Los Angeles has its fair share of celebrity fitness instructors, but Lauren Kleban stands apart from the rest. The founder of LEKFIT, a low-impact, high-intensity fitness method, has attracted a devoted fan base and A-list regulars by the likes of Busy Philipps and Emmy Rossum with her musically driven, dance-based workouts, inclusive studio space, and body-positive mindset.
And to think that Kleban built this cult following from her own backyard? Yes, the mother of three converted her guest house into a fitness studio and after several years, she’s finally set to launch her first location in West Hollywood. Kleban was also one of the pioneers in the digital space sharing her popular workout online with digital subscriptions and live streaming.
Ahead, the successful fitness entrepreneur shares the biggest work challenge she’s faced so far and what she learned from it, the #1 thing she wishes more people knew about her job, and the best advice she’s ever been given (courtesy of Who What Wear co-founder Hillary Kerr who also just so happens to be a huge LEKFIT fan).
CREATE & CULTIVATE: A lot of people have heard about LEKFIT either on IG or through celebrities but how would you describe the brand/the workout? What makes it different?
LAUREN KLEBAN: LEKFIT is a uniquely curated fitness method featuring concepts that are designed to work the full body using intervals of low-impact, high-intensity, fat-burning cardio with muscle sculpting techniques created to strengthen and tone. Our musically driven, fun, challenging and effective workouts are produced in a safe, inclusive, body-positive space. The LEKFIT experience is offered both digitally and in our L.A. studio. LEKFIT offers three class concepts designed to complement each other for a well-rounded fitness experience. LEKFIT BOOST and HYPE provide both cardio and sculpt while LEKFIT DEFINE is strictly full-body sculpting.
How did you decide to get into the health, wellness, and fitness industry?
As a former professional dancer, my transition into the fitness and wellness space was truly organic. I knew early on that would be my path and began taking the necessary steps to get there while maintaining my career as a professional dancer.
“Obtaining a healthy body and a healthy mind are equally important—real health and wellness are only achieved when those are combined.”
What is the biggest work challenge you've faced? What did you learn from it?
In 2019 we carefully and meticulously made changes to our digital platform. We were so excited about the launch of our new site and our new and improved digital experience that we failed to realize many of our digital customers would not feel the same joy toward our new platform. Although it was the platform we had always intended, it wasn't what our consumer desired or at least not the way they wanted to learn about the changes. This particular challenge was absolutely the most trying thus far, but we learned and gained so much from the experience. We ultimately arrived at a better and more user-friendly digital site while allowing ourselves to be open and vulnerable with customers.
You've recently taken LEKFIT online with streamable workouts. Why did you decide to go online? What have been the challenges along the way? How has it changed your business?
We actually launched LEKFIT Digital before opening a brick and mortar. We launched our digital platform at a time when the direct-to-consumer business model was super hot and it made sense for us as it held the least amount of risk. We were able to test many variables with extremely low overhead and risk that it allowed us to arrive where we are today; a profitable fitness brand with zero outside investment.
What do you wish more people knew about your job?
I am truly and deeply in love with what I do and whom I get to do it with.
What is the best advice you have been given? Or a favorite piece of #realtalk?
The hiring process is brutal and building a solid team you can trust to help you grow the brand you pour your heart and soul into can seem almost impossible. The brilliant Hillary Kerr once said to me, as she stood outside the original LEKFIT garage studio, "Nobody will care about your brand as much as you do... hire slowly and fire quickly."
You've seen incredible success with LEKFIT, but it hasn't all been smooth roads along the way. What advice would you give to someone at the start of their fitness business journey?
You have to love it and be prepared to constantly remind yourself of that passion.
What do you wish you could go back and tell yourself when you were first launching your business?
Nothing. All the good and all the bad have brought me to where I am. It was meant to happen this way.
What changes do you hope to see in the health and wellness/fitness industry? What is next for you at LEKFIT?
I hope the industry continues to expand on the conversation that fitness and wellness are longterm lifestyle decisions that don't include fad diets, juice cleanses, deprivation or overexertion. Obtaining a healthy body and healthy mind are equally important and real health and wellness are only achieved when those are combined.
Photographer: Jenna Peffley
Hair: Styled by OGXpert & Celebrity Hairstylist Jillian Halouska
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