Health and Fitness Club Industry News: Chains
Sunday, October 12th, 2025
USTA and Genesis Health Clubs Partner to Grow Tennis Participation
Posted: October 6, 2020 in Chains, Suppliers
ORLANDO, FL - USTA and Genesis Health Clubs has announced a strategic partnership that brings together the national governing body for tennis in the United States with one of the largest health and tennis club companies in the country. Through this relationship, both parties will combine resources to continue growing the sport of tennis, with a particular focus on attracting new youth and adult players. Read More...
Crunch Franchising Named One of The 2020 Top Growth Franchises By Entrepreneur Magazine; Expands Footprint In New York With A New Signature Location In Midtown East
Posted: October 5, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Fitness, the health club brand known for making serious fitness fun through innovative programming and an inclusive atmosphere, was named one of the top-ranking growth franchises by Entrepreneur magazine. Crunch also announces its continuing commitment to bringing back New York City better than ever and will swing open the doors to selling memberships at its brand-new, long-awaited Signature outpost in the heart of Midtown with a target opening in Fall 2020. Read More...
Blink Fitness Launches Virtual Training Program
Posted: October 2, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Blink Fitness announces the launch of a new virtual training program through a platform powered by FlexIt technology. The platform allows Blink to continue to put its community first by providing current and prospective members with a simple way to schedule personalized, one-on-one virtual personal training sessions. Read More...
Athletes Across the Nation Give More Than $320,000 to School Food Programs After COVID-19 Forces Race Cancellations
Posted: September 30, 2020 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - With endurance events across the world cancelled due to COVID-19, Life Time, which owns and produces more than thirty premier marathons, triathlons and cycling races, worked with athletes to create unique and impactful philanthropic opportunities to benefit children and their families in need. To date, these opportunities total more than $320,000, which will be provided to seven school districts across the country through the Life Time Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit and charitable arm of Life Time that works with school districts across the country to inspire and impact the removal of "The Harmful 7." Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Location In Orange Park, Florida
Posted: September 25, 2020 in Chains
ORANGE PARK, FL - Crunch Franchise has announced the opening of a 40,000 square-foot gym with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Orange Park, Florida. Crunch is known for its innovative group fitness programming and will offer a wide range of classes every week including BodyWeb with TRX, Zumba, Cardio Tai Box, Yoga Body Sculpt and Fat Burning Pilates. Members looking for additional guidance can utilize the HIITZone, a proprietary high-intensity interval group training program. Read More...
World Gym Houston and Texas City to Open in 2021
Posted: September 24, 2020 in Chains
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - World Gym International, the iconic global fitness brand, will open its first gym in Houston early next year, a new franchised location owned by entrepreneur Jerome Karam and his son Jacob Karam, a local attorney. World Gym Houston will be a brand new 40,000 square foot flagship fitness facility spread across five floors with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities and free parking for members. The new World Gym Texas City will also open in early 2021. At 100,000 square feet, the facility will have even more amenities, like World Gym Athletics, yoga, hot yoga, cycling, a full basketball court, physical therapy, a Barbell Café smoothie bar, a pro-shop and even a jumbotron. Both gyms will offer reciprocal memberships. Read More...
Dr. David Katz Joins Forces with Anytime Fitness, Self Esteem Brands to Amplify How Fitness, as Lifestyle Medicine, Matters More Than Ever
Posted: September 23, 2020 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Self Esteem Brands (SEB), the parent company of Anytime Fitness, Basecamp Fitness, The Bar Method and Waxing the City, has announced a partnership with Dr. David Katz, a globally-recognized authority on lifestyle medicine, to amplify the critical role fitness plays in the personal health and wellness of humans around the world. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in the U.S. and around the world, Dr. Katz will join the voices of SEB and Anytime Fitness to articulate the role of fitness as essential to personal health and wellness and how it comes to life through the Anytime Fitness brand experience. Read More...
Planet Fitness Awards $225,000 in Scholarships to 45 Boys & Girls Club Youth for Their Efforts to Promote a Kinder and More Inclusive World
Posted: September 17, 2020 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced the recipients of its annual Judgement Free Generation scholarships, which recognize teens for their commitment to promoting inclusion, acceptance and kindness. Following a record number of applications, 45 deserving youth from Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country were each awarded $5,000 for their inspiring efforts to create a brighter, more accepting future. Read More...
9Round Franchising Named A “Top Growth Franchise” By Entrepreneur Magazine
Posted: September 17, 2020 in Chains
GREENVILLE, S.C. - 9Round Franchising was recently ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s first Top Growth Franchises list. This list recognizes the 150 companies with the greatest positive franchise unit growth in North America over a three-year period, based on data submitted for Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 ranking. Thanks to its exceptional growth, 9Round was ranked #22. Read More...
Blink Fitness Offers Innovative Solutions to Help Members with Capacity Guidelines
Posted: September 15, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Blink Fitness has announced the launch of a new reservation system and capacity tracker, allowing members to plan their next visit from the comfort of home. Open Blink locations around the U.S. are operating at limited capacities in accordance with local and state guidelines, with most at just 25 - 33% of their normal capacity numbers. The gym's new reservation system allows members to book hourly time slots before arriving, instilling confidence and reliability as they return to their exercise routines. Similarly, if members are curious to understand their gym's current capacity status, Blink's tracker allows for real-time insight prior to arrival. Read More...
Power Wellness Safely Reopen 80% of Their Fitness Centers
Posted: September 15, 2020 in Chains
LOMBARD, IL - Power Wellness has successfully reopened over 20 managed medical fitness centers nationwide, helping re-employ over 1,200 team members. In the coming weeks, Power Wellness expects to reopen the remainder of their clients’ locations in New Jersey, New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Read More...
Anytime Fitness Named a “Top Growth Franchise” by Entrepreneur Magazine
Posted: September 14, 2020 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Anytime Fitness, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing health club franchises with an elevated, personalized approach to fitness and wellness, was recently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine's first Top Growth Franchises list. This list recognizes the 150 companies with the greatest positive franchise unit growth in North America over a three-year period, based on data submitted for Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 ranking. Thanks to its exceptional growth, Anytime Fitness was ranked #19. Read More...
EXOS Hires New Chief Technology Officer and Chief Marketing Officer
Posted: September 11, 2020 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - EXOS has announced that they’re expanding their leadership team with world-class talent in the marketing and technology fields. Yvette Pasqua joined EXOS as Chief Technology Officer this week, and TJ Abrams will join as Chief Marketing Officer in late September. Read More...
ClubCorp Expands Role of Top Executive, Names Robert Morse as President
Posted: September 10, 2020 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - ClubCorp – The World Leader in Private Clubs – announces that Robert Morse has been promoted to the role of President, adding to his current title of Chief Operating Officer. In his expanded role, Morse will provide strategic leadership over all day-to-day club operations with a continued focus on elevating the total member experience through improved quality in products, service and programming. Read More...
World Gym International Appoints Tiffany Hamlin National Director of Group Fitness
Posted: September 9, 2020 in Chains
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - World Gym International, the iconic global fitness brand, has appointed Tiffany Hamlin as its new National Director of Group Fitness. As the National Director of Group Fitness, Hamlin will strengthen group fitness programs for the World Gym network by creating continuing education for gym Group Fitness Directors and instructors, improving studio facilities and equipment, and leading format and programming selection. Read More...
In-Shape Health Clubs Partners With Special Olympics
Posted: September 2, 2020 in Chains
STOCKTON, CA - In-Shape Health Clubs, California’s top community destination for health and fitness, has announced a partnership with The Special Olympics Northern California and Nevada to provide free virtual fitness classes and sponsorships for In-Shape’s virtual races. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Location In Kissimmee, Florida
Posted: September 1, 2020 in Chains
KISSIMMEE, FL - Crunch Franchise has announced the opening of a 40,000 square-foot gym with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Kissimmee, Florida. The modern, expansive gym is in a location that's a former 24 Hour Fitness space. Crunch Kissimmee is owned by veteran fitness industry operators Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Tony Scrimale and Jeff Dotson, who currently own and operate 26 Crunch locations in the Tampa Bay community as well as in Orlando and Atlanta. Read More...
Blink Fitness Plans to Reopen Gyms in the New Jersey Market
Posted: August 31, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Blink Fitness has announced that, in accordance with local and state reopening guidelines in New Jersey, the Union, Irvington, East Orange, Perth Amboy, Willingboro, Passaic, South Orange, Clifton, Parsippany, Journal Square, Lodi, Paramus, Plainfield, Ironbound, Nutley and Linden gyms will be reopening. Read More...
Gold’s Gym Wins Distinguished Franchise Update Media 2020 Innovation Award
Posted: August 27, 2020 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - Gold’s Gym, one of the world’s most trusted fitness authorities, was recently honored with Franchise Update Media’s 2020 award for “Most Innovative Use of Customer-Facing Digital Tools.” Gold’s Gym received this award in recognition of its response to the temporary new normal of COVID-19 with the launch of “Gold’s Gym Anywhere,” a digital platform offering various virtual fitness options for at-home exercise. Read More...
Lift Brands Wins Distinguished Franchise Update Media 2020 Innovation Award
Posted: August 27, 2020 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - Franchise Update Media conducted its second annual Franchise Innovation Awards contest this spring. The goal of the awards is to identify and recognize the franchisors creating and implementing the most original and successful innovative strategies and tactics to build their brand. Lift Brands tied for first in the Best PR Campaign category of the Marketing Innovation Awards for their Free 90-day FitnessOnDemand trial offered globally to the general public through Snap Fitness. Read More...