South Jersey Gym Set for Revival Under New Owners

One of the businesses hit the hardest by the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 was the Fitness Industry. The Government-Imposed Lockdowns and Business Restrictions that were based on Health and Safety Mandates actually prevented people from participating in many popular Health and Fitness activities.

Before 2020, more than 184 million Americans who were members of a health and fitness club or facility.  The worldwide Health and Fitness Club Industry grossed $96.7 Billion in 2019.

But there was $13.9 Billion lost from March to August in 2020. Many local and regional gyms that closed either never reopened or were bought out by other operators. A once-thriving industry with numerous locations for people looking to enhance their health and fitness has struggled to rebound since 2020.

Now five years later, new operators are taking over different fitness facilities and one growing chain of gyms has acquired their first New Jersey location.

New Gym Owners Coming To Gloucester County

The first week of April, two Esporta Fitness Gyms closed in South Jersey with little notice or explanation.

The parent company, LA Fitness, directed Esporta members at the now-closed Somerdale and Woodbury Heights locations that there are still Esporta Fitness centers open in Glassboro, Turnersville, and Marlton.

Two weeks after the Wodbury Heights location was vacated by Esporta Fitness, the social media-famous Relentless van was seen outside the closed gym.  In a social media hype video, Fusion Gyms revealed their first New Jersey location will be at what is now the old Esporta Fitness.

Fusion is a new group of gyms that are owned and promoted by entrepreneur Tony Chowdhury.  The first gym opened in South Philadelphia, and the second in Warminster, Pennsylvania. They are planning to open a third location in Bensalem.

The new Fusion location in Woodbury Heights is located on Mantua Pike (Route 45), a mile from the New Jersey Turnpike.  The old Esporta Fitness have two levels of space that include a large main gym area, an indoor basketball court, and areas for private classes.

Esporta Fitness' parent company, LA Fitness, has been closing gyms around the northeast over the last few years. While there is no specific information available about how financially viable these locations were before closing, there is a new wave of non-corporate business owners who are buying up these properties.