PureGym has agreed to acquire NonStop Gym for £235m, strengthening its presence in the Swiss fitness market and advancing its European expansion.
The Leeds-based gym operator, which is the UK's largest by membership, will take on NonStop Gym's 47 sites as part of the deal. This adds to PureGym's existing 49-site estate in Switzerland, bringing its footprint in the country beyond 100 sites before the end of this year.
Strategic fit and national coverage
NonStop Gym's locations are in French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland, while PureGym's existing sites are in German-speaking regions. This combination will "create a truly national operator," said Alex Wood, PureGym's chief executive.
Wood added: "We have long admired NSG and their team, who have built an excellent business, with market leading performance and member satisfaction. This acquisition makes a lot of sense for PureGym strategically, financially and for our members."
International growth strategy
In November 2024, PureGym acquired US fitness operator Blink Fitness for $121m (£95m), widening its North American reach to 61 gyms. Wood indicated that the company has its sights set on further international expansion, stating: "This acquisition is an important step in PureGym's international growth strategy and demonstrates our continued ambition to invest in attractive markets where we believe we can build strong, sustainable businesses."
PureGym currently has 2.4m members and operates more than 700 gyms. Alongside its UK network, it runs 128 gyms in Denmark and 23 across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates through a franchise partner.
The Los Angeles-based private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners owns the gym chain, with US asset manager KKR having taken a minority stake in the group in 2021.
Competitive landscape
PureGym's push into new international markets comes as its chief budget rival, Gym Group, focuses on its domestic footprint. The London-headquartered operator recently surpassed 1m members and currently runs 264 UK sites, with plans to open a further 75 over the next three years.
In 2014, Gym Group announced a proposed £300m merger with PureGym, though the deal was ultimately blocked by the UK's competition watchdog following a formal investigation.
