Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Monday, February 24th, 2020
International Franchise Association Names Anytime Fitness Founders ‘Entrepreneurs of the Year’
Posted: February 17, 2020 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - CEO, Chuck Runyon, and President, Dave Mortensen, co-founders of Self Esteem Brands, parent company to Anytime Fitness, Waxing the City, Basecamp Fitness and The Bar Method, have been selected by the International Franchise Association (IFA) as the 2019 IFA Entrepreneurs of the Year. The formal presentation took place on February 9 during the IFA's annual Convention at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Read More...
American Media, LLC Announces Sale of Mr. Olympia and Muscle & Fitness
Posted: February 14, 2020 in Other News
NEW YORK, N.Y. - In a landmark deal, American Media, LLC has announced it has reached an agreement on the sale of the iconic Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, as well as the Muscle & Fitness, FLEX and M&F Hers media brands. The prestigious Olympia Weekend, held annually in Las Vegas, is home to one of the global fitness industry's signature consumer tradeshows while also serving as the world championships of several professional physique sports, including the legendary title of Mr. Olympia. Read More...
Fitness Holdings Northeast Acquires Crunch Harrisburg
Posted: February 13, 2020 in Chains
GREENWICH, CT - Fitness Holdings Northeast, LLC ("Fitness Holdings"), one of the leading franchise groups in the Crunch Fitness network, announced its acquisition of Crunch Fitness Harrisburg, in southern Pennsylvania. The acquisition closed in December 2019, bringing Fitness Holdings' total club count to 22, with over 100,000 members. Read More...
Mindbody Executive Recognized for Advancing Gender Equality in the Workplace
Posted: February 13, 2020 in Suppliers
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Mindbody, a leading technology platform for the wellness industry, has announced that Michelle Berlin, Mindbody’s Senior Vice President of People and Culture, was named to Fairygodboss’ inaugural Gender Equality Superheroes list. The recognition identifies leading executives that have made an impact by spearheading the push for gender parity at their workplaces in 2019. Read More...
Retro Fitness Partners with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Effort to Help End Childhood Cancer
Posted: February 12, 2020 in Chains
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Retro Fitness, a leader in the high-value, low-price fitness space, is excited to announce a partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to support the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children. Beginning February 2020, Retro Fitness club locations nationwide will engage members, employees and franchise owners to encourage fundraising participation throughout the year. As Retro Fitness commits to its overall initiative to GET REAL, the Retro Fitness team is thrilled to inspire the members of its communities to GET REAL through philanthropy. Read More...
IHRSA Teams Up With Leading Italian Fitness Association
Posted: February 10, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA has entered into a strategic agreement with ANIF, Italy’s leading association representing over 500 sports clubs and fitness operators. ANIF was created in 1996 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy. This agreement paves the way for a stronger collaboration between IHRSA and the Italian fitness industry, with ANIF members gaining access to IHRSA’s educational resources and global networking opportunities and IHRSA gaining a greater understanding of the Italian market. Read More...
Augie’s Quest 15th Annual BASH Event Returns to San Diego
Posted: February 7, 2020 in Other News
SAN DIEGO, CA - Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, a nonprofit committed to changing the experience of thousands living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by fast-tracking effective treatments and an ultimate cure, is celebrating their 15th BASH fundraiser by Rockin’ Through the Ages with the fitness industry on March 20. Over 800 guests are expected to attend the event, which is held in conjunction with the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association’s (IHRSA) International Tradeshow and Convention. The BASH represents an opportunity for the fitness industry to come together and celebrate advancements in ALS research, while reminding attendees of the critical hope their support offers for those affected by this disease. Read More...
Active Wellness Promotes Dr. Mike Rucker to Chief Digital Officer
Posted: February 6, 2020 in Chains
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Active Wellness, a fitness design & management company, announces the appointment of Dr. Mike Rucker to Chief Digital Officer. Rucker oversees digital strategy, process optimization, member and employee experience platforms and supports growth marketing automation for Active Wellness clients operating in more than 20 industries and across 13 U.S. states and Canada. Read More...
Johnson Health Tech Receives International Service Excellence Award
Posted: February 6, 2020 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - It has been announced that Johnson Health Tech (JHT) was awarded the 2019 International Service Excellence Award by the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA). JHT is the first ever fitness equipment manufacturer to be recognized with this achievement. Read More...
Daxko Acquires UpLaunch to Bolster Offerings for Boutique Gyms
Posted: February 6, 2020 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko has announced that it has acquired UpLaunch, an unparalleled CRM and marketing automation software designed for the unique needs of affiliate and boutique gyms. Paired with Daxko's existing brands, Zen Planner and SugarWOD, which serve over 5,000 boutique and affiliate gyms, the company now has various offerings available for facilities in that category. Read More...
Peloton Announces Settlement Of Litigation Against Flywheel Sports, Inc.
Posted: February 5, 2020 in Suppliers
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Peloton (NASDAQ: PTON), the world's largest interactive fitness platform, has announced that it has settled its patent infringement litigation against Flywheel Sports, Inc. In 2018 and 2019, Peloton initiated patent infringement suits against Flywheel related to its Fly Anywhere bike for infringing on Peloton's patented technology. Peloton now officially issues the following statement... Read More...
Club OS Named Exclusive Sales and Marketing Management Software for Movati Athletic
Posted: February 5, 2020 in Chains, Suppliers
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Movati Athletic, known for its affordable luxury, has named Club OS as the exclusive customer relationship management software for its 17 locations. The Canadian-born fitness chain first began using the Club OS software in 2015 to streamline its sales, communication and marketing efforts. Read More...
Matrix Fitness, Smart Fit Announce Partnership
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Suppliers
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - Matrix Fitness and Smart Fit has announced a partnership for the premium equipment provider to equip 200 Smart Fit facilities within the next three years. Read More...
EXOS Names Sarah Robb O’Hagan CEO
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - The Board of Directors of EXOS, a leader in human performance, has announced that it has named Sarah Robb O’Hagan as the company’s CEO. Robb O’Hagan has served as an adviser to EXOS’ Board since September 2019. Dan Burns has stepped down from his role as CEO to support his wife in her battle against brain cancer. He will remain on the Board. Read More...
Orangetheory Fitness and American Heart Association Join Forces in the Push for Heart Health
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - Strengthen your heart, literally and figuratively, this February with Orangetheory Fitness as the brand collaborates with the American Heart Association to help prospects and members live a longer, more vibrant life. As the first step of a larger initiative, Orangetheory Fitness studios across the U.S. are inviting members and staff to join the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among both men and women globally, with compelling offers for prospects and members, including a 90-minute donation class on Saturday, February 22. Read More...
Cycle For Survival Celebrates 10 Years of West Coast Events With World Cancer Day Fundraising Campaign
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Brave Like Gabe Foundation is sponsoring a $100,000 donation challenge to commemorate World Cancer Day and celebrate 10 years of Cycle for Survival events on the West Coast. The Foundation's generous gift will inspire increased giving by offering Cycle for Survival participants in California and Seattle an online donation match from February 4 - 7. The Brave Like Gabe foundation also has teams of riders participating at the Seattle and San Francisco events this year. Every dollar raised by Cycle for Survival goes to rare cancer research and clinical trials led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Read More...
Anytime Fitness Flexes Franchise Development Plans Throughout Ohio
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Chains
COLUMBUS, OH - Anytime Fitness, one of world's fastest-growing fitness franchises, recently announced plans to introduce over 30 new gyms in targeted areas throughout Ohio. The community-focused brand will ramp up growth through strategic franchise partnerships and aims to open the new locations within the next two years. Read More...
Planet Fitness Appoints Enshalla Anderson to Board of Directors
Posted: February 3, 2020 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 United States with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced the appointment of Enshalla Anderson to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Additionally, the Company has announced internal senior leadership appointments focused on strengthening its leadership team to support its accelerating growth. Read More...
IHRSA 2020 Prominent Sponsorships Still Available, including the IHRSA 5K Run/Walk
Posted: February 2, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA 2020 is sure to attract the broadest spectrum of qualified decision makers from around the globe. Take advantage of the promotional options IHRSA has developed that will strengthen your brand recognition, maximize your reach and significantly impact your business before, during and after IHRSA 2020! Read More...
Wellbeats Launching New Nutrition Channel This March
Posted: January 31, 2020 in Suppliers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Wellbeats is cooking up a brand-new channel set to release this March: Nutrition! The Wellbeats nutrition channel is redefining the fitness space by expanding on its diverse health content offerings including fitness classes, mindfulness courses, office breaks, recovery, meditation, pre/post-natal fitness and sports performance exercises. The new channel will launch over 20 classes covering a variety of topics. Read More...