Emmis Studio Case Study
Emmis Studio is redefining what strength training can look and feel like. Located in Cologne, Germany, the boutique fitness studio combines boutique training with a café concept to create an experience centered on movement, community, and recovery. Since opening its first location in 2025, the studio has built its classes around 20 FITBENCH ONE units, giving every participant their own dedicated training station for each 50-minute session. Led by a coach in a high-energy atmosphere with dim lighting and loud music, every class blends functional strength training with cardio to create an engaging alternative to the traditional gym experience.
The vision behind Emmis Studio was to create an alternative to the traditional gym experience. The studio was designed for people who understand the importance of strength training but find conventional gyms uninspiring or overwhelming. By combining structured coaching, functional training, and an energetic atmosphere, Emmis Studio has made strength training more approachable, enjoyable, and accessible.
Each class is designed so participants can focus entirely on their workout rather than collecting or sharing equipment. With every member assigned their own FITBENCH throughout the session, transitions between exercises are quick and seamless, allowing coaches to maintain the pace of the workout while participants can easily adjust weights without interrupting the flow of class.
The studio's thoughtfully designed layout also helps maintain an organized and welcoming environment. Because all equipment is stored within each FITBENCH, the training room remains tidy throughout every session, contributing to the clean aesthetic that has become part of the overall member experience. While arranging the stations required careful planning, the result is a space that functions efficiently while giving every participant an equal training experience.
"I know firsthand what it's like to do boring strength training in huge gyms where you don't really know what to do, which exercises or, more importantly, which machines make sense. I looked for an alternative training method that still focuses primarily on strength training. I want to make this accessible to as many people as possible who feel the same way. People know how important strength training is for their health, but a traditional gym workout just bores them."
— Paula Pingen
Members have responded positively to the studio's unique class format, praising the structured experience and the ability to complete a full-body workout from a single training station. The combination of coach-led programming, an energetic atmosphere, and the efficiency of the FITBENCH setup has helped create a workout experience that keeps members engaged while supporting the studio's continued growth.
Following the success of its first location in Cologne, Emmis Studio is expanding with a second studio in Cologne opening this year. The new Run x Lift concept will feature 15 additional FITBENCH ONE units, bringing the total to 35 FITBENCH ONE units across two studios, while continuing to deliver the same functional, coach-led training experience that has defined the brand from the beginning. The expansion reflects the success of Emmis Studio's vision and its commitment to making strength training an experience people genuinely enjoy.