Leading Executives in Health Clubs, Fitness Centres, Spas
Colleen Keating
Chief Executive Officer, Planet Fitness
Appointed CEO effective June 10, 2024, Colleen Keating is steering the U.S. low‑cost gym giant through its next growth phase, with a focus on franchise economics, marketing and unit expansion.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Bahram Akradi
Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Life Time Group Holdings (Life Time)
Founder, chairman and CEO since the 1990s, Bahram Akradi has built Life Time into a nationwide network of athletic country clubs integrating fitness, family recreation and spa services.
Company website | Investor relations | LinkedIn (company)
Harvey Spevak
Executive Chairman & Managing Partner, Equinox Group
Longtime architect of Equinox’s luxury fitness ecosystem, Harvey Spevak now serves as executive chairman and managing partner, guiding strategy across clubs, hotels and media.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Karl Sanft
President & Chief Executive Officer, 24 Hour Fitness
A veteran operator, Karl Sanft became president & CEO in 2022 and leads turnaround and growth initiatives across the national chain’s clubs and digital offerings.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Jim Rowley
Worldwide Chief Executive Officer, Crunch Fitness
Jim Rowley has led Crunch’s global expansion as Worldwide CEO, advancing its HVLP (high‑value, low‑price) strategy and franchise growth.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Tom Leverton
Chief Executive Officer, Purpose Brands (parent of Anytime Fitness, Orangetheory, et al.)
Brought in after the Self Esteem Brands–Orangetheory merger, Tom Leverton is CEO of Purpose Brands, overseeing the world’s largest portfolio of fitness and wellness franchise brands.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Lauren Cody
Brand President, Orangetheory Fitness (Purpose Brands)
Named brand president in January 2025, Lauren Cody leads Orangetheory’s next chapter, partnering with franchisees to drive global growth and member experience.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Nick Herrild
Brand President, U.S., Anytime Fitness (Purpose Brands)
As U.S. brand president, Nick Herrild leads operations and performance for the 5,000‑club global franchise’s American network following the Purpose Brands formation.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Mike Nuzzo
Chief Executive Officer, Xponential Fitness
Appointed CEO in August 2025, Mike Nuzzo brings deep multi‑unit retail and services expertise to the world’s largest boutique fitness franchisor.
Company website | Investor relations
JJ Gantt
Chief Executive Officer, Barry’s
After serving as CFO, president and then co‑CEO, JJ Gantt became CEO in June 2025 to lead Barry’s accelerated global studio rollout and brand evolution.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Tom Dowd
Chief Executive Officer, F45 Training
Veteran franchising operator Tom Dowd took over as CEO in 2023, working alongside chief brand officer Mark Wahlberg to stabilize and grow the global HIIT studio network.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Danny Waggoner
Co‑Chief Executive Officer, RSG Group USA (Gold’s Gym), Gold’s Gym (RSG Group USA)
Danny Waggoner serves as Co‑CEO of RSG Group USA (Gold’s Gym), advancing a renewed strength‑forward concept and U.S. expansion under the brand’s heritage banner.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Clive Chesser
Chief Executive Officer, PureGym Group
Former Punch Pubs chief Clive Chesser became CEO in late 2024/early 2025, leading PureGym’s UK growth and U.S. push following its Blink Fitness acquisition.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Will Orr
Chief Executive Officer, The Gym Group (UK)
Appointed in 2023, Will Orr leads the UK low‑cost operator’s strategy focused on affordable access, digital engagement and Gen‑Z growth.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
René Moos
Chief Executive Officer, Basic‑Fit (EU)
Co‑founder René Moos remains CEO of Europe’s largest HVLP chain, scaling to 1,600+ clubs with a value‑driven model and rapid new‑site rollout.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Beth Stiller
Chief Executive Officer, Massage Envy
Beth Stiller has led the largest U.S. massage and skincare franchisor since 2019, steering service innovation and network performance.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
John Teza
Chief Executive Officer, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
A seasoned franchising executive, John Teza became CEO in 2021 and is driving accelerated studio growth and service expansion across North America.
Company website | Franchise/leadership | LinkedIn (company)
Leonard Fluxman
Executive Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, OneSpaWorld
Leonard Fluxman serves as executive chairman, president and CEO of the leading global provider of spa and wellness services on cruise ships and at resorts.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Cory Brightwell
Co‑Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chuze Fitness
Co‑founder and CEO Cory Brightwell has scaled Chuze into a national HVLP brand, known for hospitality‑driven clubs and acquisitions like Bailey’s Health & Fitness.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
Rich Nelsen
Chief Executive Officer, VASA Fitness
Rich Nelsen, CEO since 2018, is elevating the high‑value, low‑price operator with brand, technology and club expansion initiatives across the U.S.
Company website | LinkedIn (company)
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