(CHICAGO, IL/COTTAGE GROVE, WI, March 9, 2016) – AFS and Matrix Fitness – the commercial brand of Johnson Health Tech – today unveiled a plan for the creation of an entire online business curriculum to provide ongoing education for fitness studio owners and developers. 

The curriculum at launch – scheduled for Q3 of this year - will include the following six primary course segments, each with appropriate sub-courses.

Lisa Dougherty didn't start her personal training business,Whole Body Fitness, Costa Mesa, California, with the goal of launching a registry of health and fitness professionals. However, about two years ago, that's just what she did with the intent of connecting fitness professionals and fitness facilities with new clients who need specialized services.

After starting her business 20 years ago, Dougherty began receiving inquiries from people around the United States about how to find trainers who handled clients with health challenges as Dougherty does.

To help it toward its goal of opening more than 300 studios by 2017, Orangetheory Fitness, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, received growth equity investment in an undisclosed sum from an affiliate of Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that focuses on investing in the franchise industry, Orangetheory announced. 

"We decided to engage Roark as a strategic investor to support us as we continue to experience rapid growth in the U.S. and internationally, as well as expand our product and service quality," said Dave Long, co-founder and chief executive officer of Orangetheory Fitness. "Our relationship with Roark will strengthen our mission to deliver proven fitness results for a healthier world."