On 23 October, Fitness First opened its first own-branded club in Germany. Located in an affluent area of Berlin, the 6,000sq m facility is a Platinum club with an opt-in Black Label area – the chain’s premium offering. Membership costs 69 euro per month (£65) for Platinum and 109 euro per month (£100) for Black Label.

Facilities include a 4,000sq m gym – equipped by Life Fitness, Technogym and Power Plate – a separate PT area, a group cycling studio, two group exercise studios, a swimming pool, a sauna/steam area, outdoor exercise kit and a kids’ play area.

Black Label members also have access to their own cardio area, sauna/steam, changing facilities, lounge and terrace.

This is the chain’s first Black Label offering in Germany, with two more sites due to open in Frankfurt and Main.

It is also the first German club to open as Fitness First. To date, all clubs in the country have operated under the Fitness Company brand – a chain in which Fitness First acquired a stake in 2001. Fitness First is now being launched to the market, and all Fitness Company clubs will be rebranded by next month.

Fitness First Europe has also signed a deal with EREPs and EHFA to align all its staff in Benelux, France, Spain, Italy and Germany with the European Register.

All staff at the new Berlin club – including 21 personal trainers – are already registered.