LA Fitness to step up expansion

LA Fitness is accelerating its expansion plans after high demand for its health clubs has led to a strong boost to interim profits. The company now has 28 clubs with plans for another eight by July of this year; it also aims to have 70 clubs throughout the UK by July 2003. LA reported a 65 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £2.2m on sales up 74 per cent to £11.8m in the six months to January. Pre-opening membership sales are also high. Peter Jacobs, chair, says the existing and potential demand for LA Fitness health clubs providing premium facilities at affordable prices is enormous: Likewise the availability of ideally sized sites, between 12,000 and 20,000sq ft, remains stronger than ever. LA Fitness has also targeted the Spanish health club market and plans to set up a site in Barcelona.