News and Publications

Latest News

Virtuagym Joins AFS ‘All in One’ Fitness Management Software

(OAKLAND, CA, CHICAGO, IL, March 20, 2019)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of Virtuagym to its membership and sponsorship ranks.

Virtuagym launched in 2008 as a consumer app for web and mobile, providing users with an easy and fun way to work out and track their nutrition. In 2012, the company moved into the professional sphere, quickly becoming one of the leading innovators in the digital health and fitness domain.

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Eleiko Joins AFS, ‘To Make People Stronger to Perform Better in Sports and in Life’

(OAKLAND, CA, CHICAGO, IL, March 13, 2019)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of Eleiko to its membership ranks.

Founded in 1957 in with an inspiration to build a better barbell, Eleiko was crafted from a specially formulated hardened steel with a waffle pattern knurling and it went on to forever change Eleiko and the sport of weightlifting.

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FitGrid Joins AFS, ‘Boosting Client Retention by 60% and More’

(OAKLAND, CA, NEW YORK, NY, February 27, 2018)  – The Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of FitGrid to its membership and sponsorship ranks.

Founded in March 2017, FitGrid harnesses the power of the community – from studio to instructor to client - to increase business growth in fitness studios.  Its most recent product, FitGrid Pro, focuses on the connection between instructors and clients, and helps studios boost overall retention by continuously motivating and training their instructors on how to boost their individual retention rates. 

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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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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