Karl Sanft has been named president and CEO of 24 Hour Fitness. Sanft has been serving as interim CEO since Tony Ueber stepped down as CEO in December 2021.
Previously, Sanft served as chief operating officer of 24 Hour Fitness for three years, and before that, was with Best Buy for a span of 20 years.
“After a strategic review of our company’s revitalized business proposition, we concluded that Karl is the best leader to take the company into the future of fitness,” said Michael Barnett, a member of the Board of Directors for 24 Hour Fitness, in a statement. “His diverse background in the retail services industry along with his extensive familiarity with the 24 Hour Fitness brand — as a club member since 1993, and as a vital member of the company’s executive leadership team for the past three years — has resulted in his keen understanding of the member experience, and the creation of strong relationships both inside and outside the industry, and has earned the respect and support of our nationwide team of fitness professionals. These valuable perspectives will help shape the future of 24 Hour Fitness as well as the post-pandemic recovery of the fitness industry.”
In June 2020, 24 Hour Fitness voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which it exited on December 31, 2020. Through the process, the national brand was able to shed around 150 locations and divested much of the $1.4 billion in debt it had prior to filing for Chapter 11.
Today, the company has nearly 300 locations and 2 million members.
“I am excited about my new leadership role at 24 Hour Fitness and feel well prepared to lead our team,” said Sanft, in a statement. “I look forward to learning more about what is most important to our members in the post-pandemic environment, and to helping the company continue to earn the title of ‘fitness industry leader.’ I am confident about our future and look forward to further innovating the fitness experience in the club and as a virtual companion to become the best part of our members’ day.”
