Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Sunday, January 18th, 2026
Life Time Digital Expands with Launch of Virtual Weight Loss Programs this Holiday Season
Posted: December 1, 2021 in Chains
CHANHASSEN, MN - Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. ("Life Time") (NYSE: LTH), the nation's premier omnichannel lifestyle brand, is continuing to expand its digital offerings with its most popular and all-new weight loss and healthy living programs on Life Time Digital. These programs may be accessed and used both inside the company's more than 150 athletic resorts or anywhere and anytime that fits members' needs. Read More...
9Round Finalizes South Korea Expansion Deal, Renews Middle East Agreement
Posted: December 1, 2021 in Chains
GREENVILLE, SC - 9Round Franchising, LLC finalized plans for future development into South Korea while also extending its Middle East agreement. The first South Korea 9Round location is projected to open in 2022. According to the master franchise agreement, 9Round intends to open 160 locations throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey ("MENAT") and 40 locations in South Korea over the next several years. Read More...
Genesis Health Clubs Foundation Raises Over $250,000 at Annual Gala to Provide Shoes, Beds and Athletic Grants for Kids in Poverty
Posted: December 1, 2021 in Chains
WICHITA, KS - Genesis Foundation for Fitness and Tennis (GFFT) raised over $250,000 in funds to sponsor underserved children at the annual Rat Pack Gala & Casino Night. The proceeds raised will help children in need live a better life, by providing them with new shoes, quality sleeping essentials and athletic grants. Rodney Steven II, Owner and President of Genesis Health Clubs and Chairman of the Board for GFFT was pleased by this year’s Gala and turnout of 280 attendees, stating how grateful he was to be a part of a team that gives back to the community. Read More...
The St. James Expands Cutting-Edge Performance Training Experience with New Location
Posted: December 1, 2021 in Chains
SPRINGFIELD, VA - The St. James, the Washington region’s premier performance training, sports development and wellness company, has announced plans to open a new athletic training and recovery concept, The St. James Performance Club in Reston Town Center in the spring of 2022. With almost 25,000 square feet of state-of-the-art training space, the new Performance Club will offer an elite approach to health, wellness and performance for the entire Reston community. Read More...
ASBA Announces Publication of Updated Tennis Courts Construction Manual
Posted: December 1, 2021 in Suppliers
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders, designers and suppliers of materials for tennis courts, running tracks, sports fields and indoor and outdoor courts and recreational facilities, has announced the publication of the 2021 edition of “Tennis Courts: Construction & Maintenance Manual,” which it produces jointly with the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA). Read More...
Fitness Industry Council of Canada Thrilled as Government Supports Fitness Facilities
Posted: November 29, 2021 in Other News
CANADA - With the Federal Government’s announcement of Bill C-2, an Act to provide further support in response to COVID-19, the fitness industry can breathe a sigh of relief. Now, fitness businesses are able to apply for financial support to rebound and rebuild as a part of the program supporting hospitality and tourism. Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) persistently lobbied the Federal Government to be recognized as a hard-hit industry. The announcement, to have the fitness industry included in a program for further support, is more evidence that the relationship between the fitness industry and the government is strong. Read More...
New York Sports Clubs Announces Strategic Acquisition of Kettlebell Concepts, Inc.
Posted: November 24, 2021 in Chains, Suppliers
NEW YORK, N.Y. – New York Sports Clubs (NYSC), operator of 68 gyms in the U.S. and Switzerland, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with KettleBell Concepts (KBC) to acquire the company for an undisclosed value. KBC has been a global business-to-business leader for 20+ years in providing high-quality and accredited kettlebell educational programs for health and fitness professionals. Read More...
50+ Year Industry Veteran, Chuck Leve, Passes Away
Posted: November 23, 2021 in IHRSA, Other News
FBA - MINNEAPOLIS, MN - It's with great sorrow we inform you that on Thursday, November 11th at 1:11 am Chuck Leve, devoted husband, father, papa, and fitness industry veteran passed away in his home surrounded by his family. Chuck's contributions to the fitness industry span over 50 years. As Executive Director of NCCA, one of IHRSA's predecessors, and over the next 28 years Chuck helped usher in a new era in the fitness industry. His many accomplishments include... Read More...
Matrix Fitness Announces Integration with Woven
Posted: November 23, 2021 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE, WI - Matrix Fitness, one of the world’s fastest-growing commercial fitness brands, has announced an integration partnership with Woven, the workplace management platform for multi-unit operators. The new partnership enables equipment reporting from any connected Matrix Fitness equipment into Woven’s asset and maintenance suite. The cloud-based integration was effective as of November 1, 2021 to all existing and new Matrix customers by purchasing and subscribing to the Woven platform and then simply configuring their machines on site. Read More...
Crunch Fitness Announces Milestone of 400th Franchise Club Opening
Posted: November 18, 2021 in Chains
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Renowned gym chain Crunch Fitness is proud to announce the February 2022 opening of its 400th location in San Angelo, Texas. With this opening, Crunch secures its place as the number one gym brand in the high-value, low-price category. In addition to the highly anticipated opening of its 400th club, Crunch has continued to see rapid expansion in memberships. As of October 2021, Crunch Franchise has exceeded 128% of pre-pandemic membership levels, significantly outpacing the industry at large, with its closest competitor in the space recently announcing a 97% return to pre-pandemic membership. Read More...
HGGC Completes Majority Investment in Planet Fitness Franchise Group PF Atlantic Holdings
Posted: November 18, 2021 in Chains
PALO ALTO, CA - HGGC, a leading middle market private equity firm, announced it has completed a majority investment in PF Atlantic Holdings, a top-15 franchisee within the Planet Fitness health club system. In conjunction with the investment, PF Atlantic Holdings is rebranding as Grand Fitness Partners. Co-founders CEO, David Bidwell, and COO, Scott Linsky, will continue to lead the business and retain a significant minority stake in the business alongside current investor Monogram Capital. Details of the private transaction were not disclosed. Read More...
ClubCorp names Jim Berra Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer
Posted: November 18, 2021 in Chains
DALLAS, TX - ClubCorp has announced that Jim Berra will join the World Leader in Private Clubs as Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer to lead ClubCorp's marketing and innovation efforts across their unmatched portfolio of private clubs. In this newly created role, Berra will oversee the full suite of marketing capabilities, including brand strategy, communications, social and digital media, Web development, consumer insights and product innovation. Read More...
Echelon and Old Dominion Announce Exclusive Partnership
Posted: November 18, 2021 in Suppliers
CHATTANOOGA, TN - Echelon Fitness announces its partnership with Old Dominion, two-time GRAMMY nominated and four-time CMA Vocal Group of The Year. The revered Nashville band will be playing on a different stage, found in the Echelon Fitness community. The collaboration will include Old Dominion-themed class rides, an inside look into the band's own fitness journey, a members only appearance by the band and an exclusive channel in the Echelon Community curated by Old Dominion. Read More...
USPTA Teams Up with Tennis Warehouse for Multi-Year Endorsement to Promote Footwear and Apparel
Posted: November 18, 2021 in Suppliers
LAKE NONA, FL - The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Inc. announces a multi-year endorsement with Tennis Warehouse, as the “Official Footwear and Apparel Supplier” of the USPTA starting December 1, 2021. Tennis Warehouse, the world’s leading online tennis retailer, will support USPTA members by providing pros with the largest selection of tennis apparel and footwear and exclusive member benefits. As a preferred supplier of the USPTA, Tennis Warehouse will continue to foster the growth of tennis by supporting the teaching pros and players while also engaging customers with coaching tips from the USPTA, to help players improve their game and help create more exposure for the USPTA. Read More...
Floyd Mayweather’s Fitness Franchise Plans Expansion in Denver
Posted: November 17, 2021 in Chains
LOS ANGELES, CA - Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, a revolutionary group fitness concept founded by undefeated boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather, is on a mission to expand the franchise into the Denver area. Mayweather Boxing + Fitness plans to open around 20 franchise locations in the Denver area. Mayweather Boxing + Fitness has over 50 locations open or in presale throughout the United States, with multiple locations currently being developed internationally in Russia. Read More...
Merrithew Partners with FAIS Group to Cater to the Growing Demand for Pilates and Mind-Body Equipment in Greece
Posted: November 17, 2021 in Suppliers
TORONTO, ONTARIO - Merrithew, a global leader in mind-body education and equipment, is proud to partner with FAIS Group, an experienced distributor based in Athens, Greece, to cater to the growing demand for high-quality Pilates and mind-body equipment and education in Greece. Read More...
Study Shows Health Benefits from Membership at a Medical Fitness Facility
Posted: November 17, 2021 in Suppliers
PINEHURST, N.C. - The Medical Fitness Association is pleased to share that a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concludes that, “membership at a medical fitness facility was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality and hospitalizations.” The study was conducted over a ten-year period from 2005 to 2015 with two certified medical fitness facilities, The Wellness Institute and Reh-Fit Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to look at the link between membership at a medical fitness facility and health outcomes. Both facilities are certified by the Medical Fitness Association. Read More...
2021 ALS TDI Summit Presents Potential Treatments and Innovative New Technology
Posted: November 17, 2021 in Other News
WATERTOWN, MA - Every year, the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) hosts the ALS TDI Summit as a way to update its community on the state of ALS research and drug discovery at ALS TDI. The Summit program included updates about drug discovery research programs in various stages of development at ALS TDI, as well as an extensive update on Project Euphonia, an initiative from Google to develop communication tools for people with conditions that affect their speech like ALS that was launched in collaboration with ALS TDI. ALS TDI also paid tribute to outstanding members of the ALS community with the annual Leadership Awards. Read More...
Pay Per Click Fitness Marketing Tips: Your Guide to a Successful 2022
Posted: November 16, 2021 in Suppliers
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a good way to get more eyes on your fitness brand and boost traffic to your website. Gyms can use PPC advertising as a way to target prospects and get new customers. With highly customizable data, your fitness studio can use PPC marketing to target customers based on interests or location and even get as granular as individual zip codes. As we get closer to the holidays and the time when many are making their New Year’s resolutions, more people will be motivated to focus on their health and get back to exercising. Your gym can use PPC advertising to target prospects that are already interested in investing in their health and motivate them to stick to their resolutions. Read More...
Life Fitness Names Paul Stoneham as Chief Executive Officer to Lead the Company’s Next Phase of Growth
Posted: November 16, 2021 in Suppliers
FRANKLIN PARK, IL - Life Fitness, a global leader in commercial fitness and home recreation equipment, announces the appointment of Paul Stoneham as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Stoneham is an experienced CEO with a notable track record of building strong consumer brands, high performance organizations and companies that deliver industry-leading growth through brand investment, product design and innovation. The company thanks departing CEO Chris Clawson for his years of service at Life Fitness and wishes him well in his future endeavors. Read More...
