America’s Malls Are Making a Comeback—This Time As Fitness Destinations
Leading fitness chains are moving into vacant department stores, replacing shopping racks with weight racks
Once temples of retail therapy and food courts, America’s shopping malls are staging a comeback—this time powered by barbells, not shopping bags. As department stores vanish in the Amazon era, big-box gyms and health clubs are moving in, transforming vacant anchor spaces and generating foot traffic.
OneLife Fitness is the latest to jump on the trend, signing a deal with First National Realty Partners (FNRP) to move into the Tannehill Promenade in Bessemer, Alabama—set to revive a 57,455-square-foot space that once housed JCPenney and had sat vacant since 2017.
Set to open in December, the upscale health club will mark OneLife Fitness’ first entry into the Birmingham market, offering group fitness classes, personal training and recovery amenities to local residents.
“We’re excited to welcome OneLife Fitness to Tannehill Promenade and to be a part of their growth in Alabama,” FNRP chief revenue officer Fred Battisti said. “Backfilling a long-vacant anchor with a brand that brings ongoing foot traffic and long-term value is exactly the kind of high-impact leasing activity we look for that enhances the center’s performance and supports our investment strategy.”
The Virginia-based gym chain has also reportedly expressed interest in opening a new location at Annapolis Mall, hoping to take over JCPenney’s retail space.
Last October, Genesis Health Clubs opened its new Des Moines location at Southridge Mall, transforming a former Sears store with a multi-million dollar renovation that now features basketball courts and an indoor swimming pool. The privately owned, Kansas-based club operator recently added eight Esporta Fitness locations to its portfolio. High-value, low-price fitness leader Crunch Fitness is also joining the mall evolution, with a $5 million facility set to open this summer at Crossgates Mall in Albany, New York.
UFC Gym, meanwhile, is relocating its Concord, California location to Sunvalley Mall, where it will debut a state-of-the-art facility featuring new equipment, a day spa, a kids club and expanded youth programming.
Not to be outdone, Powerhouse Gym is preparing to open its largest facility in the world at The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township, Michigan. The sprawling 120,000-square-foot location will feature a swimming pool, basketball court, yoga and cycling studios, a dry sauna, turf training areas, an indoor track, a dedicated spin room, personal training, group fitness classes, and a recovery and wellness zone.