With 6.4 million members across gyms, sports nutrition, and digital services, RSG Group is the global leader in fitness and lifestyle. Founded in 1997 with humble beginnings, Rainer Schaller has succeeded in turning his first gym in Würzburg, Germany into a globally operating business with 41,000 employees, including franchisees, at 1,000 locations in 48 countries. This stems from one single original brand, McFIT, whose slogan is “The Fitness Studio for Everyone.”
In contrast to the wellness trends that predominated at the time, RSG Group pioneered the discount principle within the fitness industry, establishing it with great success. In just 24 years, RSG Group has continually pushed to the next level, taking a 360-degree diversification strategy to build and grow nearly 20 brands across multiple sectors, including fitness, lifestyle, design, and fashion, including fitness powerhouses such as Gold’s Gym, McFIT, the John Reed family of clubs, as well as creative and lifestyle brands such as Marcell Von Berlin, Ron Miller, and Pearl Model Management.
Determined to make a splash in the already crowded United States fitness market, RSG Group expanded their global ambitions with the launch of the first stateside John Reed location. During this planning, the company was presented with a golden opportunity. On July 13, 2020, Gold’s Gym announced that RSG Group would acquire the company and its assets, allowing them to breathe new life into the iconic American heritage brand and catapulting RSG Group to its leadership position.
On March 17, 2021, the first U.S. John Reed opened with its flagship location in the center of Downtown Los Angeles. Surrounded by modern high-rises and spanning over 33,000 square feet, John Reed is a unique symbiosis of fitness, music, and design. Merging functionality with a club-like atmosphere, John Reed goes beyond the typical gym experience. Each of the 40 locations around the world have their own distinct style and personality reflective of the culturally rich neighborhoods they are set in. Art highlights include original pieces by LA’s highly recognized muralist, Robert Vargas, Berlin street-art duo Ron Miller, and Los Angeles-based abstract artist Jaime Guerrero. Combining hi-fi with fitness, the body-rocking club hosts live DJs, both local and international, for five sets a week.
At the helm of the quickly growing American headquarters for the German-founded company is Sebastian Schoepe, President of RSG Group North America and CEO of Gold’s Gym. During his ten years with the group, Sebastian’s leadership, expertise, and entrepreneurial perspective served RSG Group internationally as he has led many strategic initiatives throughout the group’s expedited growth worldwide. Sebastian is now responsible for overseeing brand development and all points of market entry, from growth and operations to market sizing and segmentation. Passionate about leading and growing brands, Sebastian aims to make a profound difference in the lives of its customers, team members, and partners.
RSG Group is currently in the beginning stages of strategic growth for the United States. Beginning with Gold’s Gym and John Reed, the company is planning a new permanent US headquarters for its rapidly expanding team and launching a new, first of its kind, concept fitness club called HEIMAT—both in Los Angeles. HEIMAT will redefine the meaning of living optimally with an emphasis on holistic day-to-night wellness, fitness, culinary, and cultural concepts under one roof.
Now with a renewed commitment on health and a determined focus on sustainability, RSG Group consistently sets new benchmarks and provides momentum well beyond the fitness sector by continuously opening new fields of activity to remain an important part of its customers’ everyday lives. Around the globe, RSG Group brings people together to move their bodies by delivering fitness solutions for everyone.
For more information, visit rsggroup.com/en.
