Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
EXOS’ COVID-19 Reopening Approach and Standards
Posted: August 10, 2020 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - COVID-19 has made many things in the world unpredictable, but a member's health at a facility shouldn’t be one of them. In response to the changes in our world, EXOS, a leader in the field of human performance, created an internal task force dedicated to safely and thoughtfully reopening EXOS-branded and client-based fitness centers safely... Read More...
Congressional Failure to Act Could Cost Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs
Posted: August 7, 2020 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the eve of the end of the Paycheck Protection Program, Joe Moore, president and CEO of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), released the following statement... Read More...
ACSM Publishes Call to Action Addressing COVID-19 and Return to Sports and Physical Activity
Posted: August 7, 2020 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has published a call to action statement addressing COVID-19 and safely returning to sports and exercise. Authored by ACSM subject matter experts, the statement highlights the current science around COVID-19 and provides 12 action steps to consider. “COVID-19: Considerations for Sports and Physical Activity” is ACSM’s first call to action statement and published in the August issue of ACSM’s Current Sports Medicine Reports. Read More...
Self Esteem Brands Founders, Employees & Roark Capital Unveil $1 Million SEB Relief Fund to Financially Aid Employees of Clubs, Studios Impacted by COVID-19
Posted: August 7, 2020 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Self Esteem Brands (SEB) has unveiled a $1 million SEB Relief Fund to provide direct financial assistance, in the form of one-time $500 grants, to the thousands of franchise employees and corporate studio and club staff across the SEB brand portfolio, including Anytime Fitness, Basecamp Fitness, The Bar Method and Waxing the City, who have been impacted by pandemic-related layoffs or furloughs. Read More...
Gold’s Gym Honors Top Franchise Owners of 2019
Posted: August 6, 2020 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - Gold's Gym, one of the world’s most trusted fitness authorities, honored its top franchise owners with a virtual awards ceremony video shared last week with the brand’s global network. Among some of the most notable awards announced were Franchisees of the Year, Best New Gyms and Gold’s Vision awards. Named as the domestic Franchisee of the Year was Jeff Mortman, who took over ownership of his Gold’s Gym in Totowa, New Jersey, in 2017 and has since transformed it from a struggling location into a state-of-the-art facility with a strong membership base. Internationally, Japan’s master franchise owner Eiji Tezuka, who is celebrating his 25th anniversary with the brand this year, was honored as the brand’s top franchisee for the second consecutive year. Read More...
Arizona Superior Court Sides With Mountainside Fitness
Posted: August 5, 2020 in Chains
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Victory Tuesday, August 4, for Mountainside Fitness and other health clubs across Arizona who have been financially impacted by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s arbitrary shut downs. Up until this date, the Governor had not given gyms and fitness centers an avenue for re-opening. On Tuesday, August 4, Arizona Superior Court Judge Timothy J. Thomason ruled Governor Ducey’s executive order to shut down gyms violated procedural due process and the Governor must give health clubs an avenue to re-open. Read More...
Planet Fitness, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2020 Results
Posted: August 5, 2020 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT) reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2020: Total revenue decreased from the prior year period by 77.9% to $40.2 million. Net (loss) income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc. was a loss of $29.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, compared to income of $34.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in the prior year period. Net (loss) income decreased 180.3% to a net loss of $32.0 million, compared to net income of $39.8 million in the prior year period. Adjusted net (loss) income decreased 166.5% to an adjusted net loss of $27.9 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $42.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 112.1% to a loss of $9.3 million from earnings of $76.5 million in the prior year period. 21 new Planet Fitness stores were opened during the period, bringing system-wide total stores to 2,059 as of June 30, 2020. Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2020 was $423.6 million. Read More...
The Claremont Club Permanently Closes
Posted: August 4, 2020 in Independents
CLAREMONT, CA - As the Coronavirus Pandemic rages on, the toll on human life and the economy continues to escalate. For the health and fitness club industry, one of the more shocking and saddest losses has occurred with the permanent closure of The Claremont Club in Claremont, California. Mike Alpert, President and CEO, announced the closure in letters to staff and the membership. Read More...
IHRSA Refutes Negative Press, Provides Leadership for Industry
Posted: August 4, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Overall, health and wellness are essential to reducing the risk of severe COVID-19. So, why is it that health and fitness clubs seem to get so little respect while giving members a safe and clean space to improve their health? The answer is simple: the fitness industry is receiving an abundance of negative press that is overshadowing the safety protocols and cleaning guidelines that health and fitness clubs have put in place to keep members, staff and the community safe. The issue at hand? Op-ed writers, misinformed medical professionals and self-proclaimed internet experts have labeled fitness facilities as dirty or germy spaces, which could not be further from the truth. Read More...
Snap Fitness & Lift Brands Selects Glofox for U.S. and International Fitness Franchise Expansion
Posted: August 4, 2020 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - It has been announced that Lift Brands, owner of Snap Fitness and 9Round International Franchise, has selected Glofox, the gym management software platform, as a software partner for its U.S. and international franchise network in over 20 countries. Glofox will replace Fitware, a legacy member management system developed by Lift Brands, in 2,000 locations in North America and internationally. Read More...
AB Show 2020 Has Been Canceled
Posted: August 3, 2020 in Other News
MADISON, WI - Athletic Business Media has made the difficult decision to cancel AB Show 2020. This decision was made in consultation with key stakeholders and our partners, the Medical Fitness Association, the National Alliance for Youth Sports and the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. Read More...
IHRSA Reveals Innovation Summit Schedule & Speakers
Posted: August 3, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has released the schedule of events, along with the full list of speakers for the IHRSA Innovation Summit. As the fitness industry navigates the coronavirus pandemic, come together virtually with the best minds of the industry on Thursday, September 17, to reimagine, reinvigorate and rebuild. The one-day event includes... Read More...
Virtually Anywhere: The New Role of Digital Fitness
Posted: August 3, 2020 in Suppliers
CHANHASSEN, MN - We could be forgiven for thinking the major upheaval seen all across the club and fitness landscape is mostly over. Gyms were closed due to COVID-19 precautions, and now, in many areas, they’re open with a return to some form of normal underway. The truth is very different, and we’re actually experiencing a sea-change evolution in how clubs will operate and members will engage with fitness. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Location In Toledo, Ohio
Posted: July 31, 2020 in Chains
TOLEDO, OH - Crunch Franchise has announced the opening of a 29,000 square-foot gym with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Toledo, Ohio. Crunch Toledo is owned and operated by Sarah Page and Jimmy Burgess. Mr. Burgess is a former Detroit Police officer and professional body builder, with a diverse background in business, and has been involved in the fitness industry for his entire life. Sarah is a former Kindergarten teacher with a passion for helping others. They each have a personal connection and love for Ohio. Read More...
MYZONE Restructures Senior Leadership Team to Support Customers as They Emerge from Lockdown
Posted: July 30, 2020 in Suppliers
U.K. - MYZONE announces plans to restructure its senior leadership team to support incredible growth across the globe. As many governments are increasingly emphasizing the importance of physical activity, and the demand continues to grow for motivating wearable fitness technology, this restructure will help to maintain the company's position as an industry leader, whilst also supporting existing and new customers during these challenging times. Read More...
An Open Letter to Lawmakers and American Citizens From Bahram Akradi
Posted: July 29, 2020 in Chains
Dear Lawmakers and American Citizens: With the review of the next federal stimulus package now underway, I urge you to consider the following fair and equitable approach for all businesses that have been harmed directly from the impact of COVID-19 and the related government-mandated business shutdowns... Read More...
Gym Floor Cleaning & Maintenance Resource Page Now Available from Ecore
Posted: July 29, 2020 in Suppliers
LANCASTER, PA - Ecore, a manufacturer of safety, ergonomic and acoustic performance surfaces, announces that it has created a dedicated landing page that addresses gyms’ cleaning and maintenance needs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This cleaning resources page can be accessed via the banner at the top of each Ecore website... Read More...
EXOS and Trifecta Form New Partnership to Deliver Healthy Meals to Meet Clients’ Performance Needs
Posted: July 29, 2020 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - EXOS, a leader in the field of human performance, has announced a new partnership with Trifecta, the nation’s largest organic meal delivery service. With meal delivery services more popular and necessary than ever, consumers are looking for healthy options to meet their nutrition needs. EXOS and Trifecta share the goal of helping individuals perform at their best, and this partnership will ensure that all EXOS clients have access to great food that fits their needs. Read More...
Lyle Ray Irwin, The Original STEP Founder, and Patent Holder, Passes Away
Posted: July 28, 2020 in Other News
Lyle Ray Irwin, The Original STEP Founder and Patent Holder, and partner with Rich Boggs in CourtSouth and then in a partnership with Rich, Lou Off and Gerry Alles in Sportslife in Atlanta, has passed away after a 6 + month battle with lung cancer. Six years ago, Ray won a very tough battle with throat cancer. Then, after surviving that cancer for 6+ years, he was hit with a second battle with cancer in January, 2020. Sadly, this time it was lung cancer, which proved to be more than he could defeat, and Lyle Ray Irwin died the night of July 19th/20th. Read More...
CR Fitness, a Leading Crunch Fitness Franchisee In The Southeast Region, Appoints Christy Stross Chief Legal Officer
Posted: July 28, 2020 in Chains
TAMPA, FL - CR Fitness, headquarted in Brandon, Florida, announces the appointment of Christy Stross as the company’s Chief Legal Officer. In this newly created role, Stross will leverage her roots in the fitness industry to handle all legal affairs for the company. CR Fitness operates 24 locations in Florida (Tampa, Sarasota, Clearwater and Orlando) and Atlanta and has plans to open 12 more locations by the end of next year. CR Fitness is owned by Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Tony Scrimale and Jeff Dotson. As an ownership team, they have a combined 150+ years of industry experience and have opened more than 100 gym locations. Read More...
