Three-time National Basketball Association (NBA) Champion Draymond Green has opened his first Blink Fitness gym in Warren, Michigan.

The 29-year-old Green, who currently plays for Golden State Warriors, has signed a development deal to launch at least 20 Blink health clubs to the states of Michigan and Illinois – marking the budget chain’s first foray to the midwest.

Green, who first revealed his intentions to become a fitness entrepreneur in 2018, will be partnered in the venture by Tom Shumaker, founder of GS Fitness Holdings.

"Opening our first Blink gym in Warren is so important to me, especially when I think back on what it was like in Saginaw when I was growing up," said Green.

"We didn't have cool, positive places to work out and the gyms that did open were either too expensive, or dirty. We're changing that by creating affordable options for people of all backgrounds to be excited about getting fit with our mood over muscle approach."

Blink Fitness CEO Todd Magazine added: "Draymond is the perfect partner for Blink because we share the philosophy that what's inside is more important than what's on the outside.

"Draymond was written off as not having the physical attributes to go pro, but he reached deep inside and willed himself to superstardom.

"Similarly, Blink has always focused more on what's inside with its Mood Above Muscle philosophy, which prioritizes how fitness makes you feel over the unrealistic goals that most gyms focus on, like six-pack abs and big muscles."

Blink currently has 100 locations open or in development throughout the US.