Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Monday, August 10th, 2026
IHRSA’s 40th Annual International Convention & Trade Show Goes Hybrid
Posted: September 8, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - In light of the challenging travel restrictions for many and the health and fitness industry’s important worldwide community, the 40th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) will offer a rich and robust in-person and virtual program. As many other associations, and even IHRSA member clubs, have pivoted to offer in-person and virtual options, the IHRSA 2021 hybrid program has been in the works for some time. This program will allow global attendees and partners, wherever they may be, to participate and connect in celebrating the industry’s revival. Read More...
Planet Fitness To Celebrate Grand Opening Of New “Judgement Free” Club In Elizabethton, Tennessee
Posted: September 8, 2021 in Chains
ELIZABETHTON, TN - Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, has announced the grand opening for its new club in Elizabethton on Wednesday, September 15. The grand opening will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:00 PM with the Planet Fitness team, representatives from the Elizabethton Carter County Chamber of Commerce and local officials. The new club offers state of the art cardio machines and strength equipment, 30-Minute Express Circuit, numerous flat screen televisions, fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers and more. Read More...
Mindbody Recognizes WellBiz Brands, Inc. with 2021 Industry Icon Award
Posted: September 8, 2021 in Suppliers
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Mindbody, a leading experience technology platform for the wellness industry, announced that the company has awarded WellBiz Brands, Inc. ("WellBiz Brands") with the 2021 Industry Icon Award. The award, presented annually at Mindbody's BOLD conference, is given to an enterprise customer that has differentiated themselves from other businesses and made a profound, lasting impact on the wellness industry. Read More...
Five Reasons to Attend the Club Industry Executive Summit
Posted: September 7, 2021 in Suppliers
Register today for the Club Industry Executive Summit, scheduled for November 8 - 10, 2021, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The Club Industry Executive Summit is an in-person conference focused on what’s most important: Building a strong business. Register with promo code LABOR21* and receive $50 off the lowest rate of $475! Here's five reasons to attend the Club Industry Executive Summit... Read More...
World Gym International Hires Expert Franchise Marketer Adam Kirschman to Grow Revenue for Franchisees
Posted: September 7, 2021 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - World Gym International, an iconic global fitness brand, has named Adam Kirschman as its Vice President of Marketing. As World Gym’s Vice President of Marketing, Adam will lead World Gym’s marketing and creative teams while driving revenue growth for the franchise network and supporting the franchise development team in recruiting new franchisees. Read More...
Life Fitness Hires Matt Smith as New Vice President of Marketing
Posted: September 7, 2021 in Suppliers
FRANKLIN PARK, IL - In its continued effort to deliver world class exercise experiences to fitness facilities and exercisers worldwide, Life Fitness has hired Matt Smith to the position of Vice President, Marketing. In his new role, Smith will be responsible for leading the company’s global marketing strategy and will join the Life Fitness executive leadership team. Read More...
47 Representatives Urge Speaker Pelosi to Provide Relief for Gyms
Posted: September 3, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - On September 2, 2021, Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL), the lead GYMS Act sponsor and champion in the House of Representatives, along with 46 other Democrats in the House, sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi urging her to include relief for gyms in the upcoming reconciliation bill. This letter will not only get the attention of the leadership it is directed to, it provides an opportunity to generate press coverage on must-read publications in D.C. Read More...
Planet Fitness Names Publicis Groupe as New Agency of Record
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, announced it has selected a newly formed unit within Publicis Groupe, a global communications leader and the number one media buyer in the U.S., as its new agency of record following a strategic competitive review. Read More...
Retro Fitness Launches Join Now Media Agency
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Chains
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Retro Fitness, a leader in high-value, low-price fitness, announced the launch of Join Now Media – Where Leads Become Joins, an in-house marketing agency created to support franchisees in their marketing efforts across America. The agency was created to reduce costs coming out of the pandemic and empower franchisees with in-depth knowledge of marketing, analytics and results. Read More...
Empire Portfolio Group Acquires 10 Orangetheory Fitness Studios Plus Area Development Rights in Charlotte, North Carolina and Regions of South Carolina
Posted: September 1, 2021 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Empire Portfolio Group ("Empire"), a leading Area Developer and Franchisee of Orangetheory Fitness, the heart-rate based interval training fitness franchise, announced it has acquired ten studios and the area development rights in Charlotte, including parts of North Carolina and South Carolina. The sellers include Jay Thomas and Doug Birer. Read More...
