Gymmboxx was closing outlets. 24/7 Fitness bought it anyway & expanded to 22 outlets in S’pore. 

Armed with a 300-club regional network, the gym chain sees plenty of room to grow here

If you’re a regular gymgoer in Singapore, you’ve probably noticed a growing number of 24/7 Fitness outlets popping up across the city-state.

The Hong Kong-born gym chain has been steadily expanding its local footprint since entering the market in 2024 through its acquisition of Gymmboxx. Since then, the company has opened new locations in areas ranging from Orchard and Tanjong Pagar to heartland neighbourhoods.

The growth is particularly notable given the challenges facing Singapore’s fitness industry. Rising operating costs and increasing competition have forced several gym operators to scale back or shutter outlets in recent years.

Yet 24/7 Fitness is moving in the opposite direction.

Backed by a network of more than 300 clubs across Asia-Pacific, the company is betting that Singapore still has room for expansion.

In an interview with Vulcan Post, 24/7 Fitness brand ambassador Marcel Nguyen shared how it grew from a Hong Kong startup into a regional gym chain and its plans to grow its Singapore network.

The first 24-hour fitness brand in Hong Kong

24/7 Fitness was founded in Hong Kong in 2018 and claims to be the city’s first locally established 24-hour fitness brand.

Like many gyms operating on a similar model, it was created to address common pain points associated with traditional fitness clubs, including long-term contracts, hefty upfront payments, aggressive sales tactics, and limited operating hours.

The company introduced a more flexible approach centred on 24/7 access, month-to-month memberships, and a strict no hard-selling policy. The approach quickly gained traction in Hong Kong, particularly among busy professionals seeking greater flexibility in fitting exercise into their schedules.

It reached a key milestone roughly a year after launch, when most of its outlets had broken even and achieved consistent profitability. That validation paved the way for more aggressive expansion.

Today, 24/7 Fitness operates more than 150 outlets in Hong Kong and over 300 locations across 13 cities in the APAC region.

Singapore was the company’s first overseas expansion

Singapore marked the company’s first major expansion move outside Hong Kong through the acquisition of Gymmboxx on May 1, 2024.

Rather than building a network from scratch, 24/7 Fitness opted to acquire an existing operator with an established member base and strong presence in heartland locations.

“Singapore is a highly developed fitness market with strong health awareness and high gym participation,” Marcel said.

Gymmboxx was an ideal entry point because it already had strong brand recognition in heartland locations, an established member base, and operational infrastructure that we could build on and upgrade.

The acquisition came at a turbulent period for Singapore’s fitness industry, with several operators downsizing or shuttering outlets amid rising costs and intense competition. Gymmboxx itself had pulled back 24-hour operations and closed a number of locations before the deal.

But those challenges did not deter 24/7 Fitness.

Why 24/7 Fitness saw potential in Gymmboxx

Instead of evaluating Gymmboxx based solely on the performance of individual outlets, the company focused on the strength of its broader network, membership base, and location strategy.

“We approached Gymmboxx as a broader network opportunity,” Marcel explained. “While some locations had closed, our focus was on understanding the strength of its membership base, location strategy, and potential for recovery.”

The closures also highlighted opportunities to improve operations and reposition the brand, he added.

For 24/7 Fitness, the market conditions pointed to an unmet demand for operators that could deliver quality equipment and facilities without pushing prices into premium territory. As consumers become increasingly selective about where they spend their money, the company believed affordability, convenience, and consistency would become even more important differentiators.

Following the acquisition, all 10 Gymmboxx outlets were gradually rebranded under the 24/7 Fitness name. According to Marcel, the transition was relatively smooth because both brands operated similar gym models.

Existing memberships were honoured, and the rebrand was positioned as an upgrade rather than a complete overhaul. Members gained access to better equipment, improved facilities, and a larger regional network of clubs.

While some long-time Gymmboxx members initially had concerns about the change, 24/7 Fitness says overall retention remained strong throughout the transition.

The expansion isn’t over yet

Over the years, 24/7 Fitness has expanded its footprint in Singapore, opening three additional locations in 2024 and another nine in 2025.

It operates a mix of heartland and central locations, with each serving different segments of the market. While neighbourhood outlets cater to residents looking for convenience and accessibility, flagship locations such as Orchard Road target consumers seeking a more premium experience.

The company has also introduced larger-format clubs in locations such as Our Tampines Hub and Tanjong Pagar, both of which feature swimming pools.

The expansion is set to continue this year, with three more clubs slated to open in 2026. If those plans materialise, 24/7 Fitness will operate a network of 25 outlets across Singapore.

The company said that it currently serves more than 20,000 members locally.

Despite the pace of growth, 24/7 Fitness describes its approach as measured rather than aggressive. New locations are evaluated based on factors such as population density, accessibility, and local demand. Its focus, according to Marcel, lies in building a network that can consistently deliver the same member experience across all locations.

The brand plans to continue expanding across Asia over the next five to 10 years, with ambitions of becoming a leading regional fitness brand.

Singapore remains a key market in that strategy.

And if its current expansion pace is any indication, gymgoers can expect to see even more 24/7 Fitness signs popping up across the island in the years ahead.

• Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean businesses here.

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Featured Image Credit: 24/7 Fitness