I absolutely loved working with Fitness Living Magazine on this feature and talking about how I went from longtime client to owner, why I refused to let this little studio disappear, and what makes Newport Peach so special to me

At the heart of it all: fitness should be FUN, personal, welcoming, and about so much more than calories or changing your body. It’s about how you feel when you walk in, the people you connect with while you’re here, and how you feel about yourself when you leave.

So proud of this community, our incredible teachers, and this colorful little “anti-gym” we get to call ours.

Newport Peach, located in the heart of our community, has impressed everyone with its top-notch facilities, friendly staff, and great workout atmosphere. It’s no wonder they’ve been crowned the best! Whether you're starting your fitness journey or maintaining your routine, Newport Peach is the place to be.

Newport Peach, located in the heart of our community, has impressed everyone with its top-notch facilities, friendly staff, and great workout atmosphere. It’s no wonder they’ve been crowned the best! Whether you're starting your fitness journey or maintaining your routine, Newport Peach is the place to be.

Our perfect client brings a positive attitude to every class, inspiring others and adding to the uplifting atmosphere of our studio. For some clients, taking 3 or 4 classes a week is exactly what they need, and for other women, it’s the one hour a week they can get away from work and kids! We are here for all of it!

Whether you’re a fitness newbie or a seasoned athlete, we have a space for you, and we have lots of different class types to fit your style and schedule. Join us and be part of a community that’s about having fun while moving your body!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Schmitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Owning a brick-and-mortor fitness studio has been a great journey so far, filled with energy, passion, and constant growth. When I first took over Newport Peach a little over a year ago, the excitement was sky-high, but finding balance was way more challenging over the coming months than I was expecting. There were so many moving parts – managing schedules, updating our software and studio, customer service, and the business side of things – that my personal time often took a backseat. Being a health and nutrition coach, that was not something I was willing to sacrifice.

I have been a devoted client of Newport Peach for the last 7 years or so. I followed the Peaches through 3 different studio locations/moves and even to the beach and in the parks during Covid! There are no studios that teach step in this area, and no one else has the vibe that Newport Peach does. The instructors are welcoming and down to earth, the studio is bright and energizing, and the name itself is something you just can’t recreate. I became friends with the founder and Peach Step creator, Nicole Kniss, and when we talked about her possibly moving on from Newport Peach, I jumped at the opportunity to keep this studio thriving in our community. 

The new year is notorious for fitness fads that only last a few weeks (if even). The truth is, however, it’s always the time of year to take control of your health! Working out improves physical and mental well-being, but finding a workout that’s right for you can be the challenging part. Luckily, Orange County is home to elite fitness studios that take the work out of the workout. High-vibe instructors, party-like playlists and dynamic programming make fitness fun. Start the year off strong at these Orange County gyms and fitness studios.

I couldn’t talk about Newport Peach and our journey without giving a shoutout to Nicole Kniss, our OG who created the Peach Step method and opened the studio in 2016. I first met Nicole through a mutual friend when I joined as a client about 5 years ago. Her positive vibes and the welcoming, laid-back atmosphere at her step studio won me over in an instant. I could tell that this place and its community were something truly unique in our area, and I wanted it to stay around forever.

Nicole's tale is one of seizing the right opportunity and aligning with her passion and values. Her experience as a client at a boutique gym that offered a strong sense of community paved the way for her life-changing decision. Last spring, the stars aligned, and she made the leap to become the Owner of Newport Peach, a fitness haven that beautifully blends nostalgia with a modern vibe.

On today’s Costa Mesa Pod we have Nicole of Newport Peach, a workout studio that focuses on step aerobics, barre, cardio, buti yoga, strength training and more! They are currently located right by The Triangle in a beautiful space to get your bootie shaking! It’s cheeky, it’s fun, and it’s a place that celebrates strength and empowerment. LOVE THAT! You can find out more about everything Newport Peach is about and what they have to offer by checking out their instagram @newportpeach. Go check out a class - I took one and can’t wait to try some more - SO MUCH FUN!

Located in the heart of Costa Mesa, California, Newport Peach is a fitness studio that specializes in providing high-quality workouts with a nostalgic 90s vibe. Founded by Nicole Kniss and now owned by Nicole Schmitz, the studio is famous for its fun and exciting classes that are bringing back step aerobics with a modern twist.

I have officially transferred ownership of Newport Peach to one of my longest clients and badass Mama friend Nicole Schmitz!

After a traditional yoga class, complete with a physical workout and meditative breathing, participants might seem to be glowing from the inside out as they emerge with a renewed sense of calm. But at the high-energy Buti Glo session at Newport Peach, students will actually be glowing thanks to the fluorescent body paint and a black light in the room.