Fitness First to open nine new UAE clubs by Jan 2012

Fitness First, one of the world's best know health and fitness club chain, on Tuesday announced plans to launch nine clubs across the Middle East by January 2012.

The company, part of the Landmark Group in the MENA region, said it is set to foray into Abu Dhabi with the opening of two new clubs at the Marina Mall and Dalma Mall.

The branch at Marina Mall will open doors on October 15 while the Dalma Mall branch will be operational from December 1, the company said in a statement.

Fitness First has also pencilled in three new branches for Dubai that will bring the total number of outlets in the Middle East to 23 and the UAE to 17.

Dubai Motor City and Deira City Centre are the venues that will feature the new fitness clubs, the statement added.

These will complement Fitness First's recent acquisition of the Apollo Club in Dubai Knowledge Village. All three outlets will be operational by the end of the year.

Landmark Group acquired the Fitness First franchise for the Middle East region last year, after snapping up a subsidiary of the Saudi leisure conglomerate Al Hokair Group.

The 100 percent buyout of Leisure Unlimited, the previous franchisee, was carried out by the group’s investment arm, Landmark Investments.

Under the terms of the deal, Landmark absorbed all Fitness First assets and employees in the Middle East.