Results Gym history

Founded in 1844 in London England, The YMCA would eventually lead the way for fitness for many men.

Gymnase Triat – The First Membership-Driven Facility (1848)

The Boston YMCA – The Granddaddy of United States Fitness Facilities (1850)

By 1860 over 150 Turns or Turnverein had spread across the globe, making it the first scaled fitness offering to exist on both sides of the Atlantic.

According to the YMCA website, The first buildings constructed with gymnasiums opened in 1869.

In 1881, Boston YMCA staffer Robert J. Roberts coined the term “body building” and developed exercise classes, which are the forerunner of today’s health club model.

In fact, there was an outright “bicycle craze” in the 1890’s when an increasing number of people began taking advantage of the improved technology of the machines.

In 1901 Sandow staged the world’s first physique contest, and he later promoted the burgeoning fitness lifestyle by marketing various publications, equipment, and dietary products and by operating a chain of fitness centers throughout Great Britain.

In 1926, Professor Attilla sold his New York club to Sig Klein, who operated the studio for another 50 years as Sig Klein’s Studio of Physical Culture.

In 1939, fitness legend Jack LaLanne opened what is believed to be the first United States health club in Oakland, Calif.

Vic Tanny Health Clubs –The First Suburban Fitness Club (1947)

Lotte Berk Studio – The First Barre Studio (1959)

Health and Tennis Corporation (aka Bally Total Fitness) – First Club Chain to Go Public in United States (1962)

While still fringe and a Mecca for early bodybuilders, the birth of Gold’s Gym in Venice, Calif. in 1965 signaled the beginning of the rise of a new big-box concept for health and fitness that could –and would be—recreated to open the doors to the masses.

Midtown Tennis – First Indoor Tennis Club (1969)

Joe Gold followed his success with Gold’s gym by founding the World Gym chain in 1977.

24 Hour Fitness – The First 24/7 Fitness Club Chain (1983)

He opened his first health club chain, Dragons Health Clubs, in 1991, building the business to a total of 22 clubs.

McFit – The First Scaled Budget Club Operation (1997)

The Pioneering Settings of Physical Culture (1700s to 2000)

Having founded the company in 2007, The Gym Group is a company with a low-cost and exciting business model that works for the general public and staff, whether directly employed or self-employed personal trainers.

The Gym Group was founded by John Treharne, a former England squash player, in 2008.

In August 2012 The Gym Group was awarded the prestigious Investors in People accreditation on its first attempt.

In March 2013 The Gym Group achieved 15th place in the prestigious The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For list, the UK’s most extensive research into employee engagement, which honours the 100 Best Small Companies to Work For.

In November 2015, The Gym Group successfully completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, making it the first European gym operator to float in more than a decade.

In May 2016, The Gym Group claimed another fitness industry first after attaining Gold status from Investors in People, joining the top seven per cent of accredited organisations across the UK.

by Jen Wherrell | Feb 8, 2017 | Information | 0 Comments

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