US-based manufacturing conglomerate Brunswick has named Jason Worthy, vice president of Life Fitness, as president of its fitness division – just months before the brand's planned spin-off.

Worthy replaces Jaime Irick – who had held the role since January 2017 – and will report to Brunswick directors David Everitt and David Singer.

Earlier this year, Brunswick announced plans to spin off its fitness business and to run its five wellness brands – Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group and SCIFIT – under an independent, standalone, publicly traded company called FitnessCo.

The company said the move would allow the new company to better focus on “driving product leadership, operational excellence and technology development to address evolving commercial fitness marketplace trends”.

Worthy is now set to run FitnessCo, when the expected spin-off takes place in early 2019.

Before joining Life Fitness in 2012, Worthy led global procurement for the UK's then largest fitness chain, Fitness First.

While with Fitness First, he also co-led the creation and launch of its budget club chain Klick Fitness.

Earlier in his career, he helped build and scale a small internet-based fitness startup and secured investment for its growth.

"We thank Jaime for his contributions to Brunswick, including leading the Fitness business amid a changing commercial fitness environment and for his work to advance the business's technology and digital strategy," said Mark Schwabero, Brunswick chair and CEO.