Brothers, William and Norman founded Powerhouse Gym in 1975 in Highland Park, Michigan. Powerhouse Gym quickly became known as the place to train for professional athletes such as Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, Hector, Samir Baounout, Tom Platz and countless others.

Due to the overwhelming success of its original facilities and the demand that they created for additional out-of-state locations, a Licensing Division was formed in 1984. Through the years, powerhouse Gym has grown from a single inner city gym into one of the largest health club organizations with over 300 licenses worldwide. Today, as stated in the recent report published by the health and fitness advocacy organization IHRSA, the Powerhouse Gym Trademark and Service Marks are amongst the most recognized brands in the health and fitness industry.

In 1984, Powerhouse Gym began developing a line of clothing that started with only four items and is now one of the largest clothing and accessory lines in the fitness industry. The Powerhouse sportswear division expanded on a national level making the Powerhouse name and logo a household item. In 1990, Powerhouse Gym developed a plan to penetrate the market and began advertising and promoting the licensing division heavily. Will and Norm opened 50 corporate owned facilities from 1990 to 1992 in key metropolitan markets in order to stimulate the opening of licensed facilities in the surrounding areas.

Not limiting itself to the obvious, Powerhouse entered the media business in 1992 with its publication, Powerhouse Magazine. As an annual publication, Powerhouse Magazine has proved to be a powerful marketing tool for the Licensing Division as well as motivating potential members in the facilities themselves. The Powerhouse Business Journal caters to educational information for current and prospective Licensee’s. In 2002, Powerhouse TV, a personalized MTV-like network, was launched within Powerhouse Gyms creating a motivating workout environment with the ability to control advertisements and select specific music to play and specified times.

The strength of Powerhouse Gyms International lies within in its licensee organization. Powerhouse Gym attracts entrepreneurs from all walks of life that meet together annually for the Powerhouse Gyms International Convention. This annual Powerhouse Gym Convention provides the organization an opportunity to share experiences, participate in a multitude of workshops and develop strategies to better service the membership and communities in which they operate.

Licensing provides a blueprint for starting a business. A Powerhouse Licensee can get advice on where to locate, how to negotiate a lease, how much to charge depending on varying demographics, and receive operational advice. What sets Powerhouse apart from its competitors, is the fact that the founding family remains at the helm of the company. “In the end,” explains Will, “the good gyms are all very similar. What distinguishes them--the real difference--is service; service, equipment, and atmosphere is what differentiates Powerhouse Gym today. We pride ourselves on the service that we provide to our owners and their members. We’re here--we don’t delegate the job. We’re the original founding family, and you can’t buy or hire that kind of caring.”

Today, Powerhouse Gyms International is in the midst of tremendous growth and expansion. One reason for this surge in membership and facilities has been Powerhouse Gym's ability to not only accommodate the serious cliental, but to also attract the active participation of more mainstream consumers and fitness enthusiast by providing excellent fitness facilities and state-of-the-art equipment and service. The large muscular logo is a sign of credibility across the country and is a testament of where this company began. The Powerhouse Gym Trademark is associated with service and quality, and is apparent throughout each and every Powerhouse Gym that opens its doors to over 1.2 million dedicated fitness enthusiasts.

An important component of this new growth is attributed to the energy of Henry Dabish, CEO in association with Jim Pullman, Director of Licensing all tied in with the experience of Will, Norm and Krystal Dabish. Thirty years after the company was founded, Powerhouse Gyms International is comprised of over 300 Licensee’s in 39 states and 15 countries. In North America, Powerhouse continues to grow steadily with its well established roots in the fitness industry. The largest clusters of growth and development lately have occurred overseas, making Powerhouse Gym a true international Powerhouse.