Sir Chris Hoy joins Pure Gym as special adviser as fitness chain opens 100th gym

Pure gym has announced that six time Olympic Gold medal winner, Sir Chris Hoy, has invested in the Leeds-headquartered business and is set to partner with the group as a special adviser.

In his new role, Sir Chris will be an ambassador for the brand and will also advise Pure Gym on its strategy to continue to enhance the overall customer experience, and how the gym chain can support members as they strive to be more active and to achieve their individual goals.

The Olympian will also be acting as a consultant to the business on potential new Pure Gym products and services.

Sir Chris joins Pure Gym as the chain reaches a major milestone in its expansion. This week Pure Gym, which launched its first site in 2009, will be opening its 100th club. The new gym in East Kilbride has the honour of being club number 100, and will take the chain’s total number of sites in Scotland to 11.

Established by leisure entrepreneur Peter Roberts (now Executive Chairman of the business), Pure Gym has been a key driving force behind the growth of the affordable fitness sector, and has more than doubled in size over the last two years. The chain is currently the UK’s largest gym chain both by number of gyms and by number of members, with over 530,000 members nationwide.

Last month Pure Gym acquired LA Fitness and all 43 clubs in its estate. The deal remains subject to final regulatory approval. Pure Gym also plans to continue organic growth by adding around 30 new sites this year.

Humphrey Cobbold, Pure Gym’s CEO, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Chris Hoy is joining the Pure Gym family as an investor and adviser as we open our landmark 100th site. Chris is a truly outstanding sportsman and a superb technician in terms of training expertise. As a multi Olympic medal winner he is well placed to advise on strengthening our product offering and services.

“Having known Chris since before his retirement, I also know that he is not just interested in elite sports but is deeply committed to helping people of both sexes and all abilities be healthier and more active. I therefore cannot think of a better person to join us and to support our mission of opening up access to affordable, high quality fitness facilities to as many people in Britain as possible.”

Sir Chris Hoy added: “I have followed Pure Gym’s swift expansion over the past few years and have admired the way in which they have changed the gym market for the benefit of consumers of all ages, abilities and interests. The quality of their product, as well as the value they offer to members, is excellent, and I have also been hugely impressed by the knowledge and professionalism of all of their staff and fitness instructors.

“I am particularly interested by the fact that 30% of our customers have never been members of a gym before. A business that is encouraging more people across the whole social spectrum to exercise more regularly is a business that I will be proud to be a part of. I am therefore delighted to be partnering with the successful team at this stage and I am excited to have been given the opportunity to invest in the business as an indication of my belief, commitment and support. “

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