Photo by Kelli Weldon

Photo by Kelli Weldon

Data drives strength training, nutrition plans

By Kelli Weldon

When Southwest Austin husband-and-wife team John and Alexa Rabb heard about Koko FitClub, they fell in love with the concept immediately, Alexa said.

Koko, which combines the use of strength-training and cardio workout machines with digital tracking technology, opened its first gym in Massachusetts in 2007. Gym members get customized workout and nutrition plans as well as a USB drive called a Koko Key they plug in to a machine before starting each exercise session.

"The data is always being saved and collected on your Koko Key," Alexa said. "And everyone gets a personalized webpage; they can go home and see where they currently are and what they're going to do next time they go [to the gym]."

The Rabbs, along with John's brother Josh Godwin and his wife, Korey, decided to bring Koko FitcClub to Southwest Austin.

"We knew we wanted to start a business together," Alexa said. "And we wanted to feel good about what we did."

The family now owns four 24-hour Koko FitClubs including a Circle C location, which opened in 2012, and one in Onion Creek, which opened in 2011. Memberships start at $39 per month.

Koko's data-centric approach to health and fitness can be a solution for "gym-shoppers," Josh said.

"Whatever objections somebody might have to getting healthy or being able to work out whether it's cost or time or not really knowing what to do or not knowing what to eat, whatever it is, we can overcome that objection."

Alexa said the business stays active in the Southwest Austin community by supporting local schools' fundraisers and events. Josh volunteers with Wayside Schools' basketball team.

"It's good to get to know all my neighbors," she said.

Circle C resident Lauren Ellerbee said the gym has been working for her since she joined in September.

"It's like having a personal trainer without the cost of a personal trainer," she said. "It just simplifies your whole exercise routine. You get [your workout] done in about 45 minutes."

Koko FitClub, 11215 S. I-35, Ste. 104, 512-582-0810, www.kokofitclub.com