Bally Total Fitness Builds on Global Expansion Efforts with New Franchised Clubs in Southeast Asia

Bally Total Fitness announced that it will be expanding its current Franchising efforts within Southeast Asia, launching new health clubs in Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The first of the facilities is slated to open as early as June 2003 in Taiwan. The new clubs will follow the same layout and decor of the Company's health clubs located in the U.S.

"We're pleased to build on our strong franchising success in Korea. Growing the brand through international franchising efforts is a strategy that ensures we maximize our growth while incurring no capital costs for the company," said Paul Toback, president and chief executive officer, Bally Total Fitness. "By offering high-quality, affordable fitness solutions to the ever growing health and fitness needs of the South East Asia population, Bally continues to solidify its position as a true global leader in fitness products and services."

The new facilities will range from 30,000 to 40,000 square feet and will offer members state-of-the-art fitness equipment, as well as more than 120 group exercise classes, including Yoga and Spinning. Also, the clubs will feature personal training, retail stores, rehabilitation centers, massage services and childcare centers.

"It is our intention to aggressively promote the Bally name throughout the region by franchising with strong regional partners," said John Wilson, assistant vice president, operations, Bally Total Fitness. "We will use our training programs and personnel developed in the United States to ensure that Asian consumers have everything they need to become both healthy and fit."

Last year, the Company launched its first club in Beijing, China through a joint venture agreement with China Sports Industries Co., Ltd. (CSI), the largest publicly traded company related to sports and fitness in China.

The Company debuted its first international Bally branded facility in Nassau, Bahamas through a Franchise arrangement with Doctor's Hospital, the leading for-profit medical institution in the Caribbean region.

Bally Total Fitness is the largest and only nationwide, commercial operator of fitness centers, with approximately four million members and more than 430 facilities located in 29 states and Canada under the Bally Total Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Sports Clubs of Canada, Gorilla Sports, Pinnacle Fitness and Bally Sports Club brands. With more than 150 million annual visits to its clubs, Bally offers a unique platform for distribution of a wide range of products and services targeted to active, fitness-conscious adult consumers.