Budget Gym Chain VASA Names Growth Chief, Eyes Northern Colorado Expansion
VASA Fitness appointed Chris Tarrant as Chief Growth Officer on January 27, positioning the Greenwood Village-based low-cost gym operator to accelerate its conversion of big-box retail spaces into budget fitness clubs across the Front Range.
Tarrant, a longtime VASA board member, brings 30 years of real estate and development experience. He's held leadership roles at McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and most recently Sweetgreen, where he served as Chief Development Officer.
Tarrant will lead VASA's Real Estate and Development teams, partnering across the organization to support expansion and advance long-term growth strategy.
VASA operates a gym at 2325 23rd Avenue in Greeley, which opened in March 2017, and has 70 locations across eight states. The company ranks among the top 20 U.S. health club operators.
The chain recently expanded into Longmont and Lafayette, converting former grocery-anchored properties along key commercial corridors. The Longmont location at 1630 Pace Street occupies a 56,280-square-foot former Fox Creek Marketplace building under a 15-year lease, according to commercial real estate firm Midloch Investment Partners.
In Lafayette, VASA will convert the former King Soopers building at Baseline Road and U.S. 287. The Longmont location opened December 19; Lafayette followed December 27.
"Chris brings a rare combination of strategic vision, operational rigor, and hands-on development expertise," said Rich Nelsen, Chief Executive Officer of VASA Fitness. "Having already served as a trusted board member, he knows our business and culture well. As Chief Growth Officer, his leadership will be instrumental as we continue to expand into new markets and build a strong, sustainable foundation for VASA's next phase of growth."
VASA offers memberships for as low as $14.99 per month, positioning the chain as a budget alternative in the competitive fitness market across Northern Colorado and the Front Range.