Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
VASA Fitness Continues Rapid Growth With 30% Increase In Clubs In 2020
Posted: February 19, 2020 in Chains
DENVER, CO and OREM, UT - VASA Fitness has announced the continuation of its rapid growth with a projected 30% increase in clubs expected in 2020 with the opening of 13 new locations. Part of this expansion involves adding clubs in Wisconsin and Illinois. VASA’s 2020 expansion plan is another step in helping the company bring its innovative and affordable fitness to everyone by rapidly increasing its presence over the next five years. Read More...
ACSM Announces Strategic Partnership with USA Weightlifting
Posted: February 19, 2020 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has announced a new partnership with USA Weightlifting (USAW), the sole governing and coaching certification body for weightlifting in the United States. The agreement significantly expands the opportunities for professional growth of ACSM and USAW, their members and certified professionals in the health fitness industry. Read More...
ClubLife Management Selected to Manage The Golf Club at South River
Posted: February 19, 2020 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - ClubLife Management, the full-service management division sponsored by ClubCorp, announces it has been selected by The Brick Companies, a privately held company based in Edgewater, Maryland, that owns, develops and manages commercial, residential and recreational properties, to manage The Golf Club at South River, a luxury lifestyle, family friendly club just minutes from downtown Annapolis. Read More...
Columbia Association’s Andy Guerin named Head Coach of the Year by TRIBE Team Training
Posted: February 19, 2020 in Chains
COLUMBIA, MD - Columbia Association (CA) personal trainer, Andy Guerin, has been named the 2019 Head Coach of the Year by TRIBE Team Training North America Inc. Tribe Team Training is a small-group training program led by certified coaches, who guide Tribe participants through expertly designed workouts. Guerin was recognized for mastering the Tribe Team Training Coaching Foundations, including leadership, inspirational coaching techniques and team spirit, and for his ability to continuously improve his team members’ development and athletic performance. Read More...
Daxko Announces Steve Ayers as Vice President of Mid Market Sales for the Club Market
Posted: February 19, 2020 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko, a member-based health and wellness industry software and payments provider, has announced that Steve Ayers has joined the company as Vice President of Mid Market Sales for their Club Market. Ayers will lead Daxko's strategies for targeting growth in the fitness mid-market segment. He reports directly to Jeff VanDixhorn, Daxko's Chief Revenue Officer for the Club Market. Read More...
Michele Achterberg Joins the Wellbeats Corporate Sales Team
Posted: February 19, 2020 in Suppliers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Michele Achterberg joins Wellbeats with over twenty years of experience leading national sales for health and wellness start-up companies, including eMindful, Color Genomics, RedBrick Health and Castlight Health. Read More...
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...
American Media, LLC Announces Sale of Mr. Olympia and Muscle & Fitness
Posted: February 14, 2020 in Other News
NEW YORK, N.Y. - In a landmark deal, American Media, LLC has announced it has reached an agreement on the sale of the iconic Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, as well as the Muscle & Fitness, FLEX and M&F Hers media brands. The prestigious Olympia Weekend, held annually in Las Vegas, is home to one of the global fitness industry's signature consumer tradeshows while also serving as the world championships of several professional physique sports, including the legendary title of Mr. Olympia. 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...
Mindbody Executive Recognized for Advancing Gender Equality in the Workplace
Posted: February 13, 2020 in Suppliers
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Mindbody, a leading technology platform for the wellness industry, has announced that Michelle Berlin, Mindbody’s Senior Vice President of People and Culture, was named to Fairygodboss’ inaugural Gender Equality Superheroes list. The recognition identifies leading executives that have made an impact by spearheading the push for gender parity at their workplaces in 2019. 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...
IHRSA Teams Up With Leading Italian Fitness Association
Posted: February 10, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA has entered into a strategic agreement with ANIF, Italy’s leading association representing over 500 sports clubs and fitness operators. ANIF was created in 1996 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy. This agreement paves the way for a stronger collaboration between IHRSA and the Italian fitness industry, with ANIF members gaining access to IHRSA’s educational resources and global networking opportunities and IHRSA gaining a greater understanding of the Italian market. Read More...
Augie’s Quest 15th Annual BASH Event Returns to San Diego
Posted: February 7, 2020 in Other News
SAN DIEGO, CA - Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, a nonprofit committed to changing the experience of thousands living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by fast-tracking effective treatments and an ultimate cure, is celebrating their 15th BASH fundraiser by Rockin’ Through the Ages with the fitness industry on March 20. Over 800 guests are expected to attend the event, which is held in conjunction with the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association’s (IHRSA) International Tradeshow and Convention. The BASH represents an opportunity for the fitness industry to come together and celebrate advancements in ALS research, while reminding attendees of the critical hope their support offers for those affected by this disease. 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...
Johnson Health Tech Receives International Service Excellence Award
Posted: February 6, 2020 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - It has been announced that Johnson Health Tech (JHT) was awarded the 2019 International Service Excellence Award by the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA). JHT is the first ever fitness equipment manufacturer to be recognized with this achievement. Read More...
Daxko Acquires UpLaunch to Bolster Offerings for Boutique Gyms
Posted: February 6, 2020 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko has announced that it has acquired UpLaunch, an unparalleled CRM and marketing automation software designed for the unique needs of affiliate and boutique gyms. Paired with Daxko's existing brands, Zen Planner and SugarWOD, which serve over 5,000 boutique and affiliate gyms, the company now has various offerings available for facilities in that category. Read More...
Peloton Announces Settlement Of Litigation Against Flywheel Sports, Inc.
Posted: February 5, 2020 in Suppliers
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Peloton (NASDAQ: PTON), the world's largest interactive fitness platform, has announced that it has settled its patent infringement litigation against Flywheel Sports, Inc. In 2018 and 2019, Peloton initiated patent infringement suits against Flywheel related to its Fly Anywhere bike for infringing on Peloton's patented technology. Peloton now officially issues the following statement... 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...
Matrix Fitness, Smart Fit Announce Partnership
Posted: February 4, 2020 in Suppliers
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - Matrix Fitness and Smart Fit has announced a partnership for the premium equipment provider to equip 200 Smart Fit facilities within the next three years. 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...
