Zoo Health Club Franchise Gains Momentum in Troubled Economy.

The Zoo Health Club is becoming the fastest growing fitness franchise in the US. The original Zoo Health Club located on Fort Lauderdale beach is the model for the franchise and has been the best gym in Fort Lauderdale for nearly 30 years.

"Health and fitness is an industry that has continued to grow even during these troubling economic times." says Andrew Barnett of Diversified Health and Fitness Now more than ever, Americans realize that staying in shape is the key to a long healthy life. Fitness for many has become a lifestyle and a gym membership is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The Zoo Health Club Franchise Corporation has seen a huge influx of inquiries throughout 2010. This has translated into many new Zoo Health club franchises opening all across the United States. Locations like Royal Palm Beach, FL, Allen, TX, Grant Pass, OR, and Lake Worth, FL are only a few of the Zoo Health Club locations capitalizing on the fitness phenomenon.

According to Diversified Health and Fitness there are currently a number of clubs under contract to open nationwide including Glastonbury, CT, Orlando, FL and Gonzales, LA just to name a few. The Zoo Health clubs are reporting record numbers of new members signing up every month. This is in part due to the cutting edge marketing efforts put forth by the Zoo Health Club Franchise Corporation. Franchisees benefit from over 30 years of experience in the health and fitness industry.

One of the key features that sets the Zoo Health Clubs apart from the competition is the 24 hour 7 day a week access to all of the clubs. Members can come and work out not only during staffed hours, but have access via security cards any time day or night. Accessibility and convenience are key factors for members looking for a health club.

The Zoo Health Club Fitness Franchises also offer personal one on one training as well as group training and group fitness classes. Many locations also offer day care. Some locations also offer tanning and other spa services.

Every Zoo Health Club Franchise location offers top of the line equipment. You will find everything from free motion machines to treadmills to free weights and pin select weight machines. This type of equipment is usually found only in more expensive health clubs, but the Zoo has made fitness affordable. The Zoo Health Club franchises offer monthly membership rates as low as $14.95 and also offer membership options with no contract required.

The Zoo Health Club franchise owners are realizing tremendous profit potential. Corporate franchise support from Diversified Health and Fitness teaches them how to manage a prosperous health club by offering low cost memberships while many members upgrade to include other services like personal training sessions, aerobics, spinning, zumba and other classes. The Zoo health club line of apparel has also been a big hit. Many people are looking for a solid investment while the economy slowly recovers. A Zoo Health Club franchise is a proven business that works.

The Zoo Health club has designed a fitness franchise that has low overhead, few employees, limited inventory and high profit potential. The Zoo University ensures people of all walks of life, whether they have fitness experience or not, get the proper training to be a successful gym franchise owner. The large volume of Zoo franchises that are opening has enabled them to secure national contract pricing on equipment as well as financing terms that many other competitors can’t offer. You will find that the investment required to open a Zoo health Club fitness franchise is much lower than others. This is due to the creative financing and bargaining power achieved through years of experience in the fitness franchise industry.

The Zoo Health Club fitness franchise system has been perfected over the past 30 years. Their corporate support from Diversified Health and Fitness is unparalleled in the industry. All of this combined with a winning concept and proven system is sure to make any franchisee successful.

Diversified Health & Fitness Introduce The Zoo Health Club

Since the early 1970s, Zoo Health Clubs have promoted a carefully balanced atmosphere that is both family-friendly and appealing to serious athletes. Everyone-from those seeking a general fitness program to hard-core body builders-find what they need at their Zoo.

A Whole new approach to Co-Ed Fitness..
The Zoo Health Club Fitness Franchise Concept is a cutting edge, close to home, convenient, family-friendly Health Club. Offering affordable fitness 24 hours a day.

Men and women of all ages and fitness levels now have a proven way to get in the best shape of their lives. Shape, tone, and strengthen your body with equipment designed with men and women in mind. With today’s busy lifestyle everyone is looking for convenience…The Zoo offers quick and easy workouts 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Great for people on the go, now it’s easy to stay in shape.

With locations down the street and close to home it has never been easier for the whole family to stay in shape. The Zoo attracts all age groups, singles, couples and family’s. The Zoo offers a fast, fun, effective and affordable workout.

Expect to find top of the line equipment built by the leaders in the industry. The Zoo Health Club is a cutting edge fitness and health club concept,..creating an affordable, family oriented, friendly health club. Specializing in state of the art cardio, strength, 30 minute circuit and free weight equipment.

The Zoo has been able to keep membership prices down by getting rid of the big box and have created a more friendly mid-size health club. Of course you will find a Zoo Health Club close to your home so we substituted shower facilities for on-site “kids play area which appeal to family’s of all sizes. When you enter a Zoo Health Club you will find World Class Cardio Health and Strength Equipment. Many of our locations now include 30 minute circuit training hydraulic equipment for members that are new to fitness and want a very inexpensive fast and easy 30 minute workout. Yes, there is a workout for everyone at the Zoo Health Club.

Affordable Fitness
The Zoo Health Club is proud to say it has the most affordable memberships in the Industry…With special 30 minute circuit training programs as low as $9.95 per month and a full single membership priced at $19.95 per month how can you afford not to get in shape! You will find it easy to build your membership base with the Zoo’s low low monthly dues memberships
The Zoo Health Club offers two different fitness franchise opportunities

1) The Zoo Health Club
The product of Health & Fitness is very exciting and the industry grows every year by leaps and bounds. The Zoo offers month-to-month memberships, superior cardio, strength and free weight equipment by leading equipment manufacturers such as Life-Fitness, Quantum Fitness, Pioneer and Free Motion.

The Zoo is a close-to-home, convenient, family-friendly health club open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, providing the member all they need to enjoy and live the fitness lifestyle. The Zoo offers memberships month-to-month with no hidden yearly fees or contracts! Some Zoo locations offer your kids fun in the onsite “kids’ area”. We are proud to say that the Zoo concept works well for both the franchisee and member alike!

2) The Zoo Personal Training Studio
The Zoo Personal Training Studio is taking the lead with one-on-one private training. Members of fitness clubs are frustrated with poor service and unfriendly staff of the big box mega fitness centers. Very few members are reaching the goals they set out for themselves. Members are looking for a more intimate, friendly and result orientated facility. People now want a place where they can reach their fitness goals with proper education, motivation and training. The Zoo Personal Training Studio provides all that and more.

The Zoo Health Club is supported by Diversified Health and Fitness, the fitness franchise experts. We believe in supporting our franchisees in all aspects of their business including: operations, training, marketing, sales, and finance. Our Franchise Support team is committed to guiding you towards success.

Local Franchise Offers A Double Chance To Win Your Own Business!

Winner to be announced at the Tampa Franchise & Business Opportunities Expo!
TAMPA, Florida (August 24, 2009) – North America’s largest Franchise and Business Opportunities Expo announced today that local franchise Diversified Health & Fitness Inc. will be giving away two co-ed Zoo Health Club franchises during the show September 12th & 13th at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The giveaway is a
wonderful way to help the economy – one person at a time.

“We are thrilled that Diversified Health & Fitness Inc. has decided to give away two local franchises at our upcoming show”, states Fred Cox, President of National Event Management. “To produce an event that brings together North America’s fastest growing franchises and business opportunities with potential business owners looking for their next path to success is a pleasure for us. Face to face meetings are the best way to research a business ownership opportunity and to compare and contrast many great new concepts which are now looking for partners in the Tampa Bay area”.

To enter the contest, would-be entrepreneurs will only need to visit booth 209 at the show. The drawings will take place once a day at 4:00pm. You must be present to win.
“This is a great opportunity for our contest winners”, said Diversified’s CEO Rogers Wittenberns. “The Zoo Health Club is a popular 24-hour family fitness concept that was founded over thirty years ago on the Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Zoo offers its members the best in cardio and weight training equipment in a clean, safe and family friendly environment. The beauty of being apart of this franchise is that you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself.” The Franchise and Business Opportunities Expo, in partnership with the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce, takes place Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, Tampa, Florida. Hours of operation are Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. Admission is $10 at the door, buy them online in advance to save money. For more information, visit www.floridafranchiseshow.com.

About Diversified Health & Fitness, Inc.
Diversified is a franchisor of a suite of integrated franchise brands, including The Zoo Health Club, Rejuvenate Health Fitness and Medspa, Sedona Fitness For Women, ShapeXpress, Fit For Her, Liberty Fitness, FitZone For Women, Access Fitness, The Blitz, Butterfly Life, and 123 Fit. In less than two years, Diversified Health and Fitness, chaired by health club veteran Roger Wittenberns, has grown exponentially from one club to over two hundred franchised clubs across the globe.

About The Franchise & Business Opportunities Expo
The Franchise & Business Opportunities Expo, a member of the International Franchise Associations suppliers group, is produced by National Event Management. National Event Management is the producer of 27 annual business ownership events across North America showcasing over 1,700 businesses to 65,000 prospective business owners annually. For more information on National Event Management visit www.nationalevent.com.

The Future of Fitness Franchising

Inside Diversified Health and Fitness, Roger Wittenberns has a master plan to redefine the fitness franchising industry.


Ft. Lauderdale – The past 25 years has been a roller coaster ride of club expansions, market segmenting, acquisitions and branding. Should it come as no surprise that the next 25 years may be defined by a company called Diversified Health and Fitness?

Diversified Health and Fitness is the brainchild of Roger Wittenberns. Since Roger’s first introduction to club management with the Jack LaLanne chain, he’s been a man with vision, always looking outside the box. He was one of the first to recognize that women would frequent a coed club, if there were special hours, areas and childcare to accommodate them. That idea led to his creation of the Lady of America franchise chain.

Selling LOA--the second largest women’s only franchise chain--in 2006 gave Roger a well earned break to enjoy his sprawling Miami manse and teenage children. The years in between have seen a major shift in women’s only health clubs and a surge in non-traditional health club offerings including Botox treatments and manicures to fight an overcrowded market.

It’s also seen hundreds of women’s franchise clubs fail either because of the competition, the lack of corporate sales support, the down-turned economy or a combination of all. Roger is betting that when the dust settles the competition will have thinned and creates the opportunity for a new franchise super-giant with a mix of brands: Diversified Health and Fitness.
Defining the Change

“The landscape will continue to change,” says Roger from his Ft. Lauderdale corporate offices. “Right now the recession is reality, and franchise sales have slowed because credit is hard to get and a lot of equity has evaporated. Real estate has taken a big turn. Back in the 80s during the savings and loan crisis they were offering a year free rent and free build outs. In just the last six months we’re starting to see some of those deals return to the negotiation tables, but it’s too early to say.

“Right now we know new sales are flat and by the time you fly someone in, go through the presentation, negotiate a lease and set up financing it just doesn’t make sense,” says Roger. “So we’re approaching it differently. We’re buying up existing locations that are already open and operating, but need to increase membership sales.”

As of this writing, Diversified Health and Fitness has purchased 12 brands that represent nearly 300 locations, mostly in the U.S. Negotiations are under way for the acquisition of two more brands. Fit Zone, Rejuvenate, and the Zoo Co-ed clubs are presently all under the umbrella of Diversified.

With his 35 years experience as a franchisor, and having developed one of the best sales support team in the business, Roger is confident he can increase those memberships, and capitalize on the clubs’ strengths while minimizing their weaknesses.

Does that mean their franchisees will be bought out and replaced?
“Not at all,” says Roger, “I’ve learned not to prejudge people. I had some of the best-looking, well-educated people who turn out to be the most difficult to educate of day-to-day operations, and I've met other folks that are all ears and eyes, not well capitalized, but willing to roll up their sleeves and do all that it takes.”

Will he eventually bring all his clubs under one brand name? “Not likely,” says the franchise leader. “Like our company name reflects, clubs will remain diversified. We have no problem juggling a variety of brands. It’s like Auto Nation, that company purchased 100s of different cars from Toyotas, to Lexus to Hummers and at the end of the day they’re still selling cars.

No matter what the club brand, it’s still the same business. Getting memberships and selling health. Helping people feel better and look better. If we can teach the franchisees to do that, they’ll all be successful.

Diversified Health and Fitness - The Future of Fitness Franchising

Franchise expo gathers industry leaders

Franchise expo gathers industry leaders in South Florida
Sarah Dussault, Sun Sentinel - May 29, 2009

Chuck Cavuoto, Executive Vice President of Diversified Health & Fitness, (back left) watches as Dan Hicks, Vice President of Francise Sales, (center) adjusts the banner light at their booth during setup the day before the Franchise & Business Opportunities Expo in Exhibit Hall C at the Broward Convention Center on Friday. Diversified Health & Fitness is raffling a free franchise this weekend at the Expo. They are also offering a 1-year free membership to Zoo Health Club during a drawing at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There are Zoo Health Clubs in Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach and Royal Palm Beach.

Diversified Health And Fitness To Give Away Free Fitness Franchises

Diversified Health and Fitness Inc. To Give Away Two Franchises At The Franchise & Business Opportunities Expo In Ft. Lauderdale, Florida On May 30 and 31, 2009.

May 12, 2009

Diversified Health & Fitness, Inc., a franchisor of multiple brands of fitness and health clubs, today announced that it will give away an unprecedented two coed Zoo Health Club franchises at the Franchise & Business Opportunities Expo at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center.

“We expect this give-away to draw a lot of attention at the show,” said Diversified’s CEO, Roger Wittenberns. “We will be giving away one fitness franchise at 2:00pm at booth 401 on each of Saturday, May 30th and another on Sunday, May 31st.”

To be eligible for the fitness franchise giveaway, interested parties only need visit booth 401. Details will be available from Diversified representatives.

Diversified is a franchisor of a suite of integrated fitness franchise brands, including The Zoo Health Club, Rejuvenate Health Fitness and Medspa, Sedona Fitness For Women, ShapeXpress, Fit For Her, Liberty Fitness, FitZone, Access Fitness, The Blitz, Ultimate Woman, Butterfly Life, and 123 Fit. In less than two years, Diversified, chaired by health club veteran Roger Wittenberns, has grown exponentially from one club to over two hundred franchised health clubs across the globe.

Diversified will give away two Zoo Health Clubs, a popular twenty-four-hour-a-day family fitness concept, founded over thirty years ago on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. The Zoo offers its members the best in cardio and weight training equipment in a clean, safe and family friendly environment with 24 hour keycard access.

“This will be a great opportunity for our contest winners” said Roger Wittenberns. “Get to the convention early to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime chance to own your own business.”

Tickets to the show are $8 each, but free guest passes are available from Dan Hicks at 954-449-4700.

For more information about this release or to schedule an interview, please contact Andrew Barnett at 800-988-4712 or by e-mail at Andrew@diversifiedhf.com

Diversified Health And Fitness Acquires 123 Fit From Quizno’s Franchise Founder

123 Fit, a Health Club Franchisor, Has Been Acquired By Diversified Health & Fitness, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

April 9, 2009

Diversified Health & Fitness, Inc., chaired by fitness industry pioneer, Roger Wittenberns, announced today that it has closed on its acquisition of 123 Fit, a coed health club franchisor with locations nationwide. 123 Fit was created by Quizno’s founder Rick Schaden who is leaving the health club business to take the reins of his food service company.

The acquisition increases Diversified’s holdings by 21 health club franchise contracts, giving the company a broader presence in the United States. Diversified’s current portfolio of 228 clubs nationally and internationally will be increased to 249 clubs.

The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and included franchise agreements, FDD registrations, area developer agreements, manuals, trade names and other intellectual property.

“I have every confidence that Diversified will bring support and health club expertise to our family of 123 Fit franchisees” said Rick Schaden, CEO of 123 Fit.

Diversified Chief Executive Officer, Roger Wittenberns, said “we are pleased to be taking in a strong chain developed by franchise industry experts. The 123 Fit acquisition will add yet another dimension to our portfolio and increase our share of the coed fitness market.”

Diversified Health and Fitness, Inc. is a franchise holding company for multiple fitness franchise concepts. The company was founded in 2007 and is the brainchild of thirty-six year industry expert Roger Wittenberns.

For more information about this release or to schedule an interview, please contact Andrew Barnett at 800-988-4712 or by e-mail at Andrew@diversifiedhf.com