Gym Marketing Gets Dirty?

Anytime Fitness' new franchisee in Hamilton, New Zealand is pointing the finger at competitors following the theft of $1,900 worth of promotional signage.

Marlin Tohiariki has been reported as saying that signs he was using around Hamilton to promote his new business may have been stolen by rival gyms which do not want new competition in town.

Tohiariki, whose gym will open in October, said he placed signs and a five-by-five metre banner around town to promote the business.

He was aware some were removed by the Hamilton City Council for breaching bylaws, but he could not account for his largest banner, worth $1900.

Tohiariki was reported as saying "none of the signs around them have been ripped down.

"It's interesting, we are the new player and I think we are a bit of a threat to the market at the moment."

Tohiariki said he had reported the theft to police and was offering a year's free gym membership for their return.

Tohiariki added that other gyms in town were also undertaking aggressive marketing campaigns, "everyone is competing for the gym membership dollars."

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