HealthCity and Fitness First have announced a proposed takeover by HealthCity of all 45 Fitness First clubs in France, Spain and Italy.

The addition of these clubs to its portfolio - 12 in France, 16 in Spain and 17 in Italy - will take HealthCity over the 250 club mark, making it European fitness industry leader.

Rene Moos, HealthCity CEO, says: "With the addition of these Fitness First clubs, we are now present in seven countries.

"We perceive opportunities to build up a leadership position in the new countries as well."

Fitness First is shifting its focus to developing markets, particularly in Asia.

In the UK, the group has announced that it is rebranding some of it clubs as Klick Fitness and remarketing them as a budget offer.

The sale of its clubs in France, Spain and Italy is seen as a logical continuation of the sale of its Benelux clubs to HealthCity in November of last year.

All 23 former Fitness First clubs in the Netherlands have been rebranded HealthCity; rebranding of the 29 Fitness First clubs in Belgium and Luxembourg was due for completion last month.