Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019
National Strength and Conditioning Association Celebrates the 2019 Annual Award Recipients
Posted: July 9, 2019 in Suppliers
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Health and fitness professionals from across the world will converge on the NSCA’s National Conference on July 10, 2019 in Washington, DC to discover cutting-edge research and practical applications in strength and conditioning, presented by the industry’s most elite and respected experts. One of the many exciting events that will be held during the conference is the Award Banquet where distinctive honors are given to several professionals for outstanding achievement. The NSCA is proud to announce this year’s award recipients... Read More...
Life Fitness Names Chris Clawson New Chief Executive Officer; Augie Nieto Joins Board of Directors
Posted: July 8, 2019 in Suppliers
ROSEMONT, IL - Life Fitness has announced the appointment of Chris Clawson as CEO. Clawson served as President of Life Fitness from 2010 to 2016, and most recently, he was Chairman of the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. He succeeds Jason Worthy, effective immediately. It was also announced that Augie Nieto, Founder of the modern-day Life Fitness company, will be a co-investor in the business and will be appointed to its Board of Directors. Read More...
Planet Fitness Humorously Explores “Joy” of At-Home Workouts With New Creative Campaign
Posted: July 8, 2019 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. and home of the Judgement Free Zone, has released a new creative campaign that humorously explores the perceived "joy" of working out at home. The new television and digital spots highlight what it's really like to work out at home, poking gentle fun at how the process might not be as glamorous as what's typically been portrayed in fitness commercials. The spots also aim to put the public's fears about finding a safe, convenient haven at the gym at ease and features people experiencing a wealth of trouble working out at home, whether due to a lack of dedicated exercise space or other distractions. Read More...
9Round Finalizes Master Franchise Agreement for Colombia and Panama
Posted: July 8, 2019 in Chains
GREENVILLE, S.C. - 9Round Franchising, LLC, recently finalized an agreement for future franchise development in the Latin American countries of Colombia and Panama. The master franchise agreement details plans to develop 36 new 9Round locations between the two countries over the course of the next six years. Read More...
SilverSneakers Announces National Inspiration Award Winner
Posted: July 8, 2019 in Suppliers
CHANDLER, AZ - SilverSneakers by Tivity Health, the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans, announced the national winner of the 2019 SilverSneakers Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award. Greensboro, North Carolina resident Lonnie Cathey has been named the winner of the 15th annual award, which is presented to one member who has improved their life through a healthy lifestyle that incorporates fitness and social interaction, while helping others navigate their own fitness journeys. Read More...
ATA Martial Arts Celebrates 50th Anniversary During Worlds Event
Posted: July 5, 2019 in Other News
LITTLE ROCK, AR - The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes ATA Martial Arts, the world's largest organization dedicated to teaching martial arts to all ages. ATA Martial Arts is gearing up for its annual Worlds event July 8 to 14 in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. ATA estimates nearly 20,000 people, including visitors from most of the U.S. as well as South America, Africa, Australia, Europe and South Korea, will flock to Arkansas' capital. They will take part in specialized training and advanced competition when the organization celebrates 50 years of Taekwondo excellence during the global event. Read More...
Professional Pickleball Registry Collaborates on USAPA Youth Playbook for Pickleball
Posted: July 3, 2019 in Suppliers
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) is pleased to announce a collaboration with USAPA on its newly released Youth Pickleball Playbook. PPR provided the layout and design for USAPA Let’s Play Pickleball Playbook. The playbook is designed to help teachers, coaches, recreation leaders, afterschool staff and ambassadors implement pickleball in any recreational setting, including schools, parks, youth centers and racquet/paddle facilities. Read More...
Four Ways to Beat the Summer Slowdown
Posted: July 3, 2019 in Suppliers
The dreaded summer season is upon us. Most fitness clubs expect it; owners, managers and sales staff fear it. With the weather heating up, people want to take their workouts outside, so they quit. Or, equally as frustrating, they come try your club and say they will join in the Fall. The whole process leaves us with fewer members and less revenue. But, how can we avoid the regular summer slowdown and keep the dollars flowing in these historically quiet months? Here are a few ideas that you can put into play in your club. Read More...
Pete Moore and Integrity Square HALO Talks With Club Insider’s Norm and Justin Cates
Posted: July 2, 2019 in Suppliers
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Club Insider has become the "gatekeeper of the industry's history," says Assistant Publisher, Justin Cates... and anyone who truly knows the HALO space knows he's not exaggerating! If you haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting Justin's Dad, Norm Cates... perhaps you haven't been around long enough and you're missing out! Norm is one of the Founders of IHRSA, and he served as IHRSA's 1st President in 1981. He now has 44 years of health, racquet and sports club industry experience under his belt. In 1993, he began Club Insider and has built the company from the ground up. Justin spent the past 11 years working with his Dad to take things to the next level and by all accounts, they have succeeded! Listen now to learn more about this great team, Club Insider, the history of IHRSA, and some thoughts on the cyclical nature of the fitness world. Read More...
ClubReady Announces YogaSix as Newest Client to Build Fitness Business for the Future
Posted: July 2, 2019 in Suppliers
ST. LOUIS, MO - ClubReady announced YogaSix will be joining as their newest client as they focus on building their fitness business for the future. YogaSix is the only national yoga brand to franchise as a modern take on this ancient practice, which dates back more than 1,000 years. They believe that everyone deserves the timeless experience and benefits of a yoga practice that is energizing, empowering and fun. Read More...
Gym Launch Co-Founders Pledge $1-Million to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘After-School All-Stars’
Posted: July 2, 2019 in Suppliers
AUSTIN, TX - Alex and Leila Hormozi, co-founders of Austin-based Gym Launch, pledge to donate $1-million to Arnold Schwarzenegger's After-School All-Stars, making it the largest donation in the organization's history. The pledge was made at the seventh annual Westime Charity Evening at Schwarzenegger's Los Angeles home. This marks the Hormozis' third milestone in a larger goal to raise a total $2.7-million for After-School All-Stars over the next three years. To date, the Hormozis have raised $200,000 for the organization. Read More...
TPG Partners with Crunch Fitness
Posted: July 1, 2019 in Chains
SAN FRANCISCO, CA; FORT WORTH, TX; and NEW YORK, N.Y. - TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity platform of alternative asset firm TPG, announced that it has partnered with company management to acquire Crunch Fitness. The transaction includes Crunch’s company-owned “Signature” facilities, as well as its global franchising business. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More...
ABC Financial and VendNovation Announce Vendor Partnership
Posted: July 1, 2019 in Suppliers
LITTLE ROCK, AR - ABC Financial (ABC), the leading software and payment processing provider to the health and fitness industry, announced their preferred partnership with VendNovation, provider of vending management software for industrial and retail applications. Read More...
Planet Fitness Appoints Kathy Gentilozzi Chief People Officer
Posted: July 1, 2019 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S., announced that Kathy Gentilozzi has been appointed Chief People Officer. Gentilozzi will oversee the company’s human resources operations including talent acquisition, leadership and organizational development, business partner support, culture and employee engagement, benefits and compensation. As a member of the Planet Fitness Executive Leadership Team, she will report to Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer. Read More...
TRX Appoints New President
Posted: July 1, 2019 in Suppliers
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - TRX, a leader in functional training equipment, education and technology, announced John Hutchison as its new President. In this role, Hutchison will be tasked with overseeing the development and execution of an aggressive global growth plan for the company. In addition, he will have direct oversight of all revenue channels, marketing, product, training and education. Read More...
Blink Fitness Opens Its 86th Location In Queens Village
Posted: June 29, 2019 in Chains
QUEENS, N.Y. - Blink Fitness, the premium quality, affordable fitness brand announce the grand opening of its 86th location in Queens Village. As a part of the Grand Opening celebration, Blink Fitness donated (50) 1-year memberships, worth more than $10,000, to Hollis Bellaire Queens Village Bellerose Athletic Association, a baseball and softball organization dedicated to providing the youth of the community with the ideals and virtues of honesty, fair play, integrity and respect. Read More...
Cedardale Founder, John Edwin Veasey, Passes Away at 89 – February 17, 1930 – June 27, 2019
Posted: June 28, 2019 in Independents
HAVERHILL, MA - John Edwin Veasey, a lifelong resident of Haverhill, passed away in the company of his family on June 27, 2019 at his home on Brockton, Avenue. Born February 17, 1930 to Decia Beebe and Arthur Hale Veasey, John Edwin grew up at 5 Windsor Street in Haverhill with three siblings, Arthur Hale Veasey, Jr., Decius Beebe Veasey, and Katherine Ensign Veasey. Affectionately known to his friends and loved ones as "Ed" or "Eddie", he devoted his life to his family, country, friends and community. Read More...
Life Fitness Acquisition by KPS Capital Partners Completed
Posted: June 27, 2019 in Suppliers
ROSEMONT, IL - Life Fitness, a global leader in commercial fitness equipment, announced that KPS Capital Partners, LP ("KPS") has completed the previously announced acquisition of Brunswick Corporation's Fitness business and related brands, including Life Fitness. KPS is a leading investment firm focused on manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries. Read More...
IDEA Health & Fitness Association Honors Industry Leaders at the 2019 IDEA World Convention
Posted: June 27, 2019 in Other News
ANAHEIM, CA - IDEA Health & Fitness Association, a leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals, announced the recipients of its annual IDEA World Fitness Awards, recognizing individuals who strive for excellence, show an outstanding commitment to their clients and communities and spread their passion for fitness across the globe. Read More...
Orangetheory Fitness Becomes The Largest Single Donor to ALS Research Through Fundraising Collaboration with Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS
Posted: June 26, 2019 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - Thousands of Orangetheory members across the United States and Canada raised $4.5 million during ALS Awareness Month for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, an organization fast-tracking effective treatments and an ultimate cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This year’s record-breaking results bring Orangetheory’s total giving to more than $10 million over just three years, making it the most successful campaign in Augie’s Quest history. Read More...