If you need any indication that the fitness industry, on a global scale, is continuing to grow, look no further than the exceptional growth of Planet Fitness in the US.
World News: March 2017 – USA
Opening 195 new facilities in 2016 , 74 of those opening in a 13 week period between October – December 2016. That gives the franchise group a huge total of 1,313 sites across the world.
Most Planet Fitness franchisees do not come from a background in the fitness club industry. Instead Planet Fitness focus on an ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ and the desire to follow a time-tested and proven franchise model.
The Planet Fitness franchise attracts owners and investors from all walks of life with diverse backgrounds such as doctors and lawyers. A Planet Fitness site would typically employ a total of 13-18 people.
“The foundation of our success starts with our affordable, non-intimidating fitness offering,” CEO Chris Rondeau said in the earnings statement.
“Our welcoming in-store experience featuring industry-leading cardio and strength equipment is resonating with an increasing number of consumers as we expand brand awareness through our growing national and local advertising spend combined with our powerful franchise base that continues to bring our brand to new communities.
“I’m incredibly proud of everything we have accomplished, especially how we’ve enriched so many members’ lives and delivered strong returns for our franchisees and shareholders,” Rondeau said. “We are excited to build on our current momentum in 2017 and over the long-term.”
Planet Fitness reported 1.6 million new members in 2016 alone and after an internal study, found that more than 40% of those new members had never previously had any kind of health club membership.
Planet Fitness was ranked seventh on the Club Industry’s Top 100 Health Clubs of 2016.