Anytime Fitness makes history as the first franchise with locations on all seven continents

January 8, 2020

Anytime Fitness, the world's largest fitness club chain, has made history with the launch of its Antarctica gym.

Onboard Antarctica21's newest cruise ship, Magellan Explorer, which set sail for its first voyage at the end of November, Anytime Fitness is now the only franchise (of any kind) to have locations operating on all seven continents.

Commenting on the innovation, Anytime Fitness Chief Executive and co-founder, Chuck Runyon stated "we're truly taking our mission, 'To improve the self-esteem of the world,' to another level."

Runyon, who sailed on the Magellan Explorer during its inaugural voyage with Anytime Fitness, President and co-founder, Dave Mortensen, noted "it's something our brand takes incredibly seriously, and it's up to our leadership team to make our vision a reality.

“Being the only franchise to operate on all seven continents and land a gym on the coldest, windiest, driest region of the world was no easy feat but was a necessary step in contributing to our mission. Having the opportunity to be the featured gym on the one-of-a-kind Magellan Explorer was the perfect way to bring health and wellness to the South Pole."

The gym is equipped with top-of-the-line cardio and strength-training equipment from Life Fitness, along with a wide array of free weights. Every guest aboard the ship will have access to the facility 24 hours a day, allowing the opportunity to keep health and wellness a priority while enjoying their travels.

Alongside its Anytime Fitness gym, Magellan Explorer, which accommodates 69 passengers, is equipped top to bottom with amenities to help guests feel surrounded by adventure. The vessel was not only constructed for comfort during exploration, but with the environment in mind, as the ship utilises an energy recovery system to recycle and redistribute heat throughout the ship.

Antarctica21's Director of Expedition Operations, Mariano Curiel commented "Magellan Explorer has been designed with input from an international team of polar expedition experts.

"Together with my team, I look forward to welcoming guests on board Magellan Explorer and to introduce explorers to the majestic beauty of the White Continent."

With passengers aboard the Magellan Explorer's initial voyage becoming a part of history, the Anytime Fitness gym provided them with the opportunity to work out and keep active while they explored the southernmost continent – sticking to their daily routines, warming up for excursions, building stamina for explorations or providing a space to stretch and recuperate from adventures.

Runyon added “our partnership with Antarctica21 is game-changing. Not only have we upped the ante when it comes to accessibility, we're really bringing the vision of Anytime Fitness to life.

"Anytime Fitness has come a long way since our first gym opened in Cambridge, Minnesota in 2002. The fact that Dave and I had the opportunity to experience this historic milestone first-hand is almost surreal. But, at more than 4,500 locations on all continents, we continue to push each other to think of even more ways to make health and wellness available to everyone around the globe."

Images: The Anytime Fitness brand now has a presence in Antartica (top), the gym on board the Magellan Explorer (middle) and the boutique luxury vessel, Magellan Explorer was custom built in Chile for Antarctic air-cruises (below). Images courtesy of Anytime Fitness.

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5th September 2019 - Anytime Fitness and Tough Mudder reveal new partnership

4th September 2019 - Anytime Fitness named a top global franchise 12th consecutive year

6th May 2019 - Anytime Fitness opens 100th club in The Philippines

24th April 2019 - Anytime Fitness club manager develops fitness programs to raise awareness for autism

8th April 2019 - Anytime Fitness partners with R U OK? suicide prevention charity

20th December 2018 - Anytime Fitness unveils 500th Australian club

13th December 2018 - Anytime Fitness reveals new design identity for Australian clubs

24th March 2018 - Anytime Fitness attains global and local milestones and targets Antarctica club opening

6th February 2018 - Anytime Fitness links with Diabetes New Zealand to deliver better health

11th November 2017 - Anytime Fitness the ‘fastest-growing fitness franchise of all time’

5th July 2017 - Anytime Fitness looks to open up to 500 franchises in China by 2020

11th May 2016 - Anytime Fitness’ media subsidiary changes name to drive future growth

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