Health and Fitness Club Industry News: Chains
Thursday, August 6th, 2026
National Fitness Partners Grows North Carolina Territory, Acquires 12 Clubs from Planet Fitness Franchisee
Posted: September 18, 2019 in Chains
CAMP HILL, PA; CHARLOTTE, N.C. and ATLANTA, GA - Argonne Capital Group, LLC ("Argonne Capital" or "Argonne") has announced that its portfolio company, National Fitness Partners ("NFP" or the "Company"), entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 12 Planet Fitness clubs operating in the Triad North Carolina area (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point) from GNT Triad, LLC ("GNT"). The transaction is expected to close within the next thirty days. This acquisition continues to add to the footprint of the Company, which will now operate 71 clubs in Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina and South Carolina. NFP's headquarters is in Camp Hill, PA, but the Company also maintains an office in Charlotte which will support the newly acquired clubs. Read More...
2019 World Gym International Convention Celebrates The Impossible, The Barbell and The Future
Posted: September 18, 2019 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - World Gym International, the iconic global brand for bodybuilding and seriously fun fitness, gathered franchisees, coaches, vendors and partners from nine countries for the 2019 World Gym International Convention in Las Vegas, September 4 - 7, 2019. The annual gathering was held at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas with over 200 attendees, including gym owners, coaches and staff from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, The Cayman Islands, Mexico, Taiwan, The United States and Russia. Read More...
World Gym International to Relocate Global Headquarters and Open Premier World Gym Athletics Studio in Costa Mesa
Posted: September 12, 2019 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - World Gym International, the iconic global brand for bodybuilding and seriously fun fitness, is moving full-speed into the studio fitness business with its new International Franchising Headquarters and its first corporate-owned World Gym Athletics Studio, scheduled to open in Costa Mesa, California by the end of the year. The Costa Mesa, California training center will be the flagship for the new World Gym Athletics Studio franchise model and the new global headquarters for World Gym International, which currently has more than 200 full-service, mostly-franchised gyms in over 20 different countries and territories. Read More...
EXOS and Mercy Sports Medicine Partner on New Facility
Posted: September 12, 2019 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - In partnership with EXOS, Mercy Sports Medicine is introducing a new, 4,300-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility within the Centene Community Ice Center in St. Louis, Missouri, home to the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues. The new facility will feature new training equipment, 45 yards of turf and a dedicated space for Mercy Sports Medicine rehabilitation services where athletes can be treated in collaboration with the performance teams. Read More...
Anytime Fitness’ Parent Company Acquires The Bar Method, With Plans To Franchise Worldwide
Posted: September 12, 2019 in Chains
WOODBURY, MN - Self Esteem Brands, the parent company of Anytime Fitness, has purchased The Bar Method, a popular, low-impact fitness franchise with 123 studios across 30 states and Canada. Self Esteem Brands will initially offer new franchise territories throughout North America, while exploring additional franchising opportunities internationally. The Bar Method was developed by founder Burr Leonard and its flagship studio opened in San Francisco in 2001. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces its Newest Locations in Lakeland and Land O’ Lakes, Florida
Posted: September 10, 2019 in Chains
LAKELAND, FL and LAND O' LAKES, FL - Crunch Fitness announced the Spring 2020 opening of a $2 million, 24,000 square-foot fitness facility with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Lakeland, Florida. Crunch Fitness also announced the April 2020 opening of a $2 million, 23,000 square-foot fitness facility with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Land O' Lakes, Florida. Read More...
More Than 900,000 Teens Logged Nearly 5.5 Million Workouts At Planet Fitness This Summer During Its ‘Teen Summer Challenge’
Posted: September 5, 2019 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. and home of the Judgement Free Zone, announced that more than 900,000 teens signed up for its national Teen Summer Challenge initiative, logging nearly 5.5 million workouts over the course of three-and-a-half months. The Teen Summer Challenge took place from May 15 through September 1, during which Planet Fitness opened its doors to high school teenagers ages 15 – 18 to work out for free at any of its more than 1,800 locations in the United States and Canada. Read More...
Blink Fitness Makes Strong Entrance into Chicagoland
Posted: September 5, 2019 in Chains
CHICAGO, IL - Blink Fitness (Blink) has announced that it is expanding throughout Chicagoland with an aggressive growth strategy, which initially includes five locations in the coming months. The first two of these opened last week in Merrionette Park, near the edge of the city's southwest side, and near Midway Airport. The additional three gyms will open in suburban Oak Lawn and Evanston, as well as in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. The fast-growing brand now has 90 gyms nationwide with locations coast-to-coast, including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Detroit and Boston. Read More...
EōS Fitness Marks Five-Year Birthday Milestone, Supports Children’s Cancer Research Fund
Posted: September 4, 2019 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - With every birthday comes a wish, and EōS Fitness is marking its five-year birthday milestone with a wish to raise money for the Children's Cancer Research Fund. A leader in the fitness industry with its High-Value, Low-Price (HVLP) gyms, EōS Fitness is offering free activities for members and non-members in September. All funds raised will go toward the Children's Cancer Research Fund, which provides support to children suffering from cancer-related illnesses. With each dollar raised, EōS will match donations made up to $50,000 for a grand total of a $100,000 goal to support the nonprofit organization. Read More...
Elite’s Wally Bronson Retires After 52 Years
Posted: September 2, 2019 in Chains
GLENDALE, WI - After a long and successful tennis career, Wally Bronson, Tennis Director at Elite-River Glen, has announced his retirement. What follows is the story of how he got started in tennis, his favorite moments at Elite and what he plans on doing next. Elite Sports Clubs would like to thank Wally for his many years of dedication and service, and Elite wishes him well in his retirement! Thanks Wally and good luck! Read More...
