Portugal-based women-only fitness chain Vivafit has signed a franchising deal with entrepreneur Cecile Jamoulle-Ogren which will see 100 Vivafit-branded sites open in Singapore by 2020.

The first of the new gyms is set to open in April, located at a large shopping centre.

The Singaporean chain of Vivafit gyms will be owned and operated by Jamoulle-Ogren, a Belgian businesswoman who arrived in Singapore 14 years ago.

She signed the franchising deal with Vivafit CEO Pedro Ruiz earlier this month.

Ruiz said: "The only obstacle to an explosive expansion in Singapore might be the large shortage of available properties caused by the boom in the economy.

"This deal will make the Vivafit brand even more global. We are already present in India with the official opening scheduled for this month, and this will enable entry into more countries in the Far East, namely Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau and Indonesia."

Ruiz added that the deal with Jamoulle-Ogren includes the potential to open 200 further clubs in Malaysia.

In the Portuguese market, Vivafit currently operates 114 gyms and the group launched 10 new sites during 2010.