Rainer Schaller, the former owner of RSG Group who died in a plane crash in October along with his family and two other people, was honored by his company on Jan. 4 during a ceremony at the original Gold’s Gym location in Venice, California, according to an announcement from RSG Group, which bought Gold’s Gym in 2020.
During the ceremony, which occurred on Schaller’s birthday, Schaller’s portrait was hung on the club’s Legacy Wall next to portraits of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno and other fitness icons. The portrait was taken at the Venice club in 2020 after the RSG purchase of Gold’s Gym.
Attending the ceremony were members of the Gold’s Gym community and colleagues from RSG Group, including RSG Group North America CEO Sebastian Schoepe, celebrity trainers Mike Ryan and T.R. Goodman, Mr. Universe Mike O’Hearn, fitness influencer Simeon Panda, and boxing promoter Tom Loeffler.
“Rainer loved the Gold’s Gym brand ever since he visited Mecca in the 1990s,” said Schoepe. “Gold’s Gym is what inspired him to launch and build his own fitness company in Europe, and it was an honor of his lifetime to help reimagine the Gold’s Gym brand after RSG Group acquired it and saved the brand from bankruptcy in 2020.”
Schoepe added: “Rainer encouraged people to reach for the stars. He would have been proud to have his photo included among legends who motivated millions worldwide to pursue their personal goals. Rainer’s legacy will drive all of us at RSG Group to build on his vision and to ensure his values live on as Gold’s Gym and all of the RSG Group brands.”
Schaller opened his first gym in 1997. By 2022, he was founder, president and CEO of RSG Group. Operating over 1,000 gyms in 48 countries, the company’s 22 fitness and lifestyle brands include Gold’s Gym; HEIMAT, a members-only fitness club in Los Angeles designed for people seeking a holistic fitness experience; JOHN REED, a gym targeting a metropolitan market with high-energy design, music, and workouts; and McFIT, one of Europe’s largest fitness chains.