Top fitness chains (brands) in India, where you could workout. These have great ambiance, top quality fitness equipment, experienced trainers, with shower facilities (some even have sauna and swimming pools).
There has been tremendous growth in the fitness industry in India, and it is not going to stop anytime soon. People, young or old, in India are giving a lot of importance to their looks and fitness.
This has resulted in increased competition among the various fitness chains, established international names are now entering the India fitness market, and many more gyms are waiting to be launched in the market.
While its common to see new gyms or fitness clubs opening in every neighborhood, not all of them are able to survive in the long run.
Here we take a look at the top fitness chains in India who have been in the market for years, are trusted names, or are reputed International fitness chains who have decided to enter India.
Talwalkars Gym
The most recognized Indian fitness gym chain that have branches in most major cities in India, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and any more cities.
- Establishing Year: 1932
- Website: talwalkars.net
Gold’s Gym
Another very famous fitness chain in India. Its basically a US gym chain but has been operating in India for the last couple of decades. Branches in Cities: Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi all major cities
- Establishing Year: 2002
- Website: goldsgym.in
Cure.Fit
Co-founded by entrepreneur Mukesh Bansal (had founded fashion e-commerce company Myntra), Cure.fit offers a variety of workouts to its customers, including Yoga, boxing, strength training and conditioning, dance fitness, sports conditioning and Fit 30.
You can also expect free trials and great discounts on the cure.fit app.
- Website: Cure.Fit
Cure.Fit acquires Fitness First India
In 2018, Cure.Fit acquired Fitness First India pvt Ltd, the India arm of Fitness First, a UK based health and fitness chain that has been operating in India for several years. Fitness First gyms offer a great place to work-out, with a great atmosphere.
- Website: fitnessfirst.net.in
Anytime Fitness
If you want to wok out early at 4 am in the morning or late at 11 pm at night, this is the fitness chain for you.
Anytime Fitness allows you 24×7 access to its gyms. It’s a great option for those who are unable to workout at other gyms because of inconvenient timings.
Anytime Fitness is a US chain headquartered in Minnesota.
- Website: anytimefitness.co.in
Ozone Fitness and Spa
OZONE fitness clubs offer all kinds of exercises under one roof – gym, spa, yoga, aerobics. Ozone Clubs are more of luxury health clubs and salons that target a niche segment. Ozone claims to have been awarded with ISO-9001-2000 and ISO-14001 certificates for its fitness centers. Branches in Cities: Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi all major cities
- Establishing Year: 2002
- Website: ozoneclubs.com
Solaris Fitness World
Solaris is a chain of well-equipped sports and fitness clubs that operates in Pune. These clubs provide excellent sports facilities and personalised fitness programmes. Branches in Cities: Pune
- Establishing Year: 1999
- Website: solaris.in
Snap Fitness
Another Minnesota headquartered US gym chain that has been operating in India for quite some time now. Starting with a fitness center in Bangalore in 2008, the Snap Fitness India chain now has several fitness centers all over India. You can expect top-of-the-line equipment, personal training programs, and nutrition counselling at any Snap Fitness gym.
- Establishing Year: 2008
- Website: snapfitnessindia.com
Fitness One
Fitness One is a Chennai headquartered fitness chain that now has centers in major cities in India. Fitness One centers offer various fitness programs and therapies.
- Establishing Year: 2008
- Website: fitnessone.in
Vivafit Fitness Center for Women
Branches in Cities: Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi all major cities
Website: www.vivafit.in
Fluid Fitness
Establishing Year: 2004
Branches in Cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc
Website: fluidfitness.in
Curves Fitness Center for Women
Establishing Year:
Branches in Cities: Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi all major cities
Website: www.curves.in
A pilot makes ‘Fitness One’ a respectable fitness chain in India
FitnessOne was started by Vivekanand Palaniappan, a former pilot in the US, who was passionate about fitness.
As a pilot, one needs to regularly pass the fitness exams and undergo medicals to ensure that one is in good health. Besides, his recurring back pain problem was cured by Yoga and exercise. All this only increased Vivekanand’s interest in fitness.
“Back then, gyms in India would mean a room with a bunch of equipment. The first outlet started in September 2004 in Alwarpet,” says Vivekanand. The first round of funding from family and friends came through at the end of the first year of operations after a bit of struggle; that helped in setting up five more centers at one go in November 2005.
Today, FitnessOne has many more centers (most are concentrated in South India).
“In tier-1 cities there is a lot of competition now, but we have earned our share of goodwill in the market by being there for the last decade. In tier-2 and 3 towns, the citizens are simply thankful since they lack international standard gyms there. It helps that we are first movers in this space”, says Vivekanand.
The company is not only focusing on growing the fitness studio chain, but is also eyeing the personal branded fitness equipment business (operates under the brand ‘Propel Fitness’).
The company operates fitness equipment stores under the brand name ‘Total Fitness Stores’. The company creates the product specifications, material quality and motor quality and then gives the order to a manufacturer abroad. The same factories also make the equipment for the top global equipment makers in the world.
In India, the real estate prices are a substantial portion of the cost of running a fitness studio. Given that, every gym is focused on reducing the rest of the cost elements in order to manage the profitability. With the higher control and lower costs that come with having their own manufacturing access, the company is able to optimize the gym business.
The second innovation that the company has been involved in is what is referred to as ‘Fitness Process Outsourcing (FPO)’. In FPO, the company takes over the complete set up, management and maintenance of gyms for corporates on their premises. This includes gym design, equipment installation, maintenance, fitness trainers and physiotherapists and complete support. Corporates can choose to retain the Fitness One brand or give it their own name. Cognizant, Standard Chartered, ABN Amro Bank and many other large corporates are clients for this business.
The third innovation was to create the Pink brand of fitness studios dedicated to women customers. The growth of these outlets has outpaced the Fitness One outlets. This sector has been a blessing in disguise since these outlets require lesser space, which helps in rapid expansion in congested urban areas. It is already the leading women’s fitness brand in India.
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