Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Thursday, January 22nd, 2026
YogaSix Reaches 250 Signed Franchise Agreements in Less than Nine Months
Posted: August 13, 2019 in Chains
IRVINE, CA - In less than nine months after announcing its franchise opportunity in January 2019, YogaSix, a modern boutique yoga concept, has signed over 250 franchise agreements, continuing to outpace its original objective of opening 300 locations in the next few years. With 35 studios already open, the franchise expects to keep entrepreneurs' interest "flowing" and its national footprint growing. Read More...
Town Sports International Clubs Open Gyms to All, Donates to The Trevor Project
Posted: August 12, 2019 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - New York Sports Clubs, Boston Sports Clubs, Philadelphia Sports Clubs and Washington Sports Clubs opened their doors, free to all, Friday, August 9 through Sunday, August 11. For those who made the switch from other gyms, the sports clubs waived all initiation fees to help offset the cost of members’ cancellation fees. New York Sports Clubs will also donate a minimum of $10,000 to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention for the LGBTQ+ youth community. Read More...
Freemotion Appoints Sales Director for Latin America
Posted: August 12, 2019 in Suppliers
LOGAN, UT - U.S.-based fitness equipment manufacturer, Freemotion Fitness, has appointed Leopoldo Torres as Sales Director for Latin America, as it continues to drive forward its global expansion strategy. Since entering the health and fitness industry in 2005 at Sport City, Leopoldo has amassed a wealth of experience in senior roles, most recently as CEO of Bodytech Colombia, and will now be responsible for strengthening and enhancing the Freemotion brand across Latin America. Read More...
Ruth Stricker Honored For Her Many Lifelong Contributions As A Humanitarian
Posted: August 10, 2019 in Independents
MINNETONKA, MN - Ruth Stricker, humanitarian, wellness pioneer and international spokesperson for the mind-body connection was honored on August 9th at The Marsh, A Center for Balance and Fitness with the presentation of an artistic life casting of her hands by renowned sculptor Don F. Wiegand. The life casts capture Ruth’s hands in the fluid movement of Tai Chi, symbolizing her roots, philosophy and her life’s work dedicated to balance. Read More...
Club Fit Donates New Windscreens to Yorktown Pickleball Courts
Posted: August 8, 2019 in Chains
NEW YORK - Club Fit is excited to have donated protective windscreens to put the finishing touch on the new pickleball courts at Granite Knolls Sports & Recreation Complex. The Town of Yorktown recently unveiled brand new outdoor pickleball courts at the Granite Knolls Sports & Recreation Complex. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., according to the USAPA (USA Pickleball Association). This fun, social game blends elements of tennis, racquetball, and ping-pong. Read More...
Columbia Athletic Club 2019 Grand Reopening Celebration
Posted: August 8, 2019 in Chains
COLUMBIA, MD - Columbia Athletic Club has reopened after being closed for renovations for seven months. The new, modernized club features a more welcoming front entrance with a living wall of plants to greet members before their favorite workout. But, it’s more than just that. They’ve launched two new programs, TRIBE Team Training and CACycle, to help members make this year their best year. Other new features include... Read More...
HydroMassage Introduces All-New Lounge 440X; Next Generation of Water Massage
Posted: August 8, 2019 in Suppliers
CLEARWATER, FL - Celebrating 30 years of innovation, HydroMassage announces the introduction of the all-new Lounge 440X, designed with a focus on recovery and wellness. Starting with the massage experience, users will enjoy a smoother, more-focused massage, a more ergonomically-designed seating position and an extra 7" of massage area. Other key highlights of the new Lounge include... Read More...
ClubIntel Announces the Upcoming Launch of 5th Annual International Health/Fitness Industry Trend Study – What’s All the Rage
Posted: August 6, 2019 in Suppliers
DALLAS, TX - ClubIntel, a global leader in conducting market research related to the health and fitness club industry, has announced that it will be launching the 5th Annual International Health/Fitness Industry Trend Study – What’s All the Rage in September of 2019. The survey, available in seven languages, will be distributed in early September to fitness operators and professionals around the world by our 19 international partners. Read More...
YogaFit Announces the Introduction of YogaFit Foundations Online Course
Posted: August 5, 2019 in Chains
LAS VEGAS, NV - For over two decades, YogaFit has stood out as a leader and innovator in the yoga education industry. Over the years, they have helped educate and support countless individuals, having grown their community to over 250,000 individuals worldwide. YogaFit now announces something new to their already diverse and valuable line of yoga teacher training and education programs: The YogaFit Foundations Online Course. Read More...
Anytime Fitness Announces Franchise Development Plans for New York; Targets Rochester & Buffalo
Posted: August 5, 2019 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Anytime Fitness, one of the world's fastest-growing fitness franchises, has announced plans to introduce over 25 new gyms in targeted areas throughout New York with a specific focus in Rochester and Buffalo. The community-focused brand will ramp up growth through strategic franchise partnerships and aims to open the new locations within the next three years. Read More...
IHRSA Announces World Wellness Weekend Collaboration
Posted: August 2, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, and World Wellness Weekend are excited to announce their collaboration in promoting the third annual World Wellness Weekend, running September 21-22, 2019. On World Wellness Weekend, spas, fitness centers, salons, yoga studios and sports organizations will open their doors to the community, offering fun, free wellness activities. This weekend provides an opportunity for fitness, beauty, tourism and sport professionals to showcase their diverse offerings, and for community members to experience new wellness services in places they may never have tried before. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Locations in Topeka, Kansas and Champaign, Illinois
Posted: July 31, 2019 in Chains
TOPEKA, KS and CHAMPAIGN, IL - Crunch Franchise announces the December 2019 opening of a $3 million, 24-hour fitness facility in Topeka, Kansas. The 32,000 square-foot club will be located on Topeka Boulevard and be part of the Holiday Square Shopping Center, which is currently undergoing a $15 million redevelopment. Crunch Franchise also announces the December 2019 opening of a $6 million, 24-hour fitness facility in Champaign, Illinois. The 36,000 square-foot club will be located on Anthony Drive in the former Toys "R" Us space. Read More...
Retro Fitness Names Former Starbucks Exec CEO
Posted: July 31, 2019 in Chains
COLTS NECK, N.J. - Retro Fitness, a leader in the high-value, low-price fitness space announces the appointment of Andrew Alfano as CEO. With more than 25 years in retail and franchising, he has built leading teams to drive customer experience, product innovation and brand expansion. Alfano joins Retro Fitness at a pivotal time in its growth and development. Read More...
FIT Athletic to Open Fourth San Diego Location in Mission Beach
Posted: July 31, 2019 in Chains
SAN DIEGO, CA - FIT Athletic will open its fourth San Diego-based gym in Mission Beach. Occupying 50,000 square feet of oceanfront property in the southern tip of Belmont Park Fit’s state-of-the-art facility offers members an unrivaled resort-like experience, on-the-sand fitness, spa-like locker rooms, cutting-edge fitness equipment, group fitness classes with ocean views with the option to have the floor to ceiling windows open for classes, amazing views from all areas of the club, ocean breezes and a private beach with lounge chairs and food service hosted by the Beach House. Read More...
Club OS Named Exclusive Club Management System for Nearly 3,000 Anytime Fitness Franchises in the US and Canada
Posted: July 31, 2019 in Suppliers
PHILADELPHIA, PA and WOODBURY, MN - Anytime Fitness, one of the fastest-growing gym franchises in the world, has announced Club OS as the exclusive prospect and training management software vendor for its franchise locations in the United States and Canada. Club OS has worked with Anytime Fitness since 2014, emerging as the preferred club management vendor. Read More...
Anytime Fitness Flexes Franchise Development Plans in Kentucky
Posted: July 30, 2019 in Chains
LEXINGTON, KY - Anytime Fitness, one of the world's fastest-growing fitness franchises, has announced plans to introduce 40 new gyms in targeted areas throughout Kentucky with a specific focus in Lexington and the southern region of the state. The community-focused brand will ramp up growth through strategic franchise partnerships and aims to open the new locations within the next three years. Read More...
Brenda Horton Joins Power Wellness as Director of Human Resources and Benefits
Posted: July 30, 2019 in Suppliers
LOMBARD, IL - Brenda Horton joins Power Wellness as its Director of Human Resources and Benefits at the home office in Lombard, Illinois. She comes with over 20 years of a collective body of human resources experience. Read More...
PTR Mourns the Loss of Dennis Van der Meer
Posted: July 28, 2019 in Other News
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) is sad to inform the tennis world of the passing of its Founder, former Chairman and President, Dennis Van der Meer. After a lengthy illness, Van der Meer passed quietly with his loving wife, Pat, by his side. He was 86. Indeed, Van der Meer dedicated his life to tennis, more importantly to coaching. He was the teacher among teachers, constantly seeking information on biomechanics, methodology and techniques. As an innovator in the field of tennis education, Van der Meer believed in sharing knowledge. During the early stages of PTR, known then as USPTR, Van der Meer found that only limited educational materials existed for tennis teaching professionals. So, he set about to provide a series of handbooks and manuals by assembling the finest educators to write on their areas of expertise. Read More...
VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa Opens First Greater Sacramento Area Club in Roseville
Posted: July 26, 2019 in Chains
ROSEVILLE, CA - VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa has announced the official opening of its first Greater Sacramento area resort-style athletic club in Roseville. The new facility has created more than 250 full- and part-time jobs in Placer County and is the second California location for the family-owned business. Read More...
NSCA Releases Position Statement on Resistance Training for Older Adults
Posted: July 25, 2019 in Suppliers
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recently released a first-of-its-kind position statement that addresses resistance training for older adults. The benefits of resistance training are almost overwhelming, however, too few older adults participate in resistance training, largely because of fear, confusion and lack of consensus to guide implementation. It is the hope that this position statement may have a positive impact addressing these issues and on empowering healthier aging. Read More...
