In a bid to revolutionize the fitness industry and bridge the long-standing gap between traditional gyms and physical therapy, a state-of-the-art wellness facility in Pasadena called Renew Performance Center celebrated its grand opening last weekend.
Founded by Austin Wright, a seasoned veteran of the health and fitness industry, the Center aims to provide a comprehensive, all-encompassing approach to active recovery, addressing what Wright identifies as a critical “missing link” in the current fitness landscape.
Wright, who has nearly two decades of experience working with major gym franchises as well as opening his own gym locations, had noticed a significant gap in the market.
“I’ve been in the health and fitness industry for close to 20 years, started my career at 24 Hour Fitness, worked with Gold Gym, helped grow their Southern California franchises for about 10 years,” he said. “In 2017, I branched off and started opening my own gym, Anytime Fitness locations in and around Los Angeles and Florida. Health and fitness has always been my passion project … I love to work on.”
It was during this time that Wright identified a lack of comprehensive recovery services in the fitness industry.
“I noticed in recent years that there’s a big missing link with recovery services,” he explained. You would only see gyms where people can work out and physical therapy once you get hurt. There’s that missing link between active recovery from fitness training and sports training.”
Inspired by this realization, Wright set out to create a wellness Center that would bridge this gap.
In 2023, he acquired a business in Pasadena called Space Bar, which offered a range of recovery services, including cold plunges, infrared saunas, and massage compression therapy.
Recognizing the potential of his model, Wright rebranded Space Bar as Renew Performance Center and invested in a remodel of the location to create a state-of-the-art facility that would cater to the needs of fitness enthusiasts and athletes alike.
Wright said that one key feature that sets Renew Performance Center apart from other wellness facilities is its extensive array of services, all available under one roof.
“We have quite a few services: Old 20, Infrared Spa, Fire and Ice (a couple of minutes in the cold plunge and 15 minutes in the sauna back to back), red light therapy, compression therapy, hyper vol, Float tank (sensory deprivation), massage, and Lymphatic Drainage,” Wright listed off. “We also have the café, which offers specialty coffees, organic cold-pressed juices, kava, and meal prep.”
Among these services, the Fire and Ice treatment has been gaining significant attention, he said. This innovative approach combines cold plunges with sauna sessions, helping to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and speed up muscle recovery.
As more athletes and fitness enthusiasts discover the benefits of this treatment, Wright believes it will become an increasingly widely reconized game-changer in the world of active recovery.
In addition to its focus on cutting-edge services, Wright said tat Renew Performance Center is committed to fostering a sense of community and making a positive impact on the local area.
“We plan to partner with local businesses, other gyms, and training facilities,” hw said. “We are the only business in Pasadena that offers all these services under one roof.”
The Center also plans to host outdoor events and popup events throughout the community, providing opportunities for people to try out services and learn more about the benefits of active recovery.
To celebrate its grand opening on March 30th, Renew Performance Center offered complimentary sessions to all members of the community, allowing them to experience the Center’s unique services firsthand.
“Anybody who wants to try out any of our services, if you’ve never done a cold plunge before or want to get a massage or do an infrared sauna session, all those types of services are free for first-time visitors,” Wright said.
He said the grand opening event attracted fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and curious individuals from across the Los Angeles area. The event featured demonstrations of the various services and talks by experts in active recovery, highlighting the importance of incorporating these practices into one’s fitness routine.
Wright has ambitious plans for expansion.
“We would love to scale this business, open three to five around the Los Angeles area first to prove out the concept and model, and then ultimately inform nationwide,” he said.
Renew Performance Center is at 600 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 110, in Pasadena. For more call (626) 345-5314 or visit https://renewperformanceCenter.com/
