If you walked into the original Gold's Gym back in 1965, you would’ve seen Joe Gold himself—likely welding a piece of equipment or chatting with a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. That "Mecca of Bodybuilding" vibe in Venice Beach felt like a small, gritty family business. But things have changed. A lot. Honestly, the answer to who is the owner of Gold's Gym is far more corporate and international than most people realize today.
Since 2020, Gold's Gym has been owned by the RSG Group, a massive global fitness conglomerate based in Germany.
It’s a weirdly poetic twist. The brand that defined American muscle for decades is now steered by a European powerhouse that was originally inspired by Gold's Gym itself. But the road to this current ownership wasn't a straight line. It involved a bankruptcy filing, a $100 million auction, and a tragic plane crash that shifted the leadership of the parent company just a few years ago.
The current owner of Gold's Gym: RSG Group
Basically, the RSG Group (Rainer Schaller Global Group) is the big boss. They aren't just a small holding company; they are a fitness titan with over 900 locations across the globe. When Gold's Gym filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2020—crushed by the weight of global gym closures—it looked like the end of an era.
Then came Rainer Schaller.
Schaller was the founder of McFIT, Germany’s largest gym chain. He grew up idolizing the Venice Beach culture. When the opportunity came to buy the "Mecca" out of bankruptcy, he didn't hesitate. RSG Group won the bidding war with a $100 million offer, beating out other private equity firms.
👉 See also: How Much Do Chick fil A Operators Make: What Most People Get Wrong
Schaller didn't just want a business; he wanted the legacy. He famously said that Gold's was his original inspiration when he started his first gym in 1997. Unfortunately, the story took a dark turn in late 2022 when Rainer Schaller and his family were killed in a plane crash off the coast of Costa Rica.
Today, the RSG Group remains family-owned, but it’s managed by a new leadership team. Following Rainer's death, his brother Gerd Schaller took a significant role in the company, while the day-to-day operations of Gold's Gym in the U.S. are handled by a specific executive branch.
Who is running the show in 2026?
Ownership is one thing, but who actually makes the decisions? As of early 2026, Gold's Gym is led by Co-CEOs Danny Waggoner and Bradford Reynolds.
Reynolds is a relatively recent addition, stepping into the Co-CEO role in late 2025 to succeed Brian Warne, who retired. Waggoner is the "lifer"—he’s been with the company for over two decades. This pairing is interesting because it blends institutional knowledge with fresh perspectives from outside the fitness industry (Reynolds previously had a high-level background at Shipley Do-nuts).
The ownership timeline at a glance:
- 1965–1970: Joe Gold (The Founder).
- 1970–1999: Ken Sprague, Peter Grymkowski, and others (The "Pumping Iron" Era).
- 1999–2004: Brockway Moran & Partners (Private Equity).
- 2004–2020: TRT Holdings (Owned by billionaire Robert Rowling).
- 2020–Present: RSG Group.
The SoCal "Shakeup" of 2025
There’s a bit of confusion recently about who is the owner of Gold's Gym because of a massive deal that happened in late 2025. You might have seen headlines about Gold's Gym "selling" or "closing" in Southern California.
✨ Don't miss: ROST Stock Price History: What Most People Get Wrong
Here’s what actually happened: A major franchise group called Gold’s Gym SoCal (owned by brothers Angel and Willy Banos) sold 23 of their locations to EōS Fitness.
This was a huge deal in the fitness world. For nearly 40 years, the Banos brothers were the face of the brand in Los Angeles. But it's important to note that this was a franchise sale. RSG Group still owns the overarching Gold's Gym brand and the corporate-owned stores.
Crucially, the Venice Beach "Mecca" was NOT part of that sale. RSG Group kept that one close to the chest. It remains the flagship, corporate-owned crown jewel of the entire global operation.
Why the ownership matters for members
You might think, "Who cares who owns the place as long as the squat rack is open?" Kinda true, but ownership shifts have a massive impact on the "vibe" and the technology of the gym.
Under RSG Group, we’ve seen a shift toward "Gold’s Gym 2.0." This means more "flagship" locations that look like luxury clubs rather than the old-school, sweat-stained dungeons of the 70s. For example, they opened a massive flagship in Berlin that looks more like a high-end lounge than a gym.
🔗 Read more: 53 Scott Ave Brooklyn NY: What It Actually Costs to Build a Creative Empire in East Williamsburg
They are also pushing hard into digital integration. RSG Group has been vocal about using their European expertise to modernize the member experience, which means better apps, wearable tech integration, and a more "lifestyle" approach to fitness rather than just heavy lifting.
Misconceptions about Gold's ownership
Wait, doesn't Arnold Schwarzenegger own it?
Nope. Never did. He’s the brand’s most famous ambassador and essentially the "patron saint" of the gym, but he never held an ownership stake. People often assume the celebrities seen in the documentaries owned the place, but they were just members who made the brand famous.
Another common myth is that Gold's Gym and World Gym are the same company. They aren't. Joe Gold actually sold Gold's Gym in 1970, got bored, and then started World Gym in 1976. They have been separate competitors ever since.
Summary of actionable insights
Knowing who pulls the strings at your gym helps you understand where the brand is heading. If you are looking to join or are a current member, keep these points in mind:
- Global Brand, Local Feel: While RSG Group owns the brand, the vast majority of the 600+ locations are independently owned by franchisees. Your experience in a Dallas gym might be totally different from one in Tokyo because the local owner has a lot of "freedom in designing and operating" the studio.
- Expansion is coming: With the 2025 leadership change and the sale of the SoCal franchises to EōS, RSG Group is likely looking to open new, corporate-owned flagship locations in major US cities to compete with high-end brands like Equinox.
- The "Mecca" is safe: If you’re a purist, don't worry. The Venice Beach location is the heart of the brand's identity, and RSG Group has shown they have zero intention of letting that legacy go, even after the SoCal franchise shifts.
If you’re trying to track down a specific owner for a complaint or a business inquiry, always check if your local gym is a "Corporate" or "Franchise" location first. You can usually find this on the bottom of the gym's specific webpage or on the signage near the front desk. For most, the "owner" is a local entrepreneur, but the name on the building is firmly in the hands of the RSG Group.