Planet Fitness franchisee buying Xist Fitness, adding more locations fast.

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Planet Fitness grows A franchisee is buying Xist Fitness’ St. Louis area locations and planning to add 17 more gyms in the region.

 Midwest, a franchisee of the Dover, N.H.-based chain, said Monday it’s buying Xist Fitness’ locations at 3823 Vogel Road in Arnold and 151 Concord Plaza in south St. Louis County, and another location under construction in Shrewsbury, from owner Todd Beckman for an undisclosed amount.  Fitness will honor existing memberships, said Planet Fitness Midwest’s chief operating officer Mike Hamilton.

Planet Fitness Midwest operates 18 locations, including 11 gyms in Cincinnati where the franchisee is based.

Planet Fitness Midwest opened its first gym locally in Overland in April 2014 and has grown to five gyms in the St. Louis region. The franchisee plans to add 17 more gyms, including six this year, Hamilton said.

“The market is very similar to the Cincinnati area, except it’s larger,” Hamilton said. “We see a lot of opportunities because there are not that many competitors in the area.” The franchisee is evaluating other acquisition opportunities in the region, Hamilton said.

Some of the new locations in the St. Louis region will be new construction and some will occupy existing facilities. Planet Fitness gyms range between 25,000 and 35,000 square feet of space.