Among the first and longest-running Club Pilates franchisees, we are also one of the largest. Since our founding 11 years ago, Riser Fitness has grown to 58 studios across the Western United States. With 40 additional territories in development, we remain focused on continued growth, exploring new territories and opportunities to solidify our standing within the Club Pilates system.
Our mission extends beyond numbers; Riser Fitness is dedicated to sharing Pilates as a transformative fitness modality globally. Central to our success is an exceptional team of dedicated professionals who have fueled our journey. Rooted in strategic expansion, operational expertise, and unparalleled customer support, we continue to explore new territories and opportunities to solidify our standing within the Club Pilates system.
With more than 1,000 studios across the globe, spanning four continents, Club Pilates is the largest Pilates brand and studio network worldwide. Ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 List for six years running and Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list for multiple years, Club Pilates leads the Pilates industry in providing every-body the opportunity to experience the benefits of Pilates.
Keely is one of the original Club Pilates franchise operators and has a deep understanding of not only the practice and instruction of Pilates, but more importantly, over ten years of experience in translating Pilates into a working business. She first tried Pilates in 2007 and immediately fell in love with it. She completed her certification less than a year later and began teaching full-time shortly afterwards; as of today, she has taught well over 10,000 Pilates classes over the last 18 years. Keely earned dual degrees in Communications and Spanish at the University of San Diego. In 2013, Keely opened her first Club Pilates franchise in Orange County, CA. With more than a decade of experience in the industry, Keely holds the recognition of Master Trainer, allowing her to train and certify instructors for Riser Fitness studios.
Jeff earned a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and has accumulated over 20 years of investment, operational, and start-up experience. He embarked on his career at Union Bank of Switzerland and later was a partner and Managing Director at systematic trading hedge funds and a proprietary real estate investment company. Prior to these ventures, Jeff partnered with Ed Lombardi at Centara Capital Group, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser and Broker-Dealer. His expertise spans capital raising, finance, operational scaling, marketing, and brand development for start-ups and early-stage growth companies. Jeff, Ed, and Tim have been collaborative business partners for over 25 years, uniting with a shared vision to support Keely's endeavor in establishing Riser Fitness as a premier Pilates business.
Eduardo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington. Since 2016, he has been integral to the growth and strategic direction of Riser Fitness, serving as a Board Member and Managing Director. Prior to Riser Fitness Eduardo spent 15 years on startups in the financial services sector where he developed proprietary financial products and oversaw operations and compliance for an SEC Registered Investment Advisor and Broker Dealer. His extensive experience in scaling operations for startups and early-stage companies has been pivotal in his current role, driving Riser Fitness to become a leading franchisee within the Club Pilates network.
Tim earned a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and brings over 20 years of experience in investment management and the alternative investment space. His journey began at Union Bank of Switzerland, where he served as an analyst. Tim then was in charge of short-selling at a number of long/short hedge funds, providing research and advice to hedge funds, mutual funds, and other large financial institutions. Notably, in 2007, Tim joined Waterloo International Advisors, a short-sale hedge fund, and played a pivotal role in positioning its portfolio correctly for the financial crash of 2008. In 2013, he became a part of Caplink Partners, a capital introduction firm, specializing in evaluating private equity and direct investment opportunities. Having been friends and colleagues for over 30 years, Tim and Jeff joined Ed as he recognized the potential to elevate Riser Fitness into a leading franchisee within the Club Pilates Franchise, aligning their strengths to contribute to the company's growth alongside Keely's vision.
Lauren joined Riser in 2018 and has been in the boutique fitness industry for over 18 years, starting as a Yoga Advisor with YogaWorks in Huntington Beach in 2006. She has managed studios for YogaWorks in Mission Viejo, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, driving the success of each of those locations. She took on the District Manager role for YogaWorks in 2014 for all of Orange County and joined Riser in 2019 as a District Manager. Regularly setting records for new studio openings during her tenure as a District and ultimately a Regional Manager in Southern California, Lauren guided the Club Pilates portfolios through COVID and was ultimately promoted to oversee operations for all Riser studios in 2022. She holds an Associate Degree from Orange Coast College and completed her general education studies at Cal State Long Beach with a focus on Child Development and Education.
Clayton joined Riser in 2021 with ten years in the fitness industry and a strong track record of performance within the 24-Hour Fitness organization. He has managed large-scale fitness operations over his career, moving from single-site management, where he regularly broke performance records in terms of customer and employee retention and, most importantly, average unit sales volume. He graduated to a District role, where he oversaw multiple big-box (24 Hour Fitness) locations that generated over $60mm in annual revenue and had over 700 team members. An ex-professional athlete, he brings an outstanding ability to coach, support and lead large teams across multiple territories as Riser expands its footprint across the western United States.
Danielle joined Riser in 2023 as a distinguished multi-unit senior HR executive, boasting a comprehensive 15+ years of experience in team development, leadership, change management, business management, and strategic operations. She's been recognized for navigating increasingly complex HR & operational landscapes across multiple sectors, with a focus on driving profitability and facilitating organizational growth. Most recently, she led the US HR function for a global energy & infrastructure recruitment firm - with operations across 5 US states and 14 countries. She's demonstrated competence managing the entire employment life cycle, consistently delivering outstanding results across team engagement, retention and overall employment compliance. Danielle has a passion for wellness, earning a Biology and French degree from TCU along with numerous HR certifications, including SPHR. She's active in SHRM, currently serves on the SHRM university liaison committee and actively mentors future HR pros.
Mike Gray is a highly respected fitness professional with nearly 30 years of diverse experience. Born in California and raised in various states across the U.S., Mike's rich background has profoundly influenced his holistic approach to fitness and wellness. In 2017, he joined Club Pilates as Vice President of Sales, showcasing his strategic vision and commitment to growth. By 2018, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations, and in 2020, he stepped into the role of President. With a steadfast dedication to excellence and a profound understanding of the fitness industry, Mike Gray continues to inspire and lead, shaping the future of fitness for enthusiasts around the globe.
At Riser Fitness, our employees are the cornerstone of our success. We are dedicated to creating a work environment that is supportive, nurturing, and fulfilling. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a collaborative atmosphere that promotes both personal and career development. Beyond the workplace, we value our team’s diverse perspectives and invest in their continuous success. Together, we form a dedicated and empowered team, committed to delivering exceptional fitness experiences and driving the growth of Riser Fitness. Our supportive work environment inspires innovation, dedication, and excellence in all that we do.