Fitness First is the largest privately owned health club group in the world with over 540 Fitness First clubs worldwide reaching over 1.3 million members in 18 countries.[1] In the UK alone there are 160 Fitness First clubs with over 405,000 members.[2]
In 2005 the company was acquired by BC Partners, a European private equity group.
In Australia, Fitness First took over a number of Living Well Lady locations owned by the Hilton Group. Also they bought the 11-gym Healthland chain from an administrator, and now own 93 gyms across Australia.
In late 2006, Fitness First reached the milestone of 500 clubs worldwide, marked by the opening of the fourth club in Sydney, Australia.
It is behind the worldwide International Fitness Week campaign to encourage more people to find out what fitness regime works for them. The campaign uses former Spice Girl Mel B as the face of International Fitness Week
