BUSINESS

Scottsdale.org l @ScottsdaleProgress /ScottsdaleProgress

Ohm Fitness suits up first franchise here

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

Ohm Fitness opened its first Scottsdale location on Aug. 4, completing a long process for the company’s founders to create its revolutionary concept. About two and a half years ago, Ohm Fitness co-founder Eric Hamann’s partner, Jen, walked into an electrical muscle stimulation training session at a boutique in Los Angeles and raved to her husband about it. Hamann and his business partner, Doug Payne, have a successful history of launching franchises like Massage Envy, European Wax Center and Orange Theory. However, Payne admits that the two initially were stymied by the prospect of franchising this concept. “At first, we were scratching our heads because I think everybody should have a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to any new concept,” Payne said. They hit the books researching the 60-year-old practices of electrical muscle stimulation and were astounded by what they found. “With electric muscle stimulation it’s taking the place of the brain during the normal workout. In a normal workout, the brain sends electrical signals to your muscles through the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract,” Payne said. “But we thought that we could hack it to make it even more efficient because when the brain sends a signal to

Ohm Fitness co-founder Eric Hamann initially got the idea for the fitness studio from

his partner, Jen. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer) seeOHM page 19

NOAH offers tips for health school lunches

BY ALISON STANTON Progress Contributor

As students of all ages head back to the classroom, those who bring their lunch might have parents wondering what healthy foods they can put into those colorful lunchboxes that their children will actually want to eat. Kahti Paydar, NOAH registered dietitian nutritionist, says there are plenty of delicious, kid-friendly and nutritious options that will provide young brains with the fuel they need to succeed. “Many people don’t realize the foods and beverages they consume can have a huge impact on their health and well-being. The way we choose to fuel our bodies can contribute to health conditions in people of all ages,” Paydar said. With her work in NOAH’s nutrition program, she is always happy to share meal ideas with parents. “For instance, a hummus rollup is a tasty lunch that is easy for parents to prepare and for kids to eat,” Paydar said. “Spread hummus on a whole wheat tortilla and top it with a slice of turkey or ham, low-fat cheese and lettuce and then roll it up, then pack in the lunchbox along with cucumber slices and apple slices.” For kids who like quinoa, mom or dad can mix any meats, cheeses and veggies their kids like along with plain quinoa before dressing it lightly with a basic vinaigrette dressing. “Pack the quinoa salad with pear slices, grape tomatoes and fresh mozzarella balls,” Paydar said. A “leftover picnic lunch” is another enjoyable option that kids of all ages will like. Paydar suggests including things like leftover grilled chicken along with potato salad or coleslaw, watermelon and broccoli with ranch dip. In addition to offering advice to parents about healthy school lunches their kids will be eager to eat, Paydar spends a lot of time working one-on-one with patients on a variety of food and health related concerns. Through her work at NOAH’s nutrition program, Paydar meets with children, as well as parents and grandparents. “In the pediatric population, I see children for picky eating, weight management, obesity, high cholesterol, anemia and poor eating habits,” she said. “Adult appointments focus on health-

Kahti Paydar, NOAH registered dietitian nutritionist noted there are plenty of delicious, kid-friendly and nutritious options

the muscle, you can do about one muscle contraction per second.” Payne described seeing similar businesses that would have clients wear tight-fitting Long John underwear that would have to be wet down, cuffs on their arms and a vest that had to be buckled onto the client’s torso. The vest would then be connected to a wiring harness that connected to a laptop. Because of this, most classes were individualized to where the client and instructor would work one-on-one with each other. Payne and Hamann wrestled heavily with how to make a profitable franchise work from a workout method that only offered one-on-one instruction. Then they found an innovation. “We found a manufacturing partner that was able to create an energy box that was Bluetooth and, on top of that, the technology had emerged such that you could have what we call …the ‘Empower Suit,’” Payne said. The energy box allowed the two to develop a suit made of a flexible material that included pads that would

Doug Payne admits he was initially skeptical of the concept his business partner pitched for Ohm Fitness. (David Minton/Progress

Staff Photographer)

work with the box to cause muscles to contract 85 times per second while clients exercise. “We’re more efficient than a typical gym workout,” Payne said. The suit also allowed for flexibility in how classes were delivered. “The Empower suit is very flexible in that we can deliver a strength training class and we can adjust the frequency on the control box to simulate different modalities,” Payne said. To put their gear into use, they needed to find a location – and found one next to their European Wax Center off Thompson Peak Parkway and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. “We always knew that this was a tremendous shopping center and a tremendous area,” Payne said, “We were just fortuitous that as we were looking for space, this space became available and it felt like it was blessed and meant to be, so we ran with it.” The space allows for 16 students to work out together. Payne admits that most people who enter his space are skeptical of how the new process works. “A lot of our guests come in with a healthy dose of skepticism, because it is brand new and they want to make sure that it’s a real concept that has

19

real science to back it up,” Payne said. “A lot of skeptics walk in, but very few walk out.” Payne hopes to open 35 Ohm Fitness locations statewide in the next three to five years and also plans different types of classes to clients. “The one coming up next, is what we call ‘sweat’ — which is more of a cardio fat burn type of class where the frequency is adjusted to simulate how your muscles would move during a cardio activity,” Payne said. “The last modality is stretch or a wellness group of classes where we’ll put the suit on a different setting that simulates a massage so your muscles begin to relax to where we can do a series of stretch classes and yoga classes as well.” Overall, Payne believes that he and his team at Ohm Fitness have discovered the next breakthrough in the fitness industry. “It’s been a while since there was a major disruption to the fitness space, so we see this as the next big interruption to the fitness space,” he said.

Information: 15029 N. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale; 480-582-2900; ohmfitness.com.

NOAH ���� page 18

related topics such as obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy and GERD – just to name a few.” During her first meeting with a patient, Paydar said she will spend time getting to know the person and listening to any concerns. “I will look at the patient’s food log, if I had requested it, or simply ask about all the meals and beverages that are regularly consumed,” she said, adding: “Then I will spend time understanding the foods the patient likes and dislikes, discuss their lifestyle, and start working on a nutrition plan that suits their needs,” she said. Paydar said it is not unusual for her patients to be surprised by what they learn during the first visit. “Whether it’s increasing water intake, learning a new way to cook veggies, or finding a nutrition-packed snack idea, a little goes a long way when it comes to eating habits and small adjustments can make a big difference in overall health,” she said. “That’s why nutrition education is such an important piece of NOAH’s integrated care model. Nutrition visits usually require a referral from your primary care provider but are often covered by insurance including AHCCCS, KidsCare, and Medicare. The team at NOAH is happy to check coverage for your specific health plan.” Paydar currently sees patients inperson and via telehealth appointments and will provide nutrition services at NOAH’s new Cholla location when the facility opens in south Scottsdale later this year.

Call 480-882-4545 to schedule an appointment.

BE DEBT FREE IN 24–48 MONTHS!

Do you owe more than $10,000 in credit card bills, medical bills or other unsecured debt? Let National Debt Relief help resolve your debt for a fraction of what you owe.

One Affordable Monthly Payment

We work with you to set up a single, affordable monthly payment. No Upfront Fees

You won’t pay a penny until your debt is resolved. Resolve Your Debt in 24–48 Months

We’ll resolve your debt as quickly as possible so you can fi nally start living the life you want.

ACCREDITED BUSINESS

looks like a sofa, sits like a sofa, sleeps like a bed.

NOW through August 28th, buy any qualifying sofa sleeper & receive a copenhagen giftcard valued at $125 for every 1000 you spend. $

Our sofa beds offer all the functionality of a sleeper, but without having the appearance of sleeper, but without having the appearance of one. Sleek designs that sit as well as they look one. Sleek designs that sit as well as they look and offer surprising comfort in a fold-away bed. Choose from our in-stock collection or special Choose from our in-stock collection or special order in a number of different fabrics and leathers. order in a number of different fabrics and leathers.

Our Lena sofa sleeper is a pleasure to operate and has no cumbersome loose cushions to store as they automatically tuck away under the sleeping mechanism. Available from stock in a durable and soft forest grey or dark brown fabric.

$3998

Throw pillows not included.

Monika king size sofa sleeper is made in Finland and shown here in charcoal fabric

Monika king shown with split sleeping surface. The Monika series has been a best seller for some time and is available as a king, queen, full or single sleeper. All four sizes are stocked In a very nice charcoal fabric with our most popular full size version also stocked in silver. The mechanism on all sizes is very smooth and easy to operate with the king size version offering a unique split sleeping area allowing only one side to be opened if needed. King $2899 Queen $2599

Full $2299 Single $1699

Throw pillows sold separately

Monika full size shown in silver fabric.

contemporary furniture &accessories

The Monika series can be special ordered in a wide assortment of fabrics to suit your specific needs and style.

PHOENIX 1701 E. Camelback 602-266-8060 SCOTTSDALE 15804 N. Scottsdale Rd. (South of Bell) 480-367-6401 GILBERT 2000 S. Santan Village Pkwy. 480-838-3080 HOURS: PHOENIX Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm, Sundays: Noon-5pm SCOTTSDALE & GILBERT Mon-Fri: 10am-7pm, Saturdays: 10am-6pm, Sundays: Noon-5pm

Shop online at www.copenhagenliving.com

Please note: $125 Copenhagen gift card for every full $1000 purchased is available on any in-stock or special order sleeper sofa purchase. Gift card will be mailed after payment in full and delivery has been accepted. This offer is strictly limited to sofa sleeper purchases and is not available on any other product category. Cannot be combined with any other in-store or factory sponsored offer or discounts. Not valid on previous purchase. Bedding and throw pillows shown are not included. please see the location nearest you for full offer details. Offer ends August 28, 2022.