Global fitness franchise Snap Fitness is excited to shortly be opening the brand’s largest site across the UK and Ireland.

Opening its doors in the Hampshire town of Fareham this May, the 13,000 sq ft location spans two floors and will include state-of-the-art equipment and new technology which will reflect the exciting future direction of Snap Fitness’ consumer offering.

The club will be the first opening for new Snap Fitness franchisee Zabir Ali, who brings a wealth of franchising experience having spent over 12 years operating multiple Boots Opticians locations.

“Launching the largest Snap Fitness location in the UK and Ireland is a real honour – I’m counting down the days until we can open our doors,” said Zabir. “To have the opportunity to launch a site with an enhanced offering was one of the main reasons I joined Snap Fitness – this is a brand that is truly innovative and responds to the changing landscape of fitness in the UK.”

As the largest Boots Opticians franchisee in the UK, with seven locations – three of which are flagship stores - Zabir is no stranger to franchising. With his extensive experience in the industry, Zabir wanted to embark on a fresh challenge, one that could have a lasting positive impact on the community.

“I’ve always tried to fit going to the gym into my busy lifestyle, so I recognise the immense benefits it can have to your physical and mental wellbeing. I’d looked into starting an independent gym, but I thought I’d stick to what I know and go with franchising. Snap Fitness stood out to me right away; the ethos really aligned with my own. I felt welcome right off the bat, and there was a great energy around the brand.”

The gym will incorporate new features to enhance Snap Fitness’ consumer offering. As well as a dedicated cycling studio, which is part of a new group fitness training initiative that will be trialled in the spring, Snap Fitness Fareham will offer new personal training pods, equipped with Myzone technology - a platform for tracking your workouts by displaying real-time fitness statistics. Members can expect the same inclusive ‘for the feeling’ culture with a modern look and feel throughout the sizeable gym floor.

Finding the right site for this development was crucial, for Zabir it was important to stay patient. “We needed to wait for the right site to become available. One thing I’ve taken from my other franchises is that location is paramount. I’ve been lucky to work with the exceptional team at Snap Fitness, and I’m thrilled with the property we’ve sourced in Fareham.”

For CEO Kevin Yates, the addition of Zabir to the network and the upcoming opening of Snap Fitness Fareham is a real statement of intent for the brand.

“Zabir brings a wealth of knowledge and will be a key player in our network’s evolution – we’re excited to welcome him to the Snap Fitness family.  As a brand, we are committed to making our gyms a welcoming environment for all. Fareham is the first step in enhancing what we offer for our members.

“Our upcoming strategy is data-driven, focusing on locations where we can deliver the most value and make a significant impact on community health and wellbeing, without compromising on the importance of our values. I’m excited to bolster the ongoing and unparalleled growth of the brand by adding Zabir to our network. He got our strategy right away, and I can’t wait to see the finished result in Fareham.”