Member Article

Leeds-based lender enables fitness club to expand

A fitness club operator has unveiled plans to launch 20 new sites after successfully launching a first to the UK health market.

After being supported through its start-up phase by Leeds-based business lender Reward, 3-1-5 Health Clubs is embarking on an ambitious growth strategy which includes rolling out the X-Force UK brand.

3-1-5 Health Clubs, which has grown membership at its flagship fitness club in Lancaster, Lancashire, to more than 4,500 in its first year of operation, has the exclusive license rights with the Swedish manufacturer to supply its market leading equipment and build a chain of X-Force branded clubs by targeting independently owned fitness clubs to become franchise partners.

The company is also targeting professional sports clubs following successful trials with football clubs Morecambe and Preston North End.

Sean Thornton and Ceri Smith, the founders of 3-1-5 Health Clubs who both have years of experience in the health and fitness industry, described the X-Force equipment as “revolutionary” and said research had shown that those who use it had hit their fitness goals quicker than other gym users.

The patented X-Force equipment, consisting of a total of 18 machines, supplies 40 per cent extra negative resistance than comparable equipment enabling muscle gain to be attained more quickly than by other methods of strength training.

Mr Thornton said: “3-1-5 Health Clubs are more than a gym; we want our members to view our clubs as an extension to their lifestyle, a place where the entire family can be together, doing things they enjoy, in an environment people want to return to. The key to our success is hinged on the X-Force training equipment and the extraordinary results it’s able to deliver. We are targeting the opening of 20 new 3-1-5 Health Clubs across the UK over the next two years and believe our offer has the capability to quickly become a market leader.”

Reward’s Neil McGivern said: “As a start-up business 3-1-5 Health Clubs has had a tremendous start. After the company acquired its premises in Lancaster, a 63,000 sq ft former Total Fitness gym creating around 40 new jobs, it required our support to allow it to plan for further growth.

“The working capital we have provided has been instrumental in giving 3-1-5 Health Clubs the platform required to allow it to plan for an exciting future.”

Commenting on Reward’s support, Mr Thornton added: “Reward has given us huge support and has been a key pillar in enabling 3-1-5 Health Clubs to succeed and flourish. It’s testament to Reward’s offer that they were able to lend to a relatively young business and for that we’re extremely grateful.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .