Fitness Premier

<a href="http://1851franchise.com/fitness-premier/info">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a>, the 19-unit gym franchise, has built a network of successful franchisees and individual clubs that work to serve otherwise underserved communities. While many of the communities&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-premier-247-clubs-supports-franchisees-through-passionate-creative-leadership-2724499" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> enters are happy to have access to fitness facilities at all, the franchisor’s robust support system and innovative approach to the industry is what allows franchisees to stand out even more in their communities, allowing each owner (and the larger system) to build a loyal fan base and become highly celebrated in the community.“We have strategic partnerships and experts across the leadership team here at Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs,” explained&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-markowicz-cfc-9a87592a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-premier-247-clubs-supports-franchisees-through-passionate-creative-leadership-2724499" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jason Markowicz</a>, founder and CEO. “Those are things that any successful brand will have in place. But what truly sets us apart, and allows us to rise above the competition, is the passion that we have for the mission. Everyone in this system is dedicated to the vision we have for Fitness Premier, and having that heart provides an extra ‘spark’ to our strategy and support that can’t be manufactured.”Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs approaches its support strategy from all angles, and this is what makes it so powerful.<h3>With a Range of Different Strengths, Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Ensures Each Person Is Able to Shine</h3>In a system as varied and wide-reaching as Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs’, there is an incredible range of responsibilities to be managed, and one of the most crucial steps the franchisor has taken is to work to keep team members in positions that they are passionate about. With this, they enjoy their roles but are also positioned to succeed, which benefits the entire network and serves to propel the brand forward.“I’m definitely better on the customer service side, and I feel like Jason saw that and pulled me into a role that would play to my strengths,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-scardine-4b9864296/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-premier-247-clubs-supports-franchisees-through-passionate-creative-leadership-2724499" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kristina Scardine</a>, Director of Franchise Support. “And that’s still what I do to this day.”“Right person, right place,” added Kathy Mecklenburg, VP of Finance and HR.<h3>Full-Circle Administrative Support</h3>With all of these “right people” in their respective places, the Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs leadership team has been able to build a corporate team that can provide full-circle support for franchisees, allowing them to funnel their energy into their clubs, members and future goals.“One of the big things that stands out for me is that, when we do our meet and greets with the franchisees, they’re always shocked at how much support we provide them,” added Mecklenburg. “We manage all of their bill pay, we record their income, we are their HR department and their IT department. We can be as hands-on or hands-off as they want, but our focus is to support them in working in the club and driving the business, so we take care of everything else on the back end.”A major aspect of this support is the availability and maintenance of integrated technology systems. As a local gym, Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs’ ability to compete with big-box concepts in terms of the technology available to franchisees and members is a key differentiator.<h3>A Technology-Forward Approach</h3>In addition to internal-facing technology that connects franchisees to the corporate team and the rest of the system, Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs has rolled out an in-club kiosk to provide even more support to both new and existing members. Because the concept is truly 24/7, there are periods of time when the clubs are unstaffed, and with the new kiosks, members and potential members can engage with Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs when and how they like.“Jason [Markowicz] and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-king-3954a1143/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-premier-247-clubs-supports-franchisees-through-passionate-creative-leadership-2724499" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rick [King]</a> do a really great job of staying on top of industry trends and understanding where the fitness world is going,” added Scardine. “One big pain point that we saw was that members don’t always want face-to-face conversation. They want it to be easy to freeze or cancel a membership, and non-members want to be able to sign up without having to go through the whole sales process.”For a non-member looking to sign up, the kiosk provides prompts that ask which exercises they are interested in and what other amenities they may want access to. After watching a short video, the kiosk uses information gleaned from the individual’s previous selections to suggest the membership that will be the best fit for them. This process can take as little as five minutes, and it’s the perfect solution for a person who wants to feel empowered to complete the registration process without outside influence from an employee.“This gives us a real opportunity to take the pressure out of the sales situation but still get people to the program that’s going to benefit them most,” said King.&nbsp;“Our members can sign up and even schedule their first personal training appointment, and they’re able to do it on their own with the kiosk kind of working quietly alongside them,” added Scardine. “That was a really big point of conversation for us last year, and the kiosks have been a great solution.”<h3>Keeping Up with Trends in an Ever-Changing Industry</h3>Running a local business can be demanding, so Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs works to keep timely conversations going at the leadership team. With this, initiatives like the kiosks can be thought up, planned and implemented, allowing franchisees to continue focusing on their individual club without falling behind what the members may be looking for.“We try things that have failed — we’re not afraid to try something new,” said Mecklenburg. “But we also have tried a lot of things that do work. We’re constantly evolving and looking for another way to add value.”This year, the system began implementing Relax and Restore areas which provide an outlet for the current focus on recovery. For years, the fitness industry was focused on hard workouts as a way to get results, but more recently, people have begun to understand the importance of relaxation and recovery in a long-term fitness journey.“We stay on top of those industry trends. With something like Relax and Restore, you see those amenities available at the big-box gyms, but not everyone wants to or can afford to spend $200 on a monthly gym membership,” said Scardine. “We try to think about how we can pull this new focus into our smaller markets to make the resources affordable and accessible to our members.”Keeping up with these trends supports franchisees in driving membership growth and loyalty from existing members, but the team has also looked beyond the club for more innovative strategies.This year, Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitness-premier/fitness-premier-247-clubs-spreads-message-of-wellbeing-through-brand-ambassadors-2724062#featured">launched its brand ambassador program</a>, which builds a community of people dedicated to living their lives to the fullest. Brand ambassadors share their fitness journeys online, providing an inside look at their individual workouts, personal training sessions, use of Relax and Restore amenities and even nutrition ideas.&nbsp;Fitness influencers have become incredibly popular in recent years, amassing millions of followers across multiple platforms, and Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs saw an opportunity to join in on the fun and secure their share of the attention.“The Brand Ambassador role is crucial,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillyan-morris/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-premier-247-clubs-supports-franchisees-through-passionate-creative-leadership-2724499" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jillyan Morris</a>, franchise success manager. “We definitely want to highlight that first-hand experience from our dedicated members. If we already have those people who love the brand within our facility, why not leverage their voices across different social media platforms and build brand awareness?”&nbsp;As it continues to grow, it is this open-minded, full-circle franchisee support approach that has allowed the brand to stay true to its roots, demonstrate the true passion of the leadership team and everyone in the system, allow franchisees to scale and provide an unmatched fitness experience to members in its communities.&nbsp;Next year, Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs will work to bring its presence to even more communities across the nation, specifically focusing on markets in Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia and Ohio.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-premier-247-clubs-supports-franchisees-through-passionate-creative-leadership-2724499" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;https://ownafitnesspremier.com/</a>

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Supports Franchisees Through Passionate, Creative Leadership

1851 Franchise

The emerging fitness franchise combines heart, technology, innovation and collaboration to ensure franchisees are equipped with the tools they need to succeed.

This brand page has been paid for by FITNESS PREMIER. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Opens First-Ever Florida Location in Sarasota

Building a Fitness Business With Staying Power: Why Fitness Premier Is Looking Ahead to 2026

Don't Go It Alone: Fitness Premier's Support System for Franchise Owners

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As&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/own-a-fitness-premier/">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> continues to grow beyond its Midwest roots, Florida is a new priority, particularly in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota markets. The decision is driven by member behavior, population trends and the ability to enter growing communities with a model that’s already been validated.“We started our search in the Florida market a couple of years ago,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-king-3954a1143/">Rick King</a>, vice president of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitness-premier/info">Fitness Premier</a>. “We were really amazed by the percentage of the community that’s a member at a fitness center in Florida compared to Illinois. It’s drastically different.”King says that Florida’s population tends to place a stronger emphasis on fitness, personal wellness and consistency, creating a deeper pool of potential members. That cultural alignment matters for a brand built around engagement, coaching and long-term results.“Florida has people whose mentalities are more along the lines of fitness and personal wellness,” King said. “So there’s a lot more of those we would consider potential members.”That demand is already translating into growth on the ground. In 2025, Fitness Premier opened its first Florida location in Sarasota, owned by franchisee Dani Stiegelmeyer. The opening gave the brand an early foothold on the Gulf Coast as it builds momentum across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota markets.<h2>A Market Where Demand and Growth Intersect</h2>While Florida isn’t the only region Fitness Premier is evaluating, Tampa Bay and Sarasota stand out as markets where growth, real estate opportunity, and fitness demand intersect.“There are a lot more members in those markets because a higher percentage of the population is focused on exercise and fitness,” King said. “So that’s kind of an easy opportunity for us.”Beyond demand, the brand looks closely at how markets are expanding and where gaps exist. Tampa Bay and Sarasota continue to attract new residents, creating opportunities for well-positioned fitness concepts to establish themselves early.“When we look at the real estate opportunities, the rental opportunities, the gaps in the markets and how much those markets are growing, there’s a real opportunity to establish yourself where the growth is going,” King said. “You get in there, do a good job and secure that market for the future.”<h2>The Type of Owners Fitness Premier Wants in Florida</h2>Fitness Premier is looking for the right operators to lead those locations. In Florida, that means owners who bring discipline and a team-first mentality.“We’ve always believed our ideal franchisees have an athlete’s mindset,” King said. “You win as a team. You’re competitive. You’ll put in the effort. You’ll constantly be improving yourself and being better.”That mindset doesn’t require an athletic background. Instead, it’s about how owners approach business, leadership and growth.“We’ve been talking to some potential franchisees who have never been athletes in their lives, but they have that entrepreneurial spirit and all the mindset qualities we’re looking for,” King said.<h2>Reducing the Time From Signing to Opening</h2>One of the advantages for franchisees entering Tampa Bay or Sarasota is the amount of work Fitness Premier has already completed behind the scenes. For identified priority markets, the brand doesn’t start from scratch.“We already have our real estate team doing market analysis,” King said. “We have performers ready to go. We have sites available for those markets.”That preparation allows new owners to move faster and with more confidence.“We’ve already done some performance analysis and demographic analysis,” King said. “We’re not talking in theories or guessing at what that market can do.”As a result, the timeline from franchise agreement to opening is significantly shortened.“It’ll shorten the time frame pretty drastically since we’ve done a lot of the prework already,” King said.<h2>A Strategic Entry Point in Florida</h2>For Fitness Premier, Tampa Bay and Sarasota represent more than expansion dots on a map. They reflect markets where culture, growth and preparation align — and where franchisees can enter with momentum already built in.By pairing high-demand regions with upfront real estate work and hands-on support, Fitness Premier is positioning Florida franchise owners to launch faster, compete effectively and grow with their communities for the long term.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.">https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Why Fitness Premier Is Targeting Tampa Bay and Sarasota for Expansion

Fitness Premier is prioritizing Tampa Bay and Sarasota because Florida’s fitness-focused culture, population growth and market gaps create strong conditions for long-term gym ownership.

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Fitness Premier Franchise - Looking Ahead to 2026 - 1851 Franchise

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Fitness Premier Enters Montana with First Conversion Deal in Bozeman

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SARASOTA, Fla.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> has opened in Florida for the very first time with a new location in Sarasota under the leadership of new franchise owner Dani Stiegelmeyer. With a strong background in fitness, sports and marketing, Stiegelmeyer is excited to bring&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitness-premier/info">Fitness Premier’s</a> community-focused approach to Florida for the first time.&nbsp;The gym is located at 3530 Clark Road, just outside Gulf Gate Estates in South Sarasota. It’s conveniently situated less than 10 minutes from Siesta Key Beach and 10 to 15 minutes from the UTC District and University Parkway. Nearby landmarks include the intersection of Beneva Road and Clark Road, with easy access from U.S. Route 41. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gym can be reached at 941-298-0823.&nbsp;"I've lived in Sarasota for a while now, around five years, and I've been in the gym for a long time,” Stiegelmeyer said. “That location is honestly such a prime spot — it's beautiful. Sarasota is one of my favorite places I've lived so far. I actually used to work right across the street, so I know the area and all the businesses really well.”As Stiegelmeyer and her team prepare for the opening, updates to the space are well underway. Fresh paint and design changes are being finalized, and she is eager to transform the gym into a space that reflects Fitness Premier’s signature clean and welcoming style.Fitness Premier’s strong corporate support and emphasis on transparency stood out to Stiegelmeyer when choosing to join the brand. She also points to unique features that set Fitness Premier apart from other local gyms, including user-friendly technology at the front desk and the&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/fitwave-club/">fitWAVE group training program</a>, which offers small group sessions that blend the benefits of personal training with a community atmosphere.“fitWAVE is really cool to see because you don't get that at a lot of other places,” she said. “Usually you’re either by yourself or it's one-on-one with a trainer. You might have classes elsewhere, but not smaller, personal training groups like this.”Building a sense of community is a major priority for Stiegelmeyer, who views fitness as an important part of life for busy professionals, parents and business owners alike. She hopes to create a welcoming space where members feel connected not just by their workouts, but by the shared experiences of everyday life. “We're all in this together,” she said.In the short term, Stiegelmeyer’s focus is on ensuring a smooth opening and making sure every member feels confident and comfortable from day one. Long term, she has her sights set on expansion. “We would like to, down the road, have more than one,” she said.&nbsp;Ahead of the opening, Stiegelmeyer and her team are planning presale membership opportunities and considering options like a hard hat tour to give prospective members a sneak peek of the renovations. The goal is to show the community the transformation and invite them to be part of something new and exciting.The Sarasota Fitness Premier 24/7 Club will deliver a personalized, supportive fitness experience designed to empower members and strengthen community ties. Ready to take the first step? Call 941-298-0823 or click&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/locations/sarasota/membership-payments-sarasota/">here</a> to find a membership that fits your lifestyle.About Fitness Premier 24/7 ClubsFitness Premier 24/7 Clubs is a fast-growing fitness concept that fosters community between its staff and guests. With a focus on strategic growth markets, Fitness Premier differentiates itself through its people, culture, and systems. Founded by Jason Markowicz, Fitness Premier began franchising in 2016 and has since expanded to 19 locations. Fitness Premier offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to join a brand with the support, innovation, technology, marketing, culture, and product differentiation they need to succeed. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.">https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Local entrepreneur Dani Stiegelmeyer leads the brand's Sunshine State debut, bringing Fitness Premier's clean, community-first gym experience to the Gulf Coast.

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For the operating partners behind&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/own-a-fitness-premier/">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> in Grundy County, Illinois, the future of fitness goes far beyond lifting heavier weights or adding more machines to the floor. Franchisees Dana Odegaard and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bergeson-535180156/">Brent Bergeson</a> are expanding the traditional gym model to include Fitness Premier’s Relax and Restore across clubs in&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/locations/minooka/">Minooka</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/locations/coal-city/">Coal City</a> and soon,&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/locations/morris/">Morris</a>. This gives many members something they didn’t even realize they were missing: intentional recovery.&nbsp;Relax and Restore at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitness-premier/info">Fitness Premier</a> is a dedicated recovery space designed to help members recharge after workouts and daily stress. These rooms combine calming, easy-to-use recovery therapies — like heat, massage, compression and light therapy — to ease sore muscles, improve circulation and support overall wellness. It’s the perfect place to slow down, reset and let recovery work hand-in-hand with your fitness routine.“It kind of brings a different dynamic to the gym,” Bergeson said. “You come here to work out, but we also have this other avenue that’s really focused on recovery and restoring your body versus just beating it up.”Relax and Restore has become a meaningful business driver for Fitness Premier franchisees. By adding a premium wellness layer to the traditional gym model, Odegaard and Bergeson have created a clear upgrade path that supports higher membership adoption, stronger retention and more consistent usage across the week. The recovery suites also give clubs a built-in differentiator in competitive markets, positioning Fitness Premier as more than just a place to work out.<h2>Building a Recovery Experience Members Actually Use</h2>The Relax and Restore suites were designed to be more than a checklist of trendy equipment. Every amenity was selected based on usage, feedback and real-world impact.Human Touch massage chairs quickly became one of the most popular features across all clubs. Even after transitioning away from hydro massage beds, member response was overwhelmingly positive.In addition to massage chairs, members have access to saunas, red light therapy, jet compression boots, percussion massage guns and salt chambers — all positioned as part of a complete post-workout routine, not a luxury add-on.<h2>Location-Specific Amenities That Elevate the Experience</h2>While each Grundy County club offers a consistent set of recovery tools, the Minooka location stands out with additional amenities that give members more options in how they recover.One of those features is the Frost Locker, which delivers the benefits of cold exposure without the setup or intensity of a traditional cold plunge. It offers a more accessible way to experience cold therapy, especially for members who are curious about recovery trends but want something simple and approachable.“Cold plunge is a really popular thing right now,” Odegaard said. “But the Frost Locker gives you a lot of the same benefits with way more ease of access.”For members looking for a more traditional contrast therapy experience, Minooka also offers the Fire &amp; Ice Lounge, which pairs an infrared sauna with a cold plunge in the same space. This setup allows members to move between heat and cold to support circulation, muscle recovery and overall relaxation.“If you want a more authentic experience, we do have the cold plunge and an infrared sauna together,” Bergeson said. “You can bounce back and forth between the two. It's called our Fire &amp; Ice Lounge.”<h2>Letting Member Feedback Lead the Way</h2>Rather than guessing what members might want, Odegaard and Bergeson rely on constant feedback and usage data to guide decisions.“We’re tracking how much use each thing is getting,” Bergeson said. “Those massage chairs are so highly used that we’re already talking about getting another one in Minooka.”That approach has translated directly into membership adoption. Since launching Relax and Restore, roughly 50% to 70% of members across their clubs now use the recovery amenities.“It just shows us that this is a category people really want to have access to,” Odegaard said. “More than half of our new members are joining on the membership that includes these amenities.”<h2>Collaboration Without a One-Size-Fits-All Mandate</h2>While Fitness Premier’s leadership team gives operators flexibility to test new ideas, collaboration across the system plays a major role in shaping future upgrades.“We’re always talking with other clubs that have had Relax for quite some time,” Bergeson said. “Asking them what’s working, what people like and what trends they’re seeing.”That collaboration extends beyond recovery, allowing operators to share insights on new technology and emerging member preferences, with successful ideas often spreading organically throughout the network.<h2>Redefining the Purpose of the Gym</h2>One of the biggest surprises for the team has been how many members were unfamiliar with recovery tools before Relax and Restore launched.“We assume everybody knows about these things, but we're constantly getting members in every day that don't know about these recovery tools and things that can absolutely change their life and change their workouts and the way that they see results in the gym,” Odegaard said.&nbsp;By educating members through staff training, in-club materials and trial periods, the team has reframed the gym as a place not just to push harder, but to feel better leaving than when you arrived.“Everyone looks at the gym as hard work,” Bergeson said. “Now we can say, yes, you come in and work hard, but let’s take care of your body too. That longevity aspect changes how people experience the gym.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.">https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.</a>&nbsp;

image of  Dana Odegaard and Brent Bergeson Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Minooka, Coal City and Morris.

Operating partners Dana Odegaard and Brent Bergeson are redefining what it means to be a local gym with Relax and Restore suites. These wellness-focused upgrades are driving retention and growth.

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Supports Franchisees Through Passionate, Creative Leadership

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