Manchester fitness operator to open 20 new sites thanks to Swedish partnership

A fitness club operator has unveiled plans to launch 20 new sites after winning exclusive rights with the Swedish manufacturer X-Force.

After being supported through its start-up phase by Manchester-based business lender Reward, 3-1-5 Health Clubs is planning to open 20 new sites to help roll out the X-Force UK brand.

3-1-5 Health Clubs has grown membership at its flagship fitness club in Lancaster, Lancashire, to more than 4,500 in its first year of operation.

The company 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.

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.

Sean Thornton (pictured above), co-founder of 3-1-5 Health Clubs 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.”

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