How ClassPass Founder Payal Kadakia Exercises

Classpass Payal Kadakia 2619 — Payal Kadakia in one of her favorite New York City studios, exhale. Sarah Jacobs

2016-03-14T16:28:23.000Z

Payal Kadakia was ready to move on from her beginner's ballet courses and take things to the next level. As she did her research, she ended up with a browser full of potential classes that she didn't know what to make of.

Kadakia knew there had to be a less stressful way to find the right class — but unfortunately, at that time, there simply wasn't.

"I didn't know if the classes I was finding online were the right level for me, if they had the right teachers, or if I had even brought the right clothes with me — and all that intimidation sort of made me not go," she told Business Insider.

Her experience that day helped spur the idea that ultimately resulted in ClassPass, a subscription-based search engine for fitness classes. The monthly membership allows users to take their pick of classes at various gyms and studios, exploring a variety of workout options throughout their city. The membership varies by city, but ranges from $79 to $125 a month for unlimited classes users can book directly on the app.

"We wanted people to walk into a studio with no prior experience and feel like they can do it — taking all the friction of picking and choosing a fitness program away," she said.

Now live in 39 cities globally, the $400 million dollar startup has changed the way people are choosing to work out.

We met up with Kadakia at one of her favorite studios in New York City, exhale, to take her class of choice: barre.

Kadakia grew up fitness- and dance-focused. She participated in dance competitions from a young age, and was the captain of her varsity cheerleading squad in high school.

"My parents came [to the US] from India, and I started learning Indian folk dance when I was three years old, competing on the weekends," she said. She still dances and works as the artistic director for The Sa Dance Company, an Indian dance collective she founded.

Can't wait to perform again! #dancelife #sadancecompany @ourlaboroflove

A photo posted by Payal Kadakia (@payal222) on Jan 16, 2016 at 7:58am PSTJan 16, 2016 at 7:58am PST

Although she was always extremely active, Kadakia definitely understands that certain fitness classes can be intimidating even to a motivated, regular gym-goer.

"Someone might be good at spinning, but that doesn't mean they know how to walk into a yoga class," she said. ClassPass is "really about never losing that idea to keep exploring."

Launched in New York in June of 2013, ClassPass was reportedly valued at $400 million by the middle of 2015. 15 million reservations have been made on ClassPass to date.

Welcome to the new #classpassHQ! Such great teamwork pulling this off -- loving all the positive energy in here! @classpass #ournewhome #inspired

A photo posted by Payal Kadakia (@payal222) on Nov 9, 2015 at 7:52am PSTNov 9, 2015 at 7:52am PST

ClassPass users booked over 10 million hours of classes in 2015. The year was a major one for the company, as they launched internationally in London, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Melbourne. More than 8,000 studios now allow users to book classes with the app.

For Kadakia, those 10 million hours devoted to working out is an important measurement. "It's time that [ClassPass members] are giving to their own mind and body," she said.

Thanks to everyone who attended the @inyogalife event with #ClassPass! We're ready to find our zen this year. #yoga #classpassau

A photo posted by ClassPass (@classpass) on Jan 9, 2016 at 6:31pm PSTJan 9, 2016 at 6:31pm PST

The barre classes at exhale appeal to Kadakia's dancer background. "I love barre because even when I’m not dancing, I feel like I’m training those same muscles," she said.

"Being a dancer or athlete of any type teaches you the fundamentals of discipline ... and the ability to know you can grow," she said.

"There were so many moments when I thought, 'I will never get that step,' or 'I could never do that with my body,' and I learned to do it — and some of that is obviously physical, and some of that is mental," she said. "I think I learned to overcome some things in life through dance.”

#passthehappy #dancelife #sadancecompany photoshoot memory! Need to get back into dancing! @rashibirla @classpass

A photo posted by Payal Kadakia (@payal222) on Nov 17, 2014 at 6:27pm PSTNov 17, 2014 at 6:27pm PST

For Kadakia, exercising is a priority she makes time for, which is not always easy as an extremely busy entrepreneur.

"I work out once a day — it’s built into my ethos," she said. "Even on the weekends, my fiancé and I plan the day around when we’re going to work out. It’s not that it’s optional. It’s about making it a priority."

It's also built into the ethos of ClassPass as a company. With around 180 employees now working at ClassPass, Kadakia has provided a workout studio in the office, and employees are encouraged to wear comfortable workout clothes.

The team that sweats together, stays together. Thank you @titleboxingclub.nyc for the special all-staff class! #boxing #tbt

A photo posted by ClassPass (@classpass) on Oct 15, 2015 at 4:34pm PDTOct 15, 2015 at 4:34pm PDT

As for her own favorite athletic wear, Kadakia loves anything soft that she can move around in, including Lululemon and dancer-focused brands like Capezio and Alternative Apparel.

For 2016, Kadavia plans to continue to improve ClassPass, making sure even more classes are available to members no matter what stage of life they're in. For her, it's all about making the world of fitness "feel welcoming and accessible."

How the founder of ClassPass — a startup that motivates thousands of people to work out regularly — stays in shape

Kadakia grew up fitness- and dance-focused. She participated in dance competitions from a young age, and was the captain of her varsity cheerleading squad in high school.

"My parents came [to the US] from India, and I started learning Indian folk dance when I was three years old, competing on the weekends," she said. She still dances and works as the artistic director for The Sa Dance Company, an Indian dance collective she founded.

Although she was always extremely active, Kadakia definitely understands that certain fitness classes can be intimidating even to a motivated, regular gym-goer.

"Someone might be good at spinning, but that doesn't mean they know how to walk into a yoga class," she said. ClassPass is "really about never losing that idea to keep exploring."

Launched in New York in June of 2013, ClassPass was reportedly valued at $400 million by the middle of 2015. 15 million reservations have been made on ClassPass to date.

ClassPass users booked over 10 million hours of classes in 2015. The year was a major one for the company, as they launched internationally in London, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Melbourne. More than 8,000 studios now allow users to book classes with the app.

For Kadakia, those 10 million hours devoted to working out is an important measurement. "It's time that [ClassPass members] are giving to their own mind and body," she said.

The barre classes at exhale appeal to Kadakia's dancer background. "I love barre because even when I’m not dancing, I feel like I’m training those same muscles," she said.

"Being a dancer or athlete of any type teaches you the fundamentals of discipline ... and the ability to know you can grow," she said.

"There were so many moments when I thought, 'I will never get that step,' or 'I could never do that with my body,' and I learned to do it — and some of that is obviously physical, and some of that is mental," she said. "I think I learned to overcome some things in life through dance.”

For Kadakia, exercising is a priority she makes time for, which is not always easy as an extremely busy entrepreneur.

"I work out once a day — it’s built into my ethos," she said. "Even on the weekends, my fiancé and I plan the day around when we’re going to work out. It’s not that it’s optional. It’s about making it a priority."

It's also built into the ethos of ClassPass as a company. With around 180 employees now working at ClassPass, Kadakia has provided a workout studio in the office, and employees are encouraged to wear comfortable workout clothes.

As for her own favorite athletic wear, Kadakia loves anything soft that she can move around in, including Lululemon and dancer-focused brands like Capezio and Alternative Apparel.

For 2016, Kadavia plans to continue to improve ClassPass, making sure even more classes are available to members no matter what stage of life they're in. For her, it's all about making the world of fitness "feel welcoming and accessible."

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