Genesis Health Clubs is growing—again.

The privately owned, Kansas-based club operator is adding eight Esporta Fitness locations to its portfolio, expanding its footprint in Kentucky and marking its entry into Arkansas and Louisiana.

The newly acquired clubs—acquired from LA Fitness parent Fitness International LLC and located in Lexington, Louisville, Little Rock, Baton Rouge and Slidell—will now operate under the Genesis Health Clubs banner, bringing the company’s total club count to 77.

The deal follows a successful 2024, when Genesis Health Clubs acquired Saw Mill Club’s two locations in Mt. Kisco, New York and The Atlantic Club’s Manasquan and Red Bank clubs in New Jersey. 

Rodney Steven, president of Genesis Health Clubs, confirmed in a LinkedIn post that the latest move will welcome 250 new employees and thousands of new members into the Genesis Family. 

“These are stunning facilities with strong teams in place, and we have big plans to elevate the member experience—upgraded equipment, expanded group fitness, top-tier personal training, and enhanced amenities,” Steven wrote. “Genesis isn’t just about working out—it’s about community, results, and delivering the best fitness experience possible. We can’t wait to make an impact in these new cities.”

Genesis Health Clubs offers members access to state-of-the-art equipment, group fitness classes, personal training, meal prep and location-dependent amenities like indoor pools, basketball courts, steam rooms, saunas, tennis and childcare.

The recent growth has also created opportunities for fitness professionals, as Genesis Health Clubs is actively seeking Regional Club Managers with multi-unit management experience, according to a LinkedIn post.

LA Fitness, under its parent company Fitness International LLC, launched the Esporta Fitness brand in 2020, using the new name to rebrand several LA Fitness locations across the U.S.

By 2022, Fitness International introduced Club Studio Fitness — a high-end, amenity-packed club concept. The brand currently has 18 locations, a handful of which are coming soon, including one in Coconut Grove, Florida, a blossoming hub for premium fitness and wellness experiences that has attracted The Well and JetSet Pilates.

Starting last year, however, Fitness International appeared to signal a phasing out of Esporta, either reverting clubs back to the LA Fitness name or closing them altogether. Following the Genesis Health Club acquisition, only three Esporta locations remain in California, Illinois and Massachusetts. LA Fitness has also shuttered some locations in recent months, including a few that were rebranded from XSport Fitness locations, which were acquired by Fitness International last July.

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Genesis Health Clubs, a top operator of privately owned clubs across the United States, is expanding its empire. 

The brand has acquired Saw Mill Club’s two locations in Mt. Kisco, New York, pushing its total tally of clubs up to 72 across 11 states.

“We’ve always wanted to have clubs in New York, and what an introduction to the state,” said Genesis Health Clubs owner and president Rodney Steven II. “Saw Mill Club is a tennis and fitness institution in New York, and the health club industry in general.”

Genesis is known for its extensive list of premium amenities including tennis and swimming options in some locations. Its steady growth began with a single location in Wichita, Kansas, in 1968 before Steven purchased the brand in 1994 and began growing Genesis across the country.

Members at the newly acquired Saw Mill Club locations will now get access to over 60 clubs across 11 states as part of their Genesis Health Club membership. Gym staff will also receive “robust” benefits as well as access to Genesis’ member service training and state-of-the-art club systems, Genesis said. The new clubs will be named Genesis Health Clubs – Saw Mill Club and Genesis Health Clubs – Saw Mill Club East.

Genesis intends to reinvest in the newly acquired Saw Mill Club locations.

“Genesis checks all the crucial boxes for us when it comes to multi-sport health clubs,” said Saw Mill Club president Rick Beusman. “They are laser focused on member service, which is based around a strong company and club culture that maintains the highest operating standards for our members.”

“Any time you consider a move like this, you want to ensure the members are truly taken care of and we know they will be the case with Genesis,” Beusman added. “Saw Mill Club has been a privately held and family owned business for 52 years. Genesis is also a privately held family-owned business, and that fact counts for a lot to us.”

Earlier this year, Genesis acquired The Atlantic Club’s two locations in Manasquan and Red Bank, New Jersey. Although the recent acquisitions were Genesis’ first moves on the East Coast, they’re unlikely to be the last. 

“We entered the region a few months ago with The Atlantic Club in New Jersey, and there is so much opportunity,” Steven added. “Stay tuned. You’ll be seeing a lot more from Genesis in the coming years and months!”

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Genesis Health Clubs, the largest privately owned health club operator in the U.S., has officially made its foray into the East Coast fitness market, acquiring The Atlantic Club, which has two locations in Manasquan and Red Bank, New Jersey. The deal marks the 67th and 68th clubs in Genesis’ portfolio. 

The fitness operator’s N.J. deal follows a similar agreement in Indiana last month, where Genesis acquired Tri-State Athletic Club in Evansville.

Rodney Steven II, president and owner of Genesis Health Clubs, announced the acquisition on LinkedIn:

“Today is monumental for Genesis as we acquire The Atlantic Clubs in Manasquan and Red Bank, New Jersey! This expands us into our 10th state, reaching a total of 68 clubs,” he wrote. “This venture into the northeast is especially exciting, as we position ourselves just a short drive away from The Jersey Shore, New York City and Philadelphia. The Manasquan location is a very iconic club for health & fitness featuring a vast campus with 9 impressive buildings.”

The fitness operator has also onboarded The Atlantic Club’s Kevin McHugh to its team. McHugh, previously a chief operating officer for The Atlantic Club, will serve in a management role for the new Genesis-Atlantic Clubs.

The Rise of Genesis Health Clubs

First opened in Wichita, Kansas, in 1968, Genesis Health Clubs was a single location when Steven purchased the fitness operation in 1994. Since then, Genesis has grown to 68 clubs in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana and now, New Jersey.

In a letter to members, Steven stated that Atlantic Club members will gain immediate access to Genesis’ other nationwide locations at no extra charge. He also indicated that there would be upcoming renovations, including new exercise equipment and “other club priorities,” and assured that The Atlantic Club’s instructors, trainers and staff have been welcomed into the Genesis structure.

Steven also indicated that more is in the works, noting that as the nation’s largest tennis and pool operators, Genesis is “excited to grow both sports in New Jersey” and hinted at “exciting news” in the months and years ahead.

The NJ facilities offer cardio and strength training machines, personal training, tennis, aquatics, Pilates, various court sports and cafes, as well as a salon and spa, with services such as Cryoskin.

Health Clubs & Gyms Flourish Post-Pandemic 

Genesis Health Clubs’ continued expansion comes as health clubs, gyms and studios are seeing a major resurgence in member attendance as in-person fitness rebounds from COVID-19, according to IHRSA. Similarly, big-box fitness players are reporting increased membership, such as Planet Fitness, which is nearing 20 million members.

Luxury fitness and lifestyle operator Life Time, with some member amenities similar to those found in Genesis Health Clubs, reported that visits per membership were up approximately 24% through the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2019. Life Time is set to open its own facility in the Red Bank area in early 2024, which could rival The Atlantic Club.

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