Fitness Industry Roundup: Celebrations, Scholarships, & Grants

In this week’s fitness industry roundup, one group in the health and fitness industry celebrates an important milestone and another is rewarding teens for preventing bullying and promoting kindness. A young entrepreneur finds his passion for fitness and gyms in the UK receive vital funding to provide a community exercise space.

Chinese Powerhouse Catic Wellness Group Celebrates 26 Years

Catic Wellness Group, an IHRSA member based in Shenzhen, China, celebrated its 26th anniversary on July 11. Through the years, CW Group has become a leading force in the Chinese health and fitness industry, transforming a single gym into a network of leisure and sports clubs, including spas, medical fitness, beauty services, and more. CW Group CEO Loni Wang has been head of the company since opening its first club in 1995. Wang has positioned herself as an industry leader and recently joined the IHRSA Board of Directors. CW Group also has locations in Xian, Beijing, Tangshan, and Tianjin, China. Congratulations to CW Group and Loni Wang on all their accomplishments, and cheers to many more years of maintaining public health and wellness!

Learn more about Catic Wellness Group.

Fitness Brand Awards Teens for Anti-bullying Initiatives

According to a recent press release, Planet Fitness, an IHRSA member, awarded 30 scholarships nationwide as part of its Judgement Free Generation—a philanthropic initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America that helps prevent bullying and promote kindness in their communities. “As home of the Judgement Free Zone, Planet Fitness is honored to recognize each of [the students] for making the world a kinder, more inclusive place,” said Planet Fitness CEO Chris Rondeau. “There’s no doubt in my mind that all 30 students will continue leading by example and spreading kindness for a brighter tomorrow.” Recipients were selected based on a personal essay, staff recommendation, and video submission representing how they demonstrate and perpetuate values of kindness, acceptance, and respect. The company has awarded more than $650,000 in Judgement Free Generation scholarships since 2017.

Find out more about the Judgement Free Generation.

Business Entrepreneur Finds a Passion for Fitness

After working at one of the Arlington, VA, region’s Big Four consulting firms straight out of college, Aryan Siahpoushan, felt a void in his career choice. According to ARLnow, through self-reflection and research, Siahpoushan found a new career path in the fitness industry. “I saw an opportunity within the industry that could thrive, especially given the ‘new normalʼ that COVID presented us — the concept of a one-on-one fitness space that provides clients an exclusive environment for just personal training, which differs from a big-box gym,” Siahpoushan said. After working as an independent personal trainer at a local gym, Siahpoushan secured a space to open a one-on-one fitness concept, Method Fitness, in July 2020.

Read more.

South Cambridgeshire Gyms Receive Government Funding

As reported in the Cambridge Network, seven leisure centers recently received Government funding to help get residents back in the gym. South Cambridgeshire, UK, district council’s lead cabinet member for community resilience, health, and well-being, Bill Handley, said he was pleased to allocate funding to “such worthwhile causes.” He said, “All of these leisure centres are important local facilities that play a very important role in the wellbeing—both mental and physical—of local residents.” The seven community facilities provide an exercise space for those who can’t travel and are sharing £50,000 to assist with upgrades. They also play a key part in the District Council’s exercise referral program, Active and Healthy 4 Life, which helps people to exercise and remain healthy prior to surgery.

Learn more about the facilities.

Has your health or fitness-related business been featured in the news recently? We want to know! Send a link to any news article or video that highlighted your business to pr@ihrsa.org, and we may include it in a future issue of the Fitness Industry Roundup.