Functional fitness brand Fitstop has launched into New Zealand, the first step in international expansion.
The move comes after a major investment partnership earlier this year with one of the world’s largest fitness enterprises, Lift brands, designed to fast-track Fitsop’s global footprint.
In Australia Fitstop is expecting to double its growth by mid 2022; it has 100 sites signed off and more than 50 already open.
Founder and CEO Peter Hull said “My biggest motivator has always been more locations, more lives impacted. Our international expansion, starting with the fitness landscape in New Zealand, is really going to allow this mission to be realised.
“I’m so excited to impact more lives and really show New Zealand how Fitstop builds such incredible communities. Fitstop is ready to show another nation how passionate we are about health and fitness.
“Our point of difference has always been our unique training formula and making a genuine impact in the community that rewards beyond the doors of our gyms. The team has done an incredible job to put us in a position to become a global brand,” Hull said.
Nine gyms will open initially in New Zealand. Former All Blacks half-back Brendon Leonard is joining the network, opening a Fitstop in the city of New Plymouth.
“I’ve learned a lot about the importance of physical exercise, setting goals and achieving them in a professional environment,” he said. “Since leaving professional sport, I’ve experienced firsthand how exercise plays an important role in my mental health and wellbeing, so it is important to me that I have a hand in helping my community in the same way. It is an opportunity I will be extremely proud of.”
Fitstop has big plans to support its New Zealand locations, invesing in technology to create offerings such as its custom-built Fitstop App, a data-backed six Week Challenge, an elevated user experience and reporting capability for business owners.
