From “Gym Idea” Email to NYC Fitness Pioneer: Kari Saitowitz on Building The Fhitting Room

In this episode, I sit down with Kari Saitowitz, Chief Marketing & Creative Officer at New York Sports Club and the founder of Fhitting Room, a boutique fitness brand that provides classes on demand, live virtual and live in person.

Kari shares the story behind her transition from corporate marketing at Pepsi to launching Fhitting Room—starting with a simple email titled "Gym Idea." We dive into how she created demand for a workout that wasn’t yet mainstream, her strategy for assembling an elite team of trainers, and how she built a strong brand and community.

Kari also shares  the biggest challenges she faced in the early days (and how she pivoted), and what white spaces in fitness and consumer behavior intrigue her now. Whether you're an entrepreneur, fitness professional, or just love a good origin story, this episode is packed with insights on brand-building, leadership, and staying ahead of the curve.

Topics Discussed:

• The vision behind Fhitting Room and how it came to life
• Transitioning from corporate marketing to fitness entrepreneurship
• Creating demand for a new fitness concept and attracting clients
• Finding and developing top-tier trainers to elevate the brand
• Lessons from books and mentors
• Overcoming unexpected challenges and adapting in business

Kari Saitowitz is the Chief Marketing & Creative Officer of New York Sports Club and the founder of Fhitting Room, a boutique fitness studio specializing in functional strength training and HIIT. Before leading NYSC’s brand comeback, she built Fhitting Room into a multi-location business, expanding into virtual offerings during the pandemic before its acquisition in 2022. A former marketing executive at Pepsi, Kari holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Instagram: @ FhittingRoom

Website: https://www.fhittingroom.com/

Kari's Instagram: @KSaitowitz

Where to find me or work with me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

My small group strength training schedule in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.