Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Ecore Will Continue Offering Free Virtual CEUs Through the End of 2020
Posted: August 27, 2020 in Suppliers
LANCASTER, PA - Ecore, a manufacturer of safe, ergonomic and acoustic performance surfaces for commercial and athletic markets, will continue to offer a free acoustic and performance Continuing Education Course (CEU), both certified through the Interior Design Continuing Education Council, from September through November 2020. Read More...
NSCA Announces 2020 Tactical Strength and Conditioning Practitioner of the Year Award Winner
Posted: August 25, 2020 in Suppliers
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is proud to announce that Brent Alvar, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F, FNSCA, has been selected as the NSCA’s Tactical Strength and Conditioning Practitioner for 2020. Dr. Alvar becomes the fifth recipient of the award, which began recognizing outstanding practitioners in 2016. Award winners are selected by the NSCA’s Awards Taskforce, a committee filled by volunteers. The Taskforce determines the winner based on their contributions to the NSCA, their community, and the teaching and practical application in the field of tactical strength training and conditioning. Read More...
Brent Darden Named Interim President and CEO of IHRSA
Posted: August 21, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Brent Darden as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Brent’s background in fitness industry leadership roles is extensive. From 2010 through 2015, Brent served on the IHRSA Board of Directors, as Nominations Committee Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Chairperson of the Board, and Ex-Officio. Since that time he has advised a number of fitness brands and delivered keynote presentations around the world on leadership, employee engagement, customer experience, strategy and brand frameworks, among other topics. Joe Moore's departure as President and CEO was announced by the IHRSA Board of Directors on Tuesday, August 18. Joe had been President and CEO since 2006. Read More...
Motionsoft Joins Daxko to Expand the Most Extensive Tech-Based Community in Health and Wellness
Posted: August 21, 2020 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko has announced that it acquired Motionsoft, a thought leader in member management software that powers some of the largest brands in the club industry. With a full continuum of solutions and services for an ever-changing business environment, Daxko offers member-based business software, CRM, digital marketing, payment processing, full service billing, community engagement solutions, workout tracking and a trusted integration platform, to the entire health, wellness and fitness industry. Read More...
Blink Fitness Plans to Reopen Gyms in the Long Island, Westchester, Syracuse, Rochester and New York City Markets
Posted: August 21, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Blink Fitness has announced that, in accordance with local and state reopening guidelines in New York State, Long Island, Westchester, Syracuse, Rochester and New York City, gyms will be reopening on the following dates with modified operating hours... These abbreviated hours will allow for thorough cleaning and disinfecting procedures overnight. With the reopening process carefully developed and executed, Blink is excited to welcome members and employees back into the gym. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Location In Normal, IL
Posted: August 20, 2020 in Chains
NORMAL, IL - Crunch Franchise plans to open a $6 million, 45,000 square-foot facility with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Normal, IL and will begin selling memberships mid-November. Though Crunch Normal plans to open in late December, the facility will operate at a temporary location at a former Golds Gym Express starting Friday August 21st. All former Golds Gym members will be offered special enrollment deals. Read More...
Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. Receives Second Nasdaq Notice Regarding Non-Compliance With Continued Listing Standards
Posted: August 20, 2020 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (“TSI” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CLUB) received a second notice on August 18, 2020 from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq indicating that, as a result of the Company’s failure to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020 (the “Second Quarterly Report”), and because the Company remains delinquent in filing its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020 (the “First Quarterly Report,” and together with the Second Quarterly Report, the “Reports”), the Company remains in non-compliance with the continued listing requirements as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1). The notice has no immediate impact on the listing of the Company’s common stock, which will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market, subject to the Company’s compliance with other applicable continued listing requirements. The Company’s management is working diligently to complete the Reports and intends to file them as soon as practicable. Read More...
Joe Moore Departing as President and CEO of IHRSA
Posted: August 19, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) President and CEO, Joe Moore, has been in the health and fitness industry for over 45 years, starting in 1972 when he opened his first commercial facility that grew from a single club to a health club chain with 20 locations in three states. Moore sold the company in 2004. He served as Chairman of the IHRSA Board during the 2005 – 2006 fiscal year prior to being named President and CEO. Moore became President and CEO in 2006 after the retirement of then Executive Director Emeritus John McCarthy. During his tenure at IHRSA, Moore had many accomplishments and played a prominent role in coalition building for the industry. Today, IHRSA’s Board of Directors has announced that Joe Moore will be departing as the organization’s President and CEO, effective immediately. The IHRSA Board of Directors will be forming a CEO search committee to begin the process of identifying Moore’s replacement. Read More...
JLR Associates Announces Expansion of Services to Include Recruitment for Both Personal Trainers and Group Exercise Trainers
Posted: August 19, 2020 in Suppliers
DEDHAM, MA - JLR Associates announces the expansion of their services to now include recruitment for both Personal Trainers and Group Exercise Trainers. Over the years, JLR Associates had many requests to fill these types of positions, and the company is pleased to now provide this service to the fitness industry. Heading up this new department and service will be Lisa Joffe, an industry professional with years of operational and staff recruitment experience. Lisa understands the importance of hiring the right person the first time, and her objective will be to help club owners find the perfect fitness staff. Read More...
California Fitness Alliances Announces Launch of Industry Association Advisory Board
Posted: August 19, 2020 in Chains
SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Fitness Alliance (CFA), California’s united voice for fitness operators, professionals and enthusiasts, has created an Industry Association Advisory Board in addition to its already robust Advisory Board panel. Doris Thews, CEO of Team Thews Fitness Consulting, Amy Thompson from IDEA Health and Fitness Association (IDEA) and Josh Leve from the Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) are spearheading the Industry Association Advisory Board, which will bring a holistic perspective to the cause, supporting the 180,000 employees and millions of members of California’s gyms, health clubs and studios as CFA urges Governor Newsom to once again safely reopen gyms in California. Read More...
Lift Brands Evolves Leadership Team to Accelerate Rapid Growth
Posted: August 19, 2020 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - Lift Brands, a parent company of fitness-minded businesses, including Snap Fitness, 9Round and Fitness on Demand has announced three team members who will transition into new executive roles and the addition of new executive talent in a fourth role, joining a global leadership team with more than 40 cumulative years of experience within Lift Brands. Read More...
USTA Foundation to Award $310,000 in College Scholarships
Posted: August 19, 2020 in Suppliers
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - The USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), announced that it has granted 32 high school students a variety of college scholarships totaling $310,000. Each year, the USTA Foundation awards scholarships to deserving youth who have participated in USTA and other organized youth tennis programs such as the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, have demonstrated high academic achievement and require financial assistance for college matriculation. This year, for the first time, all 32 scholarship recipients are from NJTL programs across the country. Read More...
ABC Financial Adds Hands-free Access Control Systems for Gyms
Posted: August 18, 2020 in Suppliers
LITTLE ROCK, AR - Adding more safeguards for fitness club operators and members, ABC Financial, a leading provider of technology and related services for the fitness industry, announced it has entered into an exclusive partnership with Openpath, a major mobile access control provider. Together, the two industry pacesetters will launch “ABC Door Access by Openpath,” a mobile-friendly, hands-free, door-access solution rooted in cloud-based technology. Read More...
Retro Fitness Partners With District Real Estate Advisors to Meet High Demand Despite the Pandemic
Posted: August 18, 2020 in Chains
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Retro Fitness, a leader in the high-value, low-price fitness space, announced its partnership with commercial retail specialists, District Real Estate Advisors, to meet the high demand by investors and franchisees seeking new, highly profitable opportunities across the country. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Locations in Wichita Falls, TX and Clarksville, TN
Posted: August 17, 2020 in Chains
WICHITA FALLS, TX and CLARKSVILLE, TN - Crunch Franchise has announced the opening of a 40,000-square foot gym with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Wichita Falls, TX and will begin selling memberships October 1st. Crunch Franchise has also announced the opening of a 40,000-square foot gym with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Clarksville, TN and will begin selling memberships mid-November. 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 or motivation can utilize the HIITZone, a proprietary high-intensity interval group training program. Read More...
What the Situation in Washington D.C. Means for Health and Fitness Clubs
Posted: August 17, 2020 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Keeping track of what’s happening in Washington can be a lot, so here's a brief update on the situation in D.C. and what it means for the fitness industry. Negotiations between the White House and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi broke down during the week of August 10. President Trump signed executive orders seeking to address unemployment insurance and payroll taxes. It is unclear what, if any, practical effect these executive orders will have. At this time, substantive talks around a new COVID-19 relief bill have not resumed, and senators have left Washington D.C., subject to recall to vote if a bill should come together. Read More...
Life Fitness Promotes John Kazik, Head of Brunswick Billiards, to Lead Consumer Sales in the Americas
Posted: August 17, 2020 in Suppliers
ROSEMONT, IL - In its continued effort to deliver world class exercise experiences to fitness professionals and exercisers worldwide, Life Fitness has promoted John Kazik to the role of Vice President, Americas Consumer Sales and Billiards. Kazik will be responsible for enhancing the company’s approach to delivering premium fitness and leisure products and driving continued growth across all consumer channel sales. Read More...
Jason Reinhardt Resigns as Chair of the IHRSA Board
Posted: August 13, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Jason Reinhardt, Chair of the IHRSA Board of Directors, has announced that effective immediately, he would be stepping down as Chair and as a Board Member. In a Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, August 12, Reinhardt announced that he has decided to resign as the Chair of the IHRSA Board after serving in this role for the last 14 months. The Nominations Committee of the Board is discussing options to fill the officer position of the Chair and will make a thoughtful, informed recommendation to the full Board in the near future. Until a decision is made, Vice-Chair Carrie Kepple of Styles Studio Fitness will assume the duties of the Chair. Read More...
Five Reasons You Can’t Afford to Miss the IHRSA Innovation Summit
Posted: August 12, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - To innovate, by definition, is to make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas or products. 2020 has flipped our world upside down, and as a result has driven us to come up with creative and unique solutions to problems that had not previously existed. New ways of thinking, doing business and maintaining relationships–both business and personal have resulted in new experiences and even new opportunities. As we move forward, we must continue to innovate, to push ourselves to create new experiences, new methods of providing services and new ways of staying connected. This is why the IHRSA Innovation Summit is the must-attend event for fitness industry professionals this fall. On September 17, we’ll (virtually) come together with the best minds in the industry to innovate, connect, and thrive in the new economy. Here are five reasons you can’t afford to miss it... Read More...
Life Time Launches Nationwide Distance Learning Support Camp to Help Families as School Starts This Fall
Posted: August 12, 2020 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - With schools across the country turning to virtual or hybrid school schedules for the 2020 - 2021 school year, many parents are faced with finding a way to balance work and school schedules for their families. Life Time, the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brand, which serves more than 270,000 kids nationwide every month, is launching Distance Learning Support Camps for children aged 5 - 12. The first-of-its-kind camps from Life Time are designed to help families' bridge gaps in their child's school calendar and keep kids connected this fall in a safe, clean environment. Read More...
