Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Thursday, September 21st, 2017
September 2017 Cover Story Preview: The GENAVIX Wellness Network – A Model for the Future
Posted: September 12, 2017 in Other News
Last year, in our November 2016 Cover Story, we featured Mike Benton’s Executive Health and Sports Center (EHSC), located in Manchester, New Hampshire. In the course of that story, Mike introduced us to the GENAVIX Wellness Network, which at its core, is a new business model for our industry that bridges the gaps between health club members, health care practitioners and health insurance carriers. By shifting the health insurance fee paradigm from fee-for-service to fee-for-value, an atmosphere for creating real and measurable results has been created. Now, the facilities that are joining this growing network are experiencing something our industry has been seeking for decades: the integration of health and fitness facilities, health care practitioners and health insurance carriers into a cohesive system that provides results for the end user. In short, GENAVIX is the foothold in helping our industry become a real and recognized part of the health care system. Read More...
UFC Gym Expands International Presence Into India With Largest Partnership Agreement In UFC Gym History
Posted: September 12, 2017 in Chains
MUMBAI, INDIA - UFC GYM announces an unprecedented 10-year partnership agreement to open more than 100 gym locations throughout the Republic of India through 2028. This agreement substantially expands the global brand presence of UFC GYM to the world’s second-largest population. Artaxerxes Fitness & Lifestyle P.U.T. LTD, led by franchisees Istayak Ansari and Farzad Palia, will open the first location later this year in Andheri West, a suburb of Mumbai, with an average of 10 clubs debuting across the country annually beginning in early 2018. Read More...
The 31st Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon Presented By Equinox Makes Waves In Zuma Beach
Posted: September 12, 2017 in Chains
MALIBU, CA - The Nautica Malibu Triathlon presented by Equinox, one of the nation's largest triathlons, hosts its 31st annual race on September 17, 2017 at Zuma Beach in Malibu, California. Thousands of participants will gather to compete in the half-mile ocean swim, 17-mile bike ride and 4-mile run. The Nautica Malibu Triathlon, presented by Equinox, helps support the Pediatric Cancer Research Program at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, which focuses on discovering cures and preventative solutions for childhood cancers. Read More...
Contec, Parent Company of Athletix Products, Unveils Solar Powered Manufacturing Facility
Posted: September 12, 2017 in Other News
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - As part of its overall sustainability campaign, Athletix Product's parent company Contec, Inc., installed solar panels at one of its plants in September of 2016. Because the manufacturing facility is located in the southeastern United States, the climate is very favorable for capturing light from the sun and converting it to electricity. Now online, Contec’s Locust Grove facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina has 2,888 solar panels to supply its cleanroom laundry and manufacturing facility with power during the daylight hours. Read More...
TRUE Fitness Partners With ECOFIT to Provide Asset Management to Gym Owners
Posted: September 11, 2017 in Suppliers
ST. LOUIS, MO - TRUE Fitness Technology announced they will be a certified partner and distributor of ECOFIT, a wireless technology designed to help gym owners run a more profitable business by tracking commercial fitness equipment usage. Specific models of TRUE commercial treadmills, bikes and ellipticals are now ECOFIT compatible to provide asset management to gym owners. Read More...
REX Seeks to Assist Member Clubs in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey
Posted: September 9, 2017 in Other News
TEXAS - In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, many clubs were impacted to varying degrees: temporary club closings, power outages, increased membership cancellations, requests for memberships to be placed on hold, flooding, facility and equipment damages, cancelled programs / classes (affecting staff earning and member spending), inability of members to access the clubs due to bridge and road closings, etc. Of course in time, insurance will hopefully cover many of these business losses. However, an immediate need is taking care of affected staff members (especially front-line employees) that may not have the resources to help cope with to this catastrophe. Read More...
EXOS Announces Partnership With Howard Head Sports Medicine, a Service of Vail Health
Posted: September 7, 2017 in Chains
VAIL, CO - Howard Head Sports Medicine, a service of Vail Health known worldwide for its progressive sports medicine treatments and services, announced its partnership with EXOS, a leader in human performance, to bring performance training programs and services to Vail, Breckenridge and Edwards, Colorado. Howard Head Performance powered by EXOS will provide training programs utilizing EXOS’ proven methodology, which has supported elite athletes, the U.S. military and leading global corporations. Read More...
Blink Fitness Accelerates National Expansion Initiative
Posted: September 6, 2017 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Blink Fitness – a premium-quality, value-based fitness brand that focuses on how exercise makes you feel rather than exclusively on how it makes you look – has announced the signing of three development agreements. The signings are for 18 gyms throughout major U.S. metropolitan areas. These market entries include the concept's first locations in Massachusetts and Virginia. This announcement comes on the heels of the brand's entry into Pennsylvania in June and their upcoming launch in California. Read More...
Cycle for Survival Invests $34 Million in Rare Cancer Research in 2017
Posted: September 1, 2017 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Cycle for Survival, the movement to beat rare cancers, announced funding plans for the $34 million raised in 2017 by its extraordinary community. 100% of this record-breaking total goes to rare cancer research and clinical trials to improve how cancer is diagnosed and treated. Cycle for Survival's annual indoor team cycling events, led by instructors from the movement's founding partner Equinox, took place in February and March in 16 cities across the country. Read More...
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Announces Partnership With Medical Fitness Network to Provide New Fitness and Allied Healthcare Provider Resource
Posted: August 31, 2017 in Suppliers
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, known in the MS community as MS Focus, has announced its partnership with the Medical Fitness Network (MFN), an online health and fitness referral network. MSFocus and MFN share a mutual goal of educating people about healthier living and complementary healthcare management. Read More...
PTR Reaches Major Milestone
Posted: August 31, 2017 in Suppliers
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Professional Tennis Registry announces that it is celebrating a major milestone, welcoming its 10,000th member in the United States. This brings PTR’s global reach to more than 16,000 members worldwide. PTR membership in the USA has increased every year for an unprecedented 32 years. Read More...
Precor Launches New High-Intensity Interval Training Console and Releases Preva 7.0 Software
Posted: August 31, 2017 in Suppliers
WOODINVILLE, WA - In direct response to the growing shift towards one of the top training trends in the industry, fitness supplier and manufacturer Precor has launched the P30i Interval Console, a unique console, specifically designed for high-intensity interval training (H.I.I.T) on the Precor 700 Line treadmill (TRM 731). Additionally, the latest global software release from Precor, Preva OS 7.0, is bringing popular audio and video entertainment options and further advances to networked consoles featured on Precor cardio equipment across 82 countries. Read More...
High Demand Brings Annual Zumba Cruise Back For Its Third Year
Posted: August 30, 2017 in Suppliers
MIAMI, FL - After two years of maxing out registrations and catering to more than 7,000 adventure-seeking fitness enthusiasts, Zumba has officially announced 2018 dates for its third annual Zumba Cruise on board Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas. Travelers can take those shower-dancing skills to the sea and prepare to move like never before when they depart for five nights on April 8 - 13, 2018. Read More...
ClubCorp Provides Update on Impact of Hurricane Harvey
Posted: August 30, 2017 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - ClubCorp - The World Leader in Private Clubs (NYSE:MYCC) - provided the following update regarding the impact of Hurricane Harvey on its clubs. Read More...
Iron Grip Account Executive, Michelle Gonzalez, Named to the SFIA Future Industry Leaders Scholarship Program for 2017
Posted: August 29, 2017 in Suppliers
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Iron Grip Barbell Company, the industry-leading manufacturer of innovative and durable American-made free weight equipment, is congratulates Account Executive Michelle Gonzalez on her nomination to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s Future Industry Leaders Scholarship Program Class of 2017. Ms. Gonzalez is one of just five young professionals in the sports and fitness industry that the SFIA has selected to be recognized at the fifth annual SFIA Industry Leaders Summit this September 13 - 14 in Chicago. Read More...
Crunch Fitness West Florida Launches ‘CrunchTV’: Instantly Drives Millions of Member-Generated Social Media Impressions
Posted: August 28, 2017 in Chains
CHICAGO, IL - Crunch Fitness West Florida, part of one of America’s leading health club chains, best known for making serious fitness fun through unique programming and cutting-edge training, just got even fitter. Crunch has announced that it has launched #CrunchTV, which turns its gym TVs into a social media digital signage network, giving members their instant '15 seconds of fame' and the gyms a robust marketing platform. Read More...
MYZONE Announces New Global Director of Marketing
Posted: August 28, 2017 in Suppliers
U.K. - MYZONE, a wearable training partner that rewards effort, is announces the addition of Gemma Bonnett to the company's marketing team as the Global Director of Marketing. Bonnett will be responsible for developing and implementing innovative marketing strategies and tactics to further drive growth for the company. In addition, she will also further develop brand development and messaging in the marketplace. Read More...
EXOS Acquires D1 Sports Medicine
Posted: August 25, 2017 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - EXOS, a leader in human performance, announced their acquisition of D1 Sports Medicine, a company that partners with top sports medicine orthopedists to offer athletes physical therapy services and ensure they have a safe and optimal return after injury. The new EXOS Physical Therapy locations will help accelerate EXOS’ health care strategy of partnering with hospitals and health systems to serve local populations with proactive health, physical therapy, and performance solutions. Read More...
Orangetheory Fitness Announces Gregg Koffler As Chief Development Officer
Posted: August 24, 2017 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - Orangetheory Fitness, a scientifically-backed and fast-growing fitness franchise, announced Gregg Koffler has joined the company as Chief Development Officer. Bringing over a decade of experience in the franchising industry, Koffler will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic expansion efforts to grow the brand's presence domestically and assist the fitness franchise in achieving its goal of having 900 studios open by the end of 2017. Read More...
Merrithew Honored With IDEA Gratitude Award
Posted: August 23, 2017 in Suppliers
TORONTO, ONTARIO - The IDEA Health and Fitness Association recognized Merrithew with the Gratitude Award at the 2017 IDEA World Fitness Convention, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lindsay G. Merrithew, President and CEO, was on hand to receive the award. “I’d like to thank the team at Merrithew and the entire Merrithew community of partners, training centers and Instructors for their hard work and dedication,” he said. “Moira and I owe a great debt of gratitude to each and every one of you.” Read More...