Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Saturday, August 17th, 2019
ABC Financial Announces New CEO and Expanded Leadership Team
Posted: July 18, 2019 in Suppliers
LITTLE ROCK, AR - ABC Financial Services, LLC (ABC), a leading provider of technology and related financial services for the health and fitness club industry, has announced a series of leadership appointments designed to strengthen its long-term market positioning, including naming current President, Bill Davis, as CEO. Davis will also continue to serve as President and will serve on ABC's Board of Managers. Davis replaces longtime CEO and industry veteran, Paul Schaller, who will move to the position of Vice Chairman of ABC's Board of Directors, where he will work closely with Davis and the expanded leadership team to execute on its strategic initiatives and support ABC's accelerated growth. Read More...
Larry Green to Receive 2019 Augie’s Quest Founder’s Award
Posted: July 17, 2019 in Other News
SANTA ANA, CA - Augie's Quest has announced that Larry Green, CEO of System Pavers, will be honored as the 2019 Augie's Quest Founder's Award recipient at the upcoming Augie's Quest 14th Annual Tradition of Hope Gala. This fall's fundraising event will be held at the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach, CA on October 11, 2019. This event's host will be comedian, actor, and best-selling author Jay Mohr. Read More...
Planet Fitness’ Annual National Scholarship Awards $150,000 to 30 Boys & Girls Club Youth For Their Commitment To Kindness and Inclusion
Posted: July 17, 2019 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc., home of the Judgement Free Zone and one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S., announced it has awarded 30 youth from Boys & Girls Clubs across the country with $5,000 individual scholarships. Unlike most scholarship programs, which reward youth for academics or athletic abilities, these were awarded based on each teen's inspiring efforts to create a kinder world for today's youth as part of the company's Judgement Free Generation initiative, which aims to prevent bullying and promote kindness everywhere. To celebrate the scholarship recipients, Planet Fitness joined Boys & Girls Clubs to host surprise graduation ceremonies throughout the country. Read More...
Gold’s Gym International Continues Long-Term Vision for Growth in the United Arab Emirates and Oman
Posted: July 16, 2019 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - Gold's Gym, one of the world's trusted fitness authorities, has announced that it has parted ways with former master franchisee Al Ahli Holding Group in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. As franchisor, Gold's Gym is currently working to support the continued operations of the affected sub-franchisee-owned and operated Gold's Gym locations in the UAE and Oman. In the meantime, operations of these 14 locations will continue under existing management. Read More...
TITLE Boxing Club Signs Landmark Franchise Deal for Mexico City
Posted: July 16, 2019 in Chains
OVERLAND PARK, KS - TITLE Boxing Club, one of the nation's leading boutique boxing fitness franchises with more than 190 open clubs across the United States and international locations in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, announced it has signed a record 25-unit franchise agreement for Mexico City with current franchisees Alan and Jack Sandoval. Read More...
EōS Fitness Donates Over $20,000 to Workout for Water
Posted: July 16, 2019 in Chains
SAN DIEGO, CA - EōS Fitness, a leader in the industry with its High-Value, Low-Price (HVLP) concept, announced it has raised over $20,000 in support of UNICEF's international fundraiser Workout for Water. The funds raised will support UNICEF's work to help thousands of children in East Africa gain access to clean, safe sustainable water. Read More...
Jackie Mendes Joins World Gym International as Director of Franchise Sales for North America
Posted: July 15, 2019 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - World Gym International, the iconic global brand for bodybuilding and seriously fun fitness, has hired fitness industry veteran, Jackie Mendes, as the Director of Franchise Sales for North America. Jackie’s hiring is the latest investment World Gym has made to strengthen its franchise efforts in North America. Read More...
PTR Launches New Level I Certification Pathway
Posted: July 15, 2019 in Suppliers
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) has announced the launch of an enhanced Level I certification pathway. This marks another major addition to PTR’s education pathway since the current highly-acclaimed Coach Education was drastically improved in 2009. Coaches can expect the same internationally recognized/externally accredited education while experiencing a more robust foundational framework for coaches. Read More...
American Council on Exercise Board of Directors Elects Scott Alarcón as Chair
Posted: July 12, 2019 in Suppliers
SAN DIEGO, CA - Scott Alarcón, Chief Executive Officer of Georgetown Health Foundation has been elected by the American Council on Exercise’s (ACE) Board of Directors as Chair of the Board. He will preside over the Board of Directors of the 501(c)(3) non-profit Board for one year. Read More...
North Castle Partners Invests in CR Fitness, a Leading Crunch Fitness Franchisee
Posted: July 11, 2019 in Chains
GREENWICH, CT - North Castle Partners has announced its new strategic partnership with CR Fitness, a leading franchisee group in the Crunch Fitness network in the Southeastern United States. As the original private equity firm focused on consumer businesses that promote Healthy, Active and Sustainable Living, North Castle has a long history of partnering with management teams in the fitness industry. The terms of the investment were not disclosed. Read More...
canfitpro 2019 will make you sweat on August 16 & 17
Posted: July 11, 2019 in Suppliers
TORONTO, CANADA - Come workout and sweat at Canada's largest fitness event, canfitpro 2019. The canfitpro 2019 trade show will be take place on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17, with this year's admission being completely free. Trade show passes are available in advance. As Canada's leader in fitness education, more speakers from the fitness industry around the world have been added to the trade show this year. canfitpro 2019 trade show now has a larger, more diverse agenda with over 65 inspiring sessions featuring prominent leaders and speakers; new experiential trade show zones highlight Group Fitness, Health & Nutrition, Power & Performance and Technology & Innovation. Read More...
Blink Fitness Appoints President of Franchising
Posted: July 10, 2019 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Blink Fitness, a premium-quality, value-based fitness concept, has appointed franchising industry veteran Thomas Flaherty as President of Franchising, a newly created position. In this role, Flaherty will oversee the entire franchise business, including directing the brand’s expansion across key markets in the United States and internationally. Founded in 2011, Blink currently has more than 100 locations open or in development and has plans for more than 300 company- and franchise-owned Blink gyms in the next three years. Read More...
USTA Foundation Receives $180K From Chase for 12 NJTL Chapters
Posted: July 10, 2019 in Suppliers
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), announced that for the sixth consecutive year, it has partnered with longtime U.S. Open sponsor Chase to award 12 National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters with a $15,000 grant each in support of year-round tennis and education programming through the A.C.E. (Academic Creative Engagement) curriculum, the Foundation’s signature academic initiative. Chase has awarded more than $750,000 to select NJTL chapters within its six-year partnership with the Foundation. Read More...
National Strength and Conditioning Association Celebrates the 2019 Annual Award Recipients
Posted: July 9, 2019 in Suppliers
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Health and fitness professionals from across the world will converge on the NSCA’s National Conference on July 10, 2019 in Washington, DC to discover cutting-edge research and practical applications in strength and conditioning, presented by the industry’s most elite and respected experts. One of the many exciting events that will be held during the conference is the Award Banquet where distinctive honors are given to several professionals for outstanding achievement. The NSCA is proud to announce this year’s award recipients... Read More...
Life Fitness Names Chris Clawson New Chief Executive Officer; Augie Nieto Joins Board of Directors
Posted: July 8, 2019 in Suppliers
ROSEMONT, IL - Life Fitness has announced the appointment of Chris Clawson as CEO. Clawson served as President of Life Fitness from 2010 to 2016, and most recently, he was Chairman of the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. He succeeds Jason Worthy, effective immediately. It was also announced that Augie Nieto, Founder of the modern-day Life Fitness company, will be a co-investor in the business and will be appointed to its Board of Directors. Read More...
Planet Fitness Humorously Explores “Joy” of At-Home Workouts With New Creative Campaign
Posted: July 8, 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 released a new creative campaign that humorously explores the perceived "joy" of working out at home. The new television and digital spots highlight what it's really like to work out at home, poking gentle fun at how the process might not be as glamorous as what's typically been portrayed in fitness commercials. The spots also aim to put the public's fears about finding a safe, convenient haven at the gym at ease and features people experiencing a wealth of trouble working out at home, whether due to a lack of dedicated exercise space or other distractions. Read More...
9Round Finalizes Master Franchise Agreement for Colombia and Panama
Posted: July 8, 2019 in Chains
GREENVILLE, S.C. - 9Round Franchising, LLC, recently finalized an agreement for future franchise development in the Latin American countries of Colombia and Panama. The master franchise agreement details plans to develop 36 new 9Round locations between the two countries over the course of the next six years. Read More...
SilverSneakers Announces National Inspiration Award Winner
Posted: July 8, 2019 in Suppliers
CHANDLER, AZ - SilverSneakers by Tivity Health, the nation's leading community fitness program for older Americans, announced the national winner of the 2019 SilverSneakers Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award. Greensboro, North Carolina resident Lonnie Cathey has been named the winner of the 15th annual award, which is presented to one member who has improved their life through a healthy lifestyle that incorporates fitness and social interaction, while helping others navigate their own fitness journeys. Read More...
ATA Martial Arts Celebrates 50th Anniversary During Worlds Event
Posted: July 5, 2019 in Other News
LITTLE ROCK, AR - The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes ATA Martial Arts, the world's largest organization dedicated to teaching martial arts to all ages. ATA Martial Arts is gearing up for its annual Worlds event July 8 to 14 in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. ATA estimates nearly 20,000 people, including visitors from most of the U.S. as well as South America, Africa, Australia, Europe and South Korea, will flock to Arkansas' capital. They will take part in specialized training and advanced competition when the organization celebrates 50 years of Taekwondo excellence during the global event. Read More...
Professional Pickleball Registry Collaborates on USAPA Youth Playbook for Pickleball
Posted: July 3, 2019 in Suppliers
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) is pleased to announce a collaboration with USAPA on its newly released Youth Pickleball Playbook. PPR provided the layout and design for USAPA Let’s Play Pickleball Playbook. The playbook is designed to help teachers, coaches, recreation leaders, afterschool staff and ambassadors implement pickleball in any recreational setting, including schools, parks, youth centers and racquet/paddle facilities. Read More...