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Entrepreneur
5 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
These Are the Top 10 Fitness Franchises in 2025
These fitness franchises are leading the pack in growth, brand appeal and innovation — offering strong opportunities for health-focused entrepreneurs. The multi-billion-dollar fitness industry continues to flex its strength as one of the most dynamic sectors in franchising, offering scalable business models, passionate consumer bases and a wide range of ownership opportunities. From legacy gyms with global recognition to fast-growing boutique concepts redefining the workout experience, these 10 standout fitness franchises, all ranked on the 2025 Franchise 500, represent the best in branding, growth and long-term potential for health-minded entrepreneurs. Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget. 1. Crunch Founded: 2010 2010 Franchising since: 2010 2010 Overall Rank: 32 32 Number of units: 458 458 Change in units: +30.1% over 3 years +30.1% over 3 years Initial investment: $918,000 - $6,700,000 $918,000 - $6,700,000 Leadership: Jim Rowley, CEO Jim Rowley, CEO Parent company: N/A Crunch blends affordability with energy, offering a welcoming, no-judgment environment for fitness enthusiasts of all levels. Known for high-intensity classes, personal training and a vibrant gym culture, the brand has grown rapidly since it began franchising in 2010. With hundreds of locations and strong support systems for franchisees, Crunch stands out as a compelling opportunity in the competitive, multi-billion-dollar health and wellness space. Related: She Turned a Temporary Post-College Job Into Starting a Business at 23. Then Some 'Eye-Opening' Advice Helped Her Grow It to $5 Million. 2. Orangetheory Fitness Founded: 2010 2010 Franchising since: 2010 2010 Overall Rank: 73 73 Number of units: 1,504 1,504 Change in units: +3.1% over 3 years +3.1% over 3 years Initial investment: $729,000 - $1,600,000 $729,000 - $1,600,000 Leadership: Richard Armstrong, CDO Richard Armstrong, CDO Parent company: Purpose Brands Orangetheory Fitness is a fitness franchise known for its science-backed, heart rate-based interval training. Founded in 2010, it has expanded to over 1,500 studios worldwide. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive support, including training and marketing. Ideal Orangetheory franchisees are passionate about fitness and committed to active studio involvement. Related: How a Police Officer Started a Pet Care Business Making $3 Million a Year 3. Anytime Fitness Founded: 2001 2001 Franchising since: 2002 2002 Overall Rank: 82 82 Number of units: 5,273 5,273 Change in units: +7.5% over 3 years +7.5% over 3 years Initial investment: $398,000 - $973,000 $398,000 - $973,000 Leadership: Chuck Runyon, CEO Chuck Runyon, CEO Parent company: Self Esteem Brands For nearly a quarter of a century, Anytime Fitness has offered a 24/7 gym experience with a focus on convenience and community. The brand has grown to over 5,000 locations across more than 30 countries. The franchise appeals to entrepreneurs seeking a scalable model, with the majority of owners operating multiple units. Franchisees receive extensive training and marketing assistance, making it a compelling opportunity in the fitness industry. Related: I'm CEO of an International Commercial Cleaning Franchise. Here's How I've Turned My Failures Into Fuel for Success. 4. Hotworx Founded: 2017 2017 Franchising since: 2017 2017 Overall Rank: 95 95 Number of units: 768 768 Change in units: +125.9% over 3 years +125.9% over 3 years Initial investment: $252,000 - $1,200,000 $252,000 - $1,200,000 Leadership: Stephen P. Smith, CEO Stephen P. Smith, CEO Parent company: Hotworx Franchising, LLC Hotworx redefines boutique fitness with its patented infrared sauna workouts, blending heat, isometric exercises and HIIT in a 24/7 virtual format. Since launching in 2017, the brand has expanded to over 700 global locations, earning a spot in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 top 100. Founder Stephen P. Smith attributes this rapid growth to a culture rooted in discipline and commitment — qualities he seeks in every franchise partner. Related: How the IFA Plans to Strengthen the $800 Billion Franchise Industry in 2025 5. Club Pilates Founded: 2007 2007 Franchising since: 2012 2012 Overall Rank: 133 133 Number of units: 1,082 1,082 Change in units: +66.7% over 3 years +66.7% over 3 years Initial investment: $197,000 - $459,000 $197,000 - $459,000 Leadership: Mark King, CEO Mark King, CEO Parent company: Xponential Fitness Club Pilates offers a scalable model backed by a strong corporate support system. Franchisees gain access to proven site selection strategies, studio design expertise, hands-on training and national marketing campaigns — all designed to streamline the launch process and set owners up for long-term growth. The brand's flexible ownership structure also allows both hands-on operators and semi-absentee investors to thrive. Related: 70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025 6. Gold's Gym Founded: 1965 1965 Franchising since: 1980 1980 Overall Rank: 160 160 Number of units: 590 590 Change in units: -2% over 3 years -2% over 3 years Initial investment: $1,800,000 - $4,300,000 $1,800,000 - $4,300,000 Leadership: Kevin Christie, VP of global franchising Kevin Christie, VP of global franchising Parent company: RSG Group A symbol of strength and fitness since 1965, Gold's Gym opened in Venice Beach and eventually became a training ground for legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Now, with nearly 600 locations across six continents, the brand blends its iconic heritage with modern innovation. Gold's provides company support, including site selection, gym design and marketing assistance, making it an appealing opportunity in the fitness industry. Related: You're a Walking Billboard — What's Your Brand Saying? 7. The Exercise Coach Founded: 2000 2000 Franchising since: 2010 2010 Overall Rank: 200 200 Number of units: 254 254 Change in units: +61.8% over 3 years +61.8% over 3 years Initial investment: $162,000 - $383,000 $162,000 - $383,000 Leadership: Brian Cygan, CEO Brian Cygan, CEO Parent company: Exercise Coach USA LLC The Exercise Coach offers a tech-driven fitness franchise tailored to adults over 45. Founded in 2000 and franchising since 2010, it delivers personalized, 20-minute strength training sessions using proprietary Exerbotics equipment. And with a compact studio footprint and minimal staffing needs, the franchise is designed for operational efficiency. Related: I Created a Meeting to Call Out My Team's Mistakes. What Happened Next Surprised Me. 8. F45 Training Founded: 2011 2011 Franchising since: 2013 2013 Overall Rank: 232 232 Number of units: 1,583 1,583 Change in units: +1.8% over 3 years +1.8% over 3 years Initial investment: $294,000 - $719,000 $294,000 - $719,000 Leadership: Tom Dowd, CEO Tom Dowd, CEO Parent company: F45 Training Holdings Inc. F45 Training's group fitness is focused on its 45-minute, high-intensity functional workouts, fostering a strong community atmosphere. Since its inception in 2011, F45 has expanded to over 1,500 studios, including approximately 800 international locations, while maintaining a significant presence in the U.S. Franchisees are drawn to its scalable model, diverse workout offerings and the brand's commitment to innovation, making it a standout opportunity in the boutique fitness industry. Related: How I Turned a Failing Business Into a $1 Million Powerhouse in Just 6 Months 9. Pure Barre Founded: 2001 2001 Franchising since: 2009 2009 Overall Rank: 375 375 Number of units: 631 631 Change in units: +5.3% over 3 years +5.3% over 3 years Initial investment: $265,000 - $419,000 $265,000 - $419,000 Leadership: Mark King, CEO Mark King, CEO Parent company: Xponential Fitness Pure Barre is a fitness franchise specializing in low-impact, high-intensity barre workouts. Since its founding in 2001, it has expanded to more than 600 studios across North America. The franchise offers a scalable business model with semi-absentee ownership options, attracting entrepreneurs seeking a community-focused fitness brand. Pure Barre franchises are ideal for those passionate about wellness, and the brand provides a proven concept in the growing boutique fitness industry. Related: 10 Lessons I Learned From Failing My First Acquisition 10. D1 Training Founded: 2001 2001 Franchising since: 2015 2015 Overall Rank: 390 390 Number of units: 116 116 Change in units: +103.5% over 3 years +103.5% over 3 years Initial investment: $162,000 - $711,000 $162,000 - $711,000 Leadership: Will Bartholomew, founder/CEO Will Bartholomew, founder/CEO Parent company: N/A Built on the principles of Division 1 athletic programs, D1 Training is a performance-based fitness franchise that offers structured training for youth, adults and elite athletes. Founded in 2001 and franchising since 2015, D1 Training now operates over 100 locations nationwide. With expert coaching, small-group sessions and a values-driven approach, the brand attracts franchisees who are passionate about sports, community and long-term growth. Related: Why Failure Is Crucial To Success
Cision Canada
29-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Crunch Fitness Opens First Calgary Location in Deer Valley
CALGARY, AB, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Crunch Fitness, the renowned high-value, low-price fitness brand, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Deer Valley, Calgary. Opening its doors on Saturday, May 31 at 9:00 AM, this marks the first Crunch Fitness in Calgary and the second in Alberta, following the successful opening in West Edmonton Mall. The Deer Valley club is also the 33rd Crunch Fitness location in Canada, underscoring the brand's continued nationwide growth. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, Crunch Fitness Canada is on track to operate over 50 locations by 2025, as part of an ambitious national expansion strategy. Since 2017, Crunch has built a reputation for combining top-tier fitness amenities with dynamic group classes, including its signature HIITZone workouts, all at an affordable price point. "We're excited to bring Crunch's unique fitness experience to the vibrant Deer Valley community," said Wes Hodgson, President and CEO of Crunch Fitness Canada. "Calgarians can expect a high-energy, inclusive gym environment offering boutique-style classes and premium amenities. Expanding into Calgary is another important step toward our goal of making high-quality, affordable fitness accessible across Canada." Crunch Deer Valley will offer memberships ranging from $9.99 to $34.99 per month, with amenities such as hydro-massage, red light therapy, and a full roster of group classes including yoga, Pilates, and Zumba. The location also features Olympic lifting platforms, heavy free weights, and dedicated areas for high-intensity interval training. New members can join Crunch's Deer Valley club ahead of the opening date. For more information or to join, stop by the location at 1221 Canyon Meadows Dr SE or visit About Crunch Fitness Crunch is a fitness brand that fuses fun and fitness through unique group fitness classes, top-tier equipment, and a "no limits" philosophy. With a mission to make serious fitness fun, Crunch serves over 2 million members across hundreds of locations worldwide.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crunch Fitness Opens First Calgary Location in Deer Valley
CALGARY, AB, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Crunch Fitness, the renowned high-value, low-price fitness brand, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Deer Valley, Calgary. Opening its doors on Saturday, May 31 at 9:00 AM, this marks the first Crunch Fitness in Calgary and the second in Alberta, following the successful opening in West Edmonton Mall. The Deer Valley club is also the 33rd Crunch Fitness location in Canada, underscoring the brand's continued nationwide growth. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, Crunch Fitness Canada is on track to operate over 50 locations by 2025, as part of an ambitious national expansion strategy. Since 2017, Crunch has built a reputation for combining top-tier fitness amenities with dynamic group classes, including its signature HIITZone workouts, all at an affordable price point. "We're excited to bring Crunch's unique fitness experience to the vibrant Deer Valley community," said Wes Hodgson, President and CEO of Crunch Fitness Canada. "Calgarians can expect a high-energy, inclusive gym environment offering boutique-style classes and premium amenities. Expanding into Calgary is another important step toward our goal of making high-quality, affordable fitness accessible across Canada." Crunch Deer Valley will offer memberships ranging from $9.99 to $34.99 per month, with amenities such as hydro-massage, red light therapy, and a full roster of group classes including yoga, Pilates, and Zumba. The location also features Olympic lifting platforms, heavy free weights, and dedicated areas for high-intensity interval training. New members can join Crunch's Deer Valley club ahead of the opening date. For more information or to join, stop by the location at 1221 Canyon Meadows Dr SE or visit About Crunch FitnessCrunch is a fitness brand that fuses fun and fitness through unique group fitness classes, top-tier equipment, and a "no limits" philosophy. With a mission to make serious fitness fun, Crunch serves over 2 million members across hundreds of locations worldwide. SOURCE Crunch Fitness Canada View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CR Fitness Holdings Opens 85th Crunch Fitness Location with State-of-the-Art Facility in Gainesville, GA
Crunch Gainesville, GA Set to Open at 250 John W Morrow Jr Pkwy, Suite 100 Gainesville, GA 30521. Soft opening on May 29th, Grand Opening May 31st. GAINESVILLE, Ga., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CR Fitness Holdings, the nation's fastest-growing franchisee of Crunch Fitness, is excited to announce its grand opening for their upcoming location, Crunch Gainesville, GA—its 14th location in the Atlanta metropolitan surrounding area. This state-of-the-art, brand new 40,158-square-foot fitness center, located at 250 John W Morrow Jr Pkwy, Suite 100 Gainesville, GA 30521 represents a $5 million investment and is the first Crunch Fitness in the city of Gainesville, GA. Crunch Gainesville, GA will redefine what a fitness destination can be, blending cutting-edge equipment with an atmosphere that's as motivating as it is fun. Crunch Gainesville, GA is a brand-new 3.0 location with a modern design that will provide a complete, upscale fitness experience with a focus on quality service. The center features top-of-the-line cardio and strength equipment including Olympic squat racks, a group fitness studio, Infrared sauna, hot studio for yoga and Pilates, boxing classes, performance turf, dry saunas, HydroMassage®, tanning, and the innovative HIITZone™. Spacious, modern locker rooms complete the experience, providing everything needed for a smooth and comfortable visit. Whether you're a beginner looking for Personal Training or a seasoned athlete ready for Group Fitness classes, Crunch Gainesville, GA accommodates a variety of fitness goals in a motivating, engaging and welcoming environment for the entire community. The doors will officially open for workouts on May 29th at 5:00 a.m. with a soft opening, giving early members a chance to explore this new, $5 million gym. The grand opening celebration will take place on May 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., featuring a BBQ cook-out, lively party atmosphere, exciting promotions, vendors on site with prizes and giveaways - and most importantly, a look at everything Crunch has to offer its prospective members! But that's not all—Crunch Gainesville, GA will host a special sneak peek event on May 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor of Gainsville Sam Couvillon at 7:30 p.m. This event is an opportunity for community members to tour the facility, ask questions and receive special deals. "We're excited to expand our footprint to 14 clubs in the Atlanta area with this gym location in Gainesville, GA" says Tony Scrimale, CEO of CR Fitness Holdings. "This 3.0 location takes everything our members love about Crunch to the next level, with premium amenities, the latest equipment, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere that caters to everyone." CR Fitness Holdings is on track to operate 100 locations nationwide by 2026. With more than 150 years of combined industry experience, the team, led by Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Jeff Dotson, and Tony Scrimale, currently operates 85 locations across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee, with plans to expand into Arizona. For more information about Crunch Gainesville, GA and it's special "Grand Opening" offer to Join for $1 plus get 30 Days Free, visit About CR Fitness Holdings, LLCCR Fitness Holdings, LLC is the leading franchisee of Crunch Fitness, with over 150 years of combined experience in the fitness industry. The company's expansion across the U.S. reflects its commitment to providing accessible fitness experiences that combine high-quality equipment, a fun atmosphere, and exceptional value. About Crunch FitnessCrunch is a gym that believes in making serious exercise fun by fusing fitness and entertainment and pioneering a philosophy of 'No Judgments.' Crunch serves a fitness community for all kinds of people with all types of goals, exercising all different ways, working it out at the same place together. Today, we are renowned for creating one-of-a-kind group fitness classes and unique programming for our wildly diverse members. Headquartered in New York City, Crunch serves three million members with over 500 gyms worldwide in 41 states, the District of Columbia, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, and India. Crunch is rapidly expanding across the U.S. and around the globe. Media Contact:Rich MerrillSVP, Marketing – CR Fitnessrich@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CR Fitness Holdings, LLC. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gym-goer claims he was kicked out of a Wisconsin Crunch Fitness for wearing a ‘Trump 2024' hat
A devoted Donald Trump fan was thrown out of a Crunch Fitness in Madison, Wisconsin, after cops said he 'screamed and cursed' at other members trying to work out, but the aggrieved member – who is now suing the chain – believes his banishment stems from the Trump hat he sometimes donned while there. Michael Green filed a federal lawsuit against Fitness Ventures, LLC, a Crunch franchisee with locations in 27 U.S. states, claiming he was discriminated against for being a Trump supporter – not for causing a disturbance, as a police report obtained by The Independent shows. 'I still don't understand exactly what happened, but I'm thinking someone at the gym had a perceived issue with me and decided to weaponize the police against me,' Green's March 31 complaint states. 'I had been wearing a pro-Trump hat during prior gym visits but stopped due to the stares I would get from staff and members… Perhaps it was some kind of retaliation for being a Trump supporter, even worse a [B]lack Trump supporter in Dane County.' Green, 42, believes Crunch violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by 'engaging in discriminatory practices' against him. He is seeking $75,000 for his alleged troubles, writing in his self-filed complaint, '$75,000 is enough that may provide a deterrent from similar behavior in the future.' Green claims his Trump merch got him thrown out of two gyms (Getty Images) Two weeks before filing suit against Crunch, Green sued another area health club over similar allegations, claiming he had been discriminated against for 'show[ing] my support of our president by wearing different types of Trump apparel such as hats, book bags, tee shirts, etc.' He was also removed from that gym by police for allegedly harassing the manager, a Democrat, over her political leanings. In a phone call on Wednesday, Green told The Independent that the hat in question at Crunch read: 'Trump 2024.' 'I had stopped wearing it, but they had already pegged me as a Trump guy,' Green said. Over the course of 40 minutes, Green, who said he voted for Trump in 2024, railed against DEI initiatives, the transgender community, and the 'liberals' he insisted were responsible for pushing him into the president's arms. 'I'm not a cult follower, it's just living in that area, them telling me that he's bad… that made me say, 'OK, well, I'm gonna vote for him then,'' Green said. Fitness Ventures, LLC executives did not respond to requests for comment. Two weeks before he sued Crunch, Michael Green sued another local gym over a near-identical allegation (Getty Images) Green's beef stems from an encounter on March 30, the day before he sued Crunch, when he was exercising at a local gym, according to his complaint. While there, his complaint states, he 'was approached by a staff member and two Madison Police officers.' 'The staff member said that I was being 'aggressive' to gym members,' Green's complaint goes on. 'I still have no clue what exactly is going on, the staff member was extremely vague. I was drenched in sweat so I asked If I could use the shower before I left, the staff member told me I could not so I went into the locker room to change clothes as quickly as I could.' Upon leaving the locker room, Green 'was confronted by 6-10 madison [sic] police officers,' his complaint continues. 'I asked them what was going on, they explained they were called to make sure I left the premises. I left as instructed.' Once he was out of the building, Green realized he had forgotten some of his belongings at the gym, his complaint says. So, as cops were still on the scene, Green called Crunch and asked a staffer to give his things to the officers so he could get them back, according to the complaint. But, it says, the police soon left, and the Crunch employee told Green to meet him at the gym entrance to pick up his stuff. Green insisted that widespread anti-Trump sentiment is what pushed him to become a Trump supporter (AFP via Getty Images) 'While walking towards the gym I flagged down a Madison Police officer and asked them If they could get my items instead of me approaching the gym,' Green's complaint states. '[T]he officer agreed.' Green then called the gym to tell the staff member that police would be coming back instead of him, according to his complaint. During that call, Green complained about the 'vulgar, racist, stereotyping rap music' Crunch plays, which, the complaint asserts, 'paints African-Americans in a fictional[,] terrible light.' The staffer followed up by denigrating Black people, to which Green responded with a homophobic slur, says the complaint, which does not specify whether or not Green ultimately got his property back. However, an incident report shared with The Independent by a Madison Police Department spokeswoman tells a different story. Officers were dispatched on March 30 to Crunch after an employee called the cops about a gym member – Green – who was allegedly 'causing a disturbance,' and asked to have police standing by when staffers ejected him, according to the report. Green reportedly had 'approached other gym members and screamed and cursed at them' because he wanted to use their exercise equipment, the report states. It says these members asked the manager to have Green removed, but did not wish to press charges against him. Although Green claims his support for Donald Trump, seen here campaigning in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is what got him thrown out of a local gym, police tell a different story (Getty Images) According to the incident report, only two officers responded to the call, not the half-dozen or more mentioned in Green's complaint. They escorted Green to the locker room and stood outside as he gathered his belongings, the report explains. The officers instructed Green not to return to Crunch for the remainder of the day, after which Green was seen walking away toward a nearby mall, according to the report. 'The case is closed on our end,' the Madison police spokeswoman told The Independent. Last month, a woman claimed she had been kicked out of an Indianapolis bar for wearing a MAGA hat; the bar said she had been harassing an employee. Last year, two women were removed from a British Airways flight after trading punches over a Trump hat one was wearing. Things have also gone the other way for people sporting Trump merch – in October, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell claimed to have gotten out of a speeding ticket thanks to a cop who spotted his MAGA hat and let him go. In his complaint, Green declares Dane County, where Madison is located, to be 'extremely liberal,' and derides its residents as biased against those on the right. 'The anger I feel about this can only be overshadowed by an overall sense of sadness,' Green's complaint concludes. 'I don't believe this to be a Crunch or Fitness Venture issue as it's more a Dane County issue.' Dane County is not named as a defendant in Green's suit.
