Orchard Road, Singapore’s lively shopping district, will be home to a Fitness First health club from September 2003.

The 16,000 sq.ft club will be located on level five of one of Orchard Roads upmarket shopping malls – across the road from competitor California Fitness which currently has the monopoly on health club memberships in that area. Construction, which has already begun, is being undertaken by fit-out company City Axis.

As a special incentive for members to join, Fitness First is offering a no joining fee; free access to the club’s VCD library, soft drinks bar, sauna and steam room and free Les Mills classes, which will include body pump, body combat, yoga step and spinning. In addition to this, members will be able to get fit in the 'fitness zone' with Technogym CV and resistance equipment and use the VBikes from Star Trac and Hammer Strength Free Weight Stations.

Anthony Tottman, managing director of Fitness First Asia, says:

“This is a very exciting time for the company as we embark on our Asian-wide expansion plan. I am delighted that Singapore was selected as our next location for us to invest in, as this was one of our most ambitious projects.”

In 2000, UK based Fitness First acquired SPORTathlon – a Hong Kong based leisure services’ company – and established health clubs in Asia under the SPORTathlon and The Spa brand. Although there are three The Spa health clubs in Singapore, this will be the first Fitness First club for the country and the first time Singaporeans will be acquainted with the Fitness First brand.