Breaking News and Important Announcements

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Latest News

DEKAFIT by Spartan Becomes AFS Sponsor; Major Presence Planned at SUCCEED!

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, BOSTON, MA January 6, 2020) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of DEKAFIT – the newest fitness competition from Spartan Race - to its sponsorship ranks for both AFS and SUCCEED! 2020.

Spartan Race is well known around the world for bringing obstacle course racing to all levels of athletes. From Boston to California, Australia to Iceland the industrious sporting giant never stops evolving. It makes sense that Spartan would step into the indoor fitness space and launch a “DEKAthlon” and training program for the masses.

AFS, Masters in Fitness Business Announce 2020 Podcast Partnership

(OAKLAND, CA, UNIVERSITY CITY, MO, December 31, 2019) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) and Masters in Fitness Business Podcasts (MFB) today announced a partnership to jointly produce a bi-weekly series of fitness business podcasts in 2020, including a live podcast event at SUCCEED! 2020, April 30-May 3 in Irvine, CA.

Masters in Fitness Business is the #1 podcast of independent personal training studios, creating a community of working together to help independent studios be more successful. Given that’s essentially the mission of AFS, the collaboration makes total sense.

Spartan to Launch DEKAFIT. A Premier Indoor Fitness Competition and Experience

(Boston, Massachusetts, 20 December 2019) - Spartan Race is well known around the world for bringing obstacle course racing to all levels of athletes. From Boston to California, Australia to Iceland the industrious sporting giant never stops evolving.

It makes sense that Spartan would step into the indoor fitness space and launch a “dekathlon” and training program for the masses.

Heart Zones and Kevin Bryant Team Up Together

(December 24, 2019) Sacramento, CA. For the past 40 years, Kevin Bryant, health club expert and industry veteran has been working within the fitness industry in almost every capacity. As a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, he attended on an athletic scholarship as a high jumper clearing 7’ 1” some 40 years ago. His career path started as a school physical education teacher, but Kevin quickly transitioned into the club business as a professional fitness trainer and director.

The Abs Company Signs 100 Club Deal for Booty Coaster™ with World Gym Taiwan

Chester, NJ, November 7, 2019: The Abs Company, the leading manufacturer of Core Based Functional Training equipment, announces that they have entered into a global partnership with World Gym Taiwan. Effective today, World Gym Taiwan will be the exclusive provider of The Abs Company’s new Booty Coaster™ glute training machine. The companies have agreed to roll the product out in 100 locations over the next 12 months.

World Gym Taiwan is the largest fitness operator in Taiwan and the largest World Gym Franchisee in the world.

Hedstrom Fitness Becomes AFS Sponsor; Will Be at SUCCEED!

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, ASHLAND, OH, November 25, 2019) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of recreation and fitness giant Hedstrom Fitness to its sponsorship ranks for both AFS and SUCCEED! 2020.

Hedstrom Fitness delivers unique and versatile fitness products and sporting equipment ranging from casual to pro. Hedstrom Fitness is the exclusive manufacturer and licensor of major industry brands such as BOSU® and SURGE®, familiar to almost every fitness facility and sporting goods retailer.

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.

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