Health and Fitness Club Industry News: Chains
Friday, January 23rd, 2026
International Franchise Association Names Anytime Fitness Founders ‘Entrepreneurs of the Year’
Posted: February 17, 2020 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - CEO, Chuck Runyon, and President, Dave Mortensen, co-founders of Self Esteem Brands, parent company to Anytime Fitness, Waxing the City, Basecamp Fitness and The Bar Method, have been selected by the International Franchise Association (IFA) as the 2019 IFA Entrepreneurs of the Year. The formal presentation took place on February 9 during the IFA's annual Convention at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Read More...
Fitness Holdings Northeast Acquires Crunch Harrisburg
Posted: February 13, 2020 in Chains
GREENWICH, CT - Fitness Holdings Northeast, LLC ("Fitness Holdings"), one of the leading franchise groups in the Crunch Fitness network, announced its acquisition of Crunch Fitness Harrisburg, in southern Pennsylvania. The acquisition closed in December 2019, bringing Fitness Holdings' total club count to 22, with over 100,000 members. Read More...
Retro Fitness Partners with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Effort to Help End Childhood Cancer
Posted: February 12, 2020 in Chains
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Retro Fitness, a leader in the high-value, low-price fitness space, is excited to announce a partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to support the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children. Beginning February 2020, Retro Fitness club locations nationwide will engage members, employees and franchise owners to encourage fundraising participation throughout the year. As Retro Fitness commits to its overall initiative to GET REAL, the Retro Fitness team is thrilled to inspire the members of its communities to GET REAL through philanthropy. Read More...
Active Wellness Promotes Dr. Mike Rucker to Chief Digital Officer
Posted: February 6, 2020 in Chains
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Active Wellness, a fitness design & management company, announces the appointment of Dr. Mike Rucker to Chief Digital Officer. Rucker oversees digital strategy, process optimization, member and employee experience platforms and supports growth marketing automation for Active Wellness clients operating in more than 20 industries and across 13 U.S. states and Canada. Read More...
Club OS Named Exclusive Sales and Marketing Management Software for Movati Athletic
Posted: February 5, 2020 in Chains, Suppliers
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Movati Athletic, known for its affordable luxury, has named Club OS as the exclusive customer relationship management software for its 17 locations. The Canadian-born fitness chain first began using the Club OS software in 2015 to streamline its sales, communication and marketing efforts. Read More...
EXOS Names Sarah Robb O’Hagan CEO
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - The Board of Directors of EXOS, a leader in human performance, has announced that it has named Sarah Robb O’Hagan as the company’s CEO. Robb O’Hagan has served as an adviser to EXOS’ Board since September 2019. Dan Burns has stepped down from his role as CEO to support his wife in her battle against brain cancer. He will remain on the Board. Read More...
Orangetheory Fitness and American Heart Association Join Forces in the Push for Heart Health
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - Strengthen your heart, literally and figuratively, this February with Orangetheory Fitness as the brand collaborates with the American Heart Association to help prospects and members live a longer, more vibrant life. As the first step of a larger initiative, Orangetheory Fitness studios across the U.S. are inviting members and staff to join the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among both men and women globally, with compelling offers for prospects and members, including a 90-minute donation class on Saturday, February 22. Read More...
Cycle For Survival Celebrates 10 Years of West Coast Events With World Cancer Day Fundraising Campaign
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Brave Like Gabe Foundation is sponsoring a $100,000 donation challenge to commemorate World Cancer Day and celebrate 10 years of Cycle for Survival events on the West Coast. The Foundation's generous gift will inspire increased giving by offering Cycle for Survival participants in California and Seattle an online donation match from February 4 - 7. The Brave Like Gabe foundation also has teams of riders participating at the Seattle and San Francisco events this year. Every dollar raised by Cycle for Survival goes to rare cancer research and clinical trials led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Read More...
Anytime Fitness Flexes Franchise Development Plans Throughout Ohio
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Chains
COLUMBUS, OH - Anytime Fitness, one of world's fastest-growing fitness franchises, recently announced plans to introduce over 30 new gyms in targeted areas throughout Ohio. The community-focused brand will ramp up growth through strategic franchise partnerships and aims to open the new locations within the next two years. Read More...
Planet Fitness Appoints Enshalla Anderson to Board of Directors
Posted: February 3, 2020 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced the appointment of Enshalla Anderson to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Additionally, the Company has announced internal senior leadership appointments focused on strengthening its leadership team to support its accelerating growth. Read More...
The Vitamin Shoppe Opens New Distribution Channel in Partnership With LA Fitness
Posted: January 27, 2020 in Chains
SECAUCUS, N.J. - The Vitamin Shoppe, an omni-channel specialty retailer of nutritional products, has announced a partnership with LA Fitness that opens The Vitamin Shoppe locations inside LA Fitness health clubs. Since November, The Vitamin Shoppe has opened nine shops within the LA Fitness chain. Read More...
UFC GYM Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary With Special Guests Dana White, Forrest Griffin, BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar, Jessica Eye
Posted: January 26, 2020 in Chains
CONCORD, CA - UFC GYM, the rapidly expanding fitness franchise that creates training programs for all levels and ages inspired by the regimens of UFC athletes, welcomed fitness enthusiasts and athletes alike to attend an event in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of UFC GYM Concord, which took place Saturday, January 25. The celebration included an appearance by UFC President, Dana White, and meet and greet opportunities with UFC Hall of Famers Forrest Griffin and BJ Penn, along with former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and former UFC flyweight title challenger Jessica Eye. Read More...
The Highly Anticipated Life Time Rancho San Clemente Tennis and Athletic Resort Opens
Posted: January 25, 2020 in Chains
SAN CLEMENTE, CA - Life Time, one of the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brands, has continued its national and southern California expansion with the opening of Life Time Rancho San Clemente. A grand opening celebration was held on Thursday, January 23 before officially opening to members for tennis and workouts on Friday, January 24. Read More...
Planet Fitness Will Once Again be the National Gym Sponsor of USA Network’s “The Biggest Loser”
Posted: January 24, 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, announced it is the official national gym partner of the reboot of the popular TV series, 'The Biggest Loser.' A revamped version of the original hit series, 'The Biggest Loser,' will provide 12 contestants with a 360-degree view of what it takes to make positive lifestyle changes. Contestants will then prepare for each week's challenge in 'The Biggest Loser' gym that is completely equipped by Planet Fitness. Read More...
Crunch Fitness Brings Comprehensive Experience With Apple Watch To Members At New York Signature Locations
Posted: January 23, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Fitness announces Apple Watch integration at New York Crunch Signature locations including W83rd Street and FiDi. As an Apple Watch Connected fitness center, Crunch is committed to help members achieve their goals and transform their fitness experience using Apple Watch in and out of the gym. At these Apple Watch Connected locations, members can use an Apple Watch app specifically designed for Crunch to easily reserve classes in advance and record their workouts. Read More...
World Gym Athletics Costa Mesa Is Now Open
Posted: January 23, 2020 in Chains
COSTA MESA, CA - World Gym International, the iconic global brand for bodybuilding and seriously fun fitness, has opened its first corporate-owned World Gym Athletics Studio in Costa Mesa, California. The new flagship World Gym Athletics studio will be the best place to train and get fit in Orange County and offers a huge variety of strength, conditioning and mobility classes. World Gym Athletics Costa Mesa will host a grand opening party later in 2020. Read More...
Gold’s Gym Opens in Oxnard, California
Posted: January 22, 2020 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - Gold's Gym, the world's trusted fitness authority, is set to open its latest state-of-the-art gym in Oxnard on Febuary 1, 2020. As the 20th facility opened by Gold's Gym franchisees Angel and Willy Banos (CEO and COO respectively of Gold's Gym SoCal), the new facility is poised and ready with the highest quality of amenities to help Oxnard locals continue pursuing their 2020 fitness goals. Read More...
Cycle For Survival’s 2020 Events Begin With A New City And Millions Raised For Rare Cancer Research Led By Memorial Sloan Kettering
Posted: January 21, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Cycle for Survival, the movement to beat rare cancer, is heading into what will be the biggest year yet, with more than $10 million raised and counting. The goal is to exceed the $42 million raised in 2019. Participants across the country will join the annual high-energy team indoor cycling events in January, February and March. The first weekend kicks off in Dallas, Miami, Seattle and a new location: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Read More...
Theragun Introduces Theragun University, A Percussive Therapy Training Program, Launching With Genesis Health Clubs
Posted: January 21, 2020 in Chains, Suppliers
LOS ANGELES, CA - Theragun, Inc., a leader in hand-held percussive therapy devices, announced the launch of Theragun University, premiering the program with its partnership with Genesis Health Clubs. Theragun University is the education division of Theragun, leading the industry in providing proprietary certification courses for personal trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors and physical therapists. With master trainers in over 12 countries, Theragun University delivers certification courses in-person and through digital online classes. To date, Theragun has trained over 1,000 professionals worldwide in live certification courses. Read More...
Planet Fitness Ranked #7 In Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500
Posted: January 16, 2020 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced it has been ranked number seven in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking, for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. Read More...
