New Boutique Fitness Club To Open Soon In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — If you’ve made a fitness-focused New Year’s resolution, but lack the inspiration, this should help you crush your goals.

Alpha Fit Club (AFC), a boutique fitness studio is all set to open in Princeton on Feb. 18. AFC is owned by Sara Carlesimo of Fanwood and Elizabeth Roseman of Florham Park.

AFC is a group-style fitness program, that tends to have 24 people per class, Carlesimo told Patch. AFC's circuit-style concept features a blend of total body strength training, coupled with high-intensity cardio. Members rotate through six stations in accountability packs of four, challenging themselves for six minutes at each station.

Each station varies between cardio and strength, or a combination of the two, which can be scaled for any fitness level.

AFC was developed keeping in mind individuals who like to develop programs for themselves that yields results.

“Many people walk into an open gym and become very overwhelmed. There are spin classes, body conditioning classes, even workout with a trainer. But it's not consistent enough to lead to results. And it can also cost plenty of extra money, depending on where you're attending, in addition to the general membership fee,” Carlesimo said.

In that sense, AFC is unique. The programming is designed for each individual who can choose to come in once or twice a week, or for six days.

“You get results just from showing up consistently each week. It gives you a dynamic workout, but in a way that's scalable for someone that's either dealing with an injury or pregnancy, to someone who's training for Ironman,” Carlesimo said.

“Unlike other programming, it's a pretty equal split of cardio and strength. Group fitness programs tend to either be way too cardio-heavy or only strength. But this is a nice blend of both, giving your body that different focus to rotate through the stations.”

In December 2022, Carlesimo and Roseman opened a studio at Riverwalk Village on the border of Bridgewater. They decided to open another studio in Princeton as it’s one of the most sought-after locations.

“I think Princeton is just primed for a new fitness studio. The community is active, you have Princeton University and a whole host of businesses here,” Carlesimo said.

AFC will be located at the Princeton Shopping Center, which Carlesimo said is a great place for “foot traffic.”

A lawyer by profession, Carlesimo grew up in New Jersey. “Fitness has always been a huge passion of mine, definitely an outlet during law school and after I had my children, I was carving out time for myself,” she said.

She discovered AFC during the COVID-19 pandemic as it helped her achieve her fitness goals and build a community.

“I’ve always worked for big corporations and running a small business is a skill set I've always wanted to build on. This just seemed like the perfect opportunity,” Carlesimo said.

AFC began VIP presales on Jan. 15. Founding members will receive a discounted first month for $99; founders rate of $150 per month for the remainder of the year; access to VIP classes and VIP merchandise.

Those interested should download the Alpha Fit Club app, select membership and credits, select the Princeton location and purchase the Introductory $99 Monthly Membership.

For more information, click here and here.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com