énergie Group has today embarked on a limited equity offer to raise £500,000 via Crowdcube.

The gym chain, which has 93 fitness clubs trading across the UK and Europe, will be offering three per cent equity to public investors for the first time through the funding round, which runs throughout May. Health Club Management understands the board will consider the possibility of releasing further equity if the round overfunds.

There has been significant activity in the investment market for fitness in the past 12 months with last year’s IPO for The Gym Group, while budget rival Pure Gym is expected to follow suit this summer, along with the Bannatyne Group. énergie's move onto Crowdcube follows in the footsteps of 1Rebel, which in December raised £3m in exchange for 23.08 per cent equity – a target which the fitness chain reached with two days to spare.

énergie chair and CEO Jan Spaticchia says the fundraising will help support the group’s growth ambitions, with capital raised expected to be invested in the franchisor's marketing and technology initiatives, as well as a national training centre.

“We are making no secret of our intention to become the biggest fitness brand in the UK market,” he said.

“Today we have 93 clubs open and in pre-sales and over 110,000 members. By 2023, we are looking at over 580 clubs and a million members. That is explosive growth which will require a major investment in our facilities, our people and our brand.”

Spaticchia also announced that the énergie board has been strengthened by the addition of fitness industry veteran Steve Philpott. He was a co-founder of énergie, and now returns to the business as a non-executive director, having previously served as MD of David Lloyd Leisure and chief executive of DC Leisure.

Spaticchia said the Group has chosen crowdfunding to give an opportunity to its franchise holders, staff and members to take part-ownership in the brand.

“We see énergie as a family, the people who own our clubs, manage our clubs, work in our clubs and use our clubs,” he added.

“This is a one-time opportunity for those who are involved and interested in énergie to take a stake as we embark on an ambitious path to growth in the years ahead.”