Bally Total Fitness Expands Reach with Additional Franchise Location i

    Business Editors/Health/Fitness Writers

    CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2005--In response to increasing demand for state-of-the-art fitness facilities within Mexico, Bally Total Fitness (NYSE: BFT) today announced the opening of the second Bally Total Fitness franchise in Monterrey, the capital of the state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico. Developed by franchisees Julio Heckmuller and Jose Mota, both of Consorcio Spectrum, the new project further reinforces the Company's dedication to providing increased health and fitness options to the people of Mexico.
    The 40,000 square foot facility is located in an affluent suburb of Monterrey at Av. Eugenio Garza Sada # 3898, Col. Contry, Monterrey and is considered the most advanced fitness center in the region. The facility's numerous amenities include child care services, retail store and juice bar, personal training, climbing wall, boxing ring and innovative group exercise classes, such as kick-boxing, yoga, pilates and cycling. Additional member offerings, which include basketball, squash and racquetball courts, are planned to open this summer.
    Consorcio Spectrum, S.A. de C.V. is a group of Mexican investors dedicated to developing and operating health fitness facilities in Mexico. Consorcio Spectrum's management and shareholders have extensive real estate and venture capital investment experience. Bally Total Fitness will continue to work closely with Consorcio Spectrum to develop additional fitness centers throughout Mexico.
    "Opening a second Bally Total Fitness club in Mexico is a major step for the company's franchising operations, but more importantly, an exciting opportunity for the people of Monterrey," said Ben Amante, Vice President, Franchising, Bally Total Fitness. "As international markets such as Mexico focus on healthy living, we are poised and ready to provide a 'total-fitness' solution to meet this growing need."

    About Bally Total Fitness

    Bally Total Fitness is the largest and only nationwide commercial operator of fitness centers, with approximately four million members and nearly 440 facilities located in 29 states, Mexico, Canada, Korea, China and the Caribbean under the Bally Total Fitness(R), Crunch Fitness(SM), Gorilla Sports(SM), Pinnacle Fitness(R), Bally Sports Clubs(R) and Sports Clubs of Canada(R) brands. With an estimated 150 million annual visits to its clubs, Bally is dedicated to improving the lives of active, fitness-conscious consumers and being the leader in providing health and fitness services and products.

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CONTACT: Bally Total Fitness Sara Matheu, 773-864-6822 www.BallyFitness.com

KEYWORD: ILLINOIS MEXICO INTERNATIONAL LATIN AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SPORTS MEDICAL PRODUCT SOURCE: Bally Total Fitness

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