Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Sunday, September 28th, 2025
ACSM Annual Meeting to Feature Yearly Spotlight
Posted: September 13, 2023 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Based on a Presidential task force recommendation, the Annual Meeting Program Committee has approved a decision to sunset ACSM's two World Congresses in favor of a new yearly “Spotlight” at the Annual Meeting, featuring sessions integrating basic science, applied science and clinical medicine. The inaugural Spotlight Theme for the 2024 Annual Meeting, as chosen by the new Spotlight subcommittee, is “Precision Health.” Read More...
Backed by $50M, PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball Agree to Merger
Posted: September 13, 2023 in Suppliers
AUSTIN and DALLAS, TX - Professional pickleball organizations MLP by Margaritaville (MLP) and Carvana PPA Tour (PPA Tour) announce an agreement to merge under a unified and definitive professional pickleball holding company. The consolidation of the two entities is backed by a $50M investment from SC Holdings, DC Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, PPA Tour owner Tom Dundon, and a roster of existing MLP team owners. Read More...
IHRSA 2024 Convention & Trade Show Registration Is Now Open
Posted: September 12, 2023 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Lights, camera, action! IHRSA --the Health & Fitness Association, a global community of health and fitness industry leaders-- has opened registration for the IHRSA Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles March 6 - 8, 2024. More than 8,000 participants from around the world are expected to attend this premier event at the Los Angeles Convention Center for education, networking and purchasing, featuring an expected 350 exhibitors and 50 sponsors. The event will include three days of education sessions (March 6 - 8) and two days for the Trade Show (March 7 - 8). Read More...
Matrix Fitness Announces Expansion of Partnership with the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation
Posted: September 12, 2023 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Matrix Fitness, one of the world’s fastest growing commercial fitness brands, announces the expansion of their partnership with the John W. Brick (JWB) Mental Health Foundation. The Champion-level partnership will help fund the foundation’s Mental Well-being Certification for Fitness Professionals, among the first of its kind in the fitness industry. Read More...
National Academy of Sports Medicine Expands Access to Personal Trainer Credentials Through New Exam Option
Posted: September 12, 2023 in Suppliers
GILBERT, AZ - National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), a global leader in fitness and wellness training, announces it recently launched the NASM Personal Training Certificate exam as a part of its Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) program. The industry-leading NASM CPT program provides science-based training strategies and learning innovations, including the NASM OPT Model, nutrition concepts and more. Read More...
USTA Commits $3 Million to Refurbish up to 200 Courts Across U.S.
Posted: September 11, 2023 in Suppliers
ORLANDO, FL - In recognition of Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open women’s singles title, and to celebrate an American winning the U.S. Open, the USTA has committed to the refurbishment of up to 200 courts across the country, as part of the newly created US Open Legacy Initiative. In total, the USTA will allocate $3 million to reinvigorate courts at public parks and facilities across America, dedicated in Coco Gauff’s name. This $3 million matches the prize money for the U.S. Open Singles Champion. Read More...
Self Esteem Brands Announces AF National Franchising LTD as Master Franchisee for Anytime Fitness Clubs in All of Canada
Posted: September 7, 2023 in Chains
WOODBURY, MN - Self Esteem Brands (SEB), the parent company of a global portfolio of fitness, health and wellness franchise brands, announces that AF National Franchising LTD has granted Anytime Fitness master franchisee for all of Canada, which now includes 225 franchised Anytime Fitness clubs. Read More...
Crunch Franchise Announces Newest Location in Sunrise, Florida
Posted: September 6, 2023 in Chains
SUNRISE, FL - Crunch Franchise announces the upcoming opening of Crunch Sunrise, a $5 million, 60,000-square-foot fitness facility, with state-of-the-art equipment. Crunch Sunrise is located in a newly renovated space previously occupied by 24-Hour Fitness. CR Fitness Holdings LLC. is operated by Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Tony Scrimale and Jeff Dotson, who combined have more than 100 years of experience in the fitness industry. The CR Fitness team currently operates 53 locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas. Crunch Sunrise will be the eighth location to open in South Florida. Read More...
Crunch Fitness Becomes First Gym to Enable Amazon One Palm-Based Entry for its Members
Posted: September 5, 2023 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Fitness announces it is the first fitness brand to introduce the Amazon One palm recognition service as an entry option for its members at select Crunch locations nationwide. Members who choose to use the convenience of Amazon One no longer need their Crunch membership tags or mobile app to enter; they can simply hover their palm over an Amazon One device to enter the fitness facility. Amazon One is currently being piloted at nine Crunch clubs across the U.S., including five in San Francisco, three in the New York City and one in the Los Angeles area, with more locations rolling out the technology in the coming months. Read More...
Life Time Unveils Company’s First Ground-Up Pickleball Club in Chanhassen, Minnesota
Posted: September 5, 2023 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - As pickleball continues its explosive growth trajectory, Life Time (NYSE: LTH), on of the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brands and the largest provider of permanent pickleball courts in the country, announces the groundbreaking of Life Time Pickleball Chanhassen, the company's first ground-up pickleball location in the country. Read More...
Burn Boot Camp Launches First-Ever National Brand Campaign: “We Are Burn Boot Camp”
Posted: September 5, 2023 in Chains
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As one of the fastest-growing boutique fitness franchises in the country, Burn Boot Camp unveils its inaugural national brand campaign: "We Are Burn Boot Camp." This initiative emphasizes the deep community connections and confidence that are cornerstones at every Burn Boot Camp facility. As the anticipation for this campaign builds, Burn Boot Camp is also gearing up to officially launch a brand-new app, further enhancing the member experience. Read More...
EōS Fitness Opens Doors to New Gym in Phoenix
Posted: September 1, 2023 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - EōS Fitness, a nationwide gym chain that got its start in Arizona and now counts more than 125+ locations open or on the way, is welcoming members to its newest location in Phoenix. The brand-new gym features 40,000 square feet of high-end amenities, including top-of-the-line cardio equipment, smart technology strength training machines and innovative recovery options. Read More...
USTA Launches ‘USTA Ventures’ Strategic Investment Initiative
Posted: September 1, 2023 in Suppliers
FLUSHING, N.Y. - The USTA has launched USTA Ventures through the USTA Strategic Investment Committee, which will be charged with evaluating a broad spectrum of long-term investment opportunities. The focus will be on acquiring potential equity stakes in technologies and other companies that will help to advance the USTA’s mission of promoting and developing the growth of tennis in the United States and elevating experiences at the US Open, which is owned and operated by the USTA. Read More...
Bay Club Continues to Deliver on Growth Strategy With Bay Area Country Club Acquisition
Posted: August 31, 2023 in Chains
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Bay Club Company ("Bay Club") announces the first milestone that underscores a continued growth plan along the West Coast–the acquisition of Crow Canyon Country Club ("Crow Canyon"). Crow Canyon's acquisition and subsequent expansion mark a pivotal step forward as Bay Club embarks on a significant trajectory of growth. By year-end, the company's footprint will expand to encompass more than 25 locations, including 11 Campuses, 135,000 members and a workforce exceeding 4,000 employees. Read More...
New CEO Targets Global Growth for Fitness On Demand Brand
Posted: August 30, 2023 in Suppliers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Fitness On Demand, a globally recognized pioneer in delivering top-tier fitness content for over a decade, is embarking on a new phase of innovation and expansion. This week marks a significant turning point as the company welcomes a distinguished industry expert, Andy Peat, as its new CEO, accompanied by a comprehensive worldwide rebranding initiative already in motion. With immediate effect, Andy assumes leadership of Fitness On Demand's operations spanning 2,800 locations worldwide, tasked with propelling the brand's evolution from a leading content provider to a trusted technological partner for fitness establishments in the fitness, corporate, hospitality and multi-family housing sectors. Read More...
California Family Fitness and Shoot 360 Team Up to Transform Basketball Training
Posted: August 30, 2023 in Chains
SACRAMENTO, CA - California Family Fitness (CFF), one of Sacramento’s leading health and fitness clubs, announces the launch of Shoot 360, one of the world's leading immersive basketball training experiences, at its Rocklin Sports Complex. Shoot 360 combines cutting-edge science and technology with hands-on, one-on-one coaching to deliver in-person skill development, digital gamification and virtual competition. Read More...
ALS TDI Awarded CDC Funding to Accelerate Identification of ALS Risk Factors
Posted: August 29, 2023 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) announces a significant development in its pursuit of ALS insights. ALS TDI has received a substantial grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), $480,000 annually for up to three years, to initiate a comprehensive research project dedicated to identifying the lifestyle risk factors associated with ALS. Read More...
USTA Names 29 Outstanding Facility Award Winners
Posted: August 28, 2023 in Suppliers
ORLANDO, FL - The USTA announces that the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Tennis Center in San Francisco was named the Featured Facility of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by the USTA on a tennis facility. The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Tennis Center was one of 29 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...
IHRSA Fitness Brasil 2023 Triumphs Again
Posted: August 25, 2023 in IHRSA
BRAZIL - For decades, the IHRSA Fitness Brazil Conference & Trade Show has been the largest, widely anticipated, and highly respected fitness, sport, health and wellness event in Latin America. This year’s gathering, the 24th in history, occurred August 16 - 19 at the Transamérica Expo Center in São Paulo. 15,000 visitors took advantage of more than 30 educational programs and attended 200 lectures, hearing from hundreds of speakers. The Trade Show, spanning more than 172,200-square-feet, featured 100 major equipment and service brands, which exhibited some 3,000 products. Read More...
Life Time Debt Upgraded by Moody’s; Company Closes on $45 Million Sale-Leaseback Transaction
Posted: August 24, 2023 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. ("Life Time" or the "Company") (NYSE: LTH) announces that Moody's Investor Service ("Moody's") has upgraded the company's issuer credit rating to 'B2' from 'B3.' As reasons for the upgrade, Moody's cited the company's improving performance, including membership, revenue and EBITDA trends, and steps the cmpany is taking to continue to improve its balance sheet and reduce leverage. Read More...