About
LA Fitness was founded in 1984 by its current executive
management team. The company's strategy is to purchase and
operate under-performing fitness clubs. Through the mid-
1990’s, the company grew its club portfolio both by acquiring
and turning around existing clubs and by developing, opening
and operating newly constructed properties. In 1995, LA Fitness
designed and built a new 45,000-square-foot (4,200 m2)
multipurpose health and fitness club that has become the
company’s signature look. LA Fitness then expanded its in-
house development efforts for additional prototype clubs. In
1998, with 12 proven prototype clubs in Southern California and
Arizona, the company rapidly increased the rate of new club
development and rolled out its concept into several new
geographic regions
On May 21, 2007, Madison Dearborn Partners announced that it
acquired a 20% stake in L.A. Fitness International, from Seidler
Equity Partners, CIVC Partners, and the management of the
company for consideration of $600 million.