Lifestyle
Why your local Gold’s Gym may be getting a new name
Gold’s Gym, a decades-old fitness brand with a cult following and roots in Venice Beach, is allowing almost all of its Southern California outlets to be taken over by Eōs Fitness.
The gym’s long-time SoCal franchisees, brothers Angel and Willy Banos, sold more than 20 locations to Dallas-based Eōs. Gold’s will retain ownership of the original Venice Beach Gold’s Gym, which opened in 1965 and is known to some as “the mecca of bodybuilding.”
Founder Joe Gold opened the Venice location with a focus on strength and conditioning, work ethic and lifestyle. The gym has attracted bodybuilding greats such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno.
The brand has hundreds of other franchised locations across the U.S. and globally, including in Italy and Mexico.
The move isn’t a rejection of California. It allows the chain to open up to new franchisees in the region, the company said in a news release.
“Gold’s Gym has always been a leader in health and fitness, and this decision marks a huge step forward for the brand, our franchisees and our members,” said co-chief executive Danny Waggoner in the release. “We are pushing the brand into a new era while remaining true to our heritage.”
In an email sent to members, Gold’s Gym SoCal said the move to sell “wasn’t a decision we made lightly,” the WeHo Times reported.
The email noted that Eōs Fitness chief executive Rich Drengberg spent more than a decade with Gold’s Gym earlier in his career.
Eōs Fitness operates more than 200 locations across the country under the slogan “Better Gym. Better price.” The Gold’s Gym acquisition will make Southern California the largest market for Eōs, where the brand plans to have 50 locations by the end of the year.
“While this acquisition accelerates our expansion in a highly competitive real estate market, we are especially grateful to Angel and Willy Banos for their vision and diligence in building these gyms,” Drengberg said in a company release.
The new Eōs locations will include Beverly Center, Hollywood, Long Beach and Santa Barbara. Eōs announced in an email to members that the transition took effect Oct. 29 and would not interrupt gym access.
Gold’s Gym was acquired by fitness company RSG Group in 2020. It costs between $1.7 million and $4.3 million plus a franchise fee to own a 25,000 square-foot Gold’s location.
Julia Fox arrives as Universal Pictures presents the “HIM” Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on September 17, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
(Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
This week’s show was recorded in Chicago with host Peter Sagal, guest judge and scorekeeper Rhymefest, Not My Job guest Julia Fox and panelists Alonzo Bodden, Josh Gondelman, and Adam Burke. Click the audio link above to hear the whole show.
Who’s Rhymefest This Time
Extreme Halloween; An Extra Hour For Regret; Pet Peeves
Panel Questions
Goodnight, Siri
Bluff The Listener
Our panelists tell three stories about an innovation in walking, only one of which is true.
Not My Job: Uncut Gems’ Julia Fox answers our questions about movies that have been cut from their original edit
Actor, model and icon Julia Fox, known for her role in Uncut Gems, plays our game called “Recut Gems.” Three questions about movies that were recut from their original versions.
Panel Questions
A New Role in the Office; Too Many DeBlasios;
Limericks
Rhymefest reads three news-related limericks: Putting Wine Snobs To Work; Decoration or Infestation; Primal Therapy
Lightning Fill In The Blank
All the news we couldn’t fit anywhere else
Predictions
We’re setting our clocks back this weekend, so our panelists to tell us what they’re doing with the extra hour they get this week…
Lifestyle
It’s not for Halloween — it’s Comic Con, where Black and Caribbean cosplayers find community
“So what’s my name? Watch out! I’m Black Freddie, and I’m blaaaack. Ha ha ha ha ha. Even as we get older, there’s an inner child … that lies within us. They are us, you know. We’re still them because the inner child lives in us,” said Antwone Coward, who was dressed as Freddy Krueger at New York Comic Con in 2024.
Isaac Campbell for NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
Isaac Campbell for NPR
For 19 years, New York Comic Con (NYCC) has been the East Coast’s most celebrated gala of geekdom. In 2024, the convention welcomed more than 200,000 attendees. In 2025, that number swelled by 50,000, making it the, or one of the, most highly attended conventions in the U.S.
From novice nerds to masters, every October, the Javits Center teems with enthusiasts attending author, actor and production company panels, autograph signings and fandom meetups. They play console and tabletop games, enter contests and spend their precious gold and silver coins on NYCC exclusives and trinkets. But, arguably, the most exciting thing about the event is seeing the thousands of people who bring their favorite book, comic, movie, television show or video game character to life through cosplay.
“There’s some crossover because Caribbean culture really makes you celebrate yourself and be very comfortable in your skin and always down to party and have a good time. I feel like that aligns well with cosplaying in general,” said Maurice Grant. Kishel Browne (from left), Dimitri Grant, Brianna Streater, Taijah Edgecombe and Maurice Grant pose here for a photo at New York Comic Con 2024 dressed as characters from the anime series Demon Slayer.
Isaac Campbell for NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
Isaac Campbell for NPR
Attendees gather at New York Comic Con, held at the Javits Center in Manhattan, on Oct. 18, 2024.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
Cosplayers are a community unto themselves, and at NYCC, the likelihood of passing by a fully functioning DIY transformer costume is as great as passing someone on the street who had a bodega bacon, egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast. Characters from classic horror movies, the DC Universe and Marvel are always popular choices, as are those from the Star Wars and Game of Thrones franchises. The anime community is well-represented too; fans in Chainsaw Man, Dan Da Dan, Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia costumes can be seen sauntering down the halls, snapping selfies together.
“A way to express yourself here is by going to another world by different design. You can be a fantasy, be anything you want… It feels amazing. It’s the best thing in the world to express yourself, to feel free, to have a great time. You know what? If you have a dream in life, chase it,” said Daniel Thompson dressed as Static Shock.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
Meilani Ambrose as Momo from Dan Da Dan (from left), Leila Baez as Angel Dust from Hazbin Hotel and Isabella Harold as a Brazilian interpretation of the vocaloid, Hatsune Miku.
Isaac Campbell for NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
Isaac Campbell for NPR
Cosplayers dance outside New York Comic Con at the Javits Center in Manhattan on Oct. 18, 2024.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
Finding your tribe within the denizens of cosplayers, when that tribe is a minority group often not expected to engage in the activity, is especially heartwarming. While it’s true that these types of events are generally considered safe spaces that welcome geeks and nerds of all heritages, many Black and Caribbean cosplayers say the community at NYCC is nothing short of thrilling.
The mutual excitement is contagious, because more often than not, they tell NPR, they grew up isolated from their community at large because of their geeky and nerdy interests — as well as from cosplayers of other backgrounds. The people featured here hail from, or have roots in Barbados, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti, the U.S. Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Lucia and the Dominican Republic. Many speak of cosplay’s power to build or strengthen family bonds and friendships or how it provides an outlet for escape. Seeing others, of all ages, who look like them at NYCC, takes an already electrifying experience to new heights. For four days, Black and Caribbean cosplayers can find each other. Their joy is a powerful affirmation of how glorious it feels to be seen by your scene.
Attendees dressed as a Power Ranger, a stormtrooper and Rogue from the “X-Men” franchise incorporated Puerto Rican flags into their costumes at New York Comic Con 2024.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
“Growing up, I was, like, the Black nerd kid. Knowing the fact that I found people who are like me who have, like, the same interests is actually pretty fun. And I’m gonna be honest: I have never even thought about cosplaying before,” said Kyle Mallett, posed here (from left) for a photo with Kris Mallett, Aiden Graves, Hailey Barnett and Jessica Johnson dressed as characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Zayrha Rodriguez
hide caption
toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez
Isaac “Soup” Campbell is a photographer based in New York City. You can see more of Isaac’s work on Instagram at @moresoupplease.
Texas Longhorns Miss Out on Elite Five-Star QB to In-State Rival
21-year-old University of Utah student wins $125K in ESPN kicking contest
Daylight saving time ends 2 AM Sunday. Turn your clocks back 1 hour before bedtime tonight.
Obama rallies for Democratic governor candidates in New Jersey, Virginia
Juvenile curfew declared in Washington DC; Mayor Muriel Bowser announces nighttime curfew after Halloween ruckus | Today News
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Trump threatens to halt all US aid, conduct ‘vicious’ military attack in Nigeria over Christian persecution
Sandu calls on the EU to provide 'clarity and engagement' for Moldova’s accession
A photographer captures life inside Chicago Public Schools
Grand Egyptian Museum to display tomb paintings bringing ancient Egypt to life • FRANCE 24 English
The Security Brief: Putin provokes Europe with drones and fighter jets | BBC News
-
New York1 week agoVideo: How Mamdani Has Evolved in the Mayoral Race
-
News1 week agoVideo: Inside Our Reporter’s Collection of Guantánamo Portraits
-
Milwaukee, WI4 days agoLongtime anchor Shannon Sims is leaving Milwaukee’s WTMJ-TV (Channel 4)
-
News5 days agoWith food stamps set to dry up Nov. 1, SNAP recipients say they fear what’s next
-
Politics1 week agoAOC, Sanders rake in millions as far-left cements grip on Democrat Party
-
Alabama6 days agoHow did former Alabama basketball star Mark Sears do in NBA debut with Milwaukee Bucks?
-
Politics1 week agoGrassley releases memo showing DOJ ‘unleashed unchecked government power’ on Trump associates
-
News1 week agoMap: Minor Earthquake Strikes Southern California