New HOTWORX studio offers exercise options in a sauna environment.
Ariana Lambert, a 2024 Northern Arizona University marketing graduate, has been very busy lately getting ready for the anticipated opening later in the summer of her first business venture, HOTWORX, a 24-hour fitness studio offering 3D training that combines heat, infrared energy and exercise in specialized saunas.
“I am so excited to be opening my first business in my hometown of Flagstaff!” said Lambert, who was born in the Valley and moved with her family to Flagstaff when she was 8. “I’ve been very lucky to call Flagstaff home. I grew up here from elementary school all the way into college. Arizona is definitely a special place and I’ve always felt especially connected to Flagstaff.”
Her mother, father and brother, an NAU student, still live in Flagstaff.
Work to complete the buildout and efforts to offer pre-sale, best membership rates are keeping her busy until the doors open. She says community response has been very positive, noting that people have appreciated that the location at North Fourth Street and Butler Avenue will be easily accessible from different parts of town.
The buildout has included the creation of eight saunas offering high-heat environments with an ideal temperature of 125 degrees, but they do go slightly higher than that. Each sauna can fit three people per session and are available 24/7.
Workouts will be ISO (isometric), holding static positions under tension or HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) with short bursts of maximum intensity exercise.
“Our ISO saunas will utilize a HOTWORX yoga mat and towel,” Lambert explained. “Our HIIT saunas will utilize the ‘Thunder Row’ machine (water rower), Schwinn indoor bike and Keiser Total Body Trainer.”
Also featured in the studio will be a state-of-the-art HOTWORX FX Zone, an unheated area for functional, cross-training and strength exercises.
The slogan for the HOTWORX exercise program is “Discover your Inner Warrior,” which reflects the focus on empowerment, confidence, resilience and mental self-growth. “At HOTWORX, we describe the inner warrior as a power everyone has inside, waiting to be unleashed,” Lambert said. “It represents the drive, resilience and determination to achieve more.”
Practitioners are encouraged to find the courage to push beyond what they think they’re capable of during every workout, with a strong emphasis on the mind-body connection.
Stephen P. Smith, an entrepreneur with a background in the fitness industry, founded HOTWORX in 2014, developing the concept of the efficient, infrared-heated workout and a 24-hour infrared fitness studio franchise.
Lambert’s journey with HOTWORX started while she was a student at NAU. “I always knew I wanted to start a business, specifically one that I felt good about sharing with my community,” she said. “When I tried a session at HOTWORX, I was hooked! I was so happy to find out it was a franchise and I could bring it to Flag.
During her senior year, she became a HOTWORX franchisee. After some delays, she said she found the perfect spot for her business. “I plan on being highly involved with the company and the community at HOTWORX. I decided to manage the studio myself, which is something I’m beyond excited about.”
Lambert says HOTWORX is a natural fit for Flagstaff’s active lifestyle. “It aligns with the active lifestyle that exists here, but combines heat, infrared energy and exercise to offer something different. I believe HOTWORX will fit perfectly into any fitness journey, supporting fitness fanatics as well as those who are just starting.”
By offering both ISO and HIIT, the studio will provide a variety of workouts to support different needs. “Whether people are looking for increased calorie burn, muscle recovery, stress reduction, skin rejuvenation or any of our other amazing benefits, HOTWORX truly offers something for everyone,” she said. “These are just a few of the many reasons I’m so passionate about sharing this with Flag.”
The studio offers a variety of workouts, including Hot Yoga, Hot Pilates, Hot Stretch, Hot Barre None and Hot Cycle. “The main difference is that HOTWORX workouts take place in our patented sauna and are led by our Certified Virtual Instructors in either 15- or 30-minute sessions.”
Training in this environment allows studio members to get “more workout in less time,” she said. “I knew opening this business in Flagstaff would give our town something that helps us all feel our best. The gift to me will be seeing members achieve their goals and hearing their success stories with HOTWORX Flagstaff.” FBN
By Betsey Bruner, FBN
Courtesy Photo: Ariana Lambert believes she found the perfect location for her new HOTWORX Flagstaff studio on Fourth Street and Butler Avenue.
