Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Monday, January 12th, 2026
World Gym International Acquired by World Gym Taiwan, Largest Franchisee in the World Gym Network
Posted: October 29, 2024 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - World Gym International, the iconic global fitness brand, has been acquired by World Fitness Services, Ltd (“WFS”), the parent company of World Gym Taiwan, a publicly listed company (Taiwan Stock Exchange) and the largest franchisee in the World Gym network. WFS owns and operates 130 World Gym fitness centers in Taiwan, demonstrating its deep understanding of the brand and commitment to fitness excellence. Read More...
Crunch Partners with NBA Shooting Guard James Harden to Bring Three New State-of-the-Art Fitness Facilities to Texas
Posted: October 28, 2024 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Fitness announces the opening of three new state-of-the-art Crunch facilities in Texas, operated by Crunch franchisee Harman Fitness and in partnership with James Harden, star shooting guard for the LA Clippers. Opening in Winter 2025, Crunch Humble, Crunch Copperwood and Crunch Kirkwood will be located across the greater Houston area, creating new fitness offerings for residents of Humble, Copperwood and Westside Houston, Texas. Read More...
Equinox Appoints Matt Dunnigan as Chief Financial Officer and Gretchen Koback Pursel as Chief People Officer
Posted: October 28, 2024 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Equinox, an authority in high-performance luxury living, announces they are building on the momentum of Marc Mastronardi's recent appointment to President with the addition of two new members to their executive leadership team: Matt Dunnigan as Chief Financial Officer and Gretchen Koback Pursel as Chief People Officer. Read More...
The HFA Show 2025 Will Feature Xponential Fitness CEO Mark King as Keynoter
Posted: October 25, 2024 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) announces Xponential Fitness CEO, Mark King, has been named a keynoter at The HFA Show (formerly IHRSA), March 12 - 14, 2025, in Las Vegas. King will speak to transforming brands and an industry. Read More...
Augie’s Quest Raises $1.1 Million for ALS Research
Posted: October 23, 2024 in Other News
LAS VEGAS, NV - Thanks to the incredible support of the Tradition of Hope community, Augie’s Quest raised over $1.1 million on Friday night! Those donations empowered hope to the ALS community within the room and beyond. Founded by Augie Nieto, Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS is the unwavering force driving breakthroughs in ALS research, defying limitations, and empowering hope for a future without this devastating disease. Read More...
StretchLab Becomes First Assisted Stretching Franchise to Reach 500 Studios In North America
Posted: October 23, 2024 in Chains
IRVINE, CA - StretchLab, the largest assisted stretching brand, announces it has officially reached 500 open locations in the U.S. alongside celebrating its most recent opening of StretchLab Honolulu in Hawaii. Read More...
Exos is Powering Up in Plano
Posted: October 23, 2024 in Chains
PLANO, TX - Exos, a global leader in human performance development and coaching, is combining two exceptional facilities, just a few miles apart in North Texas, to offer clients the best access and convenience to top-tier amenities in one location in Plano. Read More...
RSPA Partners with Invited Clubs
Posted: October 23, 2024 in Suppliers
LAKE NONA, FL - The Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA), formerly the USPTA, announces a partnership with Invited, the largest owner and operator of private golf and country clubs and city clubs in North America. Read More...
USTA Reorganizes Player Development and Competitive Pathway at All Levels
Posted: October 23, 2024 in Suppliers
ORLANDO, FL - The USTA announces that it is reorganizing to better support players at all levels of their competitive pathway with Player Development, Pro Circuit, Team Events, Collegiate and Junior Competition teams now combined into a single cohesive department. Read More...
ACSM Announces Top Fitness Trends for 2025
Posted: October 22, 2024 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Technology applications in the fitness industry continue to build momentum as Wearable Technology, Mobile Exercise Apps and Data-Driven Training Technology all appear in the top 10 of the 2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends. The report was published by the American College of Sports Medicine in its November/December issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. Read More...
Planet Fitness Supports Local Communities with Annual ‘Flexing for Good’ Volunteer Initiative
Posted: October 22, 2024 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, recently held its annual 'Flexing for Good' volunteer initiative. 'Flexing for Good' invites Planet Fitness team members and franchisees to come together and volunteer to make a positive impact in local communities across the country. Read More...
Gold’s Gym Inks Development Agreement for 17 Locations in Toronto
Posted: October 21, 2024 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - Gold's Gym, the iconic global fitness brand, has signed a development rights agreement with a franchisee to open 17 locations in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTAH), with the first gym slated for a 2025 opening. The agreement will mark the return of the Gold's Gym brand to Ontario. Read More...
Life Time Expands Relationship with National Academy of Sports Medicine to Support Rapid Growth in Personal Training and Group Coaching
Posted: October 17, 2024 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - Life Time announces the renewal of its long-standing alliance with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), continuing its commitment to professional development opportunities for its dynamic personal trainers, stretch specialists and group fitness instructors. Life Time is currently one of the largest employers in the training and group fitness space with more than 3,500 personal trainers, stretch specialists and Pilates instructors, in addition to more than 8,500 studio instructors. Read More...
Iron Grip Barbell Company Updates its Iconic Urethane Dumbbell Line with an Innovative Product Line Extension and a Longer Warranty
Posted: October 17, 2024 in Suppliers
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Iron Grip is expanding their premium Urethane dumbbell line to include their new, innovative ultra-heavy dumbbells under the Iron Grip MAX lineup. They have also expanded warranty coverage to seven (7) years on the entire Urethane line, encompassing dumbbells, fixed barbells and Olympic weight plates. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Brings State-of-the-Art Fitness Facility to Indianapolis, Indiana
Posted: October 16, 2024 in Chains
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Crunch Franchise announces the opening of Crunch Avon in Indianapolis, Indiana. The $5 million, 40,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness facility will open its doors in Spring 2025. Brian Hibbard currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Fitness Ventures LLC, which owns and operates Crunch Fitness locations across the U.S. Read More...
U.S. Fitness Facility Membership Reaches Historic High
Posted: October 16, 2024 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - As more Americans prioritize their health and wellness, U.S. fitness facilities reached a record 72.9 million members in 2023, representing 23.7% of the U.S. population aged six and older, according to new data from the Health & Fitness Association (HFA). These findings are detailed in the 2024 U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report, which outlines trends in membership growth, participation and emerging opportunities for the industry. Read More...
Matrix Fitness Announces Integration with Welld Health to Enhance Wellness Program Offerings
Posted: October 16, 2024 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Matrix Fitness, one of the world's fastest-growing commercial fitness brands, has announced a new integration with Welld Health, an all-in-one wellness solution that harnesses verified health data to support community-based organizations. Read More...
Precor Announces Exclusive Partnership to Bring Nike Strength to Fitness Facilities in North America
Posted: October 16, 2024 in Suppliers
WOODINVILLE, WA - Precor, a global leader in commercial fitness equipment, announces an exclusive partnership with Dimension 6 Fitness to offer premium Nike Strength commercial-grade free weights to fitness facilities in North America. The combination of Nike Strength free weights plus Precor’s benches, racks and plate loaded strength products offers a powerful punch for operators looking to elevate their strength training floor with an iconic brand that motivates and inspires exercisers. Read More...
The Health & Fitness Association Releases 2024 State Advocacy Report
Posted: October 14, 2024 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - At a recent Health & Fitness Association strategy meeting, the HFA staff reconfirmed its Mission to inform members and the broader industry about policy issues that affect them and the HFA advocacy team's efforts to prevent legislative harm to the industry. HFA's advocacy efforts have continued to grow since the world's last crisis because threats to the industry are omnipresent and the future is unpredictable. Read More...
Merrithew Launches First-ever Spanish STOTT PILATES Workshops at Toronto Corporate Training Center
Posted: October 11, 2024 in Suppliers
TORONTO, ON - Merrithew, a global leader in mindful movement, announces the launch of its first-ever series of Spanish-language STOTT PILATES workshops, available online through the Toronto Corporate Training Center (CTC). As part of this global initiative, the CTC will host six workshops aimed at making Merrithew’s world-class Pilates education more accessible to Spanish-speaking practitioners worldwide. Read More...
