The goal of Koko FitClub, which will open in Nashua in early to mid-August, is to alleviate the stress of going to a gym, focusing instead on achieving goals without committing to lengthy workouts.

By Celia Nissen, Staff Writer
Nashua Telegraph, July 2010

It isn't uncommon to be intimidated, discouraged or even confused by traditional gyms.

The goal of Koko FitClub, which will open in Nashua in early to mid-August, is to alleviate the stress of going to a gym, focusing instead on achieving goals without committing to lengthy workouts. After joining Koko, a member chooses the health track that best describes his or her goals: weight loss, sports conditioning, total body definition, muscle-building, fit and flexible or health.

First, a member performs a simple fit test that measures how much weight the person can lift and how flexible he or she is. From there, the Smartraining System develops a personal workout plan to achieve a member’s goals. The personal plan and all of the member’s information is stored on a Koko key, a key tag worn on a lanyard.

Each time a member visits Koko, he or she stays on one machine the whole time. After placing the Koko key in the machine, the Smartrainer guides the user through continuous exercises without stopping. For weight workouts, which last 30 minutes, the Smartrainer instructs the user and dictates the work pace. For cardio workouts, which last 15 minutes, chief fitness officer Michael Wood motivates and pushes the user.

Koko is circuit training rather than traditional weightlifting, meaning the exercise targets multiple muscle groups in one workout with no rest. The result is impressive.

“Results show a 19 percent strength gain after eight weeks,” said Corine Murphy, owner of Nashua’s Koko FitClub franchise. “After your second program, 25 percent strength gain, and 33 percent after your third.”

At the end of each workout, users are asked to back up their Koko key at a computer. The computer will tell users how many calories they’ve burned and how much weight they’ve lifted. It will also give “exercise points,” which Weight Watchers clients may be familiar with. While Koko FitClub isn’t officially affiliated with Weight Watchers, Murphy says the organization is working toward it.

Over time, users can view their progress online and earn prizes for their hard work. If a weightlifting or cardio workout is performed perfectly, the user can earn 1,000 or 500 points respectively. As they accumulate 250,000 or more points, users can earn different-colored lanyards.

“It’s like karate, where you can earn different-colored belts,” Murphy said. “If you see someone working out with at blue lanyard, you know that they are dedicated and have worked out a lot. They might have a hat, T-shirt or jacket that we give out as incentives.”

Koko FitClub is for everyone from ages 13-99. Although the program probably isn’t best for the young man into lifting heavy weights, it caters to almost everyone’s needs.

The program is best for the average healthy person who doesn’t know what to do at a gym. Although the gym is co-ed, the clientele will mostly be women ages 25-65.

The club doesn’t look like a traditional gym, fitting into a small storefront at 225 Daniel Webster Highway next to Cassandra’s in Nashua. When finished, Koko will contain only six Smartrainers, three treadmills and two ellipticals.

The ambience will be serene and quiet, with no loud music playing. A television in the back of the room will rotate tranquil images. There are no locker rooms, only two bathrooms and two changing rooms.

These untraditional aspects help set Koko apart as a place for personal growth and achievement.

“I plan to know all the members by name,” Murphy said.

Murphy wants the business to be largely family-operated, adding another personal touch. Her husband and daughter will work at the club, in addition to one or two part-time workers.

Another key difference of the gym are its staffed and unstaffed hours. The busiest times of the day – likely 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. – will be staffed. Members who pay an additional fee will be able to access Koko during unstaffed hours from 5 a.m.-11 p.m.

Although there are only 11 total machines, members shouldn’t worry about having to wait. Other locations have been analyzed and usually do fine with only five Smartraining machines, Murphy said.

And even if all the machines are being used, users shouldn’t have to wait long. One person may have just started his or her workout, but another may be finishing. Since a workout takes only 30 minutes, the machines have a quick turnover.

Koko members need to do weight workouts only three or four times a week and cardio workouts twice a week. Since the workouts are only 15 or 30 minutes long and the FitClub is located in the heart of Nashua’s business district, Koko takes the stress and the time commitment out of working out.

With the increasing difficulty and proven results, it’s much like working out with a personal trainer for half the price, Murphy said.

“It costs $50 to $150 for a one-hour session with a personal trainer,” Murphy said.

Koko FitClub costs $69 a month when joining for a year and $99 when paying month to month. There is a lifetime joining fee of $99. Everyone is encouraged to try Koko and experience the machine before they join.

Murphy is confident Koko will be a success in Nashua. She has a gym membership she hasn’t used in two years. She quickly hit a plateau after doing the same workouts at a local franchise. After trying a Koko workout, she says she felt like she did everything she was supposed to in a gym in a much shorter amount of time.

Murphy and her family have been residents of Nashua for 16 years. Murphy used to work in corporate marketing for a software company, but stopped working 10 years ago. When she stumbled upon the Koko franchise, she knew it was perfect. The whole family is on board with the idea, and she enjoys working as her own boss.

Koko FitClub is giving Murphy an opportunity to give back to the community and do something she is passionate about. She explains that the fitness industry is an $80 billion business and that it’s especially important in the overweight United States culture.

Murphy has bought the ZIP code rights and plans for a total of five stores – most likely in Nashua on Amherst Street, Hudson, Merrimack or Hollis and Bedford.

“If you’re intimidated by a personal trainer who knows a lot and someone looking over your shoulder, this is for you,” Murphy said

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