AusLeisure

Australian founded boxing and strength fitness franchise UBX has opened its first location in North America with the launch of its first studio in Larchmont, New York last weekend.

Having commencing pre-sales in April, the new location - just 30 kilometres from New York’s Times Square - is a significant milestone in UBX's growth strategy as it establishes its presence in a new international market, taking the brands a step closer to their goal of being the largest boxing provider in the world.

Founded by fitness and technology entrepreneur Tim West and four-time world champion boxer Danny Green, UBX Boxing + Strength currently operates more than 100 locations across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, the UK and now the USA with more than 400 additional gyms contracted to open including in Japan later this year.

Speaking of this first North American opening, UBX Managing Director, West commented “our mission is to give everyone the opportunity to train like a boxer without stepping into the ring.

“We want to create the largest boxing community worldwide.”

UBX wants to “aggressively” scale across the USA, beginning with the New York Tri-state area (the states of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey), with West adding “boxing is experiencing a new golden era and demand follows public interest. This is a great time to enter the U.S fitness arena with a proven boxing product”.

The first UBX franchise in the USA is headed by Jamie Baum, who has spent his career growing fitness businesses for other people.

Looking forward to bringing his experience to the franchise, Baum stated “UBX is one of those models that just make sense. If you think about the main reasons people stop being consistent, it is because of convenience and community. We fix both of those problems, and the model lets us do it better than anyone else.”

Currently the world’s fastest growing boxing fitness brand, in February UBX announced a master franchise agreement with Japan’s Prova Group in Japan to launch a minimum of 145 studios in 10 years while the launch of their first two UK-based studios as part of their £50 million deal with Empowered Brands which will see them build 250 gyms across the UK and Republic of Ireland within the next five years.

UBX has also linked with Warner Bros Pictures across Australia and New Zealand for the release of the Creed III movie, which saw the brand launch a Workout Like Creed class across their studios and app.

However, UBX is not alone in the expanding boxing fitness space with USA-based TITLE Boxing Club signed a nine-country licensing deal for South east Asia late last year and Mayweather Boxing + Fitness looking to expand in the Middle East.

Despite its troubles in Australia and Singapore, UFC GYM says it is planning to open “two to four” global properties per week over the next two years.

Xponential Fitness-owned Rumble has also signed 100-unit master franchise agreements in both Australia and Japan.

Functional fitness has also become a major export for Australia, with Fitstop and STRONG Pilates joining F45 and BFT in targeting North America.

Images: Training at UBX (top and below) and UBX Larchmont prior to its opening (middle).

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