Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Tuesday, August 11th, 2020
The Claremont Club Permanently Closes
Posted: August 4, 2020 in Independents
CLAREMONT, CA - As the Coronavirus Pandemic rages on, the toll on human life and the economy continues to escalate. For the health and fitness club industry, one of the more shocking and saddest losses has occurred with the permanent closure of The Claremont Club in Claremont, California. Mike Alpert, President and CEO, announced the closure in letters to staff and the membership. Read More...
IHRSA Refutes Negative Press, Provides Leadership for Industry
Posted: August 4, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Overall, health and wellness are essential to reducing the risk of severe COVID-19. So, why is it that health and fitness clubs seem to get so little respect while giving members a safe and clean space to improve their health? The answer is simple: the fitness industry is receiving an abundance of negative press that is overshadowing the safety protocols and cleaning guidelines that health and fitness clubs have put in place to keep members, staff and the community safe. The issue at hand? Op-ed writers, misinformed medical professionals and self-proclaimed internet experts have labeled fitness facilities as dirty or germy spaces, which could not be further from the truth. Read More...
Snap Fitness & Lift Brands Selects Glofox for U.S. and International Fitness Franchise Expansion
Posted: August 4, 2020 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - It has been announced that Lift Brands, owner of Snap Fitness and 9Round International Franchise, has selected Glofox, the gym management software platform, as a software partner for its U.S. and international franchise network in over 20 countries. Glofox will replace Fitware, a legacy member management system developed by Lift Brands, in 2,000 locations in North America and internationally. Read More...
AB Show 2020 Has Been Canceled
Posted: August 3, 2020 in Other News
MADISON, WI - Athletic Business Media has made the difficult decision to cancel AB Show 2020. This decision was made in consultation with key stakeholders and our partners, the Medical Fitness Association, the National Alliance for Youth Sports and the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. Read More...
IHRSA Reveals Innovation Summit Schedule & Speakers
Posted: August 3, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has released the schedule of events, along with the full list of speakers for the IHRSA Innovation Summit. As the fitness industry navigates the coronavirus pandemic, come together virtually with the best minds of the industry on Thursday, September 17, to reimagine, reinvigorate and rebuild. The one-day event includes... Read More...
Virtually Anywhere: The New Role of Digital Fitness
Posted: August 3, 2020 in Suppliers
CHANHASSEN, MN - We could be forgiven for thinking the major upheaval seen all across the club and fitness landscape is mostly over. Gyms were closed due to COVID-19 precautions, and now, in many areas, they’re open with a return to some form of normal underway. The truth is very different, and we’re actually experiencing a sea-change evolution in how clubs will operate and members will engage with fitness. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Location In Toledo, Ohio
Posted: July 31, 2020 in Chains
TOLEDO, OH - Crunch Franchise has announced the opening of a 29,000 square-foot gym with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Toledo, Ohio. Crunch Toledo is owned and operated by Sarah Page and Jimmy Burgess. Mr. Burgess is a former Detroit Police officer and professional body builder, with a diverse background in business, and has been involved in the fitness industry for his entire life. Sarah is a former Kindergarten teacher with a passion for helping others. They each have a personal connection and love for Ohio. Read More...
MYZONE Restructures Senior Leadership Team to Support Customers as They Emerge from Lockdown
Posted: July 30, 2020 in Suppliers
U.K. - MYZONE announces plans to restructure its senior leadership team to support incredible growth across the globe. As many governments are increasingly emphasizing the importance of physical activity, and the demand continues to grow for motivating wearable fitness technology, this restructure will help to maintain the company's position as an industry leader, whilst also supporting existing and new customers during these challenging times. Read More...
An Open Letter to Lawmakers and American Citizens From Bahram Akradi
Posted: July 29, 2020 in Chains
Dear Lawmakers and American Citizens: With the review of the next federal stimulus package now underway, I urge you to consider the following fair and equitable approach for all businesses that have been harmed directly from the impact of COVID-19 and the related government-mandated business shutdowns... Read More...
Gym Floor Cleaning & Maintenance Resource Page Now Available from Ecore
Posted: July 29, 2020 in Suppliers
LANCASTER, PA - Ecore, a manufacturer of safety, ergonomic and acoustic performance surfaces, announces that it has created a dedicated landing page that addresses gyms’ cleaning and maintenance needs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This cleaning resources page can be accessed via the banner at the top of each Ecore website... Read More...
EXOS and Trifecta Form New Partnership to Deliver Healthy Meals to Meet Clients’ Performance Needs
Posted: July 29, 2020 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - EXOS, a leader in the field of human performance, has announced a new partnership with Trifecta, the nation’s largest organic meal delivery service. With meal delivery services more popular and necessary than ever, consumers are looking for healthy options to meet their nutrition needs. EXOS and Trifecta share the goal of helping individuals perform at their best, and this partnership will ensure that all EXOS clients have access to great food that fits their needs. Read More...
Lyle Ray Irwin, The Original STEP Founder, and Patent Holder, Passes Away
Posted: July 28, 2020 in Other News
Lyle Ray Irwin, The Original STEP Founder and Patent Holder, and partner with Rich Boggs in CourtSouth and then in a partnership with Rich, Lou Off and Gerry Alles in Sportslife in Atlanta, has passed away after a 6 + month battle with lung cancer. Six years ago, Ray won a very tough battle with throat cancer. Then, after surviving that cancer for 6+ years, he was hit with a second battle with cancer in January, 2020. Sadly, this time it was lung cancer, which proved to be more than he could defeat, and Lyle Ray Irwin died the night of July 19th/20th. Read More...
CR Fitness, a Leading Crunch Fitness Franchisee In The Southeast Region, Appoints Christy Stross Chief Legal Officer
Posted: July 28, 2020 in Chains
TAMPA, FL - CR Fitness, headquarted in Brandon, Florida, announces the appointment of Christy Stross as the company’s Chief Legal Officer. In this newly created role, Stross will leverage her roots in the fitness industry to handle all legal affairs for the company. CR Fitness operates 24 locations in Florida (Tampa, Sarasota, Clearwater and Orlando) and Atlanta and has plans to open 12 more locations by the end of next year. CR Fitness is owned by Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Tony Scrimale and Jeff Dotson. As an ownership team, they have a combined 150+ years of industry experience and have opened more than 100 gym locations. Read More...
Technogym Introduces the New Technogym Live Platform
Posted: July 28, 2020 in Suppliers
CESENA, ITALY - TECHNOGYM, a world leading brand in fitness equipment and digital technologies, has announced the launch of Technogym Live, a completely new on-demand content platform offering people an engaging and personalized training experience. Users will be able to enjoy live and on-demand training videos on Technogym's equipment consoles and on the new Mywellness app. Read More...
Planet Fitness to Require Face Masks in All Locations Effective August 1
Posted: July 27, 2020 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced that members and guests will be required to wear a mask at all times while inside all open stores, beginning August 1. Currently, all Planet Fitness employees are required to wear masks. To date, the company has approximately 1,450 locations open across 46 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Australia. Read More...
SilverSneakers Calls for 2020 Swanson Inspiration Award Nominations
Posted: July 27, 2020 in Suppliers
CHANDLER, AZ - SilverSneakers, the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans by Tivity Health (Nasdaq: TVTY), is currently accepting nominations for the 16th annual SilverSneakers Swanson Inspiration Award. This prestigious national award honors SilverSneakers members who have improved their lives through a healthy lifestyle that incorporates fitness and social interaction, while helping others navigate their own fitness journeys. Read More...
USPTA Teams with Therabody as “Official Recovery Device”
Posted: July 27, 2020 in Suppliers
LAKE NONA, FL - The USPTA has signed a multi-year partnership with Therabody, formerly known as Theragun, a leader in tech wellness and percussive massage therapy, becoming the Official Recovery Device of the USPTA. Theragun was selected as the Official Recovery Device partner for the USPTA following a competitive selection process and months of discussions between the two brands. Read More...
Integrity Square Launches the ‘HALO Certified – We Took the Pledge’ Window Banners for COVID-Proof Safety
Posted: July 24, 2020 in Suppliers
NEW YORK, NY - Integrity Square, a leading advisor to health clubs and boutique operators in North America, is pleased to offer all Health, Active Lifestyle & Outdoors (“HALO”) bricks & mortar locations, the ability to sign the HALO PLEDGE and receive window peel stickers to ensure members feel safe upon returning to their fitness routines. Read More...
ABC Financial Acquires GymSales, a Leading International Provider of Fitness Sales Management Tools
Posted: July 24, 2020 in Suppliers
LITTLE ROCK, AR and MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - ABC Financial, a leading provider of technology and related services for the fitness industry, has announced that it has acquired GymSales, a leading international provider of fitness sales management tools. The introduction of “GymSales powered by ABC” amplifies the company’s strategy to be the leader in holistic club management. Read More...
Life Time to Require Masks in All Athletic Clubs Beginning July 27
Posted: July 23, 2020 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - As state and local mandates about mask-wearing evolve based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the team at Life Time, one of the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brands with more than 150 high-end athletic club destinations across the U.S. and Canada, has made the decision to require wearing of masks in all of its clubs that have reopened. Read More...
