Breaking News and Important Announcements

Providing the latest news and cutting-edge publications impacting your business

Latest News

Century Martial Arts Becomes AFS Sponsor; Will Be at SUCCEED!

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, November 12, 2019) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of category leader Century Martial Arts to its sponsorship ranks and as an exhibitor at SUCCEED! 2020.

Founded in 1976 by national martial arts champion Michael Dillard, Century began as a one-man operation in Dillard’s parent's garage. Forty-two years later Century is a 300-person team in a 600,000 sq. ft. facility.

PlayCore adds Dynamax to its Family of Brands

Chattanooga, TN - PlayCore Holdings, Inc. (PlayCore), a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad range of play and recreation products, today announced the acquisition of Dynamax.

Dynamax is a manufacturer and supplier of quality medicine balls. The popular choice among professional, college, and amateur athletes, the company was founded in 1985 with a goal of designing the perfect high-impact, high-speed, and high-intensity training medicine ball. The company is headquartered in Austin, TX.

World Gym Athletics Expands AFS Sponsorship

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, LOS ANGELES, CA, October 15, 2019) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced that World Gym Athletics (WGA) – the studio-style, group training program of parent World Gym International - has renewed and upgraded its annual sponsorship.

World Gym Athletics is an exclusive, studio-style, group training program that combines the best of HIIT, Olympic lifting and functional training. Built to be a complete system for personal and group training, members and clients get the most out of their workouts with safe, intense, and progressive sessions. No shortcuts. No gimmicks. It’s fitness truth.

Fisikal Joins AFS; Will Be at SUCCEED! "Integrated Software to Increase Profits”

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, LONDON, ENGLAND, October 8, 2019) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed Fisikal to its sponsorship ranks, managing studio and gym businesses to allow owners and trainers to focus on clients.

Fisikal was born in 2011 out of a need by founder Rob Lander to better manage his personal training business and client portfolio. Rob was increasingly frustrated by the time he was having to spend addressing administration tasks such as finance and operations associated with client management to keep the business running

TECHNOGYM Announces the New ARTIS LINE Release Setting the State of the Art in the Industry

Technogym – the world leading brand in fitness and wellness products, services and digital technologies and official supplier to 7 editions of the Olympic games – introduces the upgraded ARTIS line: the new state of the art in cardio and strength training, that leverages the heritage of the original ARTIS line bringing together the very best in design, biomechanical engineering, interactive technology and introducing new digital services and style options.

ARTIS is a unique range dedicated to cardio and strength training including a total of 25 pieces of equipment that cover all muscle groups and join ease-of-use and comfort with the highest level of performance and user engagement.

OfferingTree Joins AFS "All the Tools to Be Successful"

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, ST. PAUL, MN, October 1, 2019) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed OfferingTree to its sponsorship ranks, providing software, website development, and scheduling tools for fitness and wellness professionals.

OfferingTree simplifies website management, scheduling, and payment processing so that fitness professionals including personal trainers and studios owners can focus on their clients. These professionals and owners are passionate about the services they offer but are less interested in the administrative and technological challenges of running a business.

Matrix Fitness Awarded World Gym Vendor of the Year

COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. (Sept. 26, 2019) – Matrix Fitness, a brand of Johnson Health Tech (JHT), has been awarded the 2019 World Gym Vendor of the Year. This respected award was presented at the annual World Gym International Convention, which brought together more than 200 gym owners, corporate executives, staff, and vendors from around the globe for four days of education sessions and networking events.

“To win the World Gym Vendor of the Year Award is truly an honor,” said Kent Stevens, Matrix Executive Vice President of Sales. “The Matrix team would like to express our appreciation for being recognized as a well-respected partner of World Gym, a brand with a storied history in the fitness industry. We look forward to continuing to provide this level of exceptional experience for all of our valued customers.”

Brand New Reports Coming Soon!!!

2019 Fitness Studio Operating & Financial Benchmarking Report

The 2019 report is our most ambitious yet, including a financial breakdown of studios by region, studio type, and size to get the most accurate data possible.

Access the 2019 Report

2019 Fitness Studio Trend Report

To ensure a variety of feedback, AFS canvassed its Advisory Council, vendor partners, and leading studio and gym operators to reveal their top trends for 2019!

Access the 2019 Report

2018 Fitness Studio Operating & Financial Benchmarking Report

From coast to coast, the 2018 report canvassed the US to get the most accurate data possible. The 2018 report shows the studio market continues to thrive and become increasingly revenue efficient.

Access the 2018 Report

2018 Fitness Studio Trend Report

To ensure a variety of perspectives AFS canvassed it’s Advisory Council, Vendor Partners, and leading studio operators on trends they see growing or continuing in 2018.

Access the 2018 Trend Report

2017 Fitness Studio Operating & Financial Benchmarking Report

The 2017 Report has expanded the reach of respondents to mirror the expansion of AFS and the studio business. A full 30% of respondents to this year’s survey are from non-U.S. locations.

Access the 2017 Report

Marketing Best Practices Research Report

We surveyed hundreds of studio owners across the country, identified the successful strategies, and provide them to you in this first-ever research report!

Access the 2016 Report