Just three months after announcing its franchise strategy at FIBO, BodyBase has signed two successful fitness entrepreneurs.
BodyBase, a Pilates and reformer-focused fitness chain with four locations in the Netherlands, has announced that it has signed its first franchise agreement in Leiden, building on the franchise concept it unveiled at FIBO 2024 earlier this year.
The people behind Leiden’s Bodybase studio are fitness entrepreneurs Kani Mirza and Siraj Sari, who are also known for their boxing, kickboxing, MMA and strength training gym Bokshuis. The duo are now looking to bring reformer-based fitness to the South Holland city, with plans to expand Bodybase locations in Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
Although BodyBase classes mainly use the Reformer, the Dutch brand offers more than just Pilates: BodyBase offers members a range of 45-minute fitness concepts, including mat Pilates, strength and conditioning, functional training and weight training, and classes vary depending on the studio’s location.
Sabrina Albert, who launched the brand in 2019, said the move to a franchise model represents an evolution for Bodybase.
“We believe in the potential of our brand and are excited to share our blueprint for success with like-minded entrepreneurs,” said Albert. “Together we can revolutionize the fitness industry.”
BodyBase also offers several membership levels, as well as personal training and the option to purchase the AceLine Reformer, a home version of the reformer machine that can be used with BodyBase on-demand training and can also be mounted vertically to become a suspension training machine.
Those wanting to join a BodyBase franchise will have to pay an initial investment of between 100,000 and 200,000 euros and a joining fee of 15,000 euros.
The boutique fitness brand has also expanded into the hospitality industry with its reformer machines and is looking to expand into hotels following a partnership with the Royal Le Meridien (a Marriott Hotels company) in Doha, Qatar, which is offering AceLine in its rooms, spa and fitness areas.
Reformers around the world
Pilates may be taking the US by storm: Australian-born Studio Pilates has landed in several major US cities, Miami-based Jet Set Pilates plans 600 studios, and Solidcore aims to open 250 by 2028. But Pilates is also showing promise abroad.
Perhaps the most notable Pilates brand in terms of scale is Xponential Fitness’ Club Pilates, which has more than 1,000 studios around the world and is steadily growing. The boutique fitness concept is expanding in Germany and has plans for further expansion in the Netherlands and Austria.
“The studios that have opened so far are doing better than expected. Club Pilates has great potential to establish and expand its network in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands,” said Christophe Collinet, chief operating officer of the LifeFit Group, which owns the Club Pilates franchise rights in those countries. “A number of further studios with suitable franchises are expected to open in the coming years.”
Club Pilates has signed a master franchise agreement and is expanding into the French fitness market, with additional agreements in the works in Ireland, Portugal, Qatar, New Zealand and Switzerland.
