Crunch Fitness is working on another opening in Arlington. The new Crunch Fitness gym is expected to open in Arlington’s Gazebo Shopping Center at 5566 Fort Caroline Road, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record.
The city permit application shows an estimated $1.7 million renovation of 34,546 square feet at southeast University Boulevard and Fort Caroline Road, in an area designated as part of Old Arlington. Tenant improvements include locker rooms, bathrooms, showers, tanning, and exercise equipment, along with HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work.
At the helm of the opening is franchisee Sean Phillips. What Now Jacksonville reached out to Phillips to find out more about the construction project. Unfortunately, we did not hear back 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.”
Doug Levin founded Crunch Fitness in 1989 as a single basement studio in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Levin opened in Greenwich Village to make exercise fun by combining fitness and entertainment, and in 1995 introduced the famous “No Judgments” philosophy to reduce gym intimidation and welcome a diverse clientele. The brand pioneered creative group fitness classes like gospel aerobics, yoga cycling, and pole dancing.
“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.”
In 2009, Bally Total Fitness acquired Crunch Fitness, which had 19 locations, and later sold it to investment firm Angelo Gordon. Unfortunately, the brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 6, 2009, because its membership base was declining and its lease obligations were heavy. Led by CEO Jim Rowley, the company restructured.
Crunch Fitness began franchising in 2010, starting with a location in Norwalk, Connecticut, and quickly expanded. 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 Fitness is anticipated to open in Arlington’s Gazebo Shopping Center at 5566 Fort Caroline Road by the end of this year or early next year.
(This is a developing story. As more information is made available, we will update this article. Stay tuned!)
