AusLeisure

The Fitness and Lifestyle Group has continued its expansion with the purchase of Tasmanian-based Zap Fitness at a reported cost of $50 million.

The move follows the Fitness and Lifestyle Group (FLG) formation in 2016 with its acquisition of Goodlife Health Clubs, Fitness First Australia and Jetts, and its more recent purchase of Brisbane-based Go Health Club.

The Brisbane-based Fitness and Lifestyle will be acquiring Zap Fitness’ 37 24/7 gyms, including 23 in Tasmania, 13 in Melbourne and one in Adelaide along with its 34,000 members.

The acquisition is of Dockvest Pty Ltd, owner of Zap Fitness Holdings whose Directors are Bob Cheek, Steven Chopping and Michael Jackson.

Zap Fitness founder Cheek (pictured below) is a former Editor of the Sunday Tasmanian editor and leader of the Tasmanian Liberal Party leader, who created the brand after losing his Parliamentary seat at the 2002 Tasmanian election.

Commenting on building the Zap brand, Cheek told the Hobart Mercury “I had to do something when I got out of politics, and it was partly being in the right place at the right time.”

Speaking about the sale, he continued “it was an offer I couldn’t refuse but also an opportunity for the brand to grow”, adding “Zap will remain headquartered in Tasmania and the staff will be retained and Fitness and Lifestyle want to grow the brand throughout Australia.”

Explaining how Zap’s acquisition expands FLG’s offering, Chief Executive Greg Oliver stated “(Tasmania) was an area we didn’t service at all, so it’s an important part of the market to bring to our group.

“We like the brand and what it stands for, and we want to invest more capital and keep growing the brand.”

Oliver advised that Cheek would stay as a strategic consultant for three years, along with Zap Chief Executive Megan Smith.

1st November 2017 - FITNESS FIRST MOVE TO 24/7 OPERATIONS AIMS TO ALIGN WITH CHANGING WORK AND LIFESTYLE HABITS

27th October 2017 - FITNESS AND LIFESTYLE GROUP ACQUIRES GO HEALTH CLUBS 

16th June 2017 - TASMANIAN YOUTHS APPREHENDED AFTER ZAP GYM BURGLARIES

1st March 2017 - BUYER SOUGHT FOR NEXT GEN HEALTH & LIFESTYLE CLUBS

2nd December 2016 - ACCC WILL NOT OPPOSE QUADRANT’S FITNESS FIRST ACQUISITION

14th November 2016 - THREE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR FITNESS CLUBS OPEN IN BRISBANE

25th October 2016 - FITNESS FIRST CLUBS TO BEGIN 24/7 OPERATIONS

29th September 2016 - QUADRANT EXPANDS WELLNESS EMPIRE WITH ACQUISITION OF FITNESS FIRST AUSTRALIA

18th September 2016 - QUADRANT PRIVATE EQUITY ADDS JETTS TO FITNESS SECTOR ACQUISITIONS IN $100 MILLION DEAL 

19th August 2016 - ARDENT LEISURE SELLS GOODLIFE​ HEALTH CLUBS IN $260 MILLION DEAL

13th September 2015 - GO HEALTH CLUBS OPEN NEW ‘SUPER GYM’ IN BRISBANE 

2nd June 2015 - PRECOR BACKS ZAP FITNESS’ 31ST CLUB OPENING

24th December 2014 - ZAP FITNESS LAUNCHES ON NATIONAL STAGE WITH HOBART HURRICANES SPONSORSHIP 

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.