Planet Fitness is making its debut in Spain, with the first club set to open in Sabadell, Barcelona. This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s strategic growth plan, targeting the Spanish market’s untapped potential.
According to Planet Fitness, Spain presents a promising opportunity due to its low gym membership penetration, with only 10 percent of the population holding memberships as reported in the 2022 IHRSA Global Report. The initial locations will be established through a joint venture with a franchisee partner, with plans to franchise further locations across the country.
Colleen Keating, CEO of Planet Fitness, expressed excitement about the expansion: “Bringing our brand and unique model to Europe is a tremendous opportunity. At Planet Fitness, we pride ourselves on offering a high-value, affordable fitness experience that is non-intimidating for everyone starting their fitness journey. We believe our Judgement Free environment will resonate well in Spain and beyond as we strategically expand our global footprint.”
Planet Fitness, with over 19.6 million members, operates 2,599 stores across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia, and now Spain.
Vicente Bañobre, who oversees operations and expansion in Spain for Planet Fitness, highlighted the growth potential in the country: “We see strong growth potential in Spain and are working tirelessly to build a solid, long-term foundation within the country. We’re thrilled to offer an affordable fitness solution and best-in-class member experience to the Sabadell community.”
Keating added, “We are leveraging our strong balance sheet to drive growth at a faster pace and demonstrate proof of concept in exciting new markets as we continue to position Planet Fitness for sustained growth and value creation.”
This strategic move into Spain underscores Planet Fitness’s commitment to expanding its global presence and making fitness accessible and affordable to more people around the world.