Ultimate Performance Sells Stake, Plots Expansion

Ultimate Performance has a new training partner.

What’s happening: The London-born personal training gym landed an undisclosed equity investment from PE firm Inflexion.

As part of the deal, leisure sector vet Simon McMurtrie will steer the brand’s global ambition as chair, while U.P. founder Nick Mitchell will hand over CEO reins to former COO Steve Brice.

Pumping up. Scaling from 24 clubs, 350 PTs and 27K members across the UK, US, Middle East, Asia and Australia, the funds have arrived mid-expansion.

Just opening a Singapore site and two in London, U.P. is on the brink of adding two LA clubs (Century City and Santa Monica) and one in Sydney.

Targeting worldwide growth, Steve Brice confirms there’s much more to come.

“With Inflexion now on board, their knowledge, experience and expertise will allow us to really accelerate both our domestic and international growth.”

Getting personal. Rushing to meet demand, many operators are bolstering their PT game.

• Last year, Equinox fast-tracked plans to hire 5K more performance coaches.
• Third Space, which also runs an in-house PT academy, is planning to level up with bloodwork and screenings.
• Virgin Active’s £15M UK club revamp added extra PT spaces and new lifting stations.

Takeaway: A growing PT chain with a global presence, U.P. stands out from the crowd. As more people take up strength training for optimal health, personalised experiences will see big gains.