News and Publications

Latest News

Fitness Industry Expert Kerri O’Brien Joins AFS Advisory Council

(OAKLAND, CA, TAMPA, FL, February 16, 2018)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced the addition of well-known fitness industry leader Dr. Kerri O’Brien to its Advisory Council.

Dr. O’Brien, owner of Bottom Line Weight Loss, has nearly 30 years experience in the fitness industry working for for-profit fitness facilities, spas, trade associations, rec centers, university and college settings, weight management clinics, corporate wellness, franchises and police and fire services. 

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Fitness Formulary Joins AFS, ‘One Stop, Online Nutrition with Revenue Share’

(OAKLAND, CA, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, February 6, 2018)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of Fitness Formulary to its membership ranks.

With over 55,000 foods, supplements & beauty products today and over 250,000 recipes coming, Fitness Formulary is an educational resource and retailer that shares its revenue with fitness studios and trainers. Their focus is Functional Medicine – to identify and fight the underlying cause of preventive disease before it happens. 

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Black Iron Strength Joins AFS, ‘Quality Craftsmanship Made in the USA’

(OAKLAND, CA, VANCOUVER, WA, February 1, 2018)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of Black Iron Strength to its membership ranks.

Founded in 2001, Black Iron Strength’s® goal was to provide the world’s best free weight products which would be manufactured in the United States with the highest grade materials and craftsmanship with no compromise on design and innovation.  That goal has been achieved through multiple product lines.  As a result of their innovations, Black Iron Strength® has been awarded 15 US Patents.

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Myzone Named IHRSA Associate Member of the Year

CHICAGO, IL – Myzone, a wearable technology solution that rewards effort, has been named the IHRSA 2018 Associate Member of the Year. This award recognizes an IHRSA Associate Member for their significant contributions to the advancement of the health club industry and their support for IHRSA, its members and mission. The Myzone company has been an IHRSA member since 2011, and its founders have been members since 1997. 

Myzone was selected as this year’s honoree due to its, “outstanding achievements, innovations and support of the health and fitness industry, its continued investment in leading-edge technology, and its unwavering support of IHRSA and its members,” according to IHRSA.

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Matrix Fitness Receives Most Innovative Brand Award

COTTAGE GROVE Wis.  —  Matrix Fitness, the commercial brand of Johnson Health Tech (JHT), recently received the prestigious 2017 Most Innovative Brand Award in the Sports and Fitness Machines category by Plus X.

Based in Germany, the Plus X Award is the world’s largest innovation award for technology, sports and lifestyle. It honors brands for representing the leading edge in quality and innovation in their products. Awards are selected by an expert jury and are based on seven quality seals, including innovation, design, high quality, ease of use, functionality, ergonomics, and ecology.

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GymCloud Joins AFS, Provides Simple Online Personal Training Software

(OAKLAND, CA, NASHVILLE, TN, January 30, 2018)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of GymCloud to its membership ranks. It’s no secret the Internet has created countless opportunities for fitness professionals, but how many studio owners are actually taking advantage and expanding their business online?

After a decade of working in corporate gyms, training independently and owning a studio, Kenton Boutwell, the founder of GymCloud, realized the problem.

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AFS, Gym Factory (Spain) Enter Into Cooperation Agreement

(OAKLAND, CA, MADRID, SPAIN, January 24, 2018)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) and Gym Factory, the leading fitness organization on the Iberian peninsula, today announced a cooperation agreement to enhance the opportunities of the audiences of both groups.

AFS is the only trade association focused on the boutique fitness studio market globally, and Gym Factory produces two publications of the same name covering the Spain and Portugal markets as well as hosting an International Congress and Trade Show in Madrid (May 10-12, 2018).

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Publications

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