Health and Tennis Corporation of America (Bally Total Fitness), Chicago

By the beginning of the 1980s, Don Wildman was already a name in the business, having cut his teeth at Tanny Health Center and then founding Health and Tennis Corporation of America in the 1960s, growing it to 200 clubs by 1983. Much of the growth came through purchasing other fitness chains, such as Tanny Health Centers, Chicago Health and Jack LaLanne's clubs.

In the 1980s, Wildman's partner in Bally was Roy Zurkowski, who had won the Mr. Chicago title in 1953. Health clubs were getting away from being just for bodybuilders. To change the image, the two installed the latest equipment in their facilities and tried to build a brand that would appeal to a broader market. They used celebrities, such as Linda Carter, Cher and Victoria Principal, to advertise their clubs during the decade of "Wonder Woman," "The Sonny and Cher Show" and "Dallas."

"Our clubs are successful because they're 90 percent environment and enthusiasm, and 10 percent equipment," Zurkowski was quoted in a 1986 article in People magazine.

In 1983, Wildman received a purchase offer he couldn't refuse from Bally Entertainment Corp. The company bought Health and Tennis Corp., initially renaming the clubs Bally Health and Tennis Corp. Wildman stayed on with the company until 1994. During that time, the club chain continued the buying spree that Wildman had been on prior to the purchase by Bally. One of the biggest purchases was U.S. Health in 1988 for $55.5 million. By the end of the decade, the company renamed all its purchases Bally Total Fitness to bring them under one brand.

Return to "Clubs of the 1980s"

Or jump to:

• 24 Hour Nautilus (24 Hour Fitness)
• Cardio-Fitness Centers
• Cedardale Athletic Club
• Club Sports International (Wellbridge)
• East Bank Club
• Family Fitness Centers
• Health and Tennis Corporation of America (Bally Total Fitness)
• New York Health & Racquet Club
• Sports Training Institute
• Tennis Clubs of America (Midtown Athletic Clubs)
• Western Athletic Clubs

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