First on the Scoop: Planet Fitness acquires Cardio Express

By Jean-Luc Dube                                                               Saturday January 19th, 2018  2:30 am

Fitness chain, Cardio Express, has been sold to competitor Planet Fitness. The sale was first rumored early this week with official confirmation coming on Thursday. Former employees of Cardio Express were notified of the discontinuation of group class ( a staple of Cardio Express.)

Cardio Express is a small chain of fitness centers in Connecticut, once encompassing eight area locations. Cardio Express had locations in Tolland, Mansfield, and two in Wethersfields; all have closed in the last six months. Cardio has remaining locations in Manchester, Southington, Vernon, and East Hartford. 

The change to Planet Fitness will begin Friday, January 18, and memberships will be transferred to Planet Fitness, as was done when area clubs closed. The website for Planet Fitness' Vernon location and Manchester location are now active.

Planet Fitness was started in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire. The chain has grown to more than 1,600 locations in multiple countries. The 'Judgement Free Zone' as it's marketed, is the fastest growing fitness club in the US, and is one of the largest clubs in the nations based on locations and members.