Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Friday, September 26th, 2025
The Industry’s Best Friend, “Uncle” Rick Caro Passes Away
Posted: September 2, 2025 in Other News
Founder’s Note: On Sunday, August 31, 2025, I received the extremely SAD and incredibly BAD news that RICK CARO, my friend of 50+ years, and a Co-Founder of IRSA (then IHRSA and now HFA) with me and five others, has passed away. For many years now, Justin and I have called him “UNCLE” RICK. And, I’ve always referred to Rick as our Industry’s Best Friend...
Publisher’s Note: In preparation for our September 2025 Edition of Club Insider, which will be produced in memory of “Uncle” Rick Caro, we invite you to share a comment about his passing. Whether it is a well wish, a funny story, a lesson learned, it would be our honor to share it with our readers and lock it into the history of our industry for all time. Please email Justin Cates at Justin@clubinsideronline.com. Read More...
Statement from the Health & Fitness Association on the Passing of Rick Caro
Posted: September 1, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - It is with profound sadness that the Health & Fitness Association shares the news of the passing of Rick Caro, a true pioneer of our industry and one of our association’s founding leaders. Rick passed away on August 30, after spending the day at the United States Open Tennis Championship enjoying a game he loved. Read More...
Crunch Franchisee CR Fitness Holdings Launches Massive 1.6 Million Session Personal Training Giveaway
Posted: August 31, 2025 in Chains
TAMPA BAY, FL - CR Fitness Holdings, the leading and fastest growing Crunch Fitness franchisee, is paving the way and made history with its signature TRAINing Day on August 30th, giving away 1.6 MILLION personal training sessions across its 86 clubs in five states. CR Fitness Holdings, LLC is operated by Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Tony Scrimale and Jeff Dotson, who combined have more than 150 years of experience in the fitness industry. The franchisee has plans to reach 100 clubs by 2026. Read More...
Gold’s Gym Inks Development Deal for 60 Locations in Brazil
Posted: August 28, 2025 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - Gold's Gym, the iconic global fitness brand, has signed a master franchise agreement to open 60 locations in Brazil within the next ten years. A Gold's Gym Brazil flagship location is slated to open in 2026, with other initial openings in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. The franchisee group is led by Dan Chor, a fitness industry veteran and co-founder of BodyTech. Read More...
Pickleball Kingdom Accelerates New Jersey Expansion with Old Bridge Location
Posted: August 27, 2025 in Chains
OLD BRIDGE, N.J. - Pickleball Kingdom, the world's largest indoor pickleball entity, announces its continued expansion in New Jersey with a new facility planned for Old Bridge. With its Hamilton club already open, new locations slated for Watchung and Tinton Falls this winter, and another site under consideration in South Brunswick, the brand continues to accelerate its growth across New Jersey. Read More...
Pvolve Surges Past Mid-Year Milestones with Nearly 30 Studios Open, Five New Leases Signed
Posted: August 27, 2025 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Pvolve, the clinically-backed functional fitness franchise that strengthens, stabilizes and mobilizes your body, is celebrating remarkable growth as summer comes to a close. The brand now boasts nearly 30 open and operating studios and expects to reach 40 total locations by the end of 2025. Read More...
JETSET Pilates Sets Sights on Chicagoland as Next Hot Market for Franchise Growth
Posted: August 27, 2025 in Chains
MIAMI, FL - JETSET Pilates, a fast-growing modern Reformer Pilates franchise offering premium, full-body workouts, is ramping up its Chicagoland expansion with two initial locations confirmed in Naperville and Winnetka, and plans to strategically open 10 – 12 studios across the region over the next several years. Read More...
ABC Fitness Deepens Commitment to EMEA Fitness Market with New Commercial Director Appointment
Posted: August 27, 2025 in Suppliers
DALLAS, TX - ABC Fitness, a leading global provider of fitness business technology, announces the appointment of Dave Alstead as Commercial Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). In this newly created role, Alstead will accelerate commercial growth, deepen customer engagements and drive the expansion of ABC Fitness’s platform solutions across the region. Read More...
USTA Names Outstanding Facility Award Winners
Posted: August 27, 2025 in Suppliers
FLUSHING, N.Y. - The USTA announces that Princeton University was named the Featured Facility of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by the USTA on a tennis facility. Princeton was one of 45 winners of the USTA’s annual Outstanding Facility Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country. Read More...
VASA Fitness Doubles Down on Strength and Performance with STUDIO LFT Expansion
Posted: August 26, 2025 in Chains
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO - VASA Fitness, one of the nation's leading high-value, low-price fitness club operators, is rapidly expanding its signature strength-training program, STUDIO LFT. By the end of 2025, STUDIO LFT will be available in 11 Colorado clubs, with six existing locations adding the specialized studio. Five new VASA clubs opening through December in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana will also feature STUDIO LFT. Read More...
The Thoreau Club Becomes Exclusive New England Partner of the Prestigious Mouratoglou Tennis Center
Posted: August 26, 2025 in Independents
CONCORD, MA - The Thoreau Club announces an exclusive partnership to bring the world-renowned Mouratoglou Tennis Center to the Greater Boston area, the first and only location of its kind in New England. This landmark collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting new era of innovation and excellence in high-performance tennis at The Thoreau Club. Read More...
Life Time Redefines the Office with More Than 55 New In-Club Work Lounges Nationwide
Posted: August 25, 2025 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - As professionals and students continue to seek optimal efficiency and productivity around the clock, Life Time (NYSE: LTH), announces the completion of its 55th dedicated Work Lounge space, with more than 30 in progress across the U.S to be added into next year. By repurposing space within existing clubs, members now have yet another way to be supported in how they blend productivity, wellness, community all under one roof. Read More...
Daxko and DXFactor Partner to Deliver Outcomes Driven by AI Automation Across the Fitness Industry
Posted: August 21, 2025 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL / MCLEAN, VA - Daxko, a leading software and integrated payments provider in the health and wellness industry, and DXFactor, builder of revenue machines and creator of the fitness and wellness industry’s only Outcomes Micro Agents Platform (OMAP) announce product integrations that bring outcomes-driven AI solutions, including Click2Save and a suite of intelligent agents from OMAP. Read More...
ACSM, NCSF Partner to Expand Educational Access for Exercise Professionals
Posted: August 18, 2025 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) announce a strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to high-quality education for exercise professionals. Through this collaboration, ACSM will begin offering NCSF-developed continuing education programs to its certified professionals that will expand their learning and career advancement opportunities. Read More...
ABC Fitness Launches Click2Save, a Powerful Member Retention Tool for Fitness Operators, Powered by DXFactor
Posted: August 15, 2025 in Suppliers
DALLAS, TX - ABC Fitness, a leading technology provider for fitness businesses worldwide, announces the launch of Click2Save, a purpose-built member retention tool, allowing clubs and studios to proactively engage at-risk members with personalized offers and options to stay. Click2Save, which is powered by DXFactor’s Outcomes Micro Agents Platform, delivers a seamless, customizable and compliant way to retain members, reinforcing ABC Fitness’ ongoing investment in tools that support business growth. Read More...
Crunch Fitness Joins the 2025 Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Posted: August 13, 2025 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Inc., a leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping the future, announces that Crunch Fitness is named on the annual Inc. 5000 list, one of the most prestigious rankings of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list provides a data-driven snapshot of the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle and Patagonia. Read More...
Fitness International Launches A New Initiative to Support Reestablishment of the Presidential Fitness Test
Posted: August 13, 2025 in Chains
IRVINE, CA - Fitness International, LLC, one of the nation's leading health club companies with hundreds of locations nationwide, today announced its strong support of the President's ongoing effort to promote youth health and fitness and reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test. To help with this mission, Fitness International will offer high school students, in collaboration with local high schools, complimentary after-school access to their nearby LA Fitness and City Sports Club locations. This will begin this fall. Read More...
Giant Ideas, LLC Acquires Mayweather Boxing + Fitness and KickHouse, Reshaping the Future of Boutique Fitness
Posted: August 13, 2025 in Chains
LEHI, UT - In a bold move that redefines the boutique fitness category, Giant Ideas, LLC has acquired Mayweather Boxing + Fitness and KickHouse, combining them with its flagship brand Legends Boxing to form the largest skill-based fitness network in the industry. Read More...
USTA Ignites a Coaching Evolution With Launch of USTA Coaching
Posted: August 13, 2025 in Suppliers
ORLANDO, FL - The United States Tennis Association (USTA) officially launches USTA Coaching, Inc., a new entity established to elevate and support the coaching community nationwide. USTA Coaching offers a comprehensive, inclusive and scalable solution to support every type of coach, from parents looking to introduce tennis to their children to full-time professionals. Read More...
ABC Fitness Launches ABC Trainerize Business to Simplify Business Management, Bookings and Payments for Trainers
Posted: August 12, 2025 in Suppliers
DALLAS, TX - ABC Fitness, a leading technology provider for the fitness industry, announces the launch of ABC Trainerize Business, a powerful first-of-its-kind add-on that combines business management, appointment booking, payments, client referrals and on-demand coaching into one seamless platform. Designed for fitness coaches, personal trainers, and studios, ABC Trainerize Business allows clients to book, buy and train all from one app, empowering fitness professionals to manage both their clients and their business easily from a single platform. Read More...
