Fitness industry expansion shows no signs of slowing in 2026, with several brands announcing new openings, renovations and expansions in recent weeks. From luxury athletic clubs to boutique studios, operators across the country are investing in new facilities, upgraded equipment and fresh concepts to meet growing consumer demand for health and wellness experiences.
Life Time Opens in Phoenix, Eyes Gilbert
Life Time opened its newest location, Life Time Paradise Valley, a 91,000-square-foot luxury athletic country club at Paradise Valley, a 100-plus-acre mixed-use district in Phoenix developed by RED Development.
The facility features a rooftop resort-style pool deck with lap pool, outdoor bistro and lounge seating for 300, seven pickleball courts, hydrotherapy suites, a full-service LifeSpa, Kids Academy spanning more than 8,000 square feet, and a LifeClinic offering licensed chiropractic care.
“Arizona has been a cornerstone of Life Time’s growth for more than two decades, and our continued expansion across the Phoenix market reflects how strongly this community values healthy, connected ways of living,” said Parham Javaheri of Life Time. “At PV, we’re excited to be part of one of the region’s most dynamic new developments, alongside our Life Time Living residences under construction, creating a fully integrated wellness destination designed for how people and families want to live today.”
The company’s ninth Arizona location, Life Time Ocotillo, is set to open May 4 in Gilbert, serving the Gilbert and Chandler communities. At 102,000 square feet, the facility will include indoor and outdoor pools, 14 pickleball courts, six outdoor tennis courts and a full beach club pool deck experience.
Crunch Fitness Announces Three New Locations
CR Fitness Holdings, a leading Crunch Fitness franchisee serving more than one million members, announced three upcoming openings across Georgia and Texas.
Blue Ridge Fitness Holdings LLC, a CR Fitness subsidiary, will open Crunch Newnan in Newnan, Georgia., and Crunch Stone Mountain in Lilburn, Georgia. Each location will be a $5 million, 30,000-plus-square-foot facility slated to open in the fall.
Separately, Southwest Fitness Holdings LLC, also a CR Fitness subsidiary, will open Crunch Saginaw in Fort Worth, Texas. The $12 million, 36,000-square-foot facility is expected to open by the end of 2026.
All three locations will feature the new Crunch 3.0 design and offer expanded strength and functional training areas, group fitness studios, hot yoga or hot studios, Olympic lifting platforms, a functional HIITZone training area with indoor turf, and Relax & Recover services including infrared sauna, HydroMassage beds and CryoLounge.
“We’re excited to expand our Georgia footprint with Crunch Newnan and Crunch Stone Mountain,” said Tony Scrimale, the CEO of CR Fitness Holdings. “Newnan and Lilburn are growing communities and we look forward to delivering high-energy, welcoming gyms where everyone feels supported in their fitness journey.”
Scrimale echoed that enthusiasm for the Texas opening. “We’re thrilled to open Crunch Saginaw in Fort Worth and offer a premium fitness experience to the entire community and our future members,” he said.
Blue Ridge Fitness currently operates 15 Crunch locations in the greater Atlanta area and is on track to operate 17 by the end of 2026. Southwest Fitness currently operates 12 Crunch gyms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with plans to reach 18 by year’s end. Backed by North Castle Partners and Sixth Street, CR Fitness is on track to operate 110 locations nationwide this year.
The Pack Signs First Franchise Territory Deals
The Pack, a fitness concept combining strength training, cardio conditioning and striking-based self-defense, announced its first franchise territory development agreements, representing commitments for 18 units across two markets: eight units in Northern New Jersey and 10 units in South Florida.
The Northern New Jersey development will focus on Hudson County and Bergen County, while the South Florida expansion targets Miami and Palm Beach County.
Founded by Rumble co-founders Noah Neiman and Andy Stenzler alongside founding partners Russell Wilson and Ciara, The Pack offers a trainer-led class format centered on proprietary Street Defense programming.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring The Pack to Northern New Jersey and South Florida, two markets that align perfectly with our vision for the brand,” said Stenzler. “These initial territory deals represent an important step in our expansion, and we’re focused on partnering with operators who understand how to deliver a premium, high-energy experience in their communities.”
The brand operates three formats: Pack Lite, a flexible format of approximately 30 training stations in roughly 1,500 square feet designed to operate within existing third-party facilities; Pack Studio, a standalone location with approximately 45 training stations across roughly 3,000 square feet; and Pack Flagship, the largest format featuring up to 60 training stations in 5,000-plus square feet with premium amenities including locker rooms, showers and bleacher seating.
“The level of interest we’ve seen since launching franchising has been incredibly strong, and these first deals are just the beginning,” said Neiman. “We’re looking forward to building out these territories and introducing The Pack’s unique training experience to new markets.”
The Pack currently operates its flagship location in New York City.
Aligned Fitness Holdings Acquires Columbus Club Pilates Franchisee
Aligned Fitness Holdings, a leading Club Pilates franchisee, has acquired CAM Pilates, a Columbus, Ohio-based operator of six studios. The transaction expands Aligned Fitness’ total footprint to 55 studios.
The acquisition marks Aligned Fitness’ entry into the Midwest, extending its reach beyond its established base in North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina.
CAM Pilates was founded by Caitlin McTigue and Jason Tomany. Aligned Fitness plans to work closely with the existing team to maintain operational standards.
“This acquisition represents a natural extension of our strategy to partner with best-in-class operators in markets where we can build density and scale,” said Jon Smith, the CEO of Aligned Fitness Holdings. “Caitlin and Jason have built exceptional studios with a strong community focus, and we are excited to work alongside their team to continue delivering the benefits of Pilates to more people. Entering Columbus also demonstrates that our platform can successfully expand beyond our Southeastern roots into new, high-quality markets.”
The boutique fitness industry continues to show strong momentum. According to Allied Market Research, the global Pilates and yoga studios market is projected to reach $521 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%.
BODYBAR Pilates Heads to Oklahoma
BODYBAR Pilates announced it will open its first Oklahoma studio. The 2,800-square-foot studio is scheduled to open July 6, pending construction timelines, and will feature 14 reformers, a private room for one-on-one training and space for business-to-business partner events.
The studio is operated by sisters Lyndsie Oathout and Mallory Sapp, first-time franchise owners. Oathout discovered the brand as a founding member of BODYBAR Pilates West Wichita before becoming an instructor and eventually pursuing ownership.
“BODYBAR Pilates has become a place of healing and growth for me, which is why opening the first studio in Oklahoma is incredibly special to me,” said Oathout. “Pilates has allowed me to feel the best I’ve ever felt in my own skin, and I’m passionate about creating a studio environment that empowers others to become the best versions of themselves. Mallory and I were both ready for a new chapter in our careers, and when we met the BODYBAR team, we immediately felt at home. We can’t wait to share that feeling with our members.”
“We’ve already had tremendous growth in 2026, and we’re pleased to continue building on that momentum by opening our first Oklahoma studio this summer,” said Kamille McCollum, the chief brand officer, president and co-founder of BODYBAR Pilates. “Not only is Edmond a great area, but having a studio in such close proximity to Oklahoma City will be incredibly valuable.”
BODYBAR Pilates currently has more than 18,000 members and 81 studios nationwide, with another 60 slated to open this year. A limited number of founding memberships are available, offering up to 20% off for life along with priority booking and guest passes.
The Edge Fitness Clubs Reopens Two Locations
The Edge Fitness Clubs is reopening two locations following major upgrades, reflecting a company-wide investment to elevate the member experience across its network.
The Crystal Lake, Illinois location reopened April 29, while the St. Peters, Missouri location at will hold its grand reopening May 6. Both clubs are among the first to showcase The Edge’s new premium strength training equipment, including top-tier free weights, selectorized and plate-loaded equipment, and functional training tools.
The Crystal Lake club features a new boutique InfraRED Yoga studio — the first in a series of boutique concepts rolling out across the brand’s big-box gyms — along with a new Pilates studio, refreshed branding and updated interiors. The St. Peters location similarly introduces The Edge’s hybrid fitness model with new programming across strength, reformer Pilates and infrared yoga.
Both locations now offer EdgeLIFT strength and conditioning classes, EdgeCORE Pilates reformer sessions emphasizing core strength and mobility, and Edge InfraRED Yoga combining restorative yoga with infrared heat therapy.
“The Edge Fitness Clubs has always been about creating an empowering, community-driven environment where members can achieve real results,” said Vinny Sansone, the president and founder of The Edge Fitness Clubs. “These reopenings reflect our ongoing commitment to innovation, giving members access to both pro-gym style training and boutique fitness experiences in one inspiring space.”
The Edge Fitness Clubs operates more than 40 locations across nine states with more than 350,000 members.
