Blink Fitness To Close In Parsippany After Filing For Bankruptcy

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Blink, an affordable fitness chain with locations across the country, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and is planning to close about 10 percent of its gyms.

The Parsippany location in the Morris Hills Shopping Center will be closing officially on Aug. 30, a Parsippany Blink employee told Patch.

Blink Fitness was founded in 2011, and has long billed itself as an affordable gym “for every body.” Membership plans range from about $15 to $39 per month (plus maintenance fees), which is competitive with rates from larger rivals like Planet Fitness and LA Fitness.

The company has 101 gyms nationwide including 15 in the Garden State. Blink leaders said on Monday that all fitness clubs remain open for business while they look to facilitate a sale — but a company spokesperson confirmed to Patch on Tuesday that approximately 10 percent of locations would close.

“The gyms that are closing are non-core to Blink’s footprint and predominantly located outside of the New York City metro area,” the spokesperson said. “We regret having to take this action but have already alerted the members and staff at the impacted gyms and are taking steps to minimize the impact on employees and members.”

The company did not comment on which locations would close.

Blink is owned by the Equinox Group, a luxury fitness company whose brands also include Soul Cycle and Pure Yoga.

On Monday, Blink also said it received a commitment for $21 million in new financing from existing lenders to help support its ongoing operations, pending court approval. Employees wages and vendor payments are expected to continue without interruption, and the company said it does not plan to increase fees.

“The actions we are taking now are designed to secure a strong financial foundation so that we can continue to provide to you the premium gym experience you have come to expect,” said Blink’s president and CEO Guy Harkless in a letter to members.

Blink operates in six other U.S. states: New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Texas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
— With reporting by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson