World Gym, a bodybuilding and fitness gym founded in Santa Monica, CA in 1976, is expanding its international presence with its first foray into China.
The company has entered into an agreement with its World Gym Taiwan franchise to begin developing World Gyms in Greater China, to include China, Hong Kong, Macau, and continued growth in Taiwan.
Starting with just one gym in Taichung, Taiwan in 2001, owners John Caraccio and Michael Sanciprian, now have 34 gyms throughout Taiwan, with several more in pre-sales, and more planned for the future. There will be 39 open and operating World Gym locations in Taiwan by year end. World Gym Taiwan was recently named by IHRSA as the fitness company with the eighth biggest revenue growth in the world over the past year. It is the largest gym chain in Taiwan.
“We are so excited to continue growing with World Gym Taiwan,” said Guy Cammilleri, managing director of World Gym International. “John and Michael have done such a tremendous job with their gyms in Taiwan, the whole World Gym family can’t wait to see how they begin to grow the Brand in China, Hong Kong, and Macau.”
A timeline has yet to be set for the first wave of World Gyms to be built in China, but officials said a lot research and planning is in place.
“We believe that China is ready for a brand like World Gym and a company that builds and manages fitness centers in the way that we do,” explains Michael Sanciprian, CEO and co-owner of World Gym Taiwan. “We’re excited to take that next step.”
The iconic World Gym brand was founded in 1976 by Joe Gold during the glory days of “Muscle Beach” in Santa Monica, CA when serious fitness collided with the world of Hollywood celebrities. Since then, World Gym has evolved into an internationally recognized brand. With its headquarters located in southern California, World Gym currently has more than 210 franchised locations in 21 countries and territories, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Cayman Islands, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Macao, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and the United States.
