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In 1997, RSG Group opened its very first McFIT studio in Würzburg. For that time, it had a completely new vision. Rainer Schaller, Founder and CEO of RSG Group, remembers: “The studio was open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We had resolved to open and never close again.” In the meantime, however, due to Corona’s safety regulations, all of our 300 studios throughout Europe were closed by official order. In these days, more than half of all fitness studios are open again, and the rest will resume operations in the next few weeks in accordance with legal requirements.

The RSG Group can look back on many successful business years – as German and European market leader – with the studio brands McFIT, JOHN REED and High5 and is about to enter the US market. However, the relevant developments since the pandemic and the discontinuation of the business model have led to the fact that the still owner-managed group has also repositioned itself in recent months. The aim here was to continue to support the members despite studio closures and to remain their partner in everyday life – although in a new way. After all, scientists and experts agree that sport and exercise are extremely important, especially in times of crisis. Exercise helps to keep both physical and mental balance and has a positive effect on the immune system. Studies even suggest that just one training session per week can reduce the risk of depressive moods.

What we did: Digital offers for all

With the McFIT brand, the RSG Group launched a fully functional “TV” channel within 5 days at the end of March. The 10-hour live stream ran continuously until the end of April from Monday to Friday under the motto “THE BIG PUMP” and included workouts, entertainment, interviews with well-known personalities as well as food and expert advice. The company was able to win over friends of the house such as Wladimir Klitschko, Felix Lobrecht, Nikeata Thompson, Vito Pirbazari, Kontra K, Fernanda Brandão and even Arnold Schwarzenegger. Up to 1,500,000 people watched and trained every day. All highlight workouts and interviews from the past weeks are still available in the media library on the McFIT website. In addition, RSG Group has decided to make its digital fitness platform CYBEROBICS available free of charge to all people worldwide during studio closures. This offer is valid until 31st of May 2020. The training offer and the workout variety will be permanently expanded. Currently the platform includes over 120 on-demand workouts filmed in elaborate 4K technology and over 100 live classes per week in English, German and Italian.

In addition, workouts especially for children and best agers have been added to the portfolio. The Live Classes in particular motivate people all over the world, as they can join in real time and experience a group workout feeling in their own homes. More than 1,000,000 people are currently training with CYBEROBICS, with around 300,000 every day.

No one is left behind – emergency assistance for employees

As a result of the extensive closures and the loss of the basis of business, up to 90% of the employees of the RSG Group were in short-time working in the meantime. Nevertheless, the company remains in solidarity with them. Rainer Schaller makes it clear: “I have given everyone a job guarantee. And those who are now facing existential hardship as a result of short-time work will be supported quickly and without complications by a specially established emergency assistance. We leave no one behind. That is part of the DNA of our corporate culture.” Up to now, all requests for help have been paid out 100%.

Forecast

Even though the Corona pandemic is far from over, the RSG Group faces the future with cautious confidence. Digitization has been an important field for the company for years. As a result, smart solutions were quickly developed for the members during the studio closures. Other countries and regions are also gradually allowing gyms to reopen, although with restrictions. Rainer Schaller is and remains optimistic: “I am firmly convinced that rain will be followed by sunshine and that every crisis offers opportunities. We’re not stopping now either, our eyes are wide open and we’re looking ahead”. The RSG Group would like to thank the many members who have continued to support the company with their monthly contributions and continue to do so with heart. At the end of their membership they will of course be credited with the time of the closures.

Press Releases

“United let’s move!”: one week of free training in over 850 fitness studios

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McFIT starts modernization with new concept

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RSG Group with cult brand stand at the Cologne sports fair for the first time

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RSG Group and Gympass forge exclusive partnership to strengthen corporate wellbeing in Europe

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RSG GROUP WITHDRAWS FROM THE SPANISH MARKET AND WILL SELL ITS 47 STUDIOS TO BASIC-FIT

Completion and legal validity of the sale expected in Q1 2024

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PARAMOUNT+ AND RSG GROUP ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

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JOHN REED Fitness Club Berlin Bötzow – Urban Training in a Historic Brewery from 1884

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RSG Group opens HEIMAT by Waris Dirie

RSG Group launches HEIMAT by Waris Dirie, a fitness concept, exclusively for women – right in the heart of Paris.

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New Management at RSG Group GmbH

RSG Group remains under family ownership following the tragic death of Rainer Schaller. Hagen Wingertszahn and Dr. Jobst Müller-Trimbusch will take over leadership of the world's No. 1 fitness company, effective immediately.

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Death of our founder Rainer Schaller

Today, it is with great dismay that we share the news that Rainer Schaller and his son have been identified as the deceased from the plane crash off the coast of Costa Rica. His life partner, her daughter, our colleague and the pilot, who were also on board, are still among the missing.

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RSG Group Spain acquires Holmes Place Spain

RSG Group Spain, a leading company in the fitness sector and owner of 40 McFIT studios and the brand SERGIO RAMOS by JOHN REED, has acquired Holmes Place Spain, one of the top brands in the premium fitness segment.

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RSG Group Launches ‘HEIMAT’, the World’s First Concept Fitness Club

RSG Group, the global leader in fitness, is proud to announce the opening of HEIMAT, a groundbreaking first-of-its-kind fitness and wellness concept club for those to work, play and simply ‘be’.

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Medicover acquires McFIT Polska and expands its fitness network to over 100 clubs

Medicover has finalised an acquisition of 14 state-of-the-art fitness clubs operated in Poland by McFIT, a leading European fitness network owned by RSG Group.

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#WeAreAllUkrainians Charity Campaign in Support of Ukraine and the Klitschko’s Fight for Freedom by Rainer Schaller & Marcell Pustul

Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, former heavyweight boxing champions Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, have been rallying global support for peace, freedom, and humanitarian aid.

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JOHN REED opens its first Fitness Music Club in France

Berlin’s famous and finest fitness export JOHN REED is opening its first French club in the So Ouest shopping centre in Levallois-Perret, just on the outskirts of Paris.

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Football Superstar Sergio Ramos and Fitness Entrepreneur Rainer Schaller join forces to launch the next evolution in fitness – SERGIO RAMOS by JOHN REED previews to global fanfare in Madrid

The secret is out and the wait is over! The official debut of the innovative fitness collaboration SERGIO RAMOS by JOHN REED took place tonight in Madrid in front of media from around the globe.

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The wait is over: Doors are open at JOHN REED

Berlin’s famous and finest fitness export JOHN REED has finally landed in London and will open its doors on Monday 20th September. Welcoming everyone for a free trial from 2pm-10pm at London’s first ever Fitness Music Club.

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First Gold’s Gym in Italy opens its doors in Milan

The wait is finally over in Italy: today the first Italian fitness studio by Gold’s Gym officially opened its doors in Milan.

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The new Gold’s Gym in Berlin

Gold’s Gym, the world’s most well-known fitness chain, is debuting its new studio concept.

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JOHN REED fitness club expands presence to North America with its first location in Downtown Los Angeles

RSG Group, the world’s leader in fitness and lifestyle, is bringing JOHN REED Fitness to North America with its first location in Downtown Los Angeles on the corner of 12th and South Hill Street.

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Open Letter: Don’t forget fitness!

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Following the USA and Italy, RSG Group opens first outdoor gyms in Germany

At selected locations, McFIT is therefore making it possible for its members to enjoy individual training in the open air.

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RSG Group acquires 35% stake in gym80

A move that further cements the company’s position as the world’s leading fitness brand.

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RSG Group Set to Acquire Gold’s Gym

RSG Group GmbH, Europe’s innovation leader in the fitness and lifestyle sectors, was selected as the winning bidder in a court- approved auction process held on July 13, 2020, and is set to acquire the most well-known and iconic gym chain in the world, Gold’s Gym.

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RSG Group focuses on the future

New ways of dealing with the corona pandemic

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A New Addition to the RSG Group with Modeling Agency PEARL Management

The RSG Group has gained an exciting new addition from the world of fashion: modeling agency PEARL Management.

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McFIT GLOBAL GROUP GmbH becomes RSG Group GmbH

Global innovation leader in the fitness and lifestyle segments

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