Top headlines of the week, Nov. 21 2025
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
- LA Fitness will permanently close its Hilliard and Polaris locations in central Ohio on December 18.
- The company cited unspecified “business reasons” for the decision to shut down the two facilities.
A massive gym chain will shut down two central Ohio facilities by the end of the year due to what the company called “business concerns.”
LA Fitness will permanently close its Hilliard and Polaris locations on the afternoon of Dec. 18, according to a picture of a company sign displayed at the Polaris facility, located at 2100 Polaris Parkway, and posted on Columbus’ subreddit last week. The Dispatch confirmed the same sign hangs at the Hilliard site, located at 1800 Tanglewood Park Blvd., as of Nov. 25.
“This club will be permanently closing Thu., Dec. 18 at 2 pm,” the Hilliard location sign reads. “At that time, your access will expand to include all of our LA Fitness locations nationwide, including Signature clubs! (If your membership lists this as your home club.)”
This news follows several other LA Fitness locations across the country having closed their doors in the past year, including clubs in New York, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey and Minnesota.
Fitness International, LLC, the gym’s parent company, said in an emailed statement to The Dispatch that after much thought, it had made the “difficult decision” to close the Hilliard and Polaris locations for “business reasons.”
“This wasn’t an easy call,” the statement reads. “We’re incredibly grateful to the members and team who’ve been part of this location over the years.”
The company added that all employees at the affected locations will have the opportunity to move to other clubs in the area.
LA Fitness is one of the largest gym chains in the country, reporting over 800 clubs across 25 states and Canada. Discounting the two that will soon close, four of the state’s 12 remaining facilities are in central Ohio, with clubs on Graceland Boulevard, Old Hamilton Road, Goodale Boulevard and East Broad Street.
Fitness International also owns Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, Club Studio and XSport Fitness brands as of 2024.
“We want to thank the community for your support and for letting us be a part of your fitness journey,” the company’s statement concluded.
Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at ewozniak@dispatch.com or @emma_wozniak_ on X, formerly known as Twitter.
