Melbourne-born fitness chain STRONG Pilates has ramped up its move into the global market with plans to roll out 50 studios in Japan over the next five years.
The expansion builds on STRONG Pilates' announcement last August for a similar push into Canada where it plans 60 studios over the next five years.
STRONG Pilates says the move into Japan brings its pipeline to more than 150 new studios for its key growth areas across Asia, Europe and North America including the US.
The group currently operates 56 studios globally, most of them in Australia, including the newest opening in Toronto, Canada, the company’s first in North America.
The company has three studios in the UK and has partnered with Yoga Movement, one of South-East Asia’s largest boutique fitness operators, to grow its Singapore network.
The push into Japan will be led by STRONG Pilates chairman and CEO John B. Boardman through his company STRONG Pilates Japan (SPJ), which has been appointed master franchisee for Japan.
Boardman, who plans to tap into growing demand for Pilates and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) in Japan, is said by STRONG Pilates to have 'extensive experience and success in one of Asia’s most dynamic markets'.
“As the master franchisee for Japan we are thrilled to soon introduce the highly compelling STRONG Pilates brand, innovative workout, and forward-thinking STRONG philosophy and lifestyle to the Japanese market,” Boardman says.
“I believe the STRONG Pilates offering will have significant appeal to both females and males in Japan who are looking to enhance their fitness routine.”
STRONG Pilates has revealed that its franchise network is experiencing 350 per cent year-on-year growth.
The company was founded in 2019 by former F45 franchisees Michael Ramsey and Mark Armstrong who are understood to have self-funded the growth of the business since then.
The STRONG Pilates fitness model combines low-impact Pilates with high-intensity cardio using the innovative Rowformer and Bikeformer machines which are exclusively licenced to the group for the Asia-Pacific region.
“We take great pride in expanding our global community and look forward to supporting the success of our master franchise partner, SPJ, as they grow the STRONG Pilates’ brand across Japan,” say Ramsay and Armstrong in a joint statement.
“Our focus is always on delivering a format which resonates with fitness enthusiasts around the world.”
Michael Ramsey was the winner of the 2023 Australian Young Entrepreneur Award - Fitness.
After starting with a single studio at the end of 2019, and subsequently navigating the pandemic, STRONG Pilates has grown its studio memberships to more than 8,000 globally and its team of instructors to more than 350.
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