Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
Top Crunch Fitness Franchisee CR Fitness Launches Conquer Challenge Member Fitness Competition
Posted: March 31, 2026 in Chains
TAMPA, FL - CR Fitness Holdings, the leading and fastest-growing Crunch Fitness franchisee, is bringing back the Conquer Challenge this summer, in a bigger way than ever before, with $17,000 in Cash Prizes up for grabs! Members across the 93 participating-club franchisee system will challenge themselves and compete in a series of workouts that test their skills, strength and endurance, pushing themselves further, faster and harder than ever before in an effort to "Conquer their Limits." Read More...
Workout Anytime Launches Conversion Strategy; Attracts Institutional-Caliber Capital to Scale Regional Footprint
Posted: March 31, 2026 in Chains
ATLANTA, GA - A brand milestone, Workout Anytime is advancing a more capital-efficient growth strategy centered on the acquisition and conversion of existing fitness gyms, positioning the brand to accelerate expansion while improving unit economics and entering markets faster. The initiative enables franchise partners to acquire established gyms and transition them onto the Workout Anytime platform, leveraging existing infrastructure and membership bases while implementing the brand's operating systems, equipment standards and member experience. Read More...
World Gym Corporation Partners with Philcos to Launch Branded Merchandise Line
Posted: March 31, 2026 in Chains
TAIPEI - World Gym Corporation (2762.TW) ("World Gym" or the "Company"), the owner of the iconic World Gym brand with over 280 locations worldwide, announces an exclusive Merchandise Distribution Licensing Agreement with Philcos, a global leader in branded apparel manufacturing. The partnership will bring World Gym branded merchandise to major retailers across North America, including online and brick-and-mortar locations across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Read More...
VASA Fitness Names Michael Osanloo Chief Executive Officer
Posted: March 31, 2026 in Chains
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO - VASA Fitness, a leading high-value, low-price (HVLP) fitness brand, announces that Michael Osanloo has joined the company as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding current CEO Rich Nelsen, who is retiring after eight years of leadership. Read More...
Global Health and Fitness Leaders Call for Physical Activity and Nutrition to Be Central to Obesity Medication Rollout
Posted: March 31, 2026 in HFA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The World Obesity Federation, the Health & Fitness Association, AUSactive, Exercise New Zealand, Fitness Industry Council of Canada, ukactive and World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry release a joint position statement calling on governments, health systems and international institutions to ensure that as obesity medications, including GLP-1 therapies, are scaled globally, they are supported by subsidized, integrated lifestyle interventions, with physical activity and nutrition embedded as essential elements of care. Read More...
Playlist and EGYM Complete Merger to Power the World’s Most Comprehensive Fitness and Wellness Operating System
Posted: March 31, 2026 in Suppliers
NEW YORK, N.Y. and MUNICH, GERMANY - Playlist, the parent company of Mindbody, Booker and ClassPass, announces the successful closing of its merger with EGYM, a global innovation leader in smart fitness technology, AI-enabled workout programming, and corporate wellness solutions, establishing the world's largest full-stack fitness and wellness operating system. Read More...
Daxko Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026
Posted: March 24, 2026 in Suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Daxko announces it has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026. This year’s list shines a spotlight on businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations. Alongside the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, Fast Company recognizes 720 honorees across 59 sectors and regions. Read More...
ClassPass Unveils Its First Industry Impact Report Measuring Its Effect on the Fitness and Wellness Economy
Posted: March 24, 2026 in Suppliers
NEW YORK, N.Y. - ClassPass, the app that provides access to thousands of fitness and wellness experiences worldwide, announces the release of its first Industry Impact Report. Drawing from proprietary platform data and partner and user surveys, the findings assess the contribution of the ClassPass model across the industry. Read More...
PTR Announces Resignation of CEO Martin van Daalen
Posted: March 24, 2026 in Suppliers
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL - The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) announces that Martin van Daalen has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 18th, 2026. Martin has played a valuable role in supporting PTR’s mission to educate, certify and serve racquet sports coaches, helping guide the organization as it enters its 50th anniversary year. Read More...
Fitness International Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Wings for Life to Support Spinal Cord Research
Posted: March 23, 2026 in Chains
IRVINE, CA - Fitness International, LLC, the parent company of LA Fitness, City Sports Club and Club Studio, announces a multi-year partnership with Wings for Life USA. Wings for Life is a non-profit spinal cord research foundation with the single mission to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. As part of the agreement, Fitness International will contribute $250,000 annually from 2026 through 2028, supporting the foundation's research initiatives. Read More...
ACSM Unveils Landmark 2026 Resistance Training Guidelines; First Update in 17 Years
Posted: March 18, 2026 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has published a new Position Stand summarizing resistance training recommendations for healthy adults, the first major update since 2009. Read More...
National Academy of Sports Medicine Honors Arnold Schwarzenegger as the 2026 Don Wildman Commitment to Excellence Award Winner
Posted: March 18, 2026 in Suppliers
GILBERT, AZ - The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), a global leader in evidence-based learning and certifications for fitness and wellness professionals, announces legendary fitness icon Arnold Schwarzenegger as the recipient of the 2026 Don Wildman Commitment to Excellence Award. Read More...
Health and Fitness Industry “In the Big Leagues,” Says HFA CEO Liz Clark at 45th Annual HFA Show
Posted: March 16, 2026 in HFA
SAN DIEGO, CA - The health and fitness industry has entered the “big leagues,” and with that momentum comes greater responsibility and a need for stronger alignment across the sector, Liz Clark, President and CEO of the Health & Fitness Association (HFA), told attendees during her President’s Address at the 45th Annual HFA Show. Read More...
Planet Fitness Appoints Harmit Singh to Board of Directors
Posted: March 16, 2026 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing fitness center operators with more members than any other fitness brand, announces the appointment of Harmit Singh, Chief Financial and Growth Officer of Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE: LEVI), to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The appointment of Mr. Singh expands the Board to ten directors. Read More...
ABC Fitness Introduces AI-Powered Operating Infrastructure for the Global Fitness Industry
Posted: March 16, 2026 in Suppliers
DALLAS, TX - ABC Fitness announces a major expansion of its AI capabilities, positioning the company as the AI-powered operating infrastructure for the global fitness industry. Built on more than four decades of experience and data from over 40 million members, the initiative embeds intelligence directly into the technology systems gyms, studios and coaches rely on to run their businesses, from member acquisition and engagement to payments, retention and operational workflows. Read More...
