Onelife Fitness Acquires Alabama Gyms, Expanding Southeast Footprint

The Josh Harris-backed fitness operator now has five Alabama locations open or in development as it continues growing across the Southeast

Onelife Fitness is expanding its Alabama footprint through acquisition, adding two Phaze 3 Fitness clubs in Madison and Huntsville as the operator continues its broader push across the Southeast.

The deal brings Onelife to five locations in Alabama, including one existing club in McCalla and upcoming locations in Lee Branch and Hoover.

The acquired Phaze 3 clubs will transition to the Onelife Fitness brand following a brief integration period.

“Alabama is one of the most important growth markets for Onelife Fitness,” CEO Ori Gorfine said. “Madison and Huntsville are compelling markets given their growth and strong sense of community.”

The Madison club spans roughly 52,000 square feet, while the Huntsville location measures around 61,000 square feet. Both include expansive strength and cardio areas, functional training turf, indoor saltwater pools, group fitness and cycling studios, hot yoga, kids clubs, saunas and recovery amenities.

The Huntsville club also features a CryoLounge.

The acquisition adds another avenue to Onelife’s ongoing expansion strategy, which has largely centered on opening new clubs across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Onelife, which is backed by 26North, the investment firm led by Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, has more than 70 locations open or coming soon across states including Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Alabama.

North Carolina is another major growth target.

Onelife said last year that it plans to open at least 15 clubs across the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill market over the next several years, including a 58,000-square-foot location in Durham.

Bucking the trend of mid-priced gym operators struggling since the pandemic, the fast-growing Onelife has positioned itself around an “affordable luxury” model, pairing relatively accessible membership pricing with amenities typically associated with higher-end health clubs, including pools, boutique-style classes, recovery offerings and large strength-training areas.

In Alabama, Onelife Fitness McCalla is already open, Lee Branch is slated to open soon and the company plans to break ground on its Hoover location in October.

With the Madison and Huntsville acquisitions, Onelife now has five clubs either operating or in development across the state.