Anytime Fitness the ‘fastest-growing fitness franchise of all time’

The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has identified Anytime Fitness as the fastest-growing in the world over the last 10 years.

Averaging more than 300 new gyms a year around the world over the last decade, IHRSA’s findings echo the US-based fitness franchise having been recently referred to as the "fastest-growing fitness franchise of all time" in an article posted on Inc.com.

Commenting on the group’s ongoing growth, Anytime Fitness Chief Executive and co-founder Chuck Runyon stated “we built the franchise by focusing on convenience, affordability and a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

"That will never change. But we've sustained and, in many areas, accelerated our growth by expanding our programming and benefits for members. Specifically, our new group training sessions and our mobile app - which serves as a personal trainer in your pocket – have been wildly popular and will contribute to our future growth."

In 2016, Anytime Fitness opened 388 new gyms and the franchise expects to top that number this year, opening more than 400 new facilities by the end of 2017, including its very first gyms in Thailand and Bahrain.

System-wide sales for Anytime Fitness exceeded US$1 billion for the first time in 2016 while total revenues for Anytime Fitness, its parent company, Self Esteem Brands, and its master franchisees are expected to top US$2 billion in 2018.

Anytime Fitness Presidnet and co-founder Dave Mortensen added “our purpose, very simply, is to help people get to a healthier place.

"To help as many people as possible, we're constantly striving to provide our franchisees with the support, the tools and the technology they need to best serve their members. We've been successful because we work hard, not merely to meet the ever-changing preferences of fitness consumers, but to anticipate them."

One of the benefits of an Anytime Fitness membership, and a contributor to the company's rapid growth, is the franchise's ‘Anywhere Access’ policy – members who join an Anytime Fitness gym can use any of the chain's 3,700 gyms worldwide at no additional cost.

That gives members the option of exercising not only whenever they choose (Anytime Fitness gyms are open 24/7), but virtually wherever they like.

During the 15 years since Anytime Fitness opened its first gym in the US state of Minnesota, it has thrived as a result of its efficient business model, which benefits gym members and owners alike, regardless of where the gyms are located.

IHRSA Executive Vice President of Global Products Jay Ablondi stated “the diversity of the places where Anytime Fitness gyms are flourishing is truly amazing.

"Qatar, India, the Netherlands, Mexico, Malaysia – not to mention Des Moines, Denver and Little Rock. Clearly, members appreciate what the gyms have to offer, while many Anytime Fitness owners are doing well enough financially to open multiple gyms."

Click here to view The CEO of the Fastest-Growing Fitness Franchise of All Time Says that Leaders Exhibit These 4 Traits at Inc.com

Image: Chuck Runyon (left) with business partner Dave Mortensen.

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