Siblings Emily Lozada and James Fox always wanted to open a business together, and that opportunity came about from an unlikely source: Lozada seeking out treatment for pain associated with her serving job.

Enter Hotworx, a fitness studio that uses infrared heat to warm things up. Lozada found relief from her sciatica symptoms and joint pain at the Bedford location and, with the help of her brother and parents, has brought that experience to Concord.

The new business opened next to the Convenient MD and Buffalo Wild Wings on Loudon Road on Dec. 14, and just held its grand opening celebration last Saturday, a milestone for Lozada and the team.

“We caught our breath, we can survive,” she said. 

Last year, Lozada found herself on a wellness journey, and unhappy with the prospect of a future in serving. She also found herself impressed by the impact and affordability of Bedford Hotworx’s infrared saunas.

The saunas use infrared waves to heat your body without heating the air, unlike traditional saunas. Some studies suggest there are health benefits.

Breathing in a traditional sauna is difficult because of the intense heat in the air, Lozada noted. She finds infrared saunas much more comfortable “not oppressive” like traditional saunas.

But Hotworx is more than that, providing 24/7 access, virtual instructors, and gym space including weights and  machines

Working out in an infrared sauna means members are able to finish a workout in less time. The virtual, recorded instructors allow members to go about their workout outside of a group schedule – they can start whenever they arrive. Plus, it’s helpful with staffing.

“Corporate heads like to joke that your instructors will never show up hungover,” Lazoda said. “They'll always show up smiling and they'll always be on time.”

After briefly considering Hooskett and Seabrook, the family decided Concord was the best place for their Hotworx. Besides the fact that they love the area, the recent growth and attention the capital city has gotten makes it attractive to new businesses.

“I hear people and I hear the community in here and it's not like a gym, no one talks at the gym. Everyone has their headphones on, they're in their own world, and no one's happy to be there,” Lozada said, “Everyone here is smiling, sweaty, drippy, not looking good at all, but super happy.”

Lozada also said that it means a lot to her to have a positive environment where mental health and physical health can come together.

She touted the affordability of Hotworx, one of the main factors that drew her in – when evaluating other options, she found herself contending with the higher prices.

“I didn't do a single workout for two months, I just did mobility stretches,” Lozada said when she first tried out Hotworx on her own. “My hips unlocked, my knees got a lot better, my sciatica went away – I thought that was something I was going to have to live with.”

Her mother has also found relief from Lyme disease-related symptoms. She struggles with common autoimmune symptoms, as well as insomnia, premature arthritis, and inflammation. She began going to Hotworx three to four times a week despite the then-45-minute drive to the Bedford location.

Now, Concord Hotworx has become a family business with the siblings’ parents chipping in when they can – their mother helping to clean, their father closing some nights.

Overall, the family has enjoyed making Concord the home of their business and welcoming people in.

Lozada said her favorite part of the job is talking with members and hearing about their own health journeys.

“I'm very happy to be here,” Lazoda said, “We have fantastic members.”