Blast Fitness

Blast Fitness was a fitness center chain that made its mark primarily in the Midwest and Northeast United States. The company was founded in 2011, following the acquisition of several former Bally Total Fitness locations. This strategic move allowed Blast Fitness to quickly establish a presence in key markets such as Chicago, Boston, Dallas, and Houston. At its height in 2013, the company operated over 40 clubs, offering a value-oriented gym experience with affordable memberships and a variety of amenities like group fitness classes, cardio equipment, and personal training services.

Blast Fitness aimed to serve both urban and suburban communities by choosing accessible locations within retail corridors and shopping centers. However, by 2016, the company began encountering significant operational challenges. These included declining membership numbers, issues with facility maintenance, and growing competition from both national chains and boutique fitness studios. This period of difficulty led to a series of club closures between 2016 and 2018, with many locations shutting down abruptly or being converted to other fitness brands.

As of November 2025, Blast Fitness is no longer operational. The company's website is inactive, and most of its former locations have either remained vacant or been repurposed. There was no public announcement of an acquisition or merger, and no parent company is listed in any regulatory filings or press releases.

For commercial real estate professionals, Blast Fitness was once a notable tenant within the value gym segment. The chain often occupied large spaces in high-traffic retail areas, demonstrating the potential volatility within the mid-tier fitness market. This history underscores the importance of tenant credit, operational stability, and the ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences in the real estate landscape.