Fitness Premier

Having happy and dedicated employees is a proven factor to success in franchising. A franchise can thrive in any environment with the right team in place.&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/own-a-fitness-premier/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-premier-247-clubs-uses-culture-index-tool-for-improved-hiring-and-managing-2720600" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a>, an emerging gym franchise based out of the Midwest, understands the importance that culture plays in their business and has recently implemented internal tools that ensure the best candidates are hired and trained properly to continue upholding that value.Since June,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitforyoufranchising/">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> has begun using Culture Index surveys to discover more detailed information about candidates’ natural traits and motivators. The surveys also determine a potential employee’s strengths related to autonomy, social skills, patience and ability to work as a team player. The Culture Index surveys are potent tools for businesses, guaranteed to offer 92% accuracy, as opposed to a DISC personality test, which is only about 52% accurate.“The franchise is excited to use this because we understand the value of hiring the right people. We're trying to find out as much information about that person, so we can make sure we put people in the right seats,” explained&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-orwig-a2168a90?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fitness-premier-247-clubs-uses-culture-index-tool-for-improved-hiring-and-managing-2720600" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mike Orwig</a>, regional director of training and development and multi-unit owner of the Manteno and Bourbonnais Fitness Premier locations.&nbsp;After about five minutes, the brand can view how applicants' traits compare to the ideal employee’s. Fitness Premier seeks team members who are social, great multitaskers and excellent communicators. The Culture Index results will clearly display where they fall on an easy-to-read graph, and the brand is targeting individuals that score at least 60%.“In an interview process, an applicant will put on their best face, but this lets you see past that and into their behaviors and how they are wired. It tells you what drives them, what challenges them and what their energy level is,” Orwig said. “It allows us to go into the hiring process with better and more qualifying questions.”Orwig recently underwent the certification process for Culture Index, which involves a two-day training program. There are less than 50 people in the world who are certified to use the tool, which gives Fitness Premier a considerable hiring advantage. With this newly acquired set of credentials, Orwig has been able to pioneer the use of the Index within the Fitness Premier community.In addition to using Culture Index to match the right people to the right positions, the tool also benefits the franchise in its ongoing management of team members. Fitness Premier plans to have each employee take a survey every 90 days, so they can continuously track attitudes and gauge how to best coach them.&nbsp;“The return on investment has been exponential because now we're understanding not only how to hire better but also how to manage people better based on their traits that are identified in the survey,” Orwig said. “It’s been huge for learning how to establish stronger relationships with our team members.”Going forward, Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs mandates that all new franchisees become Culture Index certified. For current owners and operators within the system, the brand will offer in-house training at its corporate office every other quarter.&nbsp;The total initial investment necessary to begin the operation of a Fitness Premier Club Model is $279,849 to $575,499 per unit. This includes a $39,999 franchise fee.About Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs:Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs is a fast-growing, 18-location fitness concept that creates a community with its staff and guests. At Fitness Premier 24/7 clubs, some of the amenities include 24/7 Access, Hydromassage, Group exercise classes, supervised kids club, and training &amp; nutrition programs. Backed by franchise executive Jason Markowicz and his franchisee-focused corporate team, Fitness Premier differentiates itself with great people, culture, and systems compounded by a growth focus in strategic markets. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitforyoufranchising."> https://1851franchise.com/fitforyoufranchising.</a>

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Uses Culture Index Tool for Improved Hiring and Managing

1851 Franchise

Aiding in the development of strong teams, the system has brought a significant return on investment. 

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

fitness-premier-247-clubs-uses-culture-index-tool-for-improved-hiring-and-managing

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Contact

Own a Fitness Premier

Building a Fitness Business for 2026 and Beyond

Fitness Premier Franchise Support

Strategic Marketing for Franchise Success

Learn

Download Brochure

Visit Website

FITNESS PREMIER

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs

OUR BRANDS

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

FITNESS PREMIER MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT FITNESS PREMIER

CONTACT FITNESS PREMIER

facebook

instagram

linkedin

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City

State / Province

Comments

Interested in a Brand or Need Help Deciding?

Free Franchise Consultation:

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.

fitness-premier-tampa-sarasota-franchise-expansion

Fitness Premier Franchise - Looking Ahead to 2026 - 1851 Franchise

fitness-premier-franchise-2026-growth-strategy

own-a-fitness-premier-franchise-system-support

Fitness Premier Enters Montana with First Conversion Deal in Bozeman

fitness-premier-enters-montana-with-first-conversion-deal-in-bozeman

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.

Relax and Restore: How Fitness Premier’s Grundy County Clubs Are Expanding From Fitness to Full-Body Wellness

fitness-premier-relax-and-restore-wellness

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.

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Uses Culture Index Tool for Improved Hiring and Managing

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS