Job search
Job Search

News Report: FirstLight Cycle

Mark Anthony has moved out of the budget gym market and into the boutique sector, with a new studio based on light

Published in Health Club Management 2018 issue 5
FirstLight
FirstLight

A new boutique fitness concept will make its entry onto the booming London fitness market next month (June).

FirstLight Cycle – an indoor cycling concept – will open its first site at Westfield London White City, as part of a £600m expansion of the vast retail mall.

Housing three separate studios, the FirstLight Cycle club will feature full body, cycle workouts led by trainers in light-adjusted rooms in order to "heighten the senses" and create an innovative workout.

The classes will include sound, visuals and "sunlight simulation", designed to "reflect the energy demands of each class".

FirstLight has been founded by entrepreneur, Mark Anthony, whose deal to sell his Rush Fitness business locations to The Gym Group and Bay Leisure towards the end of last year, saw him moving out of the budget sector and into boutiques.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Talking to Health Club Management, Anthony said: "The concept for FirstLight has been five years in the making and the experience is incredibly special to me.

"It represents so many important things: happiness, energy, motivation, purpose. We all need that light in our lives."

The club’s signature full body cycle workouts include cardio, mindfulness and meditation, together with upper-body strength workouts using body bars to build and tone core muscles, with four 45 minute classes offered each day – two in the morning and two in the evening.

Anthony said: "Our Maestro Instructors choreograph each class to their own uplifting playlists against a backdrop of amazing widescreen graphics that will transport you digitally to the FirstLight 'destinations' of Manhattan, Ibiza, Africa, London, Rio or Dubai via big screens.

"Our sunlight simulation technology enhances these experiences, working with our Magic Mirror system behind the instructor. This fully immerses riders in the themes and transports them beyond the studio and out into the world."

The largest of the three studios will have 68 bespoke bikes – supplied by Schwinn – arranged in a stadium-style layout.

Bikes will feature weighted body bars to be used for upper body and core strength movements during classes.

The deal for the FirstLight site at Westfield was brokered through leisure property specialist May & Company.

FirstLight rates - Pre-opening
10 classes £125 (£12.50 per class) expires 1 July

After launch
1 credit £20, expires in 3 months
5 credits £95 (£19.00 per class), expires in 3 months
10 credits £180 (£18.00 per class), expires in 6 months
20 credits £335 (£16.75 per class), expires in 12 months
50 credits £800 (£16.00 per class), expires in 12 months

Mark Anthony,

Founder,

FirstLight

Mark Anthony
Mark Anthony

"The concept for FirstLight has been five years in the making and is incredibly special to me. It represents happiness, energy, motivation and purpose"

Sign up for FREE ezines

Company profile

Company profile: ukactive
ukactive is the UK’s leading trade body for the physical activity sector, bringing together more than 4,000 member organisations and partners in our shared ambition to get More People, More Active, More Often.
View full profile >
More company profiles

Featured Supplier

Elevate 2026 to mark 10-year anniversary with biggest ever waterfront drinks reception
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more than 10% ahead of last year.
View full details >
More featured suppliers

Property & Tenders

Location: Stratford, East London.
Company: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Location: Y Felinheli, LL56 4QN
Company: Newmark
Location: Newhaven, Sussex
Company: EiA Real Estate
Location: Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire
Company: Savills
Location: Oxford
Company: University of Oxford
More properties & tenders

Diary dates

22-23 Jun 2026
WX Wakefield , Wakefield, United Kingdom
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
06-08 Oct 2026
Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
22-22 Oct 2026
QEII Conference Centre, London
More diary dates