Convenience clubs offer fitness options

Anytime Fitness has added to the growth in convenience health clubs in Western Australia with plans to lift its number of outlets to 34 by the end of 2014.

The franchise has opened four clubs already this year – taking its total to 29 – and will open a further five in the next three months.

Anytime is the state’s second largest fitness franchise based on club numbers, behind Jetts 24 Hour Fitness, which has 40 clubs.

Snap Fitness 24/7 has also been expanding, with four clubs opened since January. Its total of 20 clubs ranks it as the third largest franchise.

Anytime Fitness chief executive Lindsay Munns told Business News WA franchisees had begun to adopt the mentality of eastern states counterparts that owning multiple clubs was the best business model.

“Our particular network has been built on a lot of multiple club owners, which has been a factor in growth – some owners have up to 12 clubs,” Mr Munns said.

“In Western Australia we haven’t had that to this point, however the owners we have established over there are now looking to get multiple clubs open.”

An example was the imminent opening of the CBD club in the Murray Street Mall, which is being launched by the owners of the Subiaco and Geraldton franchises.

Anytime’s continued expansion comes alongside Fitness First’s decision to exit the WA market; its eight clubs were sold to rival Goodlife earlier this month, with the official change of hands taking place this week.

Goodlife’s acquisition takes its number of clubs to 15, making it the state's fourth largest gym franchise, according to BNIQ.