News and Publications

Latest News

Petra Robinson, Fitness Marketing Expert, Joins AFS Advisory Council

(OAKLAND, CA, SAN DIEGO, CA, June 14, 2017)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced the addition of well known and highly successful fitness industry business development and marketing expert, Petra Robinson to its Advisory Council. 

Petra, a 35-year veteran of the fitness industry, has a created a distinctive niche for herself for turning concepts into well-known brands.  Her portfolio of success includes Zumba, AFAA, Piloxing, and healthclub.com among many.

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SHIFT Formula Joins AFS, Combining Fitness, Nutrition & Marketing

(OAKLAND, CA, FORT MYERS BEACH, FL, June 9, 2017) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of SHIFT Formula™ to its membership and sponsorship partner program.

With a focus on society’s never ending battle with weight gain, and leveraging their fitness, health club and marketing experiences, co-founders Barb and Charlie McDermott have created a formula that builds a studio’s credibility, community relevance, and revenue streams – all while improving the health of clients.

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Zipwhip Joins AFS,‘Texting to Improve Your Business’

(OAKLAND, CA, SEATTLE, WA, June 7, 2017) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of Zipwhip to its membership ranks.

Seattle-based texting carrier Zipwhip lets businesses send and receive text messages from their computer using existing landline, VoIP, or toll free phone numbers. With direct connections to tier-1 carriers, Zipwhip includes easy-to-use software and a scalable productivity tool for business texting. 

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Annbeth Eschbach, Spa+Fitness Expert, Joins AFS Advisory Council

(OAKLAND, CA, NEW YORK, NY, May 16, 2017)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced the addition of well known fitness industry leader Annbeth Eschbach to its Advisory Council.

Ms. Eschbach is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Exhale Enterprises, Inc., an enterprise that has forever changed the spa+fitness industry with the introduction of a unique wellbeing brand and business model that addresses both mind+body, through spa+fitness.  

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AFS, NSCA Sign Expanded Collaboration Agreement

(OAKLAND, CA, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, May 12, 2017)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) and the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) announced today that they have reached a collaboration agreement to exchange education and information, and provide unique opportunities to each other’s constituencies. 

NSCA is the world-leading membership organization for thousands of elite strength coaches, personal trainers, dedicated researchers, and educators, providing publications, education, certification, events, and awards among its many benefits of membership.

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L.I.F.T. Wins SportsArt ‘Buying Habits’ Research Prize

(OAKLAND, CA, May 10, 2017) – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) happily announced today that Schliebe’s L.I.F.T. (Legendary Indoor Fitness Training) of Bend, OR is the winner of SportsArt G510 indoor cycle, awarded to one of the participating studios in AFS’ Buying Habits of Fitness Studios research project. 

That first-of-its kind research delivered concrete and specific data exploring the how, why, and when fitness studios make purchases of all types of products and services.

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MYZONE Announces Partnership with The Fitness Business Podcast

CHICAGO – April 27, 2017 – MYZONE; a wearable training partner that rewards effort, announced today a new partnership with The Fitness Business Podcast, a channel created with fitness business owners and managers in mind. The partnership allows MYZONE to provide listeners with additional insight and strategies for achieving continued growth within the fitness industry. 

“MYZONE was developed by experts within the fitness industry who understand both the gym consumers and gym operators,” explains Emmett Williams, MYZONE President. “We’re excited to share our wealth of knowledge with The Fitness Business and its listeners.”

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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