LA Fitness buys beloved gym – customers worry popular perk will be axed

LA FITNESS significantly expanded in the Northeast after buying 35 gyms while acquiring XSport Fitness.

Fitness International, the parent company of LA Fitness, took over the Chicagoland, New York, and Virginia markets.

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The change in ownership was effective immediately following a press release on Tuesday.

Fitness International promised that it would honor all active membership agreements that XSport Fitness customers had.

This includes not changing their membership rate or charging more for personal training.

However, the perks will differ for customers with multi-club and single-club memberships.

All active XSport Fitness members with multi-club privileges will have access to all LA Fitness locations nationwide.

However, single-club members can only visit the same location they went to with XSport Fitness.

“We are proud to add XSport Fitness’ facilities to our nationwide network of health clubs,” said Jill Greuling, President of club Operations of Fitness International.

“This expansion solidifies our position as one of the largest privately-held health club operators in the United States and provides the opportunity to bring our best-in-class fitness experience, with the widest range of amenities and the friendliest service at an affordable price, to more people across the country.

” With today’s acquisition, Fitness International has once again invested in its members.”

Fitness International plans to invest in and enhance its new locations, which will operate under one of its four brands; LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio.

CUSTOMERS CLAP BACK

Despite promised improvements, XSports members are weary about possible changes.

“LA Fitness bought XSports Fitness. Please tell me it’s still 24 hours?” wrote Paola (@paolatorresXO) on X.

XSports Chicago locations are open 24 hours, while local LA Fitness gyms close between 9 and 11 at night.

“I think it’s unfortunate,” Chicago local Matt Rago told the Block Chicago Club.

“The 24-hour model is imperative to a lot of people, especially people with multiple jobs or jobs that are relatively demanding.”

“So La Fitness brought XSport, which caught me off guard. Maybe I’ll pay my membership, and I can go to a 24-hour gym,” wrote another member who had the opposite problem as the Chicago customers.

A fourth customer was upset that there wasn’t more communication to members about the acquisition.

“LA Fitness hasn’t sent no emails regarding this XSport acquisition and I have to ask other people for details when I shouldn’t have to,” she wrote.

Kroger and Albertsons are on the verge of a similar merger and just announced they would divest nearly 600 stores as part of the deal.

A supermarket faces a wave of 32 closures as the president announced lower prices to bring back customers.