Born in Ohio, Walther was what he described as a ‘fat kid’ who turned his life around and became a fitness enthusiast.
Shimkin, a true businessman, co-founded the new cellphone application called FitKey along with Walthers, for South Africans to get fit at any studio they desire.
The app founders have reached out to 45 fitness and exercise studios in and around Johannesburg to jump on board with the app – effectively encouraging people to work out, but also driving business to the small and lesser known gyms and studios.
The FitKey app is a product of two of South Africa’s fastest growing industries, exercise and technology.
The way it works is that Android and iOS users download the app for a monthly subscription fee and then they are allowed to scroll through the list of studio partners, find the perfect class for themselves and attend it, regardless of whether they’re a member of the institution or not.
What’s more, subscribers can attend classes at different studios and at any time that is convenient for them, provided there is space in the class – information that can be found through the app.
“We are proud about this announcement as it shows that the FitKey model is gaining traction in South Africa,” said Walther.
“We are confident that the support we have received as a local start-up and the momentum the app and service are gaining is going to help us change the way people exercise and access gym classes in South Africa.”
The classes which each subscriber may take part in, range from kickboxing to pilates and yoga to pole dancing and there are many more options to choose from.
The app’s co-founders aim to address the need in the country, and with both of them having relocated from the USA to South Africa, they can keep a close eye on their work.
Details: studios@fitkey.co.za