Boston — April 24, 2018 — The Italian fitness industry looks to the future thanks to a 'historic' agreement between the largest network of multi-brand gyms of Italy and the global fitness body. This means discounts and benefits for over 140 thousand Italian users who can train in thousands of clubs all over the world.

The objectives of this strategic agreement signed between Fitness Network Italia, the largest national network of multi-brand fitness center, and IHRSA, the historical world body that since 1981 has been representing the Fitness and Wellness Club of the entire globe, include: A more solid and structured Italian Fitness industry, qualified center, increasingly well-trained gyms managers and owners and professionals of physical exercise with advanced training and strong credibility.

This partnership will allow more than 140 thousand Italian users to train in thousands of clubs in the rest of the world, benefiting from the discounts and facilitations of the exclusive IHRSA Passport program.

The agreement was reached in Cologne on the occasion of FIBO 2018, the most important European event for fitness and wellness, and will make Fitness Network Italia the IHRSA 'Strategic Partner' in Italy. With almost 100 clubs in 12 Italian regions, FNI will contribute to the growth and promotion of the fitness sector in Italy, further strengthening the collaboration between operators and providing ever greater knowledge opportunities to increase the competitiveness of affiliated clubs: "We are proud to have achieved this agreement—explains Andrea Pambianchi, Founder and CEO of Fitness Network Italia—this partnership can represent for our clubs an exceptional strategic lever of business growth and projects us towards a more European dimension, with the vision of becoming the multi-brand network with the largest number of facilities across the continent."

By virtue of this collaboration, Fitness Network will represent on the national territory a global giant that brings together more than 9,000 associated clubs in more than 80 countries and 120 million users: it will take care of all affiliations, it will provide orientation and strategic direction for the development of market objectives, it will provide Italian operators with access to a true international know-how attentive to physical exercise as a tool for wellness and health: "We are thrilled to have chosen Fitness Network Italia as a strategic partner in Italy as we continue to grow our number of partners across Europe. Fitness Network Italia has developed very quickly in the last 18 months, and this agreement gives us for the first time the opportunity to strengthen and extend IHRSA's benefits and expertise to Italy. Italian health club owners and operators will now have the opportunity to join IHRSA at discounted membership rates in order to participate in IHRSA events and receive expert educational materials to help them strengthen their businesses and, ultimately, create a healthier world," added Florian Cartoux, IHRSA Europe Director.

Among the first initiatives announced by Fitness Network Italia for the approach in Europe is an exclusive convention on board the Fit Cruise of Grimaldi Lines, the OneConvention, which will take place from July 14 to 17, 2018. The cruise will go from Rome to Barcelona, and bring together the owners of the Italian gyms who will meet the respective Spanish operators in order to share objectives, experiences and case studies with speakers from all over the world. The launch of the new website www.fitnessnetworkeurope.com is also about to start shortly.

Fitness Network Italy

Fitness Network Italia (FNI) is the largest Multi-Brand Network of Fitness Club in Italy. It brings together almost 100 facilities in 12 Italian regions including Fitness Club, Sport Club, Boutique Club and PT Studio with a total of over 140,000 members. Born in January 2017 from an idea by Andrea Pambianchi, entrepreneur in the Fitness sector since 1996, FNI offers managers and owners of affiliated clubs opportunities and services to increase innovative capacity, strategic partnerships and market competitiveness. Website: www.fitnessnetworkitalia.it

IHRSA

The International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association (IHRSA) is an organization founded in 1981 that represents fitness and wellness clubs, gyms, spas, sports centers, manufacturers and service providers worldwide. The mission of IHRSA is to increase, protect and promote the fitness industry worldwide, and to provide its members with support and services for the success of their activities. To date, it brings together more than 9,000 associated clubs in more than 80 countries worldwide and 120 million users. It has its headquarters in the United States, in Boston, as well as offices in Europe, in Brussels, and South East Asia. Website: www.ihrsa.org

The Principal Points Of The Partnership

Fitness Network Italia will represent IHRSA for the national territory as a Strategic Partner, offering to the affiliated Club owners:

  • Support for the adaptation of IHRSA products and services to club needs;
  • Access to IHRSA publications, Research databases, reports, statistics, educational, business books;
  • Participation in IHRSA European Congress and Convention, exclusive Business events, seminars, Meetings & Trade Shows;
  • Privileged participation in IHRSA programs, facilitations and partnerships;
  • Access reserved for Club members around the world, with exclusive benefits, benefits and a 50% discount on admissions thanks to the IHRSA Passport program.