Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
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...
EGYM and Kolter Homes Partner to Bring Innovative Smart Fitness Technology to Cresswind 55+ Communities
Posted: September 24, 2020 in Suppliers
BOULDER, CO - EGYM, a global fitness technology leader, and Kolter Homes, a leader in developing next-generation, highly-amenitized, master-planned active adult communities, have announced a strategic partnership to integrate EGYM's intelligent hardware and software solutions throughout Kolter's upcoming Cresswind 55+ communities. Built to make fitness more accessible for all, EGYM's Smart Strength training equipment and digital platform will allow Cresswind residents to take control of their fitness, and ultimately, improve their overall wellbeing. Read More...
IHRSA Foundation, ACE Obtains Funding to Improve Exercise Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Posted: September 23, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The IHRSA Foundation and the American Council on Exercise (ACE), supported by the UNESCO Chair in Inclusive Fitness, Sport & Recreation, PE, have had a first joint project approved by Special Olympics with funding through their Inclusive Health Innovation Grant. The grant, supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to support organizations in making practices more inclusive and tip the balance toward a fully inclusive world where people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are fully and intentionally included in mainstream fitness programs and services. 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...
Technogym Launches New Release of Biocircuit
Posted: September 23, 2020 in Suppliers
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Technogym, a world-leading brand in equipment and digital technologies for fitness, health and sport, introduces a new product release of Biocircuit, the circuit training solution and method offering a personalized workout to help users to achieve their goals in a short amount of time. Read More...
IHRSA Releases Toolkit for Clubs on Forming a State Alliance
Posted: September 17, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, worked with industry leaders in states across the country providing them with tools and resources to strengthen their voices and expand their reach at the state level. IHRSA has worked diligently to pull these valuable assets together in a toolkit to share with the entire industry. To lobby individual governors and local lawmakers more directly, many IHRSA members are forming regional alliances of operators within their state. IHRSA’s newest toolkit, How to Run a Fitness Industry Alliance in Your State, is a compilation of resources to help club owners and operators create, manage, and run a state or regional alliance. 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...
ACSM and National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute Named NYSS Champions
Posted: September 17, 2020 in Suppliers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recognized the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute (NYSHSI) as two of the first organizations to join the National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) Champion program. HHS released NYSS in September 2019 in response to Presidential Executive Order 13824, which called for a national plan to increase youth sports participation. Read More...
CFA Asks Court to Restore Reasonable & Equitable Statewide Access to Fitness
Posted: September 15, 2020 in Other News
SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Fitness Alliance (CFA) announced it has filed legal action in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking to restore reasonable access to indoor fitness. CFA believes that government should not continue preventing Californians from having equitable and safe access to indoor fitness centers and the proven benefits, including maximizing their resilience to COVID-19, that exercise provides to their physical and mental health. Read More...
ABC Financial Acquires Trainerize, Accelerating a Mobile-First Total Fitness Experience
Posted: September 15, 2020 in Suppliers
LITTLE ROCK, AR and VANCOUVER, B.C. - ABC Financial (ABC), a leading provider of technology and related services for the fitness industry, announced it has acquired Trainerize, a Vancouver-based mobile fitness solution for personal training and member engagement. As a software solution, “Trainerize powered by ABC” means health club members and personal training clients are more engaged and inspired with personalized fitness programs they can access anytime, from anywhere. 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...
Daxko Launches Daxko Exchange, a New Partner Network to Securely Improve Efficiency and Growth for Health, Wellness and Fitness Organizations
Posted: September 15, 2020 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko has announced the launch of a new certified partner network, Daxko Exchange. This online marketplace brings the health and wellness industry's providers and partners together to securely exchange ideas, data, products and services in order to power health and wellness. With Daxko Exchange, health and wellness organizations can confidently work with best-in-breed providers and save time finding certified and safe partners that integrate with their existing systems. 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...
SilverSneakers Announces National Inspiration Award Winner
Posted: September 15, 2020 in Other News
NASHVILLE, TN - SilverSneakers by Tivity Health, the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans, has announced the national winner of the 2020 SilverSneakers Swanson Inspiration Award. Mobile, Alabama resident, Lloyd Black, has been named the winner of the 16th annual award, which is presented to one member who has improved their life through a healthy lifestyle that incorporates fitness and social interaction, while helping others navigate their own fitness journeys. Read More...
Medical Experts Speak Out to Show Gyms Are Safe and Essential
Posted: September 14, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - As negative public perceptions persist, the fitness industry is looking to further prove that health clubs are safe and vital for overall health. To do so, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, is engaging with medical experts to get their professional opinion on the safety and efficacy of clubs. Fitness facilities have been ramping up their cleaning guidelines and safety procedures since the beginning of the pandemic, and data shows that clubs are not guilty of spreading COVID-19. Now, even doctors are perplexed as to why lawmakers aren’t seeing the positive impact that fitness facilities bring to the public—especially in a time when physical activity can help mitigate the worst of COVID-19 symptoms and cases. It’s profoundly clear that those with pre-existing conditions, such as obesity, are at high-risk of contracting severe coronavirus and have the most to gain from health clubs. 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...
