The low-price gym giant bought a 23-year-old Bakersfield chain, closed several of its clubs, and moved members onto its own network.
Planet Fitness has acquired Body Xchange Health Clubs, a five-club independent gym operator that served Bakersfield, California, for 23 years. Members learned of the deal on October 5 by email and social media, and Planet Fitness took over management of their memberships the same day.
Several Body Xchange locations, including clubs on Bernard Street, White Lane, and Panama Lane, closed after the announcement, according to local reports. Former members must sign new Planet Fitness memberships to keep training, and the Body Xchange website now redirects to Planet Fitness. Terms were not disclosed.
Planet Fitness already lists about seven clubs in Bakersfield. Buying a local competitor and folding its members into existing gyms adds recurring dues without construction costs or a 12 to 18 month ramp. It also removes a low-price rival in a market where price drives the purchase.
Body Xchange members complained about the lack of notice, which reports attributed to confidentiality requirements around the deal. Membership conversions are won or lost in the first 60 days. Operators who copy this playbook need a clear migration offer ready before the announcement, or they pay for customers who walk.
Athletech framed the deal as part of a consolidation wave in high-value, low-price fitness, where PE-backed rollups and large brands are absorbing independents. For franchisees in the segment, buying a local competitor is now a growth lever alongside new units, and systems with capital will keep using it.
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