Landmark Atlantic Club bought by biggest private fitness business; new things coming
A Kansas-based owner of private health clubs has purchased The Atlantic Club and its landmark fitness campuses in Wall and Red Bank.
Genesis Health Clubs of Wichita, Kansas, the largest private fitness provider operating 66 other clubs nationwide, said The Atlantic Club is the company's first acquisition in New Jersey and the northeast U.S. The purchase price was not disclosed. Other Genesis clubs are in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, and Indiana.
"To say we’re excited about acquiring The Atlantic Club would be an understatement," said Rodney Steven II, owner and president Genesis Health Clubs, in a statement. "There aren’t many clubs in the entire nation with as much history, success and impact on people’s lives."
A presence in Monmouth County since it was founded by CEO Patricia Laus in 1977, The Atlantic Club is considered one the poshest fitness clubs in the northeast.
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Its 44-acre campus off Atlantic Avenue in Wall includes a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, 13 tennis courts, 12 indoor pickleball courts, racquetball courts, paddle courts, basketball courts, turf center, a cafe and The Milagro Day Spa and Salon. The club also has more than 120 weekly group exercise classes.
The Atlantic Club opened its Red Bank center, built on the site of a former Maple Avenue car dealership, in 2002 featuring a fitness center, yoga and pilates studios, an indoor pool and Milagro spa.
The clubs will now be called Genesis Health Clubs – The Atlantic Club Manasquan, and Genesis Health Clubs – The Atlantic Club Red Bank.
Kevin McHugh, previously president and chief operating officer of The Atlantic Club, continues on in a management role overseeing the clubs along with his leadership team and staff, Genesis said.
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“We’re excited to be able to continue providing everyone the same great product they’ve enjoyed for years, and also to become a part of a fitness leader like Genesis that will support the growth of all of our businesses and willingness to reinvest into both campuses future growth," McHugh said in a statement.
The ownership change comes as Life Time, a high-end fitness, health and sports club, located on Half Mile Road in Middletown, is expected to open in late February or early March.
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In letters to Atlantic Club members in Wall and Red Bank, Steven wrote plans are in the works for renovations in key areas. In Red Bank, it includes additional new exercise equipment, new saunas in the men's and women's locker rooms, new lighting elements in Studio A as well as other added enhancements.
In Wall, plans are it the works for renovations to "critical member areas in the coming months" as well as new additional exercise equipment, Steven wrote.
The Atlantic Club's staff will transition over to Genesis, members will not see a change in rates, and hours will remain the same at both clubs, Genesis said on its website.
"As for the members, this is such an exciting time for them," Steven said in the company's statement. "They’ll continue with the same great programming they are currently providing and we will also be reinvesting in both these outstanding fitness facilities.
"We’ve got big plans for the region now and in the future, and we can’t wait to share more soon!”
David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business, retail, real estate and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for 25 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There column and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Please sign up for his weekly newsletter and join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Atlantic Club in Wall, Red Bank bought by Genesis Health Clubs