Having recently announced changes in ownership and management, Life Fitness – including its Australian division – is poised for an exciting future.
Life Fitness is the global leader in commercial strength and cardiovascular fitness equipment. The company manufactures and sells its equipment under the brand names: Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group and SCIFIT; and its equipment is distributed to 166 countries.
In May 2019, Life Fitness USA announced that KPS Capital Partners (KPS) – a leading investment firm, focused on manufacturing and industrial companies across an extensive range of industries – entered into a $490M agreement with its parent company, Brunswick Corporation. This purchase included the acquisition of Brunswick’s fitness business and related brands such as Life Fitness.
This announcement was then followed up in July with recruitment news, which included Chris Clawson’s appointment as Life Fitness’ new Chief Executive Officer, making it his third return to the brand.
Mr Clawson was a former President of Life Fitness (2010 to 2016); he was also previously President of Matrix Fitness Systems, and more recently Chairman of the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (in the USA). Mr Clawson originally joined Life Fitness in 1994 in a product development role, and after 10 years with the company he went on to several fitness industry leadership roles before returning again in 2010.
“KPS has extensive experience in working successfully with businesses similar to ours, and so with their commitment to invest significantly into product development, coupled with my commitment to continue to drive the brand forward as an innovative global market leader, well, it all equates to a very exciting future for Life Fitness,” said Mr Clawson.
“Life Fitness has the largest global installed base of equipment, with approximately two million pieces of cardiovascular and strength equipment used regularly by over 60 million people worldwide,” added Jay Bernstein, a Partner of KPS. “KPS’ track record of leveraging capital and investing in technology, innovation, growth and customer service, presents a tremendous opportunity for Life Fitness, so we look forward to building on this great platform, and the company’s strong heritage of design, innovation and product development. We are exceedingly confident that Life Fitness will thrive as an independent company.”
“The recent changes are significant, but will serve as a great catalyst for us to continue to strengthen our position as a world-class brand and reinforce our reputation within the fitness industry, so we can continue to achieve our mission to inspire healthier lives,” concluded Mr Clawson.
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Life Fitness Australia is the exclusive distributor of the world’s leading fitness brands: Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group and SCIFIT. To view the range or simply ask a question, call 1800 689 622 or enquire below.[/box]