Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Thursday, January 22nd, 2026
Cycle for Survival Bike In Every Equinox Club Raises Awareness About Rare Cancers
Posted: December 23, 2019 in Other News
NEW YORK, N.Y. - For the first time ever, Bike #20 in every Equinox cycling studio across the country will stand out from the rest. The seat, in Cycle for Survival's signature bright orange, has a special meaning. In the spirit of Cycle for Survival, the bikes featuring the orange seats represent the power that each person has to transform ideas into positive change. Bike #20 was chosen in celebration of Cycle for Survival's 2020 signature indoor team cycling events in January, February and March. Read More...
Life Time Breaks Ground on First Athletic Lifestyle Resort in Oregon With $70M Investment; Continues its Luxury Resort Expansion in California With First Location Outside of San Diego
Posted: December 20, 2019 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Life Time, the premier healthy lifestyle brand, broke ground on its newest planned destination in Beaverton, Oregon, the company's first in the state. Life Time also announced continuing its national expansion with the opening of Life Time La Jolla, located in the heart of La Jolla Village. The new destination, the company's first in the San Diego market, is the fourth Life Time in California and brings the total count to 150 locations across 30 states and 41 major markets in the U.S. and Canada. Read More...
Spartan to Launch DEKAFIT, a Premier Indoor Fitness Competition and Experience
Posted: December 20, 2019 in Suppliers
BOSTON, MA - Spartan Race is well known around the world for bringing obstacle course racing to all levels of athletes. From Boston to California, Australia to Iceland, the industrious sporting giant never stops evolving. It makes sense that Spartan would step into the indoor fitness space and launch a “dekathlon” and training program for the masses. DEKAFIT is built from an ancient test that will ten “x” a participant's motivation, community and performance. The event consists of 10 functional fitness zones designed in an arena to deliver the most inspiring and memorable fitness experience ever witnessed. Read More...
IHRSA Names Board of Directors Nominees
Posted: December 19, 2019 in Chains
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, has announced four nominees for the IHRSA Board of Directors. The four nominees are: Lan Wang - CEO of Catic Wellness Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China; Luke Carlson - CEO of Discover Strength, Bloomington, MN; Aaron Moore - Director of Operations for VIDA Fitness, Washington, D.C.; Jose Teixeira - Head of Customer Experience for SC Fitness, Lisbon, Portugal. All four will stand for election during IHRSA’s annual meeting in March at the IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show in San Diego, CA. Read More...
PF Growth Partners Making International Debut
Posted: December 19, 2019 in Chains
BALTIMORE, MD - PF Growth Partners, LLC, an award-winning franchise division of Planet Fitness, is going global. The Timonium, Maryland-based company is one of three partners in Bravo Fit Holdings Pty Ltd. that recently entered into an area development agreement with Planet Fitness to bring a minimum of 35 Planet Fitness clubs to Australia over the next several years. Its other associates in the venture are U.S. franchisee, Bravo Fit, LLC, and Galactic Fitness Pty, which is owned and operated by leading Australian fitness operator, Dallas Rosekelly. Read More...
SF Franchisee Association Files Lawsuit Against Snap Fitness
Posted: December 18, 2019 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The SF Franchisee Association, which represents 177 Snap Fitness franchisees operating 260 Snap Fitness clubs in the United States and Canada, filed a lawsuit on December 16, 2019, in Hennepin County (Minnesota) District Court asserting that the system's franchisor, Snap Fitness, Inc., materially breached the franchise agreements it has with all of its franchisees by forcing the franchisees to purchase and use a proprietary club management software developed by a Snap Fitness-owned affiliate that failed to meet industry security standards. When that software, called Fitware, fell victim to a ransomware attack on November 22, 2018, the franchisees lost all their data and the ability to operate their clubs for 13 days, causing all Snap Fitness franchisees, including the members of the SF Franchisee Association, to suffer significant losses of revenues, profits and club members. Read More...
TRX Obtains Federal Court Order Validating Patents And Trademarks For Its Market-Leading Suspension Trainer
Posted: December 18, 2019 in Suppliers
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - A final judgment and order has been entered in the Northern District of Illinois validating the enforceability of three patents and three trademarks of Fitness Anywhere LLC (TRX). The order concludes an action filed by TRX against an online seller whose products were infringing TRX patents, including the innovative combination foot pedal and handle grip (U.S. Patent No. 7,806,814), door anchor (U.S. Patent No. 8,083,653), and inelastic utility strap technologies (U.S. Patent No. 10,245,460) that are critical market differentiators within TRX's line of Suspension Trainers. Read More...
Planet Fitness Returns As Presenting Sponsor of Times Square’s Iconic New Year’s Eve Celebration
Posted: December 18, 2019 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. and home of the Judgement Free Zone, has announced that it will again play host to the biggest party on the planet on New Year's Eve. In partnership with Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, the Judgement Free Zone is returning as the presenting sponsor of Times Square's New Year's Eve celebration for the fifth consecutive year. Read More...
The Halifax Group Invests in Maverick Fitness, a Dallas-Fort Worth Orangetheory Fitness Franchisee
Posted: December 18, 2019 in Chains
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leading private equity firm, The Halifax Group ("Halifax"), announced it has completed an investment to recapitalize Maverick Fitness Holdings, LLC ("Maverick" or "the Company"), which consists of more than 30 Orangetheory Fitness studios in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Halifax partnered with Maverick's CEO, Shane Adams and the Company's management team, which will remain with the Company after the transaction. Terms were not disclosed. Read More...
The Abs Company Signs 100 Club Deal For Booty Coaster With World Gym Taiwan
Posted: December 18, 2019 in Suppliers
CHESTER, N.J. - The Abs Company, the leading manufacturer of Core Based Functional Training equipment, announces that they have entered into a global partnership with World Gym Taiwan. Effective immediately, World Gym Taiwan will be the exclusive provider of The Abs Company’s new Booty Coaster glute training machine. The companies have agreed to roll the product out in 100 locations over the next 12 months. Read More...
Club Intel Releases 2019 International Fitness Industry Trend Study – What’s All The Rage?
Posted: December 17, 2019 in Suppliers
DALLAS, TX - Club Intel announces the release of the 2019 International Fitness Industry Trend Study - What's All The Rage? This year’s report is built on over 950 responses representing an estimated 11,500 club and studio operators from more than 20 countries. The report dives into trends across four categories that operators influence to create value for their members and clients - equipment, facilities, programs and technology. Read More...
Crunch Fitness Launches New Rewards Program for Apple Watch
Posted: December 16, 2019 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Fitness announces a new initiative that relies on the power of Apple Watch to help members stay healthy. Through the use of Apple Watch, the custom-built CrunchTime Active Rewards app will provide new members with weekly fitness goals and reward them for taking these actions to improve their wellbeing. CrunchTime Active Rewards participants can earn up to $3.00 in weekly credits to membership dues, for potential savings of over $300 over 24 months, by meeting personalized fitness goals. Read More...
Orangetheory Fitness Announces Its Newest Innovations Using Apple Technology
Posted: December 12, 2019 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - Orangetheory Fitness has debuted new technology that will lead to increased personalization, motivation and encouragement for members to live a longer, more vibrant life. Orangetheory Fitness has created a highly anticipated device for members to use Apple Watch to track heart rate data during workouts, along with iOS apps for coaches and sales associates to enhance the member experience both in and out of studio. Read More...
VASA Fitness Expands To Indiana With Two New Locations
Posted: December 12, 2019 in Chains
OREM, UT and DENVER, CO - VASA Fitness announces its expansion to Indiana with the opening of two clubs in the state this month, the first in Indianapolis and the second in Lafayette. Pre-enrollment is open for both locations and the public is invited to attend the grand opening events to celebrate the brand’s entry into Indiana and experience the modern and beautiful 60,000 square foot fitness facilities available to members starting at $9.99 per month with no enrollment fees. VASA also announces that an additional location in Indianapolis is anticipated to open Fall 2020. Read More...
American College of Sports Medicine Announces Kristin Belleson as New Chief Executive Officer
Posted: December 12, 2019 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has introduced Kristin C. Belleson as its new chief executive officer. Belleson will begin her new role on February 3, 2020. Belleson joins ACSM from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), where she served as interim Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Affiliate Affairs and Membership Services. Read More...
PTR International Tennis Symposium 2020 Dates Announced
Posted: December 12, 2019 in Suppliers
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) will host its premier coaching event - the International Tennis Symposium - February 10-13, on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. More than 45 industry experts will conduct classroom and on court presentations at the PTR Symposium. Read More...
Planet Fitness Strengthens Management Team with the Addition of Tom Fitzgerald as Chief Financial Officer
Posted: December 10, 2019 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S., has announced that Tom Fitzgerald has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. Officially joining the Company in early January, Fitzgerald will be responsible for all aspects of financial strategy and management. He will report directly to Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer of Planet Fitness. Fitzgerald will succeed Dorvin Lively who has served as Planet Fitness’ Chief Financial Officer since July 2013, and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and President in April 2017. Read More...
Equinox Launches Luxury Fitness Club in the City of London; Lifestyle Leader Adds To Rapidly Growing Portfolio
Posted: December 10, 2019 in Chains
LONDON - Equinox, a global high-performance lifestyle leader, announces the opening of Equinox Bishopsgate, an unmatched fitness offering in the City of London. The state-of-the-art club features five stories of unparalleled programming, luxury amenities and masterful design, marking the third opening in the capital, joining Equinox Kensington and E by Equinox St James’s. Read More...
Life Time Launches Three Exclusive New Classes Expanding High-Powered Programming into 2020
Posted: December 9, 2019 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Life Time, the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brand, continues to evolve its best-in-class programming with three new formats, including its latest launch, Ringside, a boxing-inspired workout that is now rolled out nationwide. The launches of UPPER Rx and EnBarre earlier this year, in addition to Ringside, bring distinctive new class styles to Life Time's already robust portfolio, which offers 18 signature formats. Read More...
Blink Fitness Reaches Milestone of 100th Gym with Grand Opening of Houston Location
Posted: December 5, 2019 in Chains
HOUSTON, TX - Blink Fitness, an inclusive, affordable gym that values Mood Above Muscle, is entering the Houston market with four new, state-of-the-art workout gyms. With the opening of the Spring Branch location, Blink has now reached a growth milestone of 100 gyms nationwide. Read More...
