Bally Total Fitness builds on global expansion

In a bid to expand its presence in south east Asia, Bally Total Fitness is to open franchised clubs in Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The first of the new facilities is scheduled to open this June in Taiwan.

'We're pleased to build on our strong franchising success in Korea,' says Bally's president and CEO, Paul Toback. 'Growing the brand through international franchising efforts is a strategy that ensures we maximise our growth, while incurring no capital costs for the company.'

The new clubs will follow the same layout and design as Bally clubs in America and Canada. They will range in size from 30,000 to 40,000sq ft and offer more than 120 group exercise classes. Other services available to members will include personal training, retail stores, rehabilitation centres, massaging services and childcare services.

Toback intends to aggressively promote the Bally name throughout the region. 'We will use our training programmes developed in the US to ensure Asian customers have everything they need to get fit,' he says.

Last year, Bally launched it's first club in Beijing, China through a joint venture agreement with China Sports Industries. The group entered into its first ever franchise agreement in the Bahamas in March 2001. Details: www.ballyfitness.com