Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Planet Fitness Sponsors New CBS Primetime Show “Million Dollar Mile” Debuting This Spring
Posted: March 12, 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., announced its sponsorship of the new physical competition series MILLION DOLLAR MILE as The Official Workout Partner, premiering March 27 at 9:00 PM EST on CBS. The show is brought to viewers by the executive producers of BIG BROTHER and SpringHill Entertainment along with Lee Metzger serving as Executive Producer and showrunner. Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow hosts with Matt “Money” Smith and ESPN reporter Maria Taylor acting as show commentators. Read More...
Gold’s Gym Recognized as Industry Leader During 2019 IFA Convention
Posted: March 12, 2019 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - Gold's Gym, a trusted fitness authority, is the winner of this year's Global Franchise Award for Best Fitness Franchise, marking the second consecutive year the brand has been recognized as the overall winner of this award in its category. Craig Sherwood, Gold's Gym Senior Vice President of Franchise and Licensing, accepted the award on behalf of the brand during the 2019 International Franchise Association ("IFA") Convention, which was held February 24 - 27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read More...
ABC Financial and Club Access Systems Announce Vendor Partnership
Posted: March 11, 2019 in Suppliers
LITTLE ROCK, AR - ABC Financial (ABC), a leading software and payment processing provider to the health and fitness industry, announced their preferred partnership with Club Access Systems, provider of innovative hardware and software door access solutions. Read More...
Orangetheory Fitness and American Heart Association Come Together to Rally Around Cardiovascular Health
Posted: March 11, 2019 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - To live a healthier, longer and more active life. That's something Orangetheory Fitness has in common with the American Heart Association, whose mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, heathier lives. It also serves as the impetus for the fitness brand's involvement in awareness and fundraising efforts during American Heart Month in February. Read More...
Daxko Acquires GroupEx PRO to Bring Streamlined, Integrated Group Fitness Program Management to a Growing Number of Health and Wellness Centers
Posted: March 8, 2019 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko announced that it has acquired GroupEx PRO, a privately held best of breed, web-based group exercise management portal utilized by group fitness departments across the country. The addition of GroupEx PRO enhances Daxko's offerings of membership management platforms powering more than 10,000 health and wellness facilities worldwide. Read More...
Life Time Gainesville Announces Grand Opening
Posted: March 8, 2019 in Chains
GAINESVILLE, VA - Life Time is set to transform the healthy living landscape in Prince William County, Virginia with the opening of Life Time Gainesville. A special grand opening celebration to showcase the athletic lifestyle resort's spaces, programs and team members was held on Thursday, March 7 with tours, class demonstrations, food sampling and kids' entertainment. The club will opened to all members on Friday, March 8. The new destination has created nearly 270 new positions to serve members in a variety of full and part-time roles. More jobs will be created when the outdoor aquatic center opens in the late spring. Read More...
Ladder Taps Commercial Fitness Industry Veterans to Propel New Growth
Posted: March 6, 2019 in Suppliers
AUSTIN, TX - Ladder, a digital marketplace for health and wellness coaching, announced that it has established a Fitness Advisory Board comprised of six leaders within the commercial fitness space. The new Fitness Advisory Board will offer strategy and guidance as the company looks to drive change within health clubs. Rick Caro will serve as chairman for the group, which also includes Rick Beusman, Joe Cirulli, Mel Kleist, Tim Rhode and Rodney Steven. All six members bring decades of experience in health club ownership and leadership, and have served as strategic advisors for other organizations within the fitness industry. Read More...
EXOS Athletes Shine at 2019 NFL Combine
Posted: March 6, 2019 in Chains
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - EXOS athletes wrapped up another successful NFL combine. After eight weeks of preparation and hard work, they demonstrated their strength, power and speed at this year’s events. Between 103 athletes, they secured 22 position No.1 performances, set five position records (three of them tied) and had four overall No. 1 performances. Read More...
In-Shape Health Clubs Hires Ralph Rajs
Posted: March 5, 2019 in Chains
STOCKTON, CA - In-Shape Health Clubs, California’s top community destination for health and fitness, announced a new Vice President of Fitness Innovation and Programming, Ralph Rajs, as part of its focus on creating the best fitness experience for members. An accomplished senior executive, with demonstrated success across the health club and hotel industries, Mr. Rajs brings over 20 years of experience in fitness and multi-club management. Read More...
Planet Fitness Announces Development Partnership With Kohl’s
Posted: March 5, 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., together with Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) announced a strategic collaboration to initially open up to 10 Planet Fitness stores adjacent to select Kohl's stores across the country in 2019 with the opportunity for additional locations in the future. Planet Fitness will leverage approximately 20,000 – 25,000 square feet adjacent to each of the select Kohl's stores in various markets throughout the country. Read More...
Nasser Obeid Named President of Johnson Health Tech Canada; Hany Abu Omar Named Managing Director of JHT UAE
Posted: March 5, 2019 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Johnson Health Tech (JHT) has named Mr. Nasser Obeid President of JHT-Canada (JHT-CA). A seasoned industry veteran and Canadian citizen with 17 years of experience in fitness sales, marketing, and management, Obeid will oversee all operations of the Montreal-based JHT-CA, including sales, service and operations of both the home-use and commercial businesses. Additionally, Hany Abu Omar has been named Obeid’s successor as Managing Director of JHT’s office in the Middle East. Read More...
FlexIt, Pay As You Go Gym App, Announces Availability in Arizona and Partnerships with Mountainside Fitness and Youfit Health Clubs
Posted: March 4, 2019 in Suppliers
PHOENIX, AZ - FlexIt, the mobile solution that allows users to only pay for the gym time they use, announces the introduction of its app in Phoenix and surrounding cities including Scottsdale, Glendale, Mesa and Chandler. The app, currently live in eight markets across the country, is now available in the greater Phoenix area at Mountainside Fitness and Youfit Health Clubs, giving FlexIt users access to gyms at affordable, pay-per-minute rates. Read More...
St. Jude, Life Time to Host Nationwide Ride for a Reason on Saturday, March 9
Posted: February 28, 2019 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - The fourth annual Ride for a Reason will take place on Saturday, March 9 in more than 115 Life Time destinations across the country. The indoor cycling event, open to both members and nonmembers of Life Time, will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Life Time Foundation. Since its inception, Ride for a Reason has raised $2.5 million. Last year alone, more than 7,000 participants and 1,000 teams surpassed a fundraising goal of $1 million. Every dollar raised supports St. Jude and Life Time Foundation. Read More...
PTR & Universal Tennis Launch New Benefits Exclusively For PTR Members
Posted: February 28, 2019 in Suppliers
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and Universal Tennis announced exciting new offerings for all PTR member professionals at the 2019 PTR International Tennis Symposium to drive engagement and revenue in PTR Clubs in the United States. The new offering will give PTR coaches access to Universal Tennis’ industry-leading tools and technology, including its Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) Powered by Oracle global rating system and the UTR engagement platform. Read More...
USTA Foundation Surpasses $40 Million in Total Funding
Posted: February 27, 2019 in Suppliers
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - The USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association, announced that it has surpassed $40 million in total giving to tennis and education programs and under-resourced youth since its inception, with over $40.2 million distributed. In 2018, the USTA Foundation awarded more than $6.6 million in support of its key programs and initiatives under its structure. Read More...
Daxko Wins Silver in Fourth Consecutive Stevie Award for Exceptional Customer Service
Posted: February 27, 2019 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko was presented with a Silver Stevie Award in the Customer Service Department of the Year category in the 13th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world's top honors for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals. Read More...
Codelocks Inc. Forms Strategic Sales Partnerships
Posted: February 27, 2019 in Suppliers
IRVINE, CA - Leaders in digital lock innovation, Codelocks Inc. announces three new sales partnerships to support its continued growth in North America. Representatives from D.M.B Sales Associates, Murray Architectural Group and the Stewart Walker Agency will join Codelocks Inc’s sales teams to help increase the accessibility of its products to its commercial and domestic users across America. Read More...
Four Audiences Your Club Should Be Targeting
Posted: February 26, 2019 in Suppliers
ALPHARETTA, GA - There are many reasons why targeted display ads (TDAs) are a necessary part of your marketing mix, but one of the main reasons is the targeting capabilities. Once you’ve decided to incorporate TDAs into your marketing, it’s important to make sure you are targeting the right people. Our goal is not to simply help you reach as many people as possible, but to reach the ones most likely to join your gym. We’ll guide you through the endless possibilities of people you can target to make sure you choose the ones that are best for your club! Read More...
Retro Fitness Continues to Expand in East Coast States
Posted: February 25, 2019 in Chains
COLTS NECK, N.J. - Retro Fitness, a national high-value, low-price fitness franchise, announced it has added two new franchisees totaling four new franchise agreements with local entrepreneurs Joe and Shawna Liotine for Tampa, FL and Jim Sparling for Central, NJ. Fitness enthusiasts in New Jersey and Florida should expect to see Retro Fitness join their communities in 2019. Read More...
ABC Financial and Jim Thomas Consulting Announce Vendor Relationship
Posted: February 22, 2019 in Suppliers
LITTLE ROCK, AR - ABC Financial (ABC), a leading software and payment processing provider to the health and fitness industry, announced their preferred partnership with Jim Thomas, the Founder and President of Fitness Management USA, Inc., a management consulting, turnaround and outsourced CEO/COO firm specializing in the fitness and health club industry. Read More...
