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Major US fitness provider acquires New Mexico Sports & Wellness
Facility upgrades, enhanced programming could come to the five Albuquerque clubs
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A handful of Albuquerque sports clubs are now under new ownership.
Genesis Health Clubs, one of the nation鈥檚 largest privately held fitness companies, announced last week that it acquired New Mexico Sports & Wellness, which has five locations across Albuquerque.
The deal also included the acquisition of Colorado Athletic Club, which has four locations in Colorado. Denver-based fitness company Wellbridge had owned both Colorado Athletic Club and New Mexico Sports & Wellness. Genesis spokesperson Paul Hansen declined to share the acquisition cost.
The acquisition expands Genesis鈥� footprint in Colorado while marking a first-time entry into the New Mexico market.
鈥淭his is a big step forward for us,鈥� said Rodney Steven II, Genesis鈥� owner and president, in a statement. 鈥淭hese are great clubs with great teams. We鈥檒l build on what鈥檚 working and keep raising the standard.鈥�
Genesis launched in Wichita, Kansas, in 1986, according to the company鈥檚 . Steven purchased the business in 1994, aiming to build a service-oriented, results-based fitness center company, the website says. With the Colorado and New Mexico deal finalized on April 16, Genesis now operates 86 gyms across 14 states.
鈥淐olorado has been a strong market for us, and New Mexico is a natural extension with great clubs, great teams and strong regional support,鈥� Steven said.
The company in a news release said the foundation of these clubs will not change but that 鈥渢he level of investment, consistency and long-term focus鈥� will. Over time, members could see facility upgrades and enhanced programming, Hansen said. New Mexico Sports & Wellness members can also now access other Genesis clubs across the country.
All employees at New Mexico Sports & Wellness have been offered roles with Genesis, Hansen said, adding that the company is 鈥渇ocused on maintaining continuity for both the team and our members.鈥� Hansen said the clubs will reflect the Genesis name, though it鈥檚 yet to be determined when those changes will be made.
鈥淲e recognize the strong brand equity of New Mexico Sports & Wellness in the local market, and that鈥檚 an important consideration,鈥� Hansen said.
Local businessman Scott Garrett founded the Albuquerque gym business in 1983, according to New Mexico Sports & Wellness鈥� . The clubs offer personal, group, family and youth fitness programs; massage and spa services; and facilities for basketball, tennis, racquetball, squash, cardio, aerobics, yoga and weightlifting.
Wellbridge purchased the business in 1988, according to Hansen. The spokesperson declined to share member numbers for the clubs but said 鈥渟trong memberships and deep community roots鈥� were part of the draw for Genesis.
鈥淗onestly, we鈥檙e just excited to be there,鈥� Hansen said. 鈥淲hen we walked into the clubs, you could feel it right away 鈥� the energy, the people, the sense of community. 鈥� For us, it鈥檚 about coming in, supporting that, making smart investments and just continuing to build on it. There鈥檚 a lot here, and we鈥檙e excited about what鈥檚 ahead.鈥�
Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com.
