Life Fitness / Hammer Strength and Merrithew Announce Exclusive United States Partnership
Posted: March 11, 2026 in Suppliers
Life Fitness
ROSEMONT, IL and TORONTO, ON – Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, a global leader in commercial fitness equipment, and Merrithew, a world-renowned authority in Pilates and mindful movement education and equipment, announce a new exclusive partnership for the United States. The partnership brings Merrithew’s premium Pilates equipment and studio solutions into the Life Fitness portfolio across the region.
The two industry leaders share a vision to expand access to premium, innovative movement solutions that drive sustainable growth. Under the agreement, Merrithew will become the exclusive USA Pilates equipment partner for Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, expanding access to Merrithew’s Pilates solutions across commercial fitness, hospitality, corporate wellness, and institutional markets. The partnership delivers a comprehensive, operator-focused experience, including dedicated account management for Life Fitness referrals, studio design consultation, turnkey project support, and post-install service. Education packages and instructor training are optional offerings for Life Fitness customers to support the successful implementation of Pilates programs.
“Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is known for delivering performance driven, durable solutions, and today’s operators are expanding their offerings to support strength, movement quality, and long-term performance as part of a well-rounded training environment,” said Jim Pisani, CEO, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength. “This exclusive partnership with Merrithew allows our U.S. team members to extend that leadership by offering premium Pilates solutions, supported by the scale and expertise our customers rely on to deliver continued success in their fitness centers.”
Merrithew is widely recognized for its scientifically grounded approach to Pilates, with equipment trusted by elite athletes, rehabilitation professionals, and leading fitness facilities. Through this partnership, Life Fitness customers in the USA will gain streamlined access to Merrithew’s industry-leading Pilates equipment and turnkey project support.
“This partnership represents an important step in expanding access to Pilates as a foundational movement system across the United States,” said Jim Heidenreich, CEO, Merrithew. “By aligning with Life Fitness / Hammer Strength as our exclusive regional partner, we can reach more facilities while maintaining the quality, consistency, and disciplined, market-led approach that defines Merrithew.”
As demand grows for training modalities that emphasize movement quality, injury prevention, and sustainable performance, Pilates continues to play an increasingly important role in modern fitness and performance environments. The Life Fitness / Hammer Strength–Merrithew partnership positions Pilates as a core component of a comprehensive training ecosystem for operators in the USA.
The exclusive USA partnership will begin rolling out in March 2026. Merrithew, along with its V2 Max Plus™ Reformer, will have a presence in the Life Fitness booth (#2917) at HFA 2026, March 17–18 at the San Diego Convention Center.
