Crunch Fitness is coming to First Colony! According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation permit, the fitness brand is embarking on opening a new gym in the First Colony Commons shopping center at 15555 Southwest Fwy.
The permit further details that construction is already underway and is slated to wrap up by the end of August 2027. If all goes well with permitting and the estimated $1,500,000 construction project, the new Crunch Fitness should open by next Summer.
At the helm of the opening is Crunch Fitness franchisee Reed Traphagan. What Now Houston reached out to Traphagan, who was listed on the permit, and confirmed the opening. Unfortunately, Traphagan was unable to share further details by the time of this publication.
“NO JUDGEMENTS. Some may call it a tagline, but for us, it’s a way of life. It’s our Monday-thru-every-day mantra. An unfiltered philosophy that drives us to create a community and a gym for all,” the Crunch Fitness website reads.
“No judgments means room for everyone, regardless of shape, size, age, race, gender, or fitness level. No matter your workout of choice, we want you to feel good while reaching your goals. Join the fun.”
Crunch Fitness was founded in 1989 as a single basement studio in New York City’s Greenwich Village by Doug Levin. Levin opened in Greenwich Village with a focus on making exercise fun by combining fitness and entertainment, introducing the famous “No Judgments” philosophy in 1995 to remove gym intimidation and welcome a diverse clientele. The brand pioneered creative group fitness classes like gospel aerobics, yoga cycling, and pole dancing.
In 2021, Crunch Fitness was acquired by Bally Total Fitness when it had 19 locations and was later bought by investment firm Angelo Gordon. Unfortunately, the brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 6, 2009, due to a declining membership base and heavy lease obligations. Led by CEO Jim Rowley, the company restructured.
Crunch Fitness began franchising in 2010, starting with a location in Norwalk, Connecticut, which fueled rapid expansion. Backed by private equity firms like TPG Growth in 2019 and later acquired by Leonard Green & Partners in 2025 for $1.5 billion, the brand has since scaled to hundreds of locations worldwide.
There are now more than 600 Crunch Fitness locations worldwide across more than 40 U.S. states and several international countries. Texas has about 81 of those locations, with nearly a dozen in the Greater Houston region.
What Now also reached out to Crunch Fitness COO Molly Long to find out more about expansion plans. But we did not hear back by the time of this publication.
“Crunch is best known for our colorful personality and kickass group fitness and training programs that are #OnlyAtCrunch,” the brand’s website reads.
“With two brands, and a variety of membership options with no long-term commitments, the right Crunch experience is ready for you.”
Crunch Fitness is anticipated to open in Sugar Land within the First Colony Commons shopping center at 15555 Southwest Fwy by next Summer.
(This is a developing story. As more information is made available, we will update this article. Stay tuned!)
