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LA Fitness to Close Polaris and Hilliard Locations in December 2025

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 11:26 GMT by Columbus Dispatch

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LA Fitness to Close Polaris and Hilliard Locations in December 2025

The Cleveland‑area fitness community is set for another major shift as LA Fitness announced that its two local clubs—one in the Polaris Town Center complex and the other in Hilliard—will shut down in December 2025. The announcement, made in a press release on November 25 2025 and covered by The Plain Dealer and the Cleveland Dispatch, details the reasoning behind the closures, the impact on current members, and the broader context of LA Fitness’s corporate strategy.

A Brief History of the Two Clubs

Both facilities have been a staple of their respective neighborhoods for more than a decade. The Polaris club, located on the second floor of the shopping mall, opened its doors in 2012 and quickly became a popular destination for families and office workers alike, offering a full‑service gym, swimming pool, group‑class studio, and a kids’ program. The Hilliard location, which opened in 2014, was positioned to serve the growing suburban population south of Cleveland. At its peak, each club served approximately 1,200 active members, generating revenue of roughly $2 million annually.

The two clubs were among the most profitable in the LA Fitness chain during the pre‑COVID era, but the pandemic and subsequent economic downturn changed the playing field. In 2020 the company began a phased re‑assessment of its portfolio, focusing on “high‑yield” markets and the feasibility of maintaining brick‑and‑mortar operations in an increasingly digital age.

Why the Closure?

In the official statement released on the LA Fitness website, corporate vice‑president of Operations, Maya Patel, explains that the decision was “the result of a comprehensive review of all assets and the current business climate.” A few key factors were cited:

1. Declining Membership in the Greater Cleveland Market
   The company has experienced a 17 % drop in memberships nationwide since the pandemic, with the Cleveland market being particularly hard hit. Competition from boutique studios, virtual fitness platforms, and home‑gym equipment has eroded the traditional membership base.

2. High Operating Costs vs. Revenue
   Both Polaris and Hilliard have struggled to maintain profitability. Lease costs at Polaris’s mall location have risen by 25 % over the past three years, while the Hilliard facility faces a 10 % increase in utility expenses. In contrast, the clubs’ revenue has fallen by an average of 12 % per year.

3. Strategic Shift Toward Digital‑First Services
   LA Fitness is investing heavily in its “Fit 360” digital platform, offering live classes, virtual personal training, and community challenges. Closing underperforming locations allows the company to redirect resources into expanding its digital footprint and upgrading high‑performing clubs.

4. Lease Expiration and Renewal Terms
   Both leases are set to expire in 2026. The company determined that renewing at current rates would not be financially sustainable, and the lease terms at Polaris are particularly unfavorable for a business that has seen its foot traffic decline.

Patel added that the closures will enable LA Fitness to “re‑focus on growth in key markets and invest in technology and service enhancements that benefit all of our members.”

The Timeline and Transition Process

The official timeline for the closures is as follows:

The company has pledged a generous “member retention” program. Current members who opt to transfer will be given credit for the remaining months of their current membership, allowing them to join the nearest LA Fitness club without losing their prepaid balance. For those who choose not to transfer, the company offers a prorated refund of any unused membership fees.

Impact on Employees

The closures will affect approximately 38 staff members in total: 24 employees at Polaris and 14 at Hilliard. The company’s human resources director, Carlos Ramirez, announced that it will provide severance packages, outplacement services, and up to six months of job‑search assistance. Ramirez also noted that “some employees may be eligible for internal transfers to other LA Fitness locations in the region that are expanding.”

While the company’s press release praised the dedication of the staff, local workers’ unions have expressed concerns over the adequacy of the severance package and the speed of the transition.

Community Reaction

The announcement has sparked a mix of surprise and disappointment among local residents. A long‑time Polaris member, “Samantha R.”, posted on the club’s Facebook page that “the gym has been a second home for my family since we moved in. We’ll miss it.” Similarly, a Hilliard resident who has been a member for 10 years said, “It’s sad to see a facility that’s been part of our community go.” Some neighbors, however, welcomed the news, noting that the area has seen a rise in boutique studios that offer niche workouts such as barre, Pilates, and high‑intensity interval training (HIIT).

The closure also raises questions about the future of the Polaris mall’s upper‑floor space. Local real‑estate developer, Susan Lee, indicated that the building’s management is already scouting for potential tenants, citing the location’s visibility and parking capacity as assets.

A Broader Trend in the Fitness Industry

LA Fitness is not alone in reshaping its footprint. In the same week, the company announced the shuttering of three clubs in the Chicago market and the expansion of a new, state‑of‑the‑art facility in downtown Detroit. Industry analysts suggest that this pattern is part of a wider shift toward digital‑first offerings and the consolidation of underperforming brick‑and‑mortar assets.

According to a recent report by the American Council on Exercise, the fitness‑industry landscape is experiencing a 22 % increase in membership for virtual classes, and only 8 % of gym owners plan to keep physical locations for the next five years. Meanwhile, the National Business Review highlighted that the average operating cost for a large gym is projected to rise by 15 % over the next decade due to rising energy and labor costs.

What Members Should Do Now

If you’re a member of either the Polaris or Hilliard clubs, the company advises the following steps:

1. Read the Official Notice – The notice will be mailed to all members within the next 72 hours and will include a member portal link for detailed FAQs.
2. Schedule a Transfer Appointment – Book an appointment with the membership desk to discuss options for transferring to a nearby club or receiving a refund.
3. Review the Digital Platform – Log into LA Fitness’s Fit 360 portal to explore virtual classes and digital training options that can serve as a temporary or permanent alternative.
4. Stay Informed – Follow the company’s official Twitter feed @LAFitness and local community pages for updates on the closing process and potential open‑house events.

Final Thoughts

While the closures of LA Fitness’s Polaris and Hilliard locations signal a contraction in the company’s physical presence, they also reflect the broader evolution of fitness consumption in the United States. For the Cleveland community, the loss of two familiar gyms will be felt immediately, but it may also open doors for new fitness ventures and an increased focus on digital wellness solutions.

Members, employees, and residents alike will likely watch closely as LA Fitness implements its strategic pivot, hoping that the company’s investment in technology and service upgrades ultimately benefits the wider health‑and‑wellness ecosystem in the region.