Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Wednesday, August 12th, 2026
ACSM’s 2021 International Health & Fitness Summit is Going Virtual and Celebrating 25 Years
Posted: January 4, 2021 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - ACSM's 2021 International Health & Fitness Summit is going virtual April 7-10, 2021. And, the 25th Anniversary Theme is: Moving Beyond Barriers. Barriers impede progress. Well-known barriers like perceived lack of time, chronic disease, psychological factors and socioeconomic levels can interfere with the ability to live a healthy lifestyle and reach athletic potential. While barriers can be a roadblock, health fitness professionals can work with clients to eliminate such barriers and achieve health and fitness goals. Read More...
New Survey: More than 2/3 of Respondents Say Their Health and Fitness Has Been Negatively Impacted During 2020
Posted: December 31, 2020 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - According to a new survey, a majority of people have reported gaining weight, losing muscle and struggling with their mental health during the past year. Life Time, one of the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brands, conducted the survey with thousands of current and former members across the country to determine trends and habits in health and wellness as we enter the New Year. Read More...
New Planet Fitness Prototype Unveiled for the New Year
Posted: December 30, 2020 in Chains
ST. LOUIS, MO - In 2020, Planet Fitness partnered with Poettker Construction on three health fitness clubs located throughout the greater St. Louis area. Poettker also served as the construction manager for the Festus, Washington and Ballwin, Missouri locations, which opened to members in time for the New Year. The Festus and Washington locations each feature a new two-story ground-up prototype with a gross floor area of 30,000 square feet, allowing ample space for hundreds of machines and free weights. Planet Fitness and Poettker Construction already have plans for several more facilities to break ground in 2021. Read More...
Club Pilates Unveils New Core Ambassador, Gold Medal Gymnast Aly Raisman
Posted: December 30, 2020 in Chains
IRVINE, CA - Club Pilates, one of the nation’s largest premium boutique Pilates brands, has announced a multi-year partnership with gymnast and wellness advocate Aly Raisman. Raisman will serve as a Core Ambassador for the brand to raise awareness around Pilates’ benefits, including supporting a strong mind-body connection and overall wellbeing. Read More...
Stephen Tharrett Passes Away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Posted: December 29, 2020 in Other News
We are extremely SAD to report to you that industry veteran and good friend, STEPHEN THARRETT, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Stephen died of complications from a heart attack he suffered on December 20th. MAY STEPHEN THARRETT REST IN PEACE. Stephen Tharrett, was one of the greatest and most dedicated teachers and educators in the history of our industry. Stephen’s vast depth of knowledge and the vast breadth of his contributions to our industry, an industry that he loved so very much, is rivaled by a very tiny few in our industry. Stephen was partners with MARK WILLIAMSON in a company they called CLUBINTEL. Read More...
Online Training is New Top Fitness Trend for 2021 according to ACSM Annual Forecast
Posted: December 29, 2020 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Millions of adults were affected by fitness facility closures this year and forced to find innovative ways to be active at home. Thus, it’s not shocking that more than 4,000 health and fitness pros surveyed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) identified online training as the new top trend in fitness for 2021. Online training moved up 25 spots from its number 26 rank in 2020. ACSM released the results of its annual fitness trend forecast in the article “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2021,” published in the January/February issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. Read More...
Matrix Fitness and iFit Announce Strategic Partnership to Bring iFit-Powered Content to Premium Matrix Home Fitness Equipment
Posted: December 29, 2020 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Matrix Fitness, a global leader in commercial and premium home fitness equipment, has announced a strategic partnership with iFit, a global leader in interactive connected fitness technology and content, to bring iFit's proprietary workout platform to the Matrix home fitness portfolio. Read More...
Fitness is an Essential Component of Overall Health and Wellness: New National Survey Finds That 91% of Americans with a New Year’s Resolution for 2021 Set One Tied to Fitness
Posted: December 29, 2020 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - In reflecting on 2020, Planet Fitness set out to understand how Americans feel about New Year's resolutions and which ones are most top-of-mind moving forward. The Judgement Free Zone commissioned a national study*, which identified that more than four in five (84%) of those surveyed plan to make at least one resolution in 2021, with fitness and overall health and wellness being key priorities. Additional survey insights include... Read More...
ROR Partners Acquires Epsilon Fitness Division
Posted: December 28, 2020 in Suppliers
SAN DIEGO, CA - Epsilon's Fitness Division has been sold to ROR Partners, a digital marketing agency founded by fitness marketing veterans Greg Dowd and Tom Lapcevic. ROR is an operator of proprietary data and digital marketing solutions productized for the fitness industry. Read More...
Echelon Raises $65 Million, Furthering Goal to Put Innovative Connected Fitness Within Reach for More Consumers
Posted: December 28, 2020 in Suppliers
CHATTANOOGA, TN - Echelon Fitness, an innovative connected fitness brand, has completed a $65 million financing deal led by Goldman Sachs Growth, along with participation from existing investor, North Castle Partners; Piper Sandler acted as exclusive financial advisor to Echelon Fitness, all helmed by the dynamic serial entrepreneur Lou Lentine. Echelon is dedicated to innovation that makes at-home, connected fitness more accessible. Read More...
