Wilson is legendary in fitness circles, having introduced the Life Cycle exercise bike and opening roughly one new fitness concept each decade since the 1950s. In 2004, Wilson and his business partner Joe Ochoa approached Schaden and former Quiznos Executive Vice President Brooksy Smith about a business collaboration, using Quiznos’ franchising expertise coupled with Wilson’s knowledge of fitness and health clubs.

The concept is 123 Fit, a results-focused fitness club rooted in a 30-minute exercise routine. The clubs will be set up with pre-defined beginning and end points, eliminating intrusive interruptions or others “working in” and sharing equipment.

“Large clubs filled with unfamiliar, complicated-looking fitness equipment can be intimidating to new members,” said Wilson. “123 Fit allows members to challenge themselves through a comprehensive workout using all muscle groups – including the heart – in just 30 minutes.”

The company’s Web site will launch in late February, and the first 123 Fit health club is slated to open this May in Houston.

About Ray A. Wilson
A former professional wrestler, Ray Wilson has been a key player in the health and fitness industry over the past 56 years. Wilson opened his first chain of American Health Silhouette clubs in the 1950s, European Health Spas in the 1960s, Family Fitness Centers (now 24 Hour Fitness) in the 1980s, California Fitness Centers in the 1990s and Healthy Exercise Centers in the 2000s. Perhaps Wilson is best known for introducing the Lifecycle exercise bike in the 1970s, which he sold to what is now LifeFitness. Wilson also trained Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell before his space mission and counts Jack LaLanne among his protégés.

About Rick Schaden
Quiznos CEO Rick Schaden began his career at Quiznos in 1987 as a franchise owner in Boulder. He opened his first Quiznos after overhearing a customer remark, “This is the best sandwich I ever ate!" while dining at the first Quiznos Sub restaurant in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Over the next few years, he purchased two more franchises. In 1991, he and his father, prominent aviation attorney Dick Schaden of Boulder, bought the franchise operation, which consisted of 18 restaurants. Today, with seasoned management, professional franchise support systems and strong financial resources, Quiznos is taking this "good food" success story throughout the U.S. and across the globe, with more than 3,000 Quiznos franchise owners worldwide.