Core Health & Fitness appointed industry veteran Bryan K. O’Rourke as chief executive officer, working with Founder and Chairman Michael Bruno.
O’Rourke joins Core with over a 25-year career in the fitness industry. Most recently, he was chairman of Vedere Ventures, directing M&A for fitness industry brands while investing in fitness companies in the EU, APAC and the Americas. His previous roles include distributing Les Mills group fitness programming in the U.S., being a partner in several gym chains and advising fitness brands worldwide on strategy, technology, operations, marketing, and finance.
Previously, O’Rourke served on the Board of Core from 2015 until 2020, and his career includes executive roles in food and beverage, franchising, manufacturing, hospitality, and technology companies. O’Rourke has served on the IHRSA board of directors, the American Council on Exercise’s Industry Advisory Board and the Medical Fitness Association’s education committee. He will continue to serve as president of the non-profit Fitness Industry Technology Council.
Bruno said, “Bryan has worked with my companies for many years, and I consider him a close and trusted friend and advisor. His experience as a club operator, his track record as an accomplished CEO with a diverse set of skills, and his excellent industry reputation make him a great fit for our organization. I look forward to working closely with him and our team as we continue to deliver outstanding fitness equipment solutions to our customers around the world.”
Rick Sullivan, founding partner of Gainline Capital Partners, which invested in Core in 2020, stated, “Bryan’s outstanding reputation precedes him. He is a key leader in the global fitness industry with valuable insights and expertise. He is a positive addition to our growing business. We are excited to have him help lead Core into our next phase of growth.”
O’Rourke is widely known for his writings, podcasts and keynote presentations on trends in the wellness and fitness industries, with an emphasis on the impact of technology. He has contributed to eight books addressing industry trends. He shared his enthusiasm for the role; “It is an honor to become a part of such a dynamic organization. Of course, my focus will be serving our customers around the globe with innovative solutions while supporting our leadership of over seventeen hundred employees. Core’s collection of iconic brands and expertise position it to make significant contributions to the industry. We are very bullish about the future.”
Core Health and Fitness provides gym equipment to fitness facilities. Its brand portfolio includes Stairmaster, Schwinn, Star Trac, Throwdown, Nautilus, and Wexer,
Photos courtesy Hore Health and Fitness
