helped with hot flashes and another has lost nine pounds in two weeks without changing his diet,” Turner said.
Turner recognizes that the fitness program is not for everyone and because of this, potential clients are able to try it once for free during staffed hours.
“It’s for people who want to be healthy and lose weight but might be intimidated to try new things or current fitness studios or gyms,” Turner said. “We offer 21 semi-private sessions each hour.”
The FX Zone at Hotworx offers members an area with bands, free weights, battle ropes, kettlebells and medicine balls for any combination of functional training exercises and routines.
“Many clients are also interested in adding the infrared sauna workouts to their routine they already have — running, Crossfit or other boutique studio classes — to balance,” Turner said.
There are several packages available, including unlimited monthly packages.
Staffed hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To make an appointment, call 270-993-9679 or visit their website for more information.
Hotworx is located at 2928 Heartland Crossing Blvd.
