health club

health and recreation

Also known as: fitness centre

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

A health club, also known as a gym, health spa, or gymnasium, is a facility dedicated to sports activities and exercise. These establishments provide spaces and equipment for individuals to engage in physical fitness routines and recreational sports. Examples include places where people play racquetball or engage in various other athletic pursuits.12

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gymnasium
…20th century by the terms health club and fitness centre.
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…20th century by the terms health club and fitness centre.
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physical culture
Bodybuilding
…aids was the emergence of health clubs. The first postwar chain was started by Vic Tanny in Santa Monica, California. Eventually there were 84 Tanny gyms nationwide, complemented by sufficient carpet, chrome, and leather to attract a higher-class clientele. Though grossing $15 million a year, the organization was overextended and…
Read More
…aids was the emergence of health clubs. The first postwar chain was started by Vic Tanny in Santa Monica, California. Eventually there were 84 Tanny gyms nationwide, complemented by sufficient carpet, chrome, and leather to attract a higher-class clientele. Though grossing $15 million a year, the organization was overextended and…
Read More