Total Fitness operates of 17 full-service health and fitness clubs across the North of England. The clubs range from 61,000 to 138,000 square feet in size and offer an extensive range of facilities including multiple swimming pools, studios, free weights and cardio equipment, as well as a food and beverage provision.
The business was established in 1993 and is headquartered in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Each Total Fitness club is specifically orientated to the regional preferences of its membership base, enjoys a strategic position in its locality and is well differentiated from low cost competition in the sector by its full service proposition.
NorthEdge Investment Rationale
NorthEdge was attracted to Total Fitness because of its full service, differentiated proposition in a growing sector. The business recently achieved a highly successful turnaround that delivered significant growth both in the membership base and in profitability. This has provided the business with a very strong platform from which to deliver further membership growth through its current gym portfolio and other associated opportunities.
Total Fitness has a very strong people and customer focussed management team led by CEO Sophie Lawler. The team is supported by Paul Stobart as Non-Executive Chair.
The NorthEdge investment provides funding for continued investment in the equipment and facilities of the existing club estate, together with other new exciting opportunities to drive membership growth and tenure.
Ray Stenton, Managing Partner at NorthEdge, said: "Total Fitness is a great business with a fantastic brand. It has an ambitious investment strategy in place and we look forward to working alongside the management team to bring this to fruition and deliver on its growth objectives."
NorthEdge Contacts
Keven Parker
I found NorthEdge's approach so very different and so refreshing for a private equity house.
Sophie Lawler, CEO
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