Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Sunday, January 18th, 2026
World Gym Partners with Myzone as its Official Wearable Technology Provider
Posted: September 9, 2021 in Chains, Suppliers
LOS ANGELES, CA - World Gym and Myzone announce a partnership where Myzone will be World Gym's official wearable technology provider. Using Myzone’s heart rate monitors and digital platforms, the World Gym community now has unlimited access to host challenges for members using technology that adapts to any ability and levels the playing field. Member challenges are just one way that Myzone helps to boost member retention and creates a more engaging experience for athletes. Read More...
Matrix Fitness USA Introduces a New Immersive Cycling Experience on the Cardio Floor
Posted: September 9, 2021 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Matrix Fitness, one of the world’s fastest-growing commercial fitness brands, introduced their Virtual Training Cycle, an immersive training experience that delivers exclusive programs, streaming of music, movies and shows and access to instructor-led content on the cardio floor. Fitness facility owners and managers will be able to get their first look at the Virtual Training Cycle at the 2021 IHRSA trade show in Dallas, Texas, October 13 - 15, 2021. Read More...
Phase 2 Trial of ALS TDI-Invented AT-1501 Almost Fully Enrolled
Posted: September 9, 2021 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - A phase 2 trial of AT-1501, a potential ALS treatment invented the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), is almost fully enrolled according to its current sponsor, Eledon Pharmaceuticals. AT-1501 (antiCD40L) is an antibody therapeutic with comprehensive and promising preclinical data. It blocks specific immune cell activation and protects nerves against the progression of ALS and Alzheimer's disease. It is the first potential ALS treatment to be invented by a nonprofit biotech and advanced into human clinical trials. Read More...
IHRSA’s 40th Annual International Convention & Trade Show Goes Hybrid
Posted: September 8, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - In light of the challenging travel restrictions for many and the health and fitness industry’s important worldwide community, the 40th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) will offer a rich and robust in-person and virtual program. As many other associations, and even IHRSA member clubs, have pivoted to offer in-person and virtual options, the IHRSA 2021 hybrid program has been in the works for some time. This program will allow global attendees and partners, wherever they may be, to participate and connect in celebrating the industry’s revival. Read More...
Planet Fitness To Celebrate Grand Opening Of New “Judgement Free” Club In Elizabethton, Tennessee
Posted: September 8, 2021 in Chains
ELIZABETHTON, TN - Planet Fitness, 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 grand opening for its new club in Elizabethton on Wednesday, September 15. The grand opening will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:00 PM with the Planet Fitness team, representatives from the Elizabethton Carter County Chamber of Commerce and local officials. The new club offers state of the art cardio machines and strength equipment, 30-Minute Express Circuit, numerous flat screen televisions, fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers and more. Read More...
Mindbody Recognizes WellBiz Brands, Inc. with 2021 Industry Icon Award
Posted: September 8, 2021 in Suppliers
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Mindbody, a leading experience technology platform for the wellness industry, announced that the company has awarded WellBiz Brands, Inc. ("WellBiz Brands") with the 2021 Industry Icon Award. The award, presented annually at Mindbody's BOLD conference, is given to an enterprise customer that has differentiated themselves from other businesses and made a profound, lasting impact on the wellness industry. Read More...
Five Reasons to Attend the Club Industry Executive Summit
Posted: September 7, 2021 in Suppliers
Register today for the Club Industry Executive Summit, scheduled for November 8 - 10, 2021, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The Club Industry Executive Summit is an in-person conference focused on what’s most important: Building a strong business. Register with promo code LABOR21* and receive $50 off the lowest rate of $475! Here's five reasons to attend the Club Industry Executive Summit... Read More...
World Gym International Hires Expert Franchise Marketer Adam Kirschman to Grow Revenue for Franchisees
Posted: September 7, 2021 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - World Gym International, an iconic global fitness brand, has named Adam Kirschman as its Vice President of Marketing. As World Gym’s Vice President of Marketing, Adam will lead World Gym’s marketing and creative teams while driving revenue growth for the franchise network and supporting the franchise development team in recruiting new franchisees. Read More...
Life Fitness Hires Matt Smith as New Vice President of Marketing
Posted: September 7, 2021 in Suppliers
FRANKLIN PARK, IL - In its continued effort to deliver world class exercise experiences to fitness facilities and exercisers worldwide, Life Fitness has hired Matt Smith to the position of Vice President, Marketing. In his new role, Smith will be responsible for leading the company’s global marketing strategy and will join the Life Fitness executive leadership team. Read More...
47 Representatives Urge Speaker Pelosi to Provide Relief for Gyms
Posted: September 3, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - On September 2, 2021, Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL), the lead GYMS Act sponsor and champion in the House of Representatives, along with 46 other Democrats in the House, sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi urging her to include relief for gyms in the upcoming reconciliation bill. This letter will not only get the attention of the leadership it is directed to, it provides an opportunity to generate press coverage on must-read publications in D.C. Read More...
Planet Fitness Names Publicis Groupe as New Agency of Record
Posted: September 1, 2021 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, announced it has selected a newly formed unit within Publicis Groupe, a global communications leader and the number one media buyer in the U.S., as its new agency of record following a strategic competitive review. Read More...
Retro Fitness Launches Join Now Media Agency
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Chains
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Retro Fitness, a leader in high-value, low-price fitness, announced the launch of Join Now Media – Where Leads Become Joins, an in-house marketing agency created to support franchisees in their marketing efforts across America. The agency was created to reduce costs coming out of the pandemic and empower franchisees with in-depth knowledge of marketing, analytics and results. Read More...
Empire Portfolio Group Acquires 10 Orangetheory Fitness Studios Plus Area Development Rights in Charlotte, North Carolina and Regions of South Carolina
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Empire Portfolio Group ("Empire"), a leading Area Developer and Franchisee of Orangetheory Fitness, the heart-rate based interval training fitness franchise, announced it has acquired ten studios and the area development rights in Charlotte, including parts of North Carolina and South Carolina. The sellers include Jay Thomas and Doug Birer. Read More...
Industry Veteran Lu Rasmussen Joins Matrix Fitness US
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Matrix Fitness, one of the world’s fastest-growing commercial fitness brands, has announced that Lu Rasmussen, a fitness industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in successfully implementing and managing leasing and customer finance solutions, has joined its U.S. team as the Director of Leasing. In this new role, Rasmussen will work closely with the U.S. commercial sales team and lending partners to support its customers and company growth initiatives. Read More...
GymSales Announces Advanced Fitness CRM Features at the Mindbody BOLD Conference
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Suppliers
SAN DIEGO, CA - GymSales Powered by ABC, the all-in-one gym lead management solution, announced a host of new fitness CRM features to its platform at this year’s Mindbody Bold user conference. As the industry meets the challenge of attracting new and returning members post-pandemic, this latest release aims to further personalize prospect and member communications for studios and gyms. Key new features include robust people filters for targeted email campaigns, lead re-engagement, an enhanced email builder and secondary sales, a critical element for member retention and lifetime value. Read More...
Spartan and Myzone Set to Reward Every Effort as Communities Take Part in Unforgettable Experiences
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Suppliers
BOSTON, MA - Spartan and Myzone have joined forces in an exclusive three-year partnership to bring more transformational experiences to more people, rewarding effort rather than ability alone. The announcement of Myzone as Spartan’s official heart rate monitor partner encompasses multiple sport and wellness brands across EMEA including Spartan Obstacle Course Race, Spartan Trail, Tough Mudder, DEKA FIT and the La Ruta mountain biking races. Everyone has to put effort in if they want to achieve something. Together, Spartan and Myzone create a welcoming space in and out of the gym for an ever-expanding community to push their limits and have every effort rewarded. Read More...
USTA Foundation’s 2021 Gala Raises Record-Breaking $2 Million
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Suppliers
FLUSHING, N.Y. - The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), has announced it raised more than $2 million during its 2021 gala, a record-breaking night, after surpassing the $1.4 million raised in 2018. The gala was hosted during the U.S. Open's opening night at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and was co-chaired by sports broadcaster Bill Macatee and Tatiana Cancro of Jersey Mike’s. Read More...
A Message From Liz Clark, IHRSA President and CEO
Posted: August 28, 2021 in IHRSA
Words cannot express the energy and excitement I feel as IHRSA’s new President & CEO. It is a tremendous honor to work alongside and on behalf of this dynamic and evolving industry. I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to join me at what is sure to be the best industry event this year: IHRSA 2021 in Dallas, October 13-15. Firstly, I want everyone to know that the health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, speakers and colleagues is our number one priority. With nearly 1,600 attendees registered to date, we are confident that IHRSA 2021 will be a safe environment for all, and we encourage you to review our health and safety guidelines and contact us directly if you have any questions. All IHRSA staff in Dallas will be vaccinated. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces New Location in Parrish, Florida
Posted: August 27, 2021 in Chains
PARRISH, FL - Crunch Franchise announces the upcoming spring 2023 opening of Crunch Parrish, a 28,000-square-foot fitness facility, with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities on the western coast of Florida. Crunch Parrish is owned by Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Tony Scrimale and Jeff Dotson, who combined have built more than 120 Crunch clubs. They currently own and operate 32 Crunch locations with 10+ more in development across the east coast. Read More...
Expected Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Changes to Benefit Gyms
Posted: August 27, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - We have some positive developments regarding the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. IHRSA worked alongside health club owners and the SBA to make changes to the rules and requirements of the EIDL program which make it easier for businesses in the health and fitness industry to take advantage of the relief offered through the program. Though these changes have not yet been officially implemented by the SBA, we wanted to loop you in on the coming changes. Read More...
