International news GoodLife and 24 Hour Fitness partner up
Canadian chain GoodLife Fitness has teamed up with US health club operator 24 Hour Fitness, in a reciprocal arrangement to offer members access to each other’s clubs while they are travelling in North America – almost 700 clubs in the United States and Canada. “Whether you’re travelling for work or pleasure, there are incredible benefits to be achieved by maintaining your fitness routine in a comfortable and welcoming environment,” says GoodLife Fitness founder and CEO David Patchell-Evans. Details: http://lei.sr?a=j9W9T_H
GO fit: Getting Spain & Portugal fit GO fit – part of the Ingesport group, which runs full-service health and fitness clubs in Spain and Portugal – has unveiled expansion plans for both countries. The first Portugese club opened this February in Olivais, Lisbon, and has 13,000 members. Work is now underway on a second club – in Campo Grande, Lisbon – which will open next year. Negotiations are underway on a further eight sites in Portugal. Meanwhile, there are 12 operational clubs in Spain, including one corporate club in the premises of Telefonica, and contracts have
been signed for seven more. The next Spanish site opens in Madrid in December 2015. Operations director Joao Galileu says the company aims to make fitness accessible to all user groups. “We offer big facilities, high quality equipment, the best programmes and the ultimate in technology to support the member experience,” he explains. Centres typically span 7,500sq m with two swimming pools, five group exercise studios, a HIT area and a gym. Technogym supplies the gyms, including the Artis line and mywellness. Details: http://lei.sr?a=j2q2a_H
Fitness First Middle East turns 60 Fitness First has launched its 33rd club in the United Arab Emirates, on Palm Jumeirah’s Golden Mile. This follows hot on the heels of the launch of its menonly club in Dubai in August – at the Ayla Hotel in Al Ain – and brings its estate in the Middle East to more than 60. The premium clubs both feature state of the art gyms with Life Fitness cardio and strength equipment, as well as functional areas, saunas, relaxation areas and members’ lounges with wifi and complementary drinks. Fitness First Middle East’s chief operating officer George Flooks says the chain will be opening more clubs in strategic locations. Details: http://lei.sr?a=D5t7r_H
Go fit wants to make fitness accessible to all user groups with its full-service clubs
Pole position for énergie Group
Starck designs inflatable health club
The énergie group is gearing up to roll out its low-cost brand, Fit4less by énergie, into eastern Europe, with the announcement of a site in Riga, Latvia, and two in Gdansk, Poland. The 6,000sq ft Fit4less in Riga will be the chain’s first in eastern Europe and is expected to open in this month; a second site is already in the pipeline. Meanwhile the two Polish clubs – the first énergie clubs in the country – will open in the next quarter. Jan Spaticchia, chair of the énergie Group, says: “We see huge potential in Poland and ultimately expect to open 20–30 énergie clubs there. “Latvia is a smaller market – we think there’s capacity for 10–15 clubs – but we’re currently looking at extending the master franchise agreement to cover Lithuania and Estonia too.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=y9W2B_H
The French designer known for furniture, product and industrial design, Philippe Starck, has created the first “inflatable” building in France. The five-storey Montpelier health club
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has been clad in EFTE, to create a distinctive, bubble-like facade, which Starck says is reminiscent of a cloud. Launched in September, Le Nuage club includes a fitness studio and gym, swimming pool, café, children’s area, hairdressers and beauty salon. Starck furniture has been used throughout the stylish and striking interior, with the exterior evoking a light, airy quality, which can change colour with external lighting. Developer Roxim says the building was inspired by the gymnasiums developed in baths during the Greek and Roman times, which were designed to be places for both training and relaxation. Le Nuage health club is a cut above in terms of style Details: http://lei.sr?a=K6U6s_H
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