Tinder for fitness: Workout app Fitssi primed for growth
POSTED 12 Feb 2016 . BY Jak Phillips
Fitssi has recently brought on board new CEO Emily Stephens
Social workout app Fitssi is on a mission to connect more like-minded fitness fans and the company has outlined expansion into the US as its latest objective.
The app – which aims to offer added motivation by helping users find nearby workout buddies to spur them on – has been making waves in the UK since launching in April 2015 and now hopes to carry that momentum across the pond.
To that end, the company has brought on board new CEO Emily Stephens; recently exhibited at LA Fit Expo; and is now engaging with a number of US-based operators and social influencers.
Fitssi co-founder Chris Sweeney – a PT for nine years with Fitness First who came up with the app as a way to get his mum off the sofa – says the sheer size of the US market is a significant draw.
“Expansion to the US was based around our desire to scale quickly and build international validity,” Sweeney told Health Club Management magazine.
“The US market is much bigger and so are the problems of inactivity and obesity. LA Fit Expo was a great platform to establish initial contacts and seed Fitssi.”
Key to growth in the US will be the ability to attract investors. Fitssi is aiming to raise £150,000 in seed funding and Sweeney says the impending monetisation of the app – by adding an ‘Uber for PTs’ type function – will significantly increase its chances.
For new CEO Stephens, who has a background in business and nutrition, the support structure of the Fitssi app community means that it's especially appealing to women.
“Following the momentum of movements like FemPower and This Girl Can, I think Fitssi is particularly transformative for women,” she added.
“It provides them with a friendly environment to arrange meet ups and find a strong source of support and engagement to stay active. But guys are of course welcome too!”
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to
the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
Tinder for fitness: Workout app Fitssi primed for growth
POSTED 12 Feb 2016 . BY Jak Phillips
Fitssi has recently brought on board new CEO Emily Stephens
Social workout app Fitssi is on a mission to connect more like-minded fitness fans and the company has outlined expansion into the US as its latest objective.
The app – which aims to offer added motivation by helping users find nearby workout buddies to spur them on – has been making waves in the UK since launching in April 2015 and now hopes to carry that momentum across the pond.
To that end, the company has brought on board new CEO Emily Stephens; recently exhibited at LA Fit Expo; and is now engaging with a number of US-based operators and social influencers.
Fitssi co-founder Chris Sweeney – a PT for nine years with Fitness First who came up with the app as a way to get his mum off the sofa – says the sheer size of the US market is a significant draw.
“Expansion to the US was based around our desire to scale quickly and build international validity,” Sweeney told Health Club Management magazine.
“The US market is much bigger and so are the problems of inactivity and obesity. LA Fit Expo was a great platform to establish initial contacts and seed Fitssi.”
Key to growth in the US will be the ability to attract investors. Fitssi is aiming to raise £150,000 in seed funding and Sweeney says the impending monetisation of the app – by adding an ‘Uber for PTs’ type function – will significantly increase its chances.
For new CEO Stephens, who has a background in business and nutrition, the support structure of the Fitssi app community means that it's especially appealing to women.
“Following the momentum of movements like FemPower and This Girl Can, I think Fitssi is particularly transformative for women,” she added.
“It provides them with a friendly environment to arrange meet ups and find a strong source of support and engagement to stay active. But guys are of course welcome too!”
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to
the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes
of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
