Our History
Anytime Fitness began in Minnesota in 2002. Our co-founders, Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen, recognized an opportunity to provide consumers with a clean, quality workout experience in a convenient, 24-hour gym setting. Though they had their doubters, the years since have seen Anytime Fitness grow to over 4,800 gyms in 38 countries serving more than 4,000,000 members. In the midst of challenging economic climates, Anytime Fitness has achieved remarkable and steady growth, opening an average of 300 clubs each of the past nine years. During that same time, Anytime Fitness expanded in new international markets including: Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, The Republic of Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands, Japan, India, Chile, Canada, The Cayman Islands, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Qatar, Italy and Sweden.
While the franchise’s early success was built on a small-footprint gym that could succeed in almost every market, the true revolution Chuck and Dave introduced was addressing the most common excuses people use for not exercising more frequently: cost, convenience, and the intimidating atmosphere of traditional fitness clubs. Anytime Fitness clubs are welcoming and friendly. Our strategic development and extensive gym network offer our members convenient access to our gyms, and our dues are affordable.
Most Anytime Fitness franchisees have little or no prior experience in the fitness industry and fewer than 50% have owned a business before opening their first club. The only thing that Anytime Fitness asks of its franchisees is that they have a sincere and genuine desire to help others in their community improve the quality of their lives by leading healthier, more active lifestyles. If that requirement is met, then the Anytime Fitness franchise support staff will teach new franchisees how to engage public and private entities and transform entire communities – one individual at a time.
Our Founders
Chuck Runyon
Co-Founder & CEO
In 2002, Chuck Runyon revolutionized the fitness industry when he and Dave Mortensen co-founded Anytime Fitness–smaller, neighborhood gyms featuring convenience, affordability, quality equipment and surprisingly personable service in friendly, non-intimidating facilities.For his unprecedented and unique contributions to the fitness industry, in 2009, Runyon was honored as the “John McCarthy Industry Visionary of the Year” by the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).
More recently, Runyon was honored by Chief Executive magazine with its inaugural “Leadership” award for his commitment to investing in people and relationships. Specifically noted were Runyon’s efforts to help his employees become not merely more productive workers, but better people.
Dave Mortensen
Co-Founder & President
With more than 25 years of experience managing, consulting, owning and franchising health clubs, Dave Mortensen has distinguished himself as a leading authority in the field of fitness. Mortensen revolutionized the fitness industry when he and Chuck Runyon co-founded Anytime Fitness–an alternative to big-box gyms. In contrast, Mortensen and Runyon designed smaller, neighborhood clubs featuring the things members want most: convenience, affordability, quality equipment and surprisingly personable service in friendly, non-intimidating facilities.
The first Anytime Fitness club opened its doors in Cambridge, MN in May of 2002. In the years since, Anytime Fitness has quickly become an international powerhouse–with more than 4,800 gyms located in all 50 states and nearly 40 countries on all seven continents, serving more than 4 million members.