Gold's Gym

Gold's Gym International, Inc. is an American chain of international co-ed fitness centers (commonly referred to as "gyms") originally started in California by Joe Gold. Each gym features a wide array of exercise equipment, group exercise classes and personal trainers to assist clients. Its headquarters are in Dallas, Texas.

Corporate history

The first Gold's Gym opened in fall 1965 in Venice Beach, California. Dubbed "the Mecca of bodybuilding", it was frequented by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dave Draper and featured in the 1977 movie Pumping Iron. The movie brought attention not only to the gym itself, but also to the world of bodybuilding and physique in general. To this day, it is considered a landmark in the bodybuilding subculture, and has achieved cult status. In 1970, Joe Gold sold the chain.

Today, Gold's Gym claims to be the largest chain of mixed-gender gyms in the world, with more than 700 locations in 37 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 20 other countries. Gold's Gym has a membership of more than three and a half million, split almost equally between male and female patrons. Gold's Gym locations are equipped with cardiovascular and strength training equipment and offer group exercise classes such as group cycling, pilates, Latin dance, yoga and stretching through the company GGX (Gold's Group Exercise) program. Many gyms also offer basketball, swimming pools and boxing studios.