Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Blink Fitness Opens its Newest Locations in Bronx, N.Y. and Nutley, N.J.
Posted: October 19, 2018 in Chains
BRONX, N.Y. - Blink Fitness, the premium-quality, value gym, is excited to announce the grand opening of its 72nd location, in East Tremont. As a part of the Grand Opening celebration, Blink Fitness will donate 50 one-year memberships, worth over $10,000, to Children's Aid, an organization dedicated to helping children in poverty succeed and thrive by providing comprehensive supports to children, youth and their families. Blink Fitness also announced the grand opening of its 73rd location, in New Jersey. As a part of the Grand Opening celebration, Blink Fitness will donate 50 one-year membership, worth over $10,000, to The Phoenix Center, an organization dedicated to working in partnership with families and communities to develop the potential of each student with significant developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum ages five through 21 and to provide customizes, unique and individualized programs aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). Read More...
USPTA Offers Equivalency Pathway for Current and Former PTR Members
Posted: October 19, 2018 in Suppliers
LAKE NONA, FL - The United States Professional Tennis Association Board of Directors has approved an equivalency pathway to membership for current and former certified Professional Tennis Registry Members. The program, which will run through 2019, allows PTR certified tennis professionals an expediated process that will consider their current and former certified membership status. Read More...
American College of Sports Medicine, U.S. Center for SafeSport Partner to End Abuse in Sports
Posted: October 16, 2018 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the U.S. Center for SafeSport (the Center) announced a formal partnership that will allow the two organizations to leverage their strengths and address the growing issue of abuse among athletes. The U.S. Center for SafeSport is the first and only national organization of its kind focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport through prevention, education and accountability. Read More...
Planet Fitness Partners With PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center To Spread Kindness And Address Bullying As Part Of Judgement Free Generation Initiative
Posted: October 11, 2018 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - As part of its continued commitment to preventing bullying and promoting kindness among today's youth, Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S., has teamed up with PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, the nation's leading nonprofit bullying prevention organization, to introduce "Bullying Prevention 101" and help schools build environments defined by kindness, acceptance and inclusion. This new, free-to-download educational resource is designed to equip teachers, counselors and other educators with tools to empower students to prevent bullying and stand up for kindness during National Bullying Prevention Month (October) and beyond. Read More...
Life Time Transforming Retail Landscape with First, Shopping Center-Based Athletic Lifestyle Resort
Posted: October 11, 2018 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - When Life Time Athletic Oklahoma City opens its doors at Quail Springs Mall, the former Macy's site will become the first of many Life Time athletic lifestyle resorts at regional shopping centers across the country, changing the retail landscape for years to come. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Locations in Norman, Oklahoma and Clifton, New Jersey
Posted: October 10, 2018 in Chains
NORMAN, OK and CLIFTON, N.J. - Crunch Franchise announced the opening of a new 24-hour club with state-of-the art equipment and amenities in Norman, Oklahoma. The expansive new club is expected to open in December 2018. Crunch Franchise also announced the opening of an 18,000 square-foot gym with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Clifton, New Jersey. The modern, expansive club is expected to open in January 2019. Read More...
Life Fitness Launches Beta Media Offering
Posted: October 10, 2018 in Suppliers
ROSEMONT, IL - Life Fitness, a global leader in commercial fitness equipment, announced the beta introduction of Halo Media, a new addition to the Halo digital ecosystem. This new solution will leverage its large installed base of cardio equipment to efficiently deliver various forms of innovative content. The first beta offering is Halo Media-Sponsored Content. This offering, which creates an entirely new business model for fitness facilities, turns compatible connected Life Fitness cardio equipment into sources of additional revenue by displaying customized sponsored content to exercisers during their workouts. Read More...
Kettlebell Kitchen Closes Series B Investment Led by North Castle Partners
Posted: October 9, 2018 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. and GREENWICH, CT - North Castle Partners and Kettlebell Kitchen jointly announce that Kettlebell Kitchen has closed on a $26.7M Series B growth equity round of financing led by North Castle, a leading private equity firm focused on consumer businesses that promote healthy, active and sustainable living. Kettlebell Kitchen is a nationwide provider of healthy prepared meals and custom meal plans designed to assist consumers in achieving their fitness, nutrition, sports performance and weight loss goals. Read More...
IHRSA Introduces Mobile App for Passport Program
Posted: October 4, 2018 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The IHRSA Passport Program is getting a mobile makeover with the launch of a new app in 2019. The user-friendly app will allow gyms and gym-goers to conveniently access the program on any mobile device. IHRSA has chosen TrainAway, based in Copenhagen, to digitalize the IHRSA Passport Program, capitalizing on the company’s innovative technology and user interface to give members of participating IHRSA facilities access to a worldwide network of health clubs when they travel. In 2018, more than 1,500 health clubs worldwide participated in the IHRSA Passport Program. Read More...
ACSM, EXOS Announce Partnership to Enhance Fitness Industry
Posted: October 4, 2018 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) continued its aggressive partnership expansion strategy by announcing a new agreement with EXOS, a leader in workplace wellness and human performance for more than two decades. The agreement makes EXOS an official ACSM corporate partner and provides substantial benefits in the form of professional development and high-level job placement opportunities for ACSM certified professionals with one of the most innovative fitness organizations in the country. Read More...
Equinox Launches Bespoke Travel Experiences
Posted: October 4, 2018 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Equinox, the high performance lifestyle leader, announced its further move into the lifestyle space with the unveiling of Bespoke Luxury Travel Experiences, featuring domestic and international multi-day journeys. The offering, which will launch in April 2019 with a summit-chasing adventure in Morocco, comes as Equinox expands its global brand beyond luxury fitness clubs and into hospitality with the opening of Equinox Hotels in Spring 2019. Read More...
Puppies Go for a Swim at HealthQuest for Charity
Posted: October 4, 2018 in Independents
FLEMINGTON, N.J. - HealthQuest hosted a Pool “Pawty” at the club’s Swim Club on Saturday, September 30th in support of the charity, Puppies Behind Bars. Over fifty dogs of many different breeds enjoyed a swim in the pool and company of one another during this afternoon event. It’s the first time HealthQuest hosted an outdoor swim for dogs, and it marked a successful close to the Swim Club season. Each dog in attendance also went home with a special goodie bag generously donated by Barkley’s Gourmet Marketplace on Main Street in Flemington, NJ. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its First Location in Kansas
Posted: October 3, 2018 in Chains
LAWRENCE, KS - Crunch Franchise announced the opening of a 24-hour gym with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities in Lawrence, Kansas. The expansive new club is expected to open in December 2018. In early November, a one-day "Cyber Sale" will enable new members to join Crunch Lawrence for rates starting at $9.95 per month. The first 500 members will receive a free t-shirt, discounts on small group and personal training and more. Read More...
Orangetheory Unveils New Technology Enhancements
Posted: October 3, 2018 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - A unique trifecta of science, coaching and technology has positioned Orangetheory Fitness as a global leader in innovative heart rate-based interval training. Orangetheory now announces new technology advancements, including a new wearable heart-rate monitor and proprietary equipment enhancements. Through this game-changing technology, Orangetheory advances its mission by giving members even better tools to capture performance data, measure their overall workout results and set new goals. Read More...
Important Information and Insights Needed from You, Our Esteemed Club Insider Readers!
Posted: October 2, 2018 in Suppliers
DALLAS, TX - ClubIntel, along with its 18 global partners, Club Insider being one, are actively promoting U.S. operator participation in ClubIntel’s 2018 International Fitness Industry Trend Study. W. Edwards Deming said, “Without data you’re just another person with an opinion.” Our collective goal with this study is to bring hard data to light regarding the global trends in the fitness industry in 2018 and how they have morphed since the study began in 2015. Halfway through the study there are approximately 1,200 responses, with U.S. responses presently trailing the input from numerous other nations. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Its Newest Location in Norman, Oklahoma
Posted: October 2, 2018 in Chains
NORMAN, OK - Crunch Franchise announced the opening of a new 24-hour club with state-of-the art equipment and amenities in Norman, Oklahoma. The expansive new club is expected to open in December 2018. In early November, a one-day "Cyber Sale" will enable new members to join Crunch Norman for rates starting at $9.95 per month. The first 500 members will receive a free t-shirt, discounts on small group and personal training and more. Read More...
New U.S. Report Card Reveals Near-Failing Grade for Physical Activity in Children, Youth
Posted: October 2, 2018 in Suppliers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance (NPAPA) released its 2018 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. This is the third comprehensive assessment of physical activity in U.S. children and youth, updating the first report card released in 2014 and the second released in 2016. While the overall physical activity grade for children and youth remained low at D-, the 2018 report card revealed positive signs, especially related to opportunities and infrastructure that supports physical activity in children and youth. The Report Card includes grades for nine specific indicators, individual state data and recommendations for how grades can be improved. Read More...
ACE Calls for More Collaboration Between Community Leaders, Exercise Professionals and Health Coaches to Improve Grades on Youth Physical Activity
Posted: October 2, 2018 in Suppliers
SAN DIEGO, CA - The American Council on Exercise (ACE) issued the following statement upon release of the 2018 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. The biennial report by the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance, with support from ACE and other organizations, issues grades for nine physical activity indicators. The 2018 overall grade was a D-, the same as the two previous report cards. One of the most disappointing findings of the report card is that approximately only 24% of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Read More...
Octane Fitness Fuels Exercisers with Updated Workout App
Posted: October 2, 2018 in Suppliers
VANCOUVER, WA - Dedicated to fueling lives worldwide with innovative exercise equipment and programming, Octane Fitness, a Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE: NLS) brand, is launching a free, updated version of its popular workout app, which is now available at the App Store for iOS devices. The new Octane Fitness app works with the Octane Q47xi, Q37xi, xR6xi, ZR8 and ZR7 home equipment models. Read More...
Anytime Fitness Celebrates One Billion Gym Visits
Posted: October 2, 2018 in Chains
WOODBURY, MN - For the 1 billionth time, someone waved a key fob in front of a scanner and then entered an Anytime Fitness gym to work out. Of course, most Anytime Fitness members go to the gyms to improve their health and fitness, but during the 16 years since the world's largest fitness franchise was founded, much more has happened at the gyms than merely cardio exercises and weight training. Here are a few examples... Read More...
