UFC Gym, Santa Ana, California, recently announced a partnership with NF FITNESS PTE LTD, Singapore, to open 15 franchise locations throughout Singapore, including its new CLASS by UFC Gym boutique concept. The first location is slated to open in 2019.
“Our global growth is exciting, and bringing UFC Gym’s 'Train Different' philosophy to Singapore is a huge opportunity with an amazing partner,” UFC Gym President Adam Sedlack said in a June 21 media release. “The dynamic spirit and energy in Singapore perfectly aligns with what our members will find in UFC Gym, and we’re proud to continuously grow our brand with this synergy.”
An undisclosed number of the new Singapore locations will follow UFC Gym’s latest CLASS by UFC Gym studio model—a concept the company launched in 2017.
CLASS is based around UFC Gym's three most popular classes: boxing, kickboxing and HIIT training, Stefani Green, UFC Gym's senior brand manager, told Club Industry.
"At CLASS by UFC Gym locations, we integrate top-of-the-line equipment and technology so classes incorporate gamification many fitness aficionados are looking for these days, while continuing to build a sense of community our UFC Gym [locations] are known for," Green said. "Our CLASS by UFC Gym locations are focused on the pay-by-class or membership format and offer an intense workout in a short amount of time."
The first CLASS location opened in Yorba Linda, California, in 2017. Its class packages range from $30 to $200, with an unlimited membership package costing $150.
“When you take a look at how UFC Gym services boxing conditioning, HIIT training and kickboxing conditioning to our member community, and you put that in 3,000 square feet with incredible technology, audio-video and the instructors ... it’s a very, very unique boutique environment that can get incredible results for our customers in a very short period of time,” Sedlack said in a CLASS promotional video.
In the same video, Jason Losco, UFC Gym’s director of franchise development, said he expected the boutique concept will see large growth across the United States by 2023.
“[CLASS] is quickly growing with lots of commitments nationally and globally, so you will start to see more and more opening as early as this year,” Green told Club Industry. “The number of CLASS by UFC Gym locations in Singapore is not something I can share right now, but we know with the fitness climate there and what works well [that] we anticipate this to be a major hit in the market.”
In March, UFC Gym announced a partnership with TD Lifestyle PLC, London, to open more than 100 clubs throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland through 2028. This marked the brand's first move into European markets.
In April, UFC Gym ranked No. 397 on Entrepreneur’s annual Franchise 500 List.
UFC Gym ranked No. 12 on Club Industry Top 100 Health Clubs of 2017, with $126 million in 2016 revenue. This was an 18 percent uptick from 2015.