| News & Know How | news
Fitness First’s founder resigns
Balfour steps down after 16-year run as chain’s
Former TSI chief
guiding hand
Joins hydroMassage
Robert Giardina named new CEO
M
ike Balfour, the founder of the U.K.’s Fitness First Group, Ltd.,
the largest club chain in the world, has resigned from the
> One club company’s loss
company’s board of directors. Balfour has been the public
is one industry supplier’s
face of the company since 1993, when he launched it with his business
gain: Robert Giardina, an
partner, Christopher Pearce.
industry veteran who stepped
In 1996, Fitness First (FF) became the first U.K. club company to
down as the CEO of Town
go public, on the AIM exchange; and three years later, in 1999, it was
Sports International Holdings,
listed on the London Stock Exchange. Since then, it has reverted to
Inc. (NASDAQ: CLUB) two
private status, and, in 2005, was acquired by BC Partners, a London-
years ago, has been named
based venture capital firm, for approximately $1.4 billion. Balfour
the new CEO of HydroMas-
retains a significant stake in the chain.
Giardina
sage, a Clearwater, Florida-
Over the years, FF has grown to more than 530
based company that manufac-
locations worldwide, including Europe, Australia,
tures a water-actuated massage bed.
Asia, and the United Arab Emirates; its facilities
During his tenure with Town Sports International
serve more than 1.5 million members.
(TSI), Giardina helped expand the chain from
Balfour, a respected leader in the fitness industry,
four locations to more than 150, and, in 2006,
was named IHRSA’s European Club Operator of the
helped take the company public. Today, TSI, the
Year in 2002, and, at the time, John McCarthy, then
second-largest club operator in the Northeast
IHRSA’s executive director, noted: “Under Mike
and Mid-Atlantic regions, has some 162 facilities
Balfour’s leadership, Fitness First’s…achievements
in the U.S., plus three in Switzerland.
have advanced the interests of the entire industry.”
balfour
HydroMassage chose Giardina for his “proven
The recipient of numerous honors, Balfour received
ability to foster company growth” and his “strong
the Entrepreneur of the Year award, presented
executive and interpersonal qualities,” notes
by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the London Stock Exchange, and Financial
Paul Lunter, the company’s president.
Times; and the Distinguished Service Award, presented by the Fitness
“I believe HydroMassage can solve many of the
Industry Association (FIA).
issues currently facing the health and wellness
Balfour’s decision to step down from the board reportedly stemmed
industry, including member acquisition and
from differences of opinion with BC Partners regarding FF’s future
member service,” says Giardina.
—|
direction. —|
the infinite Digitization of Fitness
> iPhone fans know that they can access virtually any sort of Beyond the workout category, there are apps for counting
software program by obtaining or purchasing one of the 75,000-plus calories, calculating BMI/BMR, diagnosing medical conditions,
downloadable applications now available. monitoring blood-alcohol concentration, meditating, and,
But what you may not know is that, with respect to exercise, even, getting a better night’s sleep (check out Bob’s Sheep
the iPhone is getting physical—literally. It already offers well Counter with animated sheep). —|
over 50 fitness apps, as well as ones pertaining to dozens of other
health issues, and can detect vibration, and track movement, heart
rate, and speed. That makes it possible for it to serve as something
of a digital personal trainer.
One typical app, the new PumpOne Fitness Builder, from PumpOne
LLC, allows the user to select from a range of warm-up and workout
routines by specifying a body part, and even goes so far as to offer
cardio, functional, and full-body regimens. And then, in terms of other
exercise apps, there are, among others, FitReach, FitSync, iFitness,
Gyminee, Mobo Vibo, Progio Mobile, FitDeck Bodyweight, iPump &
Fitness Builder, iPhit Fitness Tracking, and Health and Fitness Mobile.
20
Club Business International | DECEMBER 2009 |
www.ihrsa.org
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