It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the fitness industry. Several acquisitions and new projects were announced from a broad cross-section of the industry. Discover a recap below.
Anytime Fitness Acquires Basecamp Fitness
Self Esteem Brands, the parent company of Anytime Fitness, has purchased Basecamp Fitness. The brand currently has five locations in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Self Esteem Brands plans to franchise the concept worldwide.
Basecamp Fitness is the brainchild of Zappos founder Nick Swinmurn, and features high-energy workout sessions designed to increase strength while improving cardio performance.
“Our plan is to build additional corporate-owned gyms next year to explore consumer preferences and perfect the Basecamp Fitness experience,” said Chuck Runyon, co-founder and CEO of Self Esteem Brands and Anytime Fitness, in a statement. “We hope to begin franchising Basecamp Fitness in the U.S. and internationally in 2020.”
Bay Club Acquires Five Leisure Sports, Inc. Properties
The Bay Club Company announced it will acquire five properties, which currently operate under the ClubSport brand, from Leisure Sports, Inc.
Bay Club will acquire ClubSport properties in Walnut Creek, Danville, Pleasanton and Fremont, California, in addition to a location in Portland, Oregon. The properties will be operated by Bay Club and eventually convert to the Bay Club brand name.
“We are honored with the opportunity to collaborate with the team at Leisure Sports, Inc. and are committed to bringing the combined value and benefits of our two brands to the members and employees throughout the West Coast,” said Matthew Stevens, president and CEO of The Bay Club Company, in a statement.
Genesis Health Clubs Embarks on a One-of-a-Kind Project
Rodney Steven II, the owner of Genesis Health Clubs, has embarked on a one-of-a-kind project in Goddard, Kansas.
On November 5, 2018, the club operator broke ground on the development of a new hotel and indoor waterpark complex, in partnership between the city of Goddard Kansas, Genesis Health Clubs, and Imagine Hotels & Resorts.
Attached to the 123-room hotel, the waterpark will feature a large interactive play structure, multiple slides, lazy river, hot tubs and more.
The hotel and waterpark will be adjacent to the Goddard Aquatic Center, which upon completion will include a Genesis Health Clubs location, pre-school, youth sports camps, baseball diamonds and competitive swimming natatorium.
“In this industry, we usually draw from people who live a few miles away,” said Steven. “Between the waterpark, the natatorium, the hotel and the baseball fields, this will be a destination that will draw from hundreds of miles away. It’s a huge parcel of land, with hundreds of acres. We’ve carved some out to sell to restaurants and retailers, so we expect this to grow into a major health, recreation and entertainment destination for the midwestern U.S.”
Gold’s Gym Announces Strongest Quarter of Growth in Company History
Gold’s Gym, one of the industry’s premier brands, just experienced the most successful quarter in company history. Through domestic growth, new international agreements and one of its biggest global conventions, the third quarter of 2018 was a huge success for Gold’s Gym.
“It’s very exciting. Gold’s Gym is continuing to distinguish itself as a fitness industry leader. We started licensing in 1980 and we started franchising in 1999,” said Ken Phipps, director of global franchising development for Gold’s Gym. “Thinking about all those years of doing those two types of business models and now, in the most competitive fitness landscape to date, we’re able to go out there and have a record-setting quarter. That’s truly exciting, and it’s not just exciting for our new franchisees, but for our members and our company. It’s come through a lot of hard work, but we’re happy with what we’ve been able to accomplish and we want to maintain that momentum.”
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
