GoodLife Fitness aims to be the largest fitness club chain in the world

New low cost fitness club model set to speed growth

LONDON, ON, Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - The Team at GoodLife Fitness is focused on one thing -- positively changing the lives of as many Canadians as possible. The company aims to do this by becoming the largest corporately owned fitness club chain in the world.

GoodLife plans to bulk up through growth of their current GoodLife Fitness club model in addition to setting their sights on a new club model called Fit4Less by GoodLife. Fit4Less is a fun, energetic, low cost club that helps fill a gap in the current fitness club market in Canada in the low cost segment.

Both club offerings are focused on providing convenient, caring environments that promote no judgements, so that all Canadians feel welcome and comfortable and have a club option that works for them.

GoodLife plans to have 50 Fit4Less clubs by Christmas and intends to grow to 500 Fit4Less clubs nation-wide. The ultimate goal is to have over 1,000 clubs in Canada under the GoodLife umbrella which includes GoodLife Fitness, Fit4Less, and Énergie Cardio and EconoFitness in Quebec.  

"Currently, over one million Canadians belong to GoodLife," said David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans, GoodLife Founder & CEO. "Our goal is to have 10 per cent of Canadians achieving their health, wellness and fitness goals at GoodLife Fitness. Our commitment is that GoodLife will always provide the best experience and value for Canadians and Fit4Less will always have the lowest price." 

GoodLife has grown over 111 per cent in the last seven years, which represents phenomenal growth by any industry standard. GoodLife continues to grow, innovate and develop across Canada, demonstrating the value and importance Canadians place on living active and healthy lives.

Patchell-Evans, five time Canadian rowing champion and best-selling author, founded his fitness club chain in London, Ontario in 1979. Patch says, "Starting with one small club, we now have almost 325 clubs from coast-to-coast. We've always believed in the Canadian values of honesty and integrity and being a good corporate citizen. Canadians are some of the most active people in the world, but still only 15 to 27 per cent of Canadians use a health, fitness or sports club, depending on which survey you read. We know through all of our experience and through current research that exercise is the best medicine. That's why we want to play a significant role in the healthcare system by helping people live vibrant and healthy lives. Fit4Less will help us achieve this goal. We've identified an opportunity to provide a different type of club model that is low cost and high value, and we are rolling it out nation-wide!"

While focused on business growth, GoodLife also gives back to the communities where it operates. This is a clear area of focus that employees and Members firmly support.

"While we continue to grow, we are also going to continue to give back more than any other fitness club chain in the world," said Patch. "Through our GoodLife Kids Foundation that gives grants to local programs across the country to help kids get moving and active; our free summer Teen Fitness program; our financial commitment to finding the cause and cure of autism; our collaboration and investment in the cardiovascular rehabilitation program at University Health Network; and our hundreds of donations to communities across Canada every year, we are committed to making a difference. We will continue to change lives."

GoodLife Fitness
Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness company in Canada. GoodLife is the largest privately owned fitness club chain by a sole owner and the fourth largest overall in the world. With over 320 clubs from coast-to-coast, including 70 Énergie Cardio and EconoFitness Clubs in Quebec, approximately 13,000 employees and more than 1 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of 1 in 35 Canadians every day. Motivated by GoodLife's purpose of giving every Canadian the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life, David Patchell-Evans, Founder & CEO, strives to develop innovative partnerships and collaborations in all areas of health, fitness and wellness and continues to play a significant role in the healthcare system in Canada. GoodLife has achieved Platinum Status Canada's Best Managed Companies, as well as Platinum Level Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures.   Fit4Less by GoodLife is GoodLife's low cost and high value fitness club. It makes high quality fitness affordable and provides even more Canadians the opportunity to achieve their health and fitness goals.

David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans
Founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness, David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans is a global advocate for health and fitness. Fitness expert, best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, motivational speaker and philanthropist, Patch is the past Chairman of the Board of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) - the world's leading health and fitness association.  Patch is dedicated to exercise as the healthcare solution for Canadians. He is a graduate of physical education at the University of Western Ontario and in 2012, Western conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws acknowledging his achievements as a fitness entrepreneur, his community service and his support of autism research. Patch is the author of two best-selling books, Living the Good Life and The Real Sexy, Smart and Strong, with all proceeds from both books supporting autism research. Patch is co-founder of The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group at the University of Western Ontario named after his autistic daughter with the focus of finding the cause and cure of autism.  One of his most cherished awards is the Canadian Medical Association Medal of Honour which he received in 2007. Patch has also received many business honours including the CVCA Entrepreneur of the Year; Canadian Business Magazine Most Innovative CEO; and the Ernst & Yonge Entrepreneur of the Year. Patch's athletic accomplishments include winning five Canadian Rowing Championships.

SOURCE GoodLife Fitness