Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Top Crunch Fitness Franchisee Nears 100 Locations with Opening of State-of-the-Art Facility in Dr. Phillips, Florida
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Chains
TAMPA, FL - CR Fitness Holdings, the nation's leading and fastest-growing franchisee of Crunch Fitness, announces the upcoming grand opening of Crunch Dr. Phillips, Florida, its 61st location in the state of Florida. This brand-new, 37,000+ square-foot fitness center represents a $5 million investment and will bring Crunch's world-class fitness experience to the heart of Dr. Phillips for the very first time. Read More...
24 Hour Fitness Founder Mark Mastrov Returns to Accelerate Brand’s Next Era of Growth
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Chains
CARLSBAD, CA - 24 Hour Fitness announces that company founder and fitness industry trailblazer, Mark Mastrov, is returning as Owner and Executive Chair to accelerate the brand into its next phase of innovation and expansion. LongRange Capital and Mastrov have partnered to acquire 24 Hour Fitness and support the company's executive leadership team led by President and CEO Karl Sanft. Read More...
Planet Fitness Recognized For Exceptional Customer Service
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, has been named to USA Today's America's Best Customer Service List for 2026. The annual list, published by USA Today and research partner, Plant-A Insights Group, recognizes companies delivering exceptional customer service that go above and beyond for their customers. Among 750 final companies ranked through a rigorous, independent survey process, Planet Fitness ranked 38th overall and is the highest-ranking fitness brand. Read More...
Life Time Opens Adults-Only Club in Uptown Boca; First Florida Location to Offer Coveted Athletic Reformer Class, CTR
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - With more than 185 locations recognized for elevated wellness and lifestyle experiences, Life Time (NYSE: LTH) opens its sixth Florida destination: Life Time West Boca. The 37,000-square-foot boutique, adults-only club, joins Life Time Boca nearly 25 years after the company's first location debuted in Florida in 2006. Read More...
JETSET Pilates Enters Arizona with Multi-Unit Deal and Eyes Further Expansion
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Chains
MIAMI, FL - JETSET Pilates, the fast-growing modern Reformer Pilates franchise offering premium, full-body workouts, has officially entered Arizona with a newly signed three-unit franchise agreement in Scottsdale. The deal marks the first phase of the brand's broader expansion strategy for the Phoenix–Scottsdale metro area, where JETSET anticipates opening 8 – 10 studios in the coming years. Read More...
Matrix Fitness Wins Silver Award at Prestigious Taiwan Excellence Event
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Matrix Fitness, one of the world’s fastest-growing commercial fitness brands, received the Silver Award for its Upper Body Cycle in the Recreation and Sport category at the Taiwan Excellence Awards, an annual program recognizing the most innovative and impactful products from Taiwanese companies. Read More...
Jonas Fitness Named Trusted Technology Partner of the Medical Fitness Association
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Suppliers
HOUSTON, TX - Jonas Fitness, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise member management and billing software for medically integrated fitness facilities, health clubs and wellness organizations, announces a new partnership with the Medical Fitness Association (MFA). Under this agreement, Jonas Fitness will serve as the Trusted Technology Partner of the Medical Fitness Association, offering MFA members technology and operational expertise tailored to medically integrated fitness environments. Read More...
North Castle Partners Announces Promotions
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Other News
NEW YORK, N.Y. - North Castle Partners, a leading private equity firm focused on consumer businesses that promotes Healthy, Active and Sustainable Living, announces the following promotions: Roy Chin has been promoted to Partner, John McMahon to Principal and Bobby Hally to Vice President. Additionally, North Castle's Founder, Charles F. Baird, Jr., ('Chip") will transition from Co-Managing Partner to Chairman of the Firm. Read More...
USA Pickleball Elects Stephanie Russell as Board Chair
Posted: January 7, 2026 in Suppliers
PHOENIX, AZ - USA Pickleball announces the election of Stephanie Russell as Chair of the USA Pickleball Board of Directors. Her term began on January 1. A recreational pickleball player with deep experience in governance and law, and four years’ experience on the Board, Russell brings a strong understanding of both organizational leadership and the community that fuels pickleball’s rapid growth. Read More...
ACE and Special Olympics International Extend Partnership to Advance Inclusive Fitness Education
Posted: January 6, 2026 in Suppliers
SAN DIEGO, CA - The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Special Olympics International have announced the extension of their partnership to further promote inclusion and accessibility in fitness. Read More...
UFC GYM India Announces the Grand Opening of Its Newest Premium Fitness Club at Malad in Mumbai
Posted: January 5, 2026 in Chains
MUMBAI, INDIA - UFC GYM, the first major brand extension of the UFC, announces the grand opening of its latest premium training facility located in the heart of Malad West at Mith Chowki. Read More...
Zumba Launches “Your Song Is On. The World Can Wait:” A Global Campaign Celebrating The Power of Music to Move You and Your Fitness Forward
Posted: January 5, 2026 in Suppliers
MIAMI, FL - Zumba, the world's largest dance-fitness program, announces the launch of "Your Song Is On. The World Can Wait," a strategic global campaign designed to re-frame New Year fitness through the emotional power of music and the results that come from moving to it. Read More...
Merrithew Forms Partnership with Blue Fitness Ltd. in New Zealand as Part of Global Distribution Growth
Posted: January 1, 2026 in Suppliers
TORONTO, ON - Merrithew announces the expansion of its distribution network in New Zealand by forming a partnership with Blue Fitness Ltd., a priority market within its global growth strategy. Read More...
Life Time Opens Fifth Austin Athletic Country Club, Expanding in One of America’s Fastest-Growing Metros
Posted: December 31, 2025 in Chains
AUSTIN, TX - Life Time (NYSE: LTH), one of the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brands, announces the opening of Life Time South Lamar within The Bouldin development at the heart of one of Austin's most energetic neighborhoods. Read More...
24 Hour Fitness Introduces “Results Your Way,” A New Approach to Fitness in 2026
Posted: December 29, 2025 in Chains
CARLSBAD, CA - 24 Hour Fitness introduces Results Your Way, a new focus on delivering more personal, flexible and meaningful fitness experiences for members in the year ahead. Read More...
Crunch Fitness Drops “Crunch: Feel More,” A High-Energy, Music-Driven Campaign to Bring its Transformative Gym Experience to Life
Posted: December 26, 2025 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Fitness, a leading high-value, low-price gym, announces the launch of its "Crunch: Feel More" campaign, directed by award-winning director Hype Williams and set to the iconic track, "This is How We Do It." Read More...
Americans Plan to Invest $60 Billion in Health and Fitness in 2026
Posted: December 22, 2025 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new nationwide survey from the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) finds that Americans plan to spend $60 billion in 2026 to support health, fitness and exercise goals and New Year’s resolutions. Read More...
Daxko Declares AI-first Strategy for the Future of Fitness and Wellness Technology
Posted: December 18, 2025 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko, a leading software provider for health, fitness and wellness organizations, is making a company-wide shift to an AI-first strategy, embedding artificial intelligence into the foundation of its platform architecture, operating model and partner ecosystem to modernize health and fitness club operations and member experiences. Read More...
WSJ Bestselling Author and Teamwork Expert Erica Dhawan to Deliver The HFA Show Opening Day Keynote
Posted: December 16, 2025 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) announces that Erica Dhawan, an internationally recognized authority on 21st century collaboration, bestselling author and one of the world’s top 50 management thinkers, will deliver the opening day keynote address at The HFA Show 2026, taking place March 16 – 18, 2026, in San Diego. Read More...
Orangetheory Fitness Reignites Annual Transformation Challenge as Americans Prioritize Strength and Longevity
Posted: December 16, 2025 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - What does "transformation" really mean? A new national survey from Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) reveals that, even as weight-loss medications dominate headlines, people across the country are craving something deeper, more human and far more sustainable. Read More...
