Started out of Lauren Kleban’s garage in LA, Lekfit today boasts tens of thousands of active digital fitness subscribers, along with a brick-and-mortar location
When Lauren Kleban launched Lekfit out of her Hancock Park, Los Angeles, garage around ten years ago, she sought to create a method that felt intimate, expressive and rooted in smart, intentional movement.
“I wanted it to feel like walking into an elegant, fun, welcoming house party,” Kleban told Athletech News, recalling those early sessions. “Everyone should feel welcome. The workout is challenging, but the environment is built on inclusivity, encouragement and community.”
As Lekfit expanded, maintaining that closeness became a core part of the brand. The Los Angeles studio was intentionally designed to mirror Kleban’s home, with a patio and a lobby with a living room-like aesthetic. Weekly Instagram Live sessions, which she has done since 2018, help keep the digital audience just as connected.
“It’s become a really meaningful way to reach those who can’t make it to the studio,” Kleban noted. “Staying connected to our online community is nonnegotiable.”
Figuring out the ins and outs of online streaming had a learning curve.
“When we launched, online workouts were still really new,” Kleban said. “There were only a handful of streaming options.”
Lekfit initially released a large library of classes, but it quickly became clear that wasn’t what people wanted.
“Clients wanted to feel like they were right there in our LA studio,” Kleban explained. “So, we pivoted. We started mirroring exactly what was happening in the studio each day for our digital members. Our community has completely shaped who we are. They tell us what they want, and we listen.”
Today, Lekfit boasts over 100,000 followers on social media, with tens of thousands of active subscribers to the brand’s online studio offering. It also continues to operate a brick-and-mortar location in Los Angeles.
Kleban now sees Lekfit as a complete method: cardio, sculpt, lymphatic drainage, strength and recovery, designed so clients don’t have to piece together multiple studios. The brand’s programming includes elements of barre, mat Pilates, strength training and rebounder fitness.
“We want to be a one-stop shop,” Kleban said. “We want to be a complete workout that adapts as our community grows.”
Misconceptions about the method remain common, especially around the idea that low-impact or dance-inspired training is somehow easy or requires rhythm. Kleban wants to fight these misconceptions and show potential clients the benefits of her workout.
“People think dance means you have to be a dancer,” she said. “I’m often reluctant to even use the word dance. Yes, there’s choreography, but you’re guided through it. You don’t stop, you don’t learn counts, you don’t perform. You just move.”
Looking ahead, Kleban is focused on collaborations that merge fitness with lifestyle and culture.
“Collaborations are at the top of my list. We’ve dipped our toes into them over the years, but I want to go further: studio activations, events, online partnerships, creative pop-ups. There is so much potential in merging fitness with lifestyle,” she concluded. “That’s where I want to take Lekfit in the coming years.”
