Newport’s popular OrangeTheory location was recently named one of best in the world
What does it take to manage one of the world’s top Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) locations? Newport OTF franchise owners Stephanie Viola-Whitehead and Chase Whitehead credit their success to their team and members.
The Whiteheads are franchise owners of OTF locations in Newport and Union in Kentucky and Mason in Ohio. But their Newport location was recently named the No. 5 top OTF studio in the world.
The Whiteheads first established the OTF brand in the area over five years ago. Since then, they’ve watched their team and members grow and evolve over the years.
“The Orangetheory workout works,” the Whiteheads say. “We have the best coaches and staff not only in the Tristate, but I believe in the world. Our team works hard to know our members—beyond just knowing their names. The community we have at OTF Newport is something special and as I travel and visit other locations, I realize that more and more.”
Even during the social distancing-era where members often have to wait outside—sometimes during inclement weather—Newport members are still eager to workout. The Whiteheads say this is the result of their community at OTF Newport.
“Our employees genuinely care about our members’ health and personal goals. I believe this is evident to our members, who in return have become loyal to OTF Newport,” the Whiteheads say.
Q102 Host Toria Cannon is a member of the OTF Newport location. She says the atmosphere of OTF is not like a big box gym where you’re only there to do exercises and leave. At OTF, Cannon says she has relationships with the staff.
“You walk in and you’re greeted by name from the staff at the desk, the coaches call you out by name and encourage you when they see you increase your speed on the treadmill or lift heavier weights on the weight floor and then you develop friendships so you start planning your classes around when your gym friends will be there,” Cannon says.
Cannon says she remembers running her first mile under 10 minutes and her classmates, despite running their mile under seven minutes, all cheered because they were equally as excited for her.
Now that Cannon is pregnant, she says she appreciates the modifications the coaches at OTF offer, adding that they usually come up with modifications before she even has to ask.
“I love how I can see all the work I’m putting in paying off. Not just with their system monitoring my heart rate, but with all the improvements I’ve made physically on the weight floor, treadmill and row machine,” Cannon says. “I also love that every time I leave, I know I just got a great full body workout!”
The Whiteheads say most members take classes on a weekly basis with the same people, so they end up developing relationships with the people they’re with. They say they try to foster relationships both in and outside of the studio because people are most likely to stick with their classes if they know people.
Overall, their favorite part of being franchise owners is the people they work with and the OTF members.
“We get to work together doing something we both love every day,” the Whiteheads say. “Our staff and members have the best attitudes, so it’s easy to enjoy what we do. Everybody comes in because they want to improve their own life. It’s really special to witness people see and feel change in themselves.” For more information, visit OTF Newport’s website.
