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NEWS
Whelan to take over 63 Fitness First gyms
POSTED 01 Sep 2016 . BY Deven Pamben
Dave Whelan will acquire the majority Fitness First's clubs
DW Sports owner Dave Whelan expects to take over 63 Fitness First gyms within the next two weeks.

In an interview with the Wigan Evening Post, the former Wigan Athletic chairman confirmed that DW Sports would be “getting 63 health clubs which are mainly in the south of England where DW does not have so much of a presence.”

Some sites will be in the London area.

Health Club Management reported in June that DW Sports was in talks to take over the Fitness First portfolio. There are 65 Fitness First clubs in the UK. Whelan told the Wigan newspaper he was not interested in any of the overseas sites.

Whelan also told the publication that he was “not expecting any trouble from the competition people” and that once the deal is secured the company will have around 130 outlets in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

If the deal goes through it will rival Pure Gym, which has become the UK’s largest private operator, with more than 160 clubs.
RELATED STORIES
  DW Sports leads five-way Fitness First split as deal nears completion


The fate of Fitness First looks likely to be settled within weeks.
  DW Sports takeover of Fitness First: The mid-market fights back


The potential takeover of Fitness First UK by Dave Whelan’s DW Sports would mark the start of a mid-market fightback against the rise of the budget clubs, according to a well- placed source.
  DW Sports director launches new Best’s Bootcamp boutique


DW Sports Fitness director Scott Best has moved into the booming boutique studio sector with the launch of his first Best’s Bootcamp site in London’s Charing Cross.
  £3m DW Fitness Club to open in Lincoln


DW Sports Fitness Club is set to launch a new £3m gym in Lincoln, UK in March.
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
Whelan to take over 63 Fitness First gyms
POSTED 01 Sep 2016 . BY Deven Pamben
Dave Whelan will acquire the majority Fitness First's clubs
DW Sports owner Dave Whelan expects to take over 63 Fitness First gyms within the next two weeks.

In an interview with the Wigan Evening Post, the former Wigan Athletic chairman confirmed that DW Sports would be “getting 63 health clubs which are mainly in the south of England where DW does not have so much of a presence.”

Some sites will be in the London area.

Health Club Management reported in June that DW Sports was in talks to take over the Fitness First portfolio. There are 65 Fitness First clubs in the UK. Whelan told the Wigan newspaper he was not interested in any of the overseas sites.

Whelan also told the publication that he was “not expecting any trouble from the competition people” and that once the deal is secured the company will have around 130 outlets in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

If the deal goes through it will rival Pure Gym, which has become the UK’s largest private operator, with more than 160 clubs.
RELATED STORIES
DW Sports leads five-way Fitness First split as deal nears completion


The fate of Fitness First looks likely to be settled within weeks.
DW Sports takeover of Fitness First: The mid-market fights back


The potential takeover of Fitness First UK by Dave Whelan’s DW Sports would mark the start of a mid-market fightback against the rise of the budget clubs, according to a well- placed source.
DW Sports director launches new Best’s Bootcamp boutique


DW Sports Fitness director Scott Best has moved into the booming boutique studio sector with the launch of his first Best’s Bootcamp site in London’s Charing Cross.
£3m DW Fitness Club to open in Lincoln


DW Sports Fitness Club is set to launch a new £3m gym in Lincoln, UK in March.
MORE NEWS
World Firefighters Games creates new opportunities for collaboration with the fitness sector
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at the 16th World Firefighters Games.
Planet Fitness deal hints at blueprint for global expansion
Private investment company, Franchise Equity Partners, has acquired Bravo Fit, the Planet Fitness franchisee in Australia, from existing shareholders.
Fitness First UK unveils makeover of Highbury club with new recovery and Pilates offerings
Fitness First UK has raised the bar with its latest refurbishment, in Highbury, London, as it continues to premiumise its estate.
Total Fitness research charts the fitness industry’s post-pandemic transformation
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. 
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+ More news   
 
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Introducing a new era of Nautilus Leverage
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility differentiation and long-term commercial success. [more...]

Legends never die: four legends, four philosophies of life
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...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Precor

Precor promises precision-quality products with steadfast reliability that are inspired by exerciser [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
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