Gym Source is a

distributor A distributor is an enclosed rotating switch used in spark-ignition internal combustion engines that have mechanically timed ignition. The distributor's main function is to route high voltage current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs ...

of residential and commercial fitness equipment in the United States with 31 stores locations in 13 states. The company was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

Overview

Gym Source is the United States' largest distributor of fitness equipment. Opened in 1937 as Cutler Owens Sporting Goods in

Midtown Manhattan Midtown Manhattan is the central portion of the New York City borough of Manhattan and serves as the city's primary central business district. Midtown is home to some of the city's most prominent buildings, including the Empire State Buildin ...

, Richard Miller purchased the company in 1978, renaming it Gym Source. The

privately held company A privately held company (or simply a private company) is a company whose shares and related rights or obligations are not offered for public subscription or publicly negotiated in the respective listed markets, but rather the company's stock is ...

employs about 300 people in 10 states and operates through seven distribution centers. As a fitness equipment retailer, Gym Source serves customers in all 50 states and 47 countries. As of 2014, the firm serves more than 300,000 customers internationally and has made nearly 2 million deliveries, making it the largest fitness equipment distributor in the United States.Morrison IV, N. J. (2012). Quarterly trainer letter.

Brands

Gym Source major brand includes Precor, Cybex International, Hampton Fitness, Hoist Equipment, Octane Fitness, Polar USA, Power Plate, Tuff Stuff, Schwinn Fitness, Stairmaster, Star Trac and TRUE Fitness. It has been a Better Business Bureau accredited business since September 13, 1989; currently, every Gym Source store has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

History

In 1937, Al Owens and Murray Cutler founded a sporting goods store called Cutler Owens. They opened their first 900 sq. ft. store in Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. In 1974, Richard Miller joined the company and redirected the store’s focus toward running and tennis gear. By 1977, Cutler Owens was a top-ranked tennis shop, and 20% of New York marathon runners reportedly purchased their shoes from the sporting goods store. In 1978, Richard Miller acquired Cutler Owens and transformed it into a full-service fitness equipment distributor and rebranded the company as Gym Source. In 1979, he moved to bigger location in Midtown in order to accommodate more exercise equipment. In 1985, the company focussed on the commercial arena and by late 1986, it had secured enough business from premium commercial accounts including commercial fitness facilities, college and university fitness centers, and training rooms for professional sports teams. It helped company in to turn out as a leading distributor of fitness equipment. In 1995, Gym Source was the third-largest distributor of Life Fitness equipment in the country. By 2012, the company had nearly $100 million in revenue and gained exclusivity contracts with fitness equipment manufacturers. In 2012, the company's CEO Richard Miller was named a finalist in the

Ernst & Young Ernst & Young Global Limited, trade name EY, is a multinational professional services partnership headquartered in London, England. EY is one of the largest professional services networks in the world. Along with Deloitte, KPMG and Pricewaterh ...

“Entrepreneur of the Year” Program. In the same year Gym Source was named the exclusive East Coast distributor of BILT by

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and Reyes athletic training equipment; in 2014, the company was tapped as the exclusive East Coast distributor of the FreeCross outdoor elliptical trainer.

References

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External links

Official website
American companies established in 1937 Retail companies established in 1937 Sporting goods retailers of the United States 1937 establishments in New York City