Company Overview

From California to Taichung: A Global Fitness Legacy

World Gym was founded in 1976 by fitness industry pioneer Joe Gold and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 7-time Mr. Universe World Bodybuilding Champion. Together, they opened the first World Gym in Venice Beach, California!

The gym attracted numerous celebrities and bodybuilding enthusiasts. Inspired by this success, Joe Gold decided to expand the business to other cities in the United States. He hired Mike Uretz to help him achieve this growth goal. During the 1980s and 1990s, World Gym successfully and rapidly expanded with franchise locations across the United States and to international markets.

From Taichung to the World: Leading a Global Brand

In October 2024, World Gym Taiwan acquired World Gym International (WGI), securing global rights to the iconic World Gym brand. This historic acquisition established Taichung as the new global headquarters of the World Gym brand, symbolizing Taiwan's rise as a central player in the global fitness industry.

Building on this momentum, World Gym has ambitious plans to further expand its footprint worldwide. Over the next two years, the company aims to open 30–50 new stores annually and accelerate growth to 100 stores per year by strengthening the franchise network and exploring new markets.

With its roots in California and its heart now in Taichung, World Gym is poised to lead the global fitness industry into an exciting new era, bringing its mission of health, wellness, and community to millions worldwide.

Rapid Growth in Taiwan: A New Fitness Powerhouse 

In 2001, World Gym opened its first location in Taichung Dean (now Taichung Xuefu) Taiwan. One of the first of its kind in Taiwan, the World Gym Taichung location provided members with a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center equipped with a range of premium amenities including spa, sauna, and swimming pool.

The company succeeded in creating a professional, fun environment where people could get fit, feel good and live better – and World Gym quickly became popular in Taiwan. From 2001 to 2023, World Gym experienced rapid growth by steadily adding locations and acquiring facilities, most notably 6 California Fitness Centers in 2010.

Today, World Gym is the largest fitness chain in Taiwan with over 100 locations across the island! We are recognized as an industry leader in workplace culture, corporate sustainability, and service quality. And we remain committed to building strong, healthy communities in Taiwan by improving people’s lives through fitness.