Becky Venuti, franchisee, 9Round Fitness & Kickboxing

By RITA DUCKWORTH
    When Becky Venuti decided to open her own gym, she started researching franchise opportunities. During an online search, she stumbled upon 9Round Fitness & Kickboxing, a unique concept with over 500 locations nationwide. Hers would be the first in the Metro East. Venuti and her husband Guy purchased three licenses. Their first location opened in Edwardsville in March.
    9Round offers a program consisting of nine workout stations based on kickboxing fundamentals. Clients work at each station with the guidance of a trainer for just three minutes, completing the entire circuit within 30 minutes. There are no set class times; clients simply start at the first round when they arrive.
    “I loved the concept,” says Venuti. “It’s a full body workout and it changes every day. Anyone can do it at any level.”
    The workout also incorporates heartrate technology, monitoring clients’ progress and ensuring workouts are not only effective, but safe.
    In her earlier career as a physical therapist assistant, Venuti saw patients struggle to maintain fitness regimens once therapy ended. She pursued a certification from the American College of Sports Medicine to offer post-therapy training to those in need. After years of personal training privately and at fitness centers, 9Round combines her passion for helping people with her love of fitness.
    “I’m so lucky to be doing something I enjoy. To me, this is not work. I love it.”