EGYM, has signalled its intention to become a dominant force in the corporate wellness sector with the acquisition of UK-based aggregator, Hussle.

The integration gives the company access to a network of around 1,500 gyms, pools, and spas in the UK to expand its corporate wellness product, Wellpass, which is available in Germany, Austria, Belgium and France.

EGYM Wellpass offers employers subscription-based corporate health and wellness solutions, allowing them to offer employees access to sports and health facilities and EGYM training programmes.

The partnership with Hussle allows EGYM to gain a strong footing in the UK’s lucrative corporate wellness market at the right time. With absenteeism causing an economic drag, creating a more healthy workforce must be a priority for the next government.

Hussle was formed in 2011 by Neil Harmsworth and Jamie Ward. Through partnerships with companies such as AXA Health, Bupa and IWG it provides customers to its network of 1,500 UK gyms and health clubs.

The company went through a pre-pack administration during the pandemic, being bought by shareholders Haarm Tegelaars and Maxim Chmyshuk. It has been rebuilding since and seeing dynamic growth in the corporate market, with sales up 250 per cent in 2023 and still rising in 2024.

Harmsworth – Hussle’s COO – says: “This deal links the next-generation gymtech of EGYM with the fast-growing corporate benefits space that Hussle enables for our fitness operator partners through companies such as AXA Health and Bupa. I'm particularly excited about the opportunity to combine our corporate customer proposition with EGYM’s gym tech so our fitness operator partners can benefit from both new customers and the gym equipment and software.”

Wellpass MD, Nicolas Stadtelmeyer, says: "We warmly welcome Jamie, Neil, and the entire Hussle team to EGYM. Our mission is to foster health and wellbeing in every workplace. With more than 32 million employees and a £2.15 billion corporate wellness market, stepping into the UK market was a logical and strategic move. Following our entry into France (where EGYM acquired Gymlib in 2022), we now have a presence in the three largest European economies. The future is very exciting for us."

EGYM CEO, Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, says: “The NHS's prioritisation of prevention over repair fits well with our mission and we are excited to begin this journey with Hussle."

The UK corporate wellness market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.72 per cent, reaching a market size of nearly £3 billion over the next five years. Industry experts anticipate a robust global average annual growth rate of 7 per cent in the corporate wellness market until 2029, projecting it to exceed £63 billion.

When companies sign up to EGYM Wellpass or Hussle and determine the personal contribution their employees pay for participation, they gain access to around 14,500 exercise facilities in Germany – where EGYM bought Qualitrain in 2018 – Austria, the UK, France, and Belgium and a constantly growing range of online courses. This is alsoa route to reach people who were not previously active.

EGYM also equips facilities with smart gym equipment and digital solutions that offer an AI-driven workout experience for people of all skill levels. In recent months it has been bolstering its senior team by appointing fitness industry heavyweights Steve Barton,Chris Clawson and Rob Barker, as well as securing £207 million of new backing.