Wallabies star to open new Fitstop franchise in Perth

Wallabies star Dane Haylett-Petty has become the latest sports identity to enter the fitness business, with the announcement that he will launch Perth’s second Fitstop, in the suburb of Jolimont, before the end of the year.

Haylett-Petty has joined with high school friend, teammate and now business partner Justin Turner to start their business journey in the fitness industry.

Explaining the move, Haylett-Petty stated “we have been best friends since high school and became teammates when we played for the Western Force. We are both passionate about healthy living and have often talked about  owning our own gym.”

Haylett-Petty, who met Fitstop Chief Executive Peter Hull, through Five Ventures Investment, a syndicate  investment firm founded by the rugby international and other professional athletes, added “we like to invest in businesses and founders we believe in. From our first chat, I loved Pete’s passion and drive

“Both Justin and I have been watching this space for a while, and when we checked out Fitstop Melville and learnt about Fitstop’s vision and values, along with their unique functional-based training format and investment in the tech, we knew this was the right move for us.

“The variety of training with a mix of cardio and strength elements is quite similar with what we would complete at rugby training, and I loved the concept of Social Saturdays, opening the gym free to the public to engage the community.”

Turner, formerly a scrumhalf for Western Force, will be head trainer after more than 10 years in the industry.

Haylett-Petty, who recently left the Melbourne Rebels to focus on his family in Perth, is heading up the managerial operations of the business, with his experience building two health food drive throughs in the city.

Turner commented “I’ve been a PT for quite some time now and cannot wait to work with Dane and the Fitstop team. Being able to assist the community in their fitness journey is what I am most excited and passionate about.”

After launching in 2017, Fitstop Jolimont will be one of five locations joining the Fitstop network across Western Australia in the next couple of months.

Fitstop’s multimillion-dollar strategic partnership with Global fitness chain, Lift Brands in June of this year puts the brand in a position to bolster its footprint and global play.

Hull added “we have over 50 locations in the works across Australia and we’re so excited to have two really aligned people join our network and grow the Fitstop name in Perth.

“We have dominated the Queensland market and with expansion in three other states, we’re on track to double our footprint in the next Financial Year.”

Fitstop Jolimont is set to open its doors to the public by the end of 2021.

Click here for more information.

Images: New Fitstop franchisees Dane Haylett-Petty (left) and Justin Turner (top) and Turner training a client (below). Credit: Fitstop.