Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Saturday, September 23rd, 2023
Fitness Industry Leader Louis Welch Passes Away at 71
Posted: September 19, 2023 in Chains
IRVINE, CA - Fitness International, LLC ("Company") is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Louis Welch, Co-founder, President and Co-CEO of the Company after a two-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones. Louis’ impact on the Company and the health club industry cannot be overstated. He co-founded LA Fitness in Southern California in 1984. Read More...
EōS Fitness Surpasses One Million Members, Continues Nationwide Expansion
Posted: September 19, 2023 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - EōS Fitness, the fast-growing High Value, Low Price (HVLP) gym with more than 125+ locations open or on the way nationwide, celebrated a major milestone this month when its one millionth member joined the EōS family. The gym also announced three new locations as part of its ongoing aggressive growth strategy. Read More...
IHRSA Releases Best-selling Annual Global Report
Posted: September 18, 2023 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA --the Health & Fitness Association, a global community of health and fitness industry leaders-- has released the 2023 IHRSA Global Report, an annual review of the health and trajectory of the global industry. Data from a survey of IHRSA member health clubs, gyms and studios, as well as insights from federation leaders in 15 countries and industry partners show that the industry has demonstrated resilience despite facing social and economic challenges. Read More...
Empire Portfolio Group Debuts New Warren, New Jersey Orangetheory Fitness Studio
Posted: September 18, 2023 in Chains
WARREN, N.J. - Empire Portfolio Group ("Empire"), a leading Area Developer and Franchisee of Orangetheory Fitness, the heart rate-based interval training fitness franchise, announces it will open a new studio in Warren, New Jersey. This significant expansion solidifies Empire's presence in New Jersey, becoming their 14th location in the state. Read More...
Jonas Fitness and Critical Impact Partner to Innovate the Fitness Industry with New Solution
Posted: September 18, 2023 in Suppliers
WEBSTER, TX - In a strategic partnership to drive innovation in the fitness industry, Jonas Fitness Inc., a leading fitness software and billing service provider, has joined forces with Critical Impact, a dynamic leader in email and SMS marketing solutions. Together, they have created a new solution called Connect2 powered by Critical Impact. Read More...
Planet Fitness Announces Leadership Transition
Posted: September 15, 2023 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT) (the "Company"), announces that Craig R. Benson, a member of the Company's Board of Directors, has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Benson's appointment follows the decision by the Board to transition to new leadership, resulting in Chris Rondeau's departure as the Company's CEO. Rondeau will continue to serve as a member of the Company's Board of Directors and will be nominated for re-election at the Company's 2024 Annual Meeting. Rondeau will continue to serve the Company in an advisory role as contemplated under his existing agreements with the Company to help ensure a smooth transition. In connection with this transition, the Board is engaging a leading executive search firm to assist in a comprehensive search process to identify a permanent CEO, with both internal and external candidates being considered. Read More...
Life Time Continues Pickleball Expansion with Opening of 22 Courts at Life Time Kingwood in Humble, Texas
Posted: September 15, 2023 in Chains
HOUSTON, TX - Life Time (NYSE:LTH), one of the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brands and largest provider of pickleball courts, programming and leagues, is opening its largest outdoor pickleball development with 22 new courts opening adjacent to its Kingwood club in Humble, Texas on September 15. Life Time currently operates nearly 600 permanent pickleball courts across its network of athletic country clubs in North America. Read More...
ACSM Annual Meeting to Feature Yearly Spotlight
Posted: September 13, 2023 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Based on a Presidential task force recommendation, the Annual Meeting Program Committee has approved a decision to sunset ACSM's two World Congresses in favor of a new yearly “Spotlight” at the Annual Meeting, featuring sessions integrating basic science, applied science and clinical medicine. The inaugural Spotlight Theme for the 2024 Annual Meeting, as chosen by the new Spotlight subcommittee, is “Precision Health.” Read More...
Backed by $50M, PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball Agree to Merger
Posted: September 13, 2023 in Suppliers
AUSTIN and DALLAS, TX - Professional pickleball organizations MLP by Margaritaville (MLP) and Carvana PPA Tour (PPA Tour) announce an agreement to merge under a unified and definitive professional pickleball holding company. The consolidation of the two entities is backed by a $50M investment from SC Holdings, DC Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, PPA Tour owner Tom Dundon, and a roster of existing MLP team owners. Read More...
IHRSA 2024 Convention & Trade Show Registration Is Now Open
Posted: September 12, 2023 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Lights, camera, action! IHRSA --the Health & Fitness Association, a global community of health and fitness industry leaders-- has opened registration for the IHRSA Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles March 6 - 8, 2024. More than 8,000 participants from around the world are expected to attend this premier event at the Los Angeles Convention Center for education, networking and purchasing, featuring an expected 350 exhibitors and 50 sponsors. The event will include three days of education sessions (March 6 - 8) and two days for the Trade Show (March 7 - 8). Read More...
Matrix Fitness Announces Expansion of Partnership with the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation
Posted: September 12, 2023 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Matrix Fitness, one of the world’s fastest growing commercial fitness brands, announces the expansion of their partnership with the John W. Brick (JWB) Mental Health Foundation. The Champion-level partnership will help fund the foundation’s Mental Well-being Certification for Fitness Professionals, among the first of its kind in the fitness industry. Read More...
National Academy of Sports Medicine Expands Access to Personal Trainer Credentials Through New Exam Option
Posted: September 12, 2023 in Suppliers
GILBERT, AZ - National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), a global leader in fitness and wellness training, announces it recently launched the NASM Personal Training Certificate exam as a part of its Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) program. The industry-leading NASM CPT program provides science-based training strategies and learning innovations, including the NASM OPT Model, nutrition concepts and more. Read More...
USTA Commits $3 Million to Refurbish up to 200 Courts Across U.S.
Posted: September 11, 2023 in Suppliers
ORLANDO, FL - In recognition of Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open women’s singles title, and to celebrate an American winning the U.S. Open, the USTA has committed to the refurbishment of up to 200 courts across the country, as part of the newly created US Open Legacy Initiative. In total, the USTA will allocate $3 million to reinvigorate courts at public parks and facilities across America, dedicated in Coco Gauff’s name. This $3 million matches the prize money for the U.S. Open Singles Champion. Read More...
Self Esteem Brands Announces AF National Franchising LTD as Master Franchisee for Anytime Fitness Clubs in All of Canada
Posted: September 7, 2023 in Chains
WOODBURY, MN - Self Esteem Brands (SEB), the parent company of a global portfolio of fitness, health and wellness franchise brands, announces that AF National Franchising LTD has granted Anytime Fitness master franchisee for all of Canada, which now includes 225 franchised Anytime Fitness clubs. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Newest Location in Sunrise, Florida
Posted: September 6, 2023 in Chains
SUNRISE, FL - Crunch Franchise announces the upcoming opening of Crunch Sunrise, a $5 million, 60,000-square-foot fitness facility, with state-of-the-art equipment. Crunch Sunrise is located in a newly renovated space previously occupied by 24-Hour Fitness. CR Fitness Holdings LLC. is operated by Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Tony Scrimale and Jeff Dotson, who combined have more than 100 years of experience in the fitness industry. The CR Fitness team currently operates 53 locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas. Crunch Sunrise will be the eighth location to open in South Florida. Read More...
Crunch Fitness Becomes First Gym to Enable Amazon One Palm-Based Entry for its Members
Posted: September 5, 2023 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Fitness announces it is the first fitness brand to introduce the Amazon One palm recognition service as an entry option for its members at select Crunch locations nationwide. Members who choose to use the convenience of Amazon One no longer need their Crunch membership tags or mobile app to enter; they can simply hover their palm over an Amazon One device to enter the fitness facility. Amazon One is currently being piloted at nine Crunch clubs across the U.S., including five in San Francisco, three in the New York City and one in the Los Angeles area, with more locations rolling out the technology in the coming months. Read More...
Life Time Unveils Company’s First Ground-Up Pickleball Club in Chanhassen, Minnesota
Posted: September 5, 2023 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - As pickleball continues its explosive growth trajectory, Life Time (NYSE: LTH), on of the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brands and the largest provider of permanent pickleball courts in the country, announces the groundbreaking of Life Time Pickleball Chanhassen, the company's first ground-up pickleball location in the country. Read More...
Burn Boot Camp Launches First-Ever National Brand Campaign: “We Are Burn Boot Camp”
Posted: September 5, 2023 in Chains
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As one of the fastest-growing boutique fitness franchises in the country, Burn Boot Camp unveils its inaugural national brand campaign: "We Are Burn Boot Camp." This initiative emphasizes the deep community connections and confidence that are cornerstones at every Burn Boot Camp facility. As the anticipation for this campaign builds, Burn Boot Camp is also gearing up to officially launch a brand-new app, further enhancing the member experience. Read More...
EōS Fitness Opens Doors to New Gym in Phoenix
Posted: September 1, 2023 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - EōS Fitness, a nationwide gym chain that got its start in Arizona and now counts more than 125+ locations open or on the way, is welcoming members to its newest location in Phoenix. The brand-new gym features 40,000 square feet of high-end amenities, including top-of-the-line cardio equipment, smart technology strength training machines and innovative recovery options. Read More...
USTA Launches ‘USTA Ventures’ Strategic Investment Initiative
Posted: September 1, 2023 in Suppliers
FLUSHING, N.Y. - The USTA has launched USTA Ventures through the USTA Strategic Investment Committee, which will be charged with evaluating a broad spectrum of long-term investment opportunities. The focus will be on acquiring potential equity stakes in technologies and other companies that will help to advance the USTA’s mission of promoting and developing the growth of tennis in the United States and elevating experiences at the US Open, which is owned and operated by the USTA. Read More...
