Local Bally clubs to become LA Fitness
Members at the 27 Bally Total Fitness clubs in Illinois may notice some changes after Dec. 1, when LA Fitness takes ownership of all Bally’s clubs in the state.
The Illinois clubs are part of 171 Bally’s clubs nationwide being sold to Fitness International LLC, an affiliate of LA Fitness International LLC, next month.
Although Chicago-based Bally Total Fitness will continue to operate 100 clubs around the country, none will be in Illinois.
LA Fitness is also buying all Bally clubs in Indiana and at least 10 other states.
LA Fitness spokesmen would not comment on how the change in ownership could affect members or employees, saying it had to wait until the sale is finalized Nov. 30.
Officials for LA Fitness said more information will be available on their website following the sale.
However, Larry Larsen, spokesman for Chicago-based Bally Total Fitness, said his understanding is that services for members should be uninterrupted and employees will keep their jobs.
Larsen said it was a strategic decision for the company to focus resources on specific locations. The sale is estimated at about $153 million.
Bally operates clubs in Schaumburg, Mount Prospect, Deerfield, Naperville, Vernon Hills, Villa Park and several more locations closer to the city.
P.J. Alvarez, manager of the Mount Prospect Bally Total Fitness, said he also could not comment on anything related to the sale or how it would effect members and employees at his club.
LA Fitness opened its first club in Covina, Calif., in 1994 and has since grown to more than 350 clubs nationwide.