Anytime Fitness Australia Sets New Growth Record

Anytime Fitness has earned the title of "fastest-growing fitness club in the world," according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).

And nowhere in the world is the 'co-ed' fitness club franchise expanding more rapidly than in Australia and New Zealand.

Anytime Fitness spokesman Mark Daly explains "the majority of the credit belongs to our Australian master franchisees, Justin McDonell and Jacinta McDonell Jimenez.

"They have taken our US business model and enhanced it to meet the needs of Australian entrepreneurs and fitness club members.

"We're very pleased, but not surprised, by their tremendous success."

In less than 18 months, the brother-sister team has opened 23 new gyms and sold more than 60 franchise territories. By contrast, it's taken Anytime Fitness nearly seven years to open that many gyms and sell that many territories in Canada.

Justin McDonell explains "we believe there are several reasons for our success.

"But one primary reason is that weâve been able to attract qualified franchisees who hire good people to work in our clubs.

"Another big key to our success is the fact that weâre providing our members with genuine value for their membership dollars.

"Our clubs are open 24-hours a day, theyâre reasonably priced, they have great equipment and they're well-maintained â and the atmosphere inside each club is friendly and non-intimidating."

Justin and Jacinta's master franchisee agreement with Anytime Fitness called for them to open five clubs during their first year. They quickly surpassed that benchmark and currently have a goal of opening more than 300 new clubs in Australia and New Zealand over the next three years.

Jacinta McDonell Jimenez added "we pride ourselves in providing our individual franchisees with tremendous corporate support.

"With help from the corporate staff in the USA, we're able to give club owners the tools they need and the guidance they require every step of the way - from finding ideal locations to equipping and marketing their gyms. We are a full-service franchise."

Nearly 1,300 Anytime Fitness clubs are now open worldwide. In addition to the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, Anytime Fitness clubs will soon be open in Mexico, India, the United Kingdom and Japan.

For more information goto www.anytimefitness.com.au

Image: Justin McDonell and Jacinta McDonell Jimenez