Youfit

Youfit Health Clubs is a chain of American health clubs. Founded in 2008, Youfit has over 100 locations across 14 states, predominantly in the South and West.[1] Youfit primarily caters to casual gym-goers, and offers personal training at all locations and group exercise at select locations.

Youfit Health Clubs
Private
IndustryHealth club
FounderRick Berks
Headquarters
United States of America 
Number of locations
100+ locations (2015)
Area served
14 states in the United States
Services
Websitewww.youfit.com

Background

Youfit was founded by Rick Berks with the aim of creating gyms with a welcoming atmosphere for everyday people.[2] The first Youfit, in St. Petersburg, Florida, opened in 2008.[3]

Rick Berks created Planet Fitness in 1993 in Sunrise, Florida, and eventually expanded it to seven clubs. A former Broward Sheriff’s Office detective, he owned and operated a Gold's Gym franchise. Berks had been catering to the bodybuilding culture in his Gold’s Gym. “I decided I didn’t want to deal with that crowd, so that’s when I opened the original Planet Fitness club in Sunrise, Florida, in 1993.”[4] The name came from his daughter’s school project, “Fitness Planet.”[5]

Michael Grondahl bought the Planet Fitness trademark from Rick Berks in 2002.[6] In 2008, Rick Berks transformed his franchised Planet Fitness clubs to YouFit Health Clubs and grew the brand to over 100 gyms across the United States.[3] Berks retired from YouFit in May of 2020.[7]

Locations

There are currently over 100 Youfit locations nationwide. Florida, Arizona, Texas and Georgia have the most locations. Youfit also has health clubs in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, California and Colorado. Beginning in 2015, Youfit has expanded further north to open locations in Rhode Island, Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland. [1]

In 2015, Youfit opened its 100th location in North Providence, Rhode Island.[8]

Youfit acquired the Miami-based Porky’s Gym chain in 2015 and converted its four locations. Youfit also acquired Energy Fitness Center of Randallstown, Maryland, in 2015.[9]

Awards

Youfit was named "The Best Cheap Gym Membership in 2020".[10]

Services

Youfit offers personal training at all its locations through its YouCoach program.[11] Several Youfit locations have group exercise classes, branded as YouGX. Class formats include MixxedFit, Zumba, yoga, cardio kickboxing and Insanity.[12] At select locations, Youfit organizes Healthways SilverSneakers classes for seniors.[13]

Youfit places a great emphasis on environmental responsibility. Its gym floors are made from Nike Grind and other recycled rubber materials, and each Youfit location practices additional eco-friendly initiatives.[14] To encourage its members to adopt eco-friendly habits, Youfit holds annual Earth Day events at its locations.[15]

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References
  1. "Find A Youfit Health Club". youfit.com. Youfit Health Clubs. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  2. Albright, Mark (2011-11-25). "Youfit founder creates a no-fat model of success in gym scene". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  3. Howard, Maria (2015-06-27). "Fitness: YouFit is a good starting point for beginners". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  4. Herald, Miami. "YouFit Health Club expanding across South Florida, around nation | The Starting Gate". miamiherald.typepad.com. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  5. Marketing, YouFit (2016-02-24). "Meet Youfit's CEO Rick Berks". Youfit Youniverse. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  6. Zabonick-Chonko, Rachel (2013-11-11). "Youfit Health Clubs". Club Solutions Magazine. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  7. "Youfit Founder Rick Berks Resigns". ClubIndustry. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  8. "Youfit® Health Clubs Hosts Great 100 Giveaway". WDRB.com. 2015-05-14. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  9. "Gyms In Randallstown MD". youfit.com. Youfit Health Clubs. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  10. "The Best Cheap Gym Membership in 2020". Bunny Hops To Wealth. 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  11. "Youfit Personal Fitness". youfit.com. Youfit Health Clubs. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  12. "YouGX Classes". youfit.com. Youfit Health Clubs. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  13. "Active Adult Fitness". youfit.com. Youfit Health Clubs. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  14. "Going Green with Youfit". Meals and Miles. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  15. "Youfit® Health Clubs Open To The Public For Earth Day". PR Newswire. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2015-07-15.


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