| News & Know How | News


Fit n Fast Moving on Fast Track Industry veteran Tony de Leede launches a new line


of budget clubs


11 to 85 clubs, and Australian Bodyworks to nearly 20 clubs in the U.S. (see CBI November 2008, pg. 41). He spoke of “slowing down” which, for him, meant fine-tuning Gwing-


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anna, his 500-acre lifestyle retreat and spa on the Gold Coast near Brisbane, and his media companies, Active Media Group, Fitness First Magazine, and the Fitness First Lifestyle Network. He stayed on as chairman of Fitness First Australia, served on the Fitness First global board, and sold the Fitness First Network to Fitness First in late 2008. It was time to change gears. Last summer, de Leede and five partners,


including industry veteran Mark Smith, launched Fit n Fast, a new chain of fully equipped, 12,000-square-foot budget clubs that specialize in 30-minute “quickie” workouts.


n 2008, Tony de Leede stepped away from his role as managing director/CEO at Fitness First Australia, after, an “all-consuming eight-year period” during which he grew that company from


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Short Takes | Achieving Success Brick by Brick


Flashdancers Victor and Lynne Brick


In October, Victor and Lynne Brick, the husband- and-wife owners of Brick Bodies, the regional club chain based in Cockeysville, Maryland, celebrated their 25th year in business with a trip down memory lane—to the days when high-impact aerobics were all the rage and Spandex leotards and leg warmers were essential attire. The couple, who were, back then, desperately trying to drum up business for their newly opened club, recorded an exercise video that, today, captures the essence of the fitness industry in the mid-1980s. To view the video, visit http://cbiunbound.ihrsa.org and click on “A Flashdance-Era Flashback” (October 22, 2010).—|


> Dues are half of the other brands in Australia. The black member-


ship, $AUD9.95 ($10.09) per week, entitles members to bring a friend free any time, access to all Fit n Fast clubs, and a 25% discount on all merchandise, food and beverages. The orange membership, $AUD6.95 ($7.05) per week, allows access to one club. There are no contracts. Signing up is also fast—online at www.fitnfast.com.au, or on Facebook. “Our concept is ‘cheaper, better, faster,’ ” de Leede explains. “The


No. 1 excuse that people give for not working out is ‘I don’t have time.’ We are addressing that with our ‘quickie’ 30-minute circuit, cycling, and personal training workouts. While our offerings are scaled down— we don’t have fancy pools or big locker rooms—we do offer high-end Star Trac equipment and top-class entertainment. Because we don’t have a wide range of free weights, we provide a less intimidating environment because bodybuilders won’t be interested. And while we won’t be training members for marathons, they will get healthier from 30 minutes of exercise.” Club openings are also on the fast track, with six now open in Brisbane


and Sydney, and nine more planned for this year in Newcastle, Canberra, and Melbourne. “In 2012 and thereafter, we’ll be opening one club every four weeks,” de Leede says. —|


20 Club Business Internat ional | JANUARY 2011 | www. ihrsa.org


Short Takes | Merrithew Beats 67-Million-to-One Odds


According to Golf Digest, the odds of sinking, not one, but two holes-in-one during a single game are 67 million to one. However, Lindsay Merrithew, the founder and president of STOTT PILATES, a leading provider of Pilates products and services, recently defied those odds. Merrithew, who calls Toronto home, made the two holes- in-one—on the second and eighth holes—while playing at the Doral Golf Resort’s Red Course in Miami, Florida. For both aces, the veteran


golfer’s weapon of choice was a 6 iron from 173 and 177 yards, respectively. —|


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