MINNEAPOLIS, April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lift Brands, parent company to Snap Fitness and five other wellness concepts, is partnering with the largest yoga-training program in the world to offer a breakthrough, first of its kind 24/7 yoga franchise concept called YogaFit Studios.

"Our goal is to open 1,000 domestic studios over the next five years offering the independent yogi, yoga instructor, or wellness entrepreneur the opportunity to own a meaningful slice of the yoga business worldwide," said Peter Taunton, Lift Brands Founder and CEO. "We are confident yoga is here to stay and we are targeting aggressive expansion."

An estimated 20 million Americans practice yoga and spend nearly $6 billion annually in classes, equipment, DVDs and more. Lift Brands is banking that a 24/7 studio offering live and virtual on-demand yoga classes for all skill levels is an entrepreneurial success story waiting to happen. 

In a game-changing move, Lift Brands has set the initial price to open a studio as low as $80,000. With in-house Lift Brands financing, a studio can be owned with a down payment as low as $20,000.

"The vast majority of wellness concepts and 100 percent of the yoga concepts today are expensive and out of reach to the majority of potential business owners," said Taunton. "The industry needs changing, and Lift Brands is the company to do it."

Taunton also expects YogaFit franchises to appeal to the more than 100 million people worldwide involved in the yoga lifestyle and nearly 200,000 yoga instructors domestically who are certified through YogaFit training, which was founded in 1997. In 2013, Lift Brands executed a licensing agreement with YogaFit, the world's largest yoga certification and training authority that served as a foundation for the new concept.

The first YogaFit Studios location is set to open May 2014 in Excelsior, Minnesota. In traditional yoga lifestyle fashion, the YogaFit Studios concept has pledged an unprecedented industry-first charitable contribution on behalf of every membership to help the larger community both locally and globally.

"Giving back is the right thing to do, and we plan to positively affect each community we enter," Taunton said.

The Excelsior studio is the first of many locations planned. Lift Brands is currently taking reservations for territories through yogafitfranchise.com. To learn more about YogaFit Studios or find a location near you, visit yogafitstudios.com.

About Lift Brands
Lift Brands elevated wellness companies is the largest wellness franchise organization in the world with 3,000 clubs open or in development, in 15 countries, with 400 employees and 1.5 million members. Lift Brands offers franchisees around the globe fitness options for most price points.  With an initial investment of $20,000 up to $250,000, entrepreneurs can invest in a variety of franchise opportunities and Lift Brands offers additional financing, training and world-class support along the way. Lift Brands is lead by Peter Taunton, who brings more than 30 years of experience in the fitness sector. The Lift Brands portfolio currently includes Snap Fitness, Kosama group fitness, Fitness on Demand, STEELE Fitness, 9Round kickboxing fitness and YogaFit Studios.

About YogaFit
Founded in 1997, YogaFit has trained more than 200,000 certified yoga instructors around the world. In 2014, Lift Brands announced a partnership with YogaFit to develop franchise studio locations available with an initial investment as low as $20,000. With a focus on fitness, YogaFit Studios offers live and virtual classes, 24/7 access for guests, and a welcoming environment. For more information go to yogafitstudios.com.

Contact: Greta Kowalkowski
Greta@mcfarlandcomm.net
651-242-9250

Contact: Reina Porritt
rporritt@liftbrands.com
952-567-5938

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140429/81536

SOURCE Lift Brands