Exercise/Fitness

8/12/2026 |  EXEC: Anytime France Acquires Interval Sport Fitness Group (SGB UPDATE) Purpose Brands announced that the master franchisee of Anytime Fitness in France has acquired France’s Interval Sport Fitness Group and will convert ten Interval Sport locations into Anytime Fitness clubs. The master franchisee, Anytime France, SAS, currently operates three clubs across the country, including in the Île-de-France (Paris), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions.

8/12/2026 |  VibeIQ Raises $22.5 Million in Funding Round (SGB UPDATE) VibeIQ, an AI-powered product decision and assortment lifecycle platform, announced $22.5 million in growth financing led by Volition Capital, a Boston-based growth equity firm, with participation from existing investor Venture Guides.

8/6/2026 |  Planet Fitness Q2 Same-Club Sales Expanded 1.7 Percent (SGB UPDATE) Planet Fitness, Inc. reported earnings were down slightly in the second quarter as total sales grew 7.1 percent and same-club sales improved 1.7 percent. The fitness chain said it continues to recover from significantly lower-than-expected member sign-ups at the start of the year that previously caused it to sharply lower its annual outlook. Planet Fitness maintained its sales guidance for the year.

8/6/2026 |  Planet Fitness Inks New Franchisee to Develop Clubs on Florida’s Gulf Coast (SGB UPDATE) Planet Fitness has signed three new area development agreements with Ian McClure of Gulf Coast Hotel Management that are expected to expand the Planet Fitness brand along the west coast of Florida.

8/4/2026 |  Why Is Everyone Still Walking in Running Sneakers? (Footwear News)   The fitness craze is fueling fresh opportunity in the walking shoe market, but the category is still getting overlooked by some brands and retailers.
“The pandemic changed a mindset in our country, and for the good,” said Dan Ungar, president of Mar-Lou Shoes in Cleveland. “People know that walking is good for them, and it’s quite pleasing to see people come through our door and say, ‘I need a good walking shoe. My friend/doctor told me to try on XYZ shoes.’”