Newsroom
Relieved to Be Back at the Gym, but Is It Safe? (New York Times Online)
Oct 26, 2020
City gyms were allowed to reopen on Sept. 2, but lingering concerns about indoor workouts mean many may not endure.
THE VIRTUAL AT-HOME FITNESS BOOM IS HERE TO STAY, AND WILL USHER IN A NEW ERA OF EXERCISING THAT WILL LAST LONG AFTER THE PANDEMIC SUBSIDES (USA NEWS SITE)
Oct 12, 2020
With gyms and fitness studios temporarily shuttered earlier this year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, consumers found alternate outlets to break a sweat — namely virtual, on-demand fitness programs.
For Retro Fitness — a chain of 150 gym locations across the US — wading into virtual programming during the pandemic ultimately helped to accelerate the company’s pre-pandemic push towards becoming a “lifestyle brand,” according to Chief Marketing Officer Victor Bao.
The Boutique Fitness Experience as We Know it is Dead (USA Latest News)
Oct 03, 2020
Gyms offering low-cost membership have grown in number, since they’re now tapping into a market with less disposable income, according to Todd Scartozzi, chief operating officer of Retro Fitness, which has seen a 200% increase in its franchisees in the past 5 months.
Let’s get physical: Gyms bounce back (Queens Chronicle)
Sep 10, 2020
Residents hoping to burn off calories they put on in quarantine, or just build some muscle, have been heading back to gyms that reopened on Sept 2.
While exercising, people need to stay 6 feet apart and wear masks. We go by strict guidelines, said Warren DeStefano, owner of Retro Fitness in Glendale and Forest Hills.
Gym CEO says they should have been deemed ‘essential’ (Good Morning America)
Sep 03, 2020
Andrew Alfano, CEO of Retro Fitness, spoke with Amy Robach at Good Morning America about gyms reopening and why he thinks it should have happened sooner.
Retro Fitness CEO on NJ reopening gyms: ‘It should have happened a long time ago’ (Fox News Online)
Sep 02, 2020
Under Gov. Phil Murphy’s order, gyms in the state were given the green light to operate at 25% capacity starting Tuesday as long as appropriate safety preactions are in place. The directive effectively ended 169 days of mandated closures that took a financial toll on the small business owners that run the gyms, Alfano said.
Gym buffs, rejoice! Fitness centers in NYC finally reopen
Sep 02, 2020
Places like Retro Fitness have other safety measures in place, like spaced out machines, hand sanitizer at the ready and temperature checks for staff members.
CheddarTV “Opening Bell” on NJ/NY Re-openings
Sep 02, 2020
Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano spoke with the Cheddar team on NJ/NY reopenings noting the protocols we have in place and what gym-goers can expect for the future of fitness.
Joe Piscopo on Gyms Reopening in New Jersey (Fox News)
Sep 02, 2020
Joe’s talks about gyms reopening in New Jersey after an extended period of time, and the guidelines that gyms will now be following to ensure the safety of members and staff.
Retro Fitness Franchisees Back in the Gym After COVID Closures. (Franchise Times Online)
Sep 02, 2020
“I’ll never forget that date and time,” said Retro Fitness franchisee Dave Chichelo as he recalled when New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the shutdown of fitness centers, along with movie theaters and casinos, in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
That was 168 days ago. Now Chichelo has another date to add to his mental list: September 1, the date his gym in Fort Lee, New Jersey, reopened.
What will be different in reopened gyms?
Sep 02, 2020
Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano spoke with host, Neil Cavuto, on NJ/NY being able to reopen gyms and outlines what will be different when people enter into their gyms for the first time since the coronavirus lockdowns.
Retro Fitness Happy To Reopen Its Centers In Rockland (Patch.com)
Aug 27, 2020
Retro Fitness was very happy to reopen its centers in New City, Pearl River, Pomona and Tappan when Gov. Andrew Cuomo finally gave the go-ahead to gyms, fitness centers and exercise studios.
Members are happy, Franchise Business Coach Dina Jorge told Patch. Almost 2,000 Retro Fitness members from New York and New Jersey had crossed into Pennsylvania to go to the gym in July. There has been a steady flow of people into the centers in Rockland since they reopened.
Gyms Reopen With Strict Guidelines (Long Island Weekly)
Aug 27, 2020
Gyms and fitness centers across Long Island have sat idly by as dozens of other businesses have reopened since Governor Andrew Cuomo began the process of bringing New York back amid the coronavirus pandemic.
These businesses were given the green light to reopen on Monday, Aug. 24, but at just 33 percent capacity. Masks are required for those inside of each facility at all times, and they can’t open their doors unless they pass a local health department inspection.
Retro Fitness CEO on Hurdles to Get Back to the Gym (Podcast –Bloomberg Business of Sports)
Aug 21, 2020
After months of being shut down, gyms in New York have a timeline for reopening. Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano wasn’t even a year into the top job when Covid-19 ravaged the economy and shuttered his franchises. He tells Jason Kelly, Michael Barr and Mike Lynch about the demand for fitness centers, the biggest hurdles to reopening, and the attention the pandemic has brought to health and wellness.
New Jersey Gym Owners Grow Frustrated As Closures Stretch On Without Reopening Plan (CBS New York)
Aug 21, 2020
While some gyms in New Jersey are starting to reopen, many are still being forced to stay closed and owners are getting frustrated while waiting on the green light from the state.
Retro Fitness CEO Says Gyms are Seeing ‘Extremely High’ Demand from Returning Members. (Fox Business Online)
Aug 20, 2020
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that gyms will be allowed to reopen and Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano said gym members are already itching to get back despite extensive coronavirus guidelines.
Gyms should have been in phase one in reopening plan: Retro Fitness CEO (Fox Business’ Varney & Co.)
Aug 18, 2020
Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano says gym demand continues to be strong, even with added safety precautions such as wearing a mask while exercising.
Retro Fitness Partners with District Real Estate Advisors to Meet High Demand Despite the Pandemic
Aug 18, 2020
Today, Retro Fitness, a leader in the high-value, low-price fitness space, announced its partnership with commercial retail specialists, District Real Estate Advisors, to meet the high demand by investors and franchisees seeking new highly profitable opportunities across the country.
Time to flex again: Gyms across New York may reopen on limited basis, Cuomo says (AMNewYork METRO)
Aug 17, 2020
Starting Aug. 24, gyms can begin letting members in at a maximum 33% capacity, with mask and social distancing guideline strictly adhered to, according to Cuomo.
“Health clubs have long been an extension of the healthcare system as it is well documented that exercise is highly beneficial to a person’s physical and mental wellbeing,” Andrew Alfano, CEO of Retro Fitness, said.
They’re Desperate to Reopen Their Gyms, No Matter What the Law Says. (New York Times Online)
Aug 13, 2020
New Jersey is one of seven states where health clubs have been barred from reopening.
“It’s a dire situation and they are desperate,” Andrew Alfano, chief executive of Retro Fitness, testified at the Senate hearing about the financial hardship of the five-month closure. “These are people who will never financially recover.”
Retro Fitness CEO – Andrew Alfano continues to fight for Small Businesses in NJ & NY (The Joe Piscopo Show)
Aug 12, 2020
The facts, data and science will tell you every single day… Get these gyms open and they should’ve been open a long time ago!
Over 100,000 unemployed.
We must save small businesses and their families!
Retro Fitness CEO – Andrew Alfano, takes on NJ Senators & Governor (NJ State Senate Hearing)
Aug 12, 2020
What does N.J. know that 47 other states don’t?
We won’t stop fighting for our franchisees and members. Listen to our CEO Andrew Alfano testify at #NewJersey senate hearing on August 6, 2020 as he advocates for the reopening of health clubs and immediate financial relief for these families.
“Gyms are Essential” – Gym Owners urge Governors to allow them to reopen. (Fox Business)
Aug 08, 2020
Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano on the coronavirus pandemic keeping gyms closed and why they should be deemed as essential instead of dangerous.
How Will We Bounce Back from COVID? (Queens Chronicle)
Jul 30, 2020
Places such as gyms and nightclubs remain in the dark about when they will be able to reopen fully. Warren DeStefano, owner of Retro Fitness in Glendale and Forest Hills, believes people will return to gyms after a month or two of uncertainty when they reopen.
Gyms, personal trainers embrace outdoor fitness classes on Staten Island (SI Live Online)
Jul 21, 2020
With fitness facilities closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gyms are getting creative with their weekly workouts, holding virtual classes like Zumba and Tabata, incorporating core training and HIIT workouts. Recently, instructors have held socially distant workout classes, including Zumba and “Boot Camp,” merging cardio with fast-paced core workouts.
Gym Chains Impacted by Coronavirus Closures Adapt With Outdoor Classes. (Fox Business Online)
Jul 14, 2020
South Florida-based Retro Fitness has introduced classes like yoga and Zumba in several states, including New York and Pennsylvania. Members are required to wear masks and bring their own equipment, and costs vary depending on the market..
Chicago Gyms and Fitness Clubs Are Pumped to Reopen. (WTTW Online)
Jun 23, 2020
At the Retro Fitness franchise in the Irving Park neighborhood, general manager Harold Coleman says, there is a no-touch check-in procedure, gloves and fanny packs to hold personal items are being offered to members, and staff are wearing masks and gloves around the clock.
How to Get Back to the Gym (Forbes)
Jun 12, 2020
“The fitness industry has been mandated to maintain a sanitary work environment for years,” says Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano.
For members who still don’t feel comfortable returning to the gym, Retro Fitness offers a free app that features live workouts and cooking classes focused on nutrition.
Should you wear a face mask to the gym? A look at the debate. (USA Today Online)
Jun 10, 2020
Do people need to wear material that covers their nose and mouth, when they want to breathe heavily out of their nose and mouth?
Here’s what gyms will look like after the coronavirus (New York Post Online)
May 25, 2020
As the coronavirus lockdown restrictions begin to ease, gyms and fitness studios have started to roll out reopening plans.
Big box gyms such as Retro Fitness have pledged to scrub down “[using] hospital grade cleaner to clean the entire gym”, Plus, they promise to enact touch-free check-ins and preorders for smoothies to limit hand-to-hand contact.
Retro Fitness Lacey’s week-long food drive, announcing the grand totals of food and money raised. (NJ Biz Online)
May 25, 2020
During the first week of May, Retro Fitness held a food drive in Forked River that raised $910, 700 pounds of food, and 100 pounds of dog and cat food.
What It Takes To Be Successful in the World of Fitness – with Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano and CFO Robbie Sprechman.
May 05, 2020
Andrew points out, “I don’t build business, I build people, and people build business.”
“From our perspective, our first thing was how do we help our franchisees win. And the way to win is care about the other person.” – Robbie Sprechman
Tune in to hear Andrew and Robbie’s franchise story, and learn timely wisdom you can apply to your business journey.
Lacey Retro Fitness collecting food, donations. Owner to contribute additional $25k (New Jersey Globe)
May 04, 2020
Ron Pfeiffer, the owner of Retro Fitness in Lacey, is collecting imperishable food and donations to help the Lacey Foodbank in Forked River, Vetwork of Forked RIver, and the Popcorn Park Zoo. On top of that, he’s pledged to donate an additional $25,000.
Partner Cardio Workouts You and Your Roommate Can Tackle Together (PopSugar Fitness)
Apr 24, 2020
Cardio workouts aren’t solely reserved for the elliptical, treadmill, bike, track, nature trail, or open road. Aerobic exercises also fit the bill, and lend themselves well to partner workouts. Why not get the entire household active at one time?
Yoga and Exercise Videos That Will Get Your Kids On Their Feet (Red Tricycle)
Apr 24, 2020
Now that schools are closed and extracurricular activities have been cancelled, parents are looking for ways to keep the kids active. Head to the Retro Fitness Facebook page for family-friendly workouts.
Supporting healthcare workers (The Queens Chronicle)
Apr 23, 2020
As hospitals battle the coronavirus, Retro Fitness has donated $10,000 worth of products to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens to aid healthcare workers.
Doing the ‘Right Thing’ by Your Customers Has Never Been More Important.
Apr 21, 2020
We live in uncertain, unprecedented and challenging times. At Retro Fitness, our total brand position revolves around our customer and what concerns them not only as it relates to health and fitness, but also how we support the communities where we work and live.
Retro Fitness Donates $10K of Product Supporting Local Healthcare Workers
Apr 15, 2020
Today, in their latest and greatest effort to give back, Retro Fitness has donated $10K of products to Elmhurst Hospital, Wycoff Medical Center, and New York Presbyterian Hospital to aid the healthcare workers who have worked around the clock to save lives.
Kettlebells Are Scarcer Than Toilet Paper Right Now, But We Found Them – Plus Expert DIY Solutions. (GEAR PATROL)
Apr 10, 2020
Dan Johnenry, director of fitness at Retro Fitness has not only used water jugs as kettlebells but also incorporates paint cans into his “Parents’ Basement” workout.
The Post-Workout Recovery Mistakes You’re Probably Making. (Thrive Global)
Apr 02, 2020
Here are the mistakes you’re making (and what to do about them), according to fitness experts.
The success of your workout routine is just as dependent on your post-workout recovery as it is on the actual workout itself.
Miss the gym? From yoga and HIIT to social distance dancing — stream these classes for free (TODAY)
Mar 26, 2020
Your gym may be closed, but that doesn’t mean you need to skip your group workout. Get the structure you need from these real-time, live-streaming fitness classes.
15 Studios and Gyms Offering Free Workouts Online During Coronavirus (Men’sHealth)
Mar 25, 2020
Retro Fitness has been featured on Men’s Health Online in an article featured a roundup of boutique studios and gym franchises offering free workouts to gym goers at this time.
Fitness Studios Are Live-Streaming Workout Classes for Free During the Coronavirus Outbreak (CBS Online)
Mar 23, 2020
Retro Fitness has been featured on CBS Online, in an article featured a number of popular fitness studios that are now offering digital classes for gym goers to participate in during the coronavirus outbreak, and included Retro Fitness’ newly launched livestream workout as an option.
How Retro Fitness gyms are disinfecting amid coronavirus
Mar 13, 2020
Many gyms throughout Staten Island are taking precautionary steps to keep their facilities disinfected following an increase of positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).
All Retro Fitness gyms will “complete mandatory deep cleaning with hospital-grade cleaning products at least twice per day”.
Working It Out: NYC Gyms with Childcare (Red Tricycle)
Mar 05, 2020
Retro Fitness has been featured on Red Tricycle in an article, featured a roundup of gyms in New York City that accommodate childcare for busy working moms and dads.
What It Really Takes to Lose 280 Pounds, from a Guy Who Did It (Men’sHealth)
Mar 03, 2020
Jonathan had gastric bypass surgery, he wanted to “go farther” in his weight loss transformation and got a personal trainer at Retro Fitness, “who guided him through lots of full-body, high-intensity cardio work.”
Retro Fitness Partners with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Effort to Help End Childhood Cancer
Feb 12, 2020
Today, Retro Fitness, a leader in the high-value, low price fitness space, is excited to announce a partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® to support the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children.
Andrew Alfano’s Vision for Retro Fitness.
featured on Club Solutions Online
Feb 11, 2020
Andrew Alfano, the newly appointed CEO of Retro Fitness, who boasts 25 years of experience in the retail, hospitality and restaurant industries, including at Starbucks and The Learning Experience, shares his Leadership Tips.
How to get back on track with keeping 2020 resolutions (KARE-TV)
Feb 03, 2020
Coaching, Community and Consistency are key to staying on track. Strength Training, Cardio and Diet go hand-in-hand to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make resolutions stick.
Brent Foye, General Manager of Retro Fitness in Burnsville, MN shares with KARE-TV.
Stacy McCormack talks physical fitness on AM970.
Jan 29, 2020
Stacy McCormack, co-owner of Retro Fitness in Flemington, NJ joins AM 970’s Joe Piscopo to discuss physical fitness.
Winner in News 12’s Fitness Face-off: Retro Fitness in Brick.
Jan 28, 2020
A winner of the viewer voting contest for Zumba class. The focus is to bring the heart-rate down, bring it up, and consistently keep that change going until you burn as many calories as possible.
Boxing Workouts at Retro Fitness St. Clair Shores (Packing a Punch)
Jan 21, 2020
For some, exercise is a mix of getting those good endorphins while also working out aggression. Perhaps that is why boxing and boxing gyms have become so popular as a fitness trend around Metro Detroit and the nation.
Retro Fitness in Burnsville on KSTP-TV’s Twin Cities Live
Jan 17, 2020
According to U.S. News, around 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. TCL reporter Kelli Hanson talks about helping people stick to their fitness resolutions in the New Year.
Andrew Alfano’s expert commentary in 1851 Franchise Magazine
Jan 09, 2020
“If you are an investor, you first need to determine a field you feel good about investing in,” Retro Fitness CEO Andrew Alfano said. “Then, you can decide which brand to hitch your financial wagon to.
Retro Fitness Announces Unprecedented 2020 Gym Membership
Dec 16, 2019
Today, Retro Fitness, a leader in the high-value, low price fitness space, is excited to announce an exclusive unprecedented Buy One, Give One year-long gym membership…
Retro Fitness Names Former Starbucks Exec CEO
Jul 31, 2019
Retro Fitness, a leader in the high value, low price fitness space is excited to announce the appointment of Andrew Alfano as CEO. With more than 25 years in retail…