US-based health club chain Orangetheory Fitness has signed a deal to expand its concept in southern England with 70 studios set to open over the next decade, including 30 in London.

The company has signed a franchise agreement with 3 Kings, which will also be taking over three of the four Orangetheory studios currently in the UK. There are three London studios in Enfield, Islington and Aldgate, as well as one in Winchester, Hampshire.

Orangetheory plans to renovate the studios it takes over and open an additional three to five new sites within the next 12 months.

3 Kings will be led by Jamie Weeks, the area developer for Oregon and South Carolina and owner of studios in Oregon, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia in the US. By the end of this year, Weeks will own 20 studios in the US.

Michel Gahard, Amanda Goolsby and Jason Zavasnik will be leading the development in London and southern England for the ownership group.  

Dave Long, Orangetheory Fitness co-founder and CEO, said: "When we were looking for a master franchisee for a market with so much potential, we knew we required a partner with diverse and proven business expertise and professionals who deeply shared our corporate values and mission. Jamie has truly got it all, which is evident through his rapid studio growth in the US, and we're confident he will bring the same level of passion to the UK market."

Weeks said: "As I began to research more about the state of the fitness industry in London, I knew without a doubt that Orangetheory's unique workout was perfect for the city and its surrounding markets. My partners and I are very much looking forward to expanding throughout the UK."

Orangetheory, which launched its first studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US, in March 2010, has more than 620 studios in 45 states and 12 countries. The fitness franchise plans to have 900 studios in 2017.